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What if he’s not really as shy as he puts on? What if it was all an act to get him to trust me? All the ‘what if’s’ keep spinning through my head so quickly it’s hard for me to keep up with them all.
"Emily," Carter says gently, his voice filled with sincerity. "I wouldn't bring this up if I didn't think it was important. I care about you, and I don't want to see you get hurt."
The concern etched into his handsome features is like a dagger piercing my heart, slicing through the delicate layers of trust I've built up around Max. As much as I want to dismiss Carter's claims, the seed of doubt has been planted, and I can feel it taking root within me, twisting and growing like ivy reaching for sunlight.
"Thank you for telling me," I say, my voice barely audible above the chaotic symphony of thoughts and emotions crashing through my mind like a hurricane. "I...I need some time to think about all this."
"Of course," Carter replies, his eyes filled with sympathy. "Just know that I'm here for you, Emily. Whatever you decide, I'll support you."
A dull ache forms in my chest, expanding with each beat of my heart as Carter's words echo in my head. The Max I've come to know and trust feels like a mirage, vanishing before my eyes, leaving me stranded in a desert of uncertainty.
CHAPTER12
Max
I dial Emily's number,my heart pounding in anticipation. The call goes straight to voicemail, and I frown, worry settling in the pit of my stomach. Trying again, it's the same result. I can't help but wonder if she's intentionally ignoring me, or if something happened.
Me:Are you okay?I text her, my fingers tapping against the screen with a sense of urgency. It feels like an eternity before a response comes through.
Emily:Don't you already know? You've been watching me...
My heart sinks like a stone dropped in water, the ripples of despair spreading through my chest. Sheknows. Somehow, my secret has been exposed, and the fragile threads connecting us have snapped under the weight of my obsessive behavior. Desperation takes hold as I quickly type out another message.
Me:Please, let me explain.
But there's no answer. Silence stretches out between us like a chasm I cannot cross. I stare at my phone, willing it to come alive with her words, but it remains lifeless in my hand.
The world around me loses its color, everything fading into shades of gray as Emily distances herself from me. I can't believe I finally had her—that bright, shining light in my otherwise dull existence—only to fuck it all up. And yet, even after realizing that my actions have pushed her away, I can't stop watching her.
It's as if I'm trapped in an invisible cage, driven by the obsessive need to ensure her safety. I lurk in the shadows, my eyes hungrily drinking in every detail of her from a distance. Her vibrant blonde hair flows like a golden river down her back, framing her delicate face as she greets customers in the candy shop with a dazzling smile. Her bright blue eyes are gems that seem to sparkle with an inner light, drawing people in like moths to a flame.
I still remember the way she felt in my arms. Soright. Soperfect.
Somine.
"Emily," I whisper to myself, the name tasting bittersweet on my tongue. It's a cruel irony that the person who has brought so much joy and light into my life is now the source of my greatest despair. I'm drowning in the abyss of my own making, unable to reach the shore where she stands, untouchable.
Maybe I can't find a way to explain my actions, to make her understand why I've been watching her. Maybe I can't mend what's broken between us, but I continue to watch Emily from afar, determined to protect her from harm.
Even if it means sacrificing my own happiness.
* * *
Carter's laughter echoes through the air, grating on my nerves like nails on a chalkboard. I watch him from the shadows, my hands balled into fists as he leans in closer to Emily, his smile oozing false charm. The sight of them together sickens me, stirring a tempest of anger and frustration deep within my chest.
"Come on, Emily. Just dinner," Carter murmurs, his voice dripping with honeyed sincerity. But I see the way his eyes dart around, calculating, predatory. I know there must be some ulterior motive behind his actions, and I'm determined to uncover it.
In the following days, I delve into Carter's past, his business dealings, anything that might give me a clue as to what he's truly after. And then, like a bolt of lightning, it hits me: the candy shop. He wants the location, the prime piece of real estate nestled in the heart of Millfield. He plans to make Emily dependent on him, exploiting her trust and vulnerability to gain control of the shop.
The pieces fall into place, and my blood runs cold as I realize the true extent of Carter's scheming. It was him who orchestrated the attack on Emily, hoping to scare her enough to turn to him for advice. I imagine him, feigning concern, offering to buy the building off her once she becomes the owner, convincing her it's an unsafe location.
My resolve hardens, and I vow to protect Emily from Carter's machinations at all costs.
"Emily, please," he pleads, desperation creeping into his voice. "I just want to take you to dinner."
But Emily is stronger than he realizes. She keeps him at arm's length, thwarting his advances with a quiet grace and determination that makes my heart swell with pride.
"Thanks, but I'm busy," she tells him firmly.
