Chapter 70. No Escaping

The man seemed relentless in messaging her, yet Emerald couldn't spot any suspicious figures on her way home. Even without any direct action, the unease lingered, weighing down on her like a heavy stone, making it hard to breathe.

Especially at night—each time her phone lit up, it felt like a monster with dim, watchful eyes, ready to devour her at any moment.

One night, her phone rang. Emerald's body jolted, but when she saw the familiar number on the screen, a sense of relief washed over her, and she quickly answered.

"Hello..." she said softly, her voice tinged with tension.

"What are you doing?" The deep voice on the other end brought a sense of security, like a protective barrier against her fear.

Emerald gripped the phone, trying to calm herself. "Nothing."

Alaric heard the unease in her voice. His brow furrowed slightly, but his tone remained calm as he said, "I'll be back tomorrow."

"Good."

Though she intended to keep things cas