The man stopped a few feet away, his presence swallowing the noise of the schoolyard.Sharp jaw, colder eyes he looked like someone who belonged in a boardroom, not outside a high school.
"Alina Carter?" His voice was deep, certain.
Her pulse skipped. Five years ago… did I ever meet him? She searched her memories, but nothing.
"Do I know you?" she asked.
He smiled the kind of smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Not yet. But you will."
Emma stepped closer, irritation on her face. "Hey, creep, back off."
His gaze flicked to Emma, then back to Alina. "Stay away from your sister. She's not what she pretends to be."Alina almost laughed. If only you knew.
"You're telling me something I already know," she replied.
That made him pause. His eyes narrowed, studying her like she'd just broken a rule in his game."I'll be in touch," he said finally, slipping a small black card into her hand. There was only a phone number on it no name, no company.
Before she could question him, he turned and disappeared into the crowd like smoke.
Emma grabbed her arm. "What was that about?"Alina slid the card into her pocket. "Nothing you need to worry about."
Inside, her mind was spinning. She had planned to deal with Daniel and Emma slowly, methodically… but now, a stranger had entered the game.And something told her he wasn't just a bystander.
That night, when she finally texted the number, the reply came instantly:I know what's going to happen to you. And I can help you change it.