In Her Shadow

Bridget's Past

In the quiet of a late evening, Navy sat curled on the couch, flipping idly through a magazine she'd found on Bridget's coffee table. She was just getting lost in an article when she heard footsteps approaching. Looking up, she saw Bridget standing by the window, her silhouette outlined by the city lights outside. But something about her stance seemed off—tense, almost haunted. Navy hesitated, sensing a weight in the air. She'd seen glimpses of Bridget's guarded side before, moments when her warmth would flicker into something colder, withdrawn. But tonight felt different. It was as if the city lights outside had stirred a memory within her, one that she couldn't shake."Bridget?" Navy's voice was soft, careful. "Is everything okay?"Bridget's shoulders stiffened at first, but then she let out a long sigh, a sound heavy with something she hadn't shared before. "Sometimes," she began, not turning to face Navy, "I think about how different things could've been."Navy watched her carefully, sensing the gravity in her words. "Different...how?"Bridget finally turned, her eyes meeting Navy's with a vulnerability she'd rarely shown. She motioned for Navy to come over, and they settled by the window, looking out over the city together."When I was younger, I thought I had my life all planned out," Bridget started, her voice barely above a whisper. "But then, life... it has this way of unraveling even the best-laid plans."Bridget's gaze grew distant, her eyes seeming to focus on something far away. "My father owned a company—not as large as the one I run now, but it was his pride and joy. From a young age, I was pushed into the business world, and expected to take it over one day. But he...he wasn't a kind man."Bridget paused, collecting herself, her jaw tightening as she forced herself to continue. "He was controlling, ruthless. To him, every person was just a pawn, something to be used or discarded, and he wanted me to be the same way. If I didn't live up to his expectations, he'd remind me exactly who had the power."Navy's breath caught as Bridget's words sunk in. She couldn't imagine this poised, strong woman having been under the thumb of someone so harsh.Bridget's expression darkened, her fingers gripping the edge of the window frame. "When I was old enough, he brought me into the business and made it very clear that emotions were weaknesses. Compassion was a flaw. And if I couldn't be as ruthless as he was, I had no place by his side."The bitterness in her voice was raw. Navy reached out, lightly touching Bridget's arm, silently offering support as she continued."There was one night," Bridget said, her gaze falling. "I was only twenty-one. I'd been working late, and I discovered a ledger... It had all the evidence of shady deals, unethical practices. Everything I thought our family business stood against was right there in black and white. My father had lied, hidden things—betrayed the very people he was supposed to protect."Bridget's lips thinned, her voice low and controlled. "When I confronted him, he... he told me that's how real business was done. That honesty was for fools."Navy's heart tightened as she imagined a young Bridget, staring down the very person who was supposed to be her role model, someone she was meant to trust."That's when I left," Bridget continued. "I cut ties with him, left the business, and started from scratch. But it wasn't easy. For years, I tried to distance myself from him and his methods, but I felt like every step forward was tainted by where I'd come from."Bridget's voice grew even softer. "And the worst part? Some of his business partners followed me, and tried to intimidate me. There was one...someone who went by the name 'Blackwood.' Ruthless and cunning, he operated in the shadows. He tried to corner me into deals, and ruin my reputation. For years, I was terrified of what he might do to those around me. It took everything I had to stand up to him."A faint tremor passed through Bridget as she spoke the name, as if even now the memory still haunted her. "I got out of it, but it came at a cost. I couldn't trust anyone, didn't let anyone in, for fear that they'd be used against me."Navy felt a surge of empathy, an understanding of the isolation that had followed Bridget into her success. "But you still kept going," she said softly. "You became something different, something better."Bridget managed a small smile, but it was tinged with sadness. "I had to. I couldn't let him define me. But sometimes, even now, I still wonder if those shadows are just waiting to creep back in."