𝐕𝐞𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐎𝐛𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

Chapter 48 : Ghosts of the past

Author's note :

This chapter is the continuation of the earlier Chapter 47 and please don't forget to vote, y'all. Writing a single chapter takes a lot of time and effort, and your votes act as a source of motivation for me to continue writing and also don't forget to comment

And now enjoy reading <3

______________________________________

Scarlett

The tension in the room was almost suffocating, but as soon as Kai walked away, I forced myself to take a deep breath, willing the anxiety back down into the pit of my stomach. I couldn’t afford to let it take over. Not here, not now.

As I watched him retreat into the crowd, mingling with my colleagues and acting as though nothing was out of the ordinary, a cold shiver ran down my spine. How had he managed to land a job here, at Blackwood Estates, of all places? Was this some kind of sick game to him? Or worse—was it a calculated move to disrupt the life I’d fought so hard to rebuild?

I knew Kai was cunning and manipulative, but even I hadn’t expected him to reappear like this. He was always two steps ahead, always had some hidden agenda. And now, he was here, right under my nose, with all the power to turn my world upside down once again.

But I refused to let him.

“Scarlett, are you okay?” Emily’s voice cut through my thoughts, bringing me back to the present. I hadn’t even realized she’d come up beside me, her expression full of concern.

I mustered a smile, though it felt forced. “I’m fine, Emily. Just… a lot to process.”

She nodded, but the worry in her eyes didn’t fade. “If there’s anything you need, or if you just want to talk… I’m here for you.”

I appreciated her kindness more than she could know. Emily had been one of the first people to welcome me to Blackwood Estates when I’d arrived in New York. She had no idea about my past with Kai, and I wasn’t sure I was ready to burden her with that knowledge just yet.

“Thanks, Emily,” I replied softly, trying to reassure her. “I’ll be okay.”

She gave me a small, understanding smile, and we both turned our attention back to the rest of the room. The celebratory atmosphere had taken on a surreal quality, the joy and excitement around me clashing with the storm brewing inside my mind.

But I had to keep it together. I had to get through this day, and the next, and the one after that. There was no turning back now. Kai was here, and I had to face whatever came next with my head held high.

As the speeches wrapped up and people began to disperse, I felt a presence beside me. I didn’t have to look to know it was Alexander. His warm, confident energy was unmistakable.

“You did great up there,” he said, his voice low and reassuring. “I know this must be a lot to take in.”

I glanced up at him, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside me. He had no idea what Kai’s presence really meant—how much it dredged up from a past I wanted to leave behind. And I couldn’t bring myself to tell him. Not now. Not when everything seemed to be going so well.

“Thank you,” I said, my voice steadier than I expected. “I just… I wasn’t expecting all of this. It’s a lot to process.”

He nodded, his eyes searching mine as if trying to read the emotions I was carefully concealing. “If there’s anything I can do to make this easier for you, just let me know.”

I swallowed hard, fighting back the urge to spill everything to him. To tell him about Kai, about Chicago, about the nightmares that still occasionally haunted me. But instead, I simply said, “I appreciate that, Alexander. Really.”