🌙 Author's Note -
Hey love!! 🖤
This is my first book and first chapter of the book - "The Shadow in the Dark". I wanted to show a softer, broken side of both my main characters before their worlds collide. Before you read, pause and feel this: hearts can break, but sometimes the broken moments bring the most unexpected connections. As you read Rose and Noah's story, think of your own "unexpected" moments - and maybe share them with me. I can't wait to see how this chapter touches you.
Love,
Darkangel🖤
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Love! What is love? Everyone defines it in their own way. Some say it is pure, others call it cruel. Some see it as their strength, others as their weakness.
Everyone has a story about love, and I am here with mine.
Let's dive into the chapter!
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A man who is busy showering his love on his mistress, leaving his fiancée behind. I always wished for a prince to come and rescue me, but guess what? He is not coming. And just the thought of it is making me sick. Disgusted with myself, with everything around me.
The thought kept burning inside me, and in a blink of frustration I kicked a pebble which hit the nearest tree. Suddenly, I heard someone groaning in pain.
I started moving towards it and saw a shadow. At first, I thought my eyes were playing tricks. But as the moonlight slid through the trees, the figure became real - slumped against a tree, breath ragged, shirt soaked in blood.
I froze, my heart hammered, and I shouted.
"Blood!!"
Loud enough that anyone could hear me. And then recognition struck.
"No way..." I whispered. "That's Noah Meddex."
The cold, untouchable CEO. A man who built his empire from scratch and who seems like a saint - but isn't. People rumoured he's a womanizer, though I never found any article about it. I even heard he's so cold that even his own family is scared of him.
Without a second thought, I rushed to him, thinking what is he doing under the stars, bleeding nearly to death?!
"Hey, can you hear me?! I don't think you can move. Grab my hand, we have to go to the hospital!"
"Go away!!" he said, looking up slightly with a sarcastic smile. "I don't need your help. I can handle myself. This is nothing compared to what I have gone through in the past."
I stared at him in disbelief. Of course, he's Noah Meddex - why would he need my help?
"Fine," I snapped. "Rot here, then."
I turned back and started walking again. After a few steps, I stopped. I hated myself for that at that moment.
However, something inside me wouldn't let me walk away. He was indeed a stranger to me but he was hurt. And I know very well how it feels when nobody stays beside you.
I went back in full rage and blasted at him.
"Listen Mr. Arrogant, if I leave you here alone, you will be dinner for the wolves, or the ones who attacked you might come back searching for you. So shut up and let me help you. Drop this 'Mr. Arrogant Noah Meddex' face. I won't get scared of you. Now let me help you!"
His eyes flickered in shock. He wasn't used to this. He slowly looked at me in eyes this time and his gaze softened. Then without a word, he hissed in pain and let me help him.
I started walking, searching for a safe place, softly dragging him by my side. Minutes later, I found a spot. Then I gently put him near a bench and called my dad for help.
After half an hour, headlights cut through the trees. Panic rose in me and I stepped forward to protect him. It could either be the men my dad sent or the ones trying to kill him - or worst, Cole.
I guarded myself, covering him. But as soon as I saw my car, relief washed over me. Then, I guided them and soon enough we were headed to the hospital.
Knowing the situation, I asked him to call someone from his family. He took my phone, spoke to someone while I guided my dad's trusted man to the nearest hospital. He then handed back my phone and said softly, "Sorry... and thank you."
I was shocked. So this man knows how to say sorry and thank you.
"It's okay," I said. "Anyone would do it."
"No. They all hate me. Nobody would want to get involved with me knowing what I can do. But you stood there and didn't run away."
"Why would I?! You wouldn't kill me for helping you. Will you?!" I joked.
He smiled and chuckled but soon groaned again in pain.
"You're still injured," I murmured. "You can lie down and try to get some rest. The knife looked really sharp; God knows how deep the wound is. This bandage won't stay for long but at least the blood has stopped."
Within a second, he rested his head on my lap. I was startled - but it was okay. He was hurt.
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Noah's POV -
Pain roared in every nerve. My vision blurred. And then - her.
A girl with fire in her tone and softness in her eyes. She told me to take her hand. I pushed her away. That's what I'd always done. People only wanted one thing from me - my name, my wealth, my world. But she came back. Why?
I didn't understand it. But in that moment, when her words cut sharper than my pain, I found myself reaching out. Accepting help. For the first time in years.
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Soon enough we reached the hospital. The hospital lights stung after the darkness of the forest. Everything blurred - nurses rushing, voices echoing, the sound of Noah's name rippling through the halls.
"Get a stretcher! It's Noah Meddex," a nurse shouted. Within seconds, he was behind the double doors. I stood there in the hallway, blood drying on my hands, my heart pounding.
An hour passed, a storm of footsteps rushed the corridor. A man panicking, desperately asking about someone.
"Where's my brother?!" he called, louder this time. "Where's Noah?!"
The nurse got startled, and I rushed to him.
"Hey," I said, "they took him into the surgery room an hour ago. I am also waiting for doctors to come out."
Relief softened his face and then he looked at me closely.
"Thank you! You've done more than we can ever repay."
This must be Kyle Meddex, Noah's brother.
"Anyone would have helped," I replied. "I just happened to be there."
But deep down, I knew nobody would - as Noah had said.
Hours passed which felt like ages. Suddenly the light above the doors went off and I gulped.
Doctors and nurses came out and my heart started racing.
"Do not worry," the doctor said. "Mr. Meddex is out of danger now. He is stable. Luckily, whoever had cleaned the wound and wrapped it to stop the blood - it helped."
He left, and we both felt relieved and rushed to his door to see him. He was still unconscious but out of danger.
As I was about to leave after seeing him, Kyle turned to me and stopped me. His eyes were watery.
"I seriously cannot thank you enough. If he is alive, it's because of you."
"No Kyle," I said, my voice breaking. "Trust me, I was just a way. God really did his magic."
At this, Kyle burst into tears, then continued:
"You know... Noah is not what people think. He hides a lot. But he's not heartless."
I raised an eyebrow. "Yeah right! I noticed. Between nearly bleeding to death and insulting me, I'd say yes - full of surprises."
Kyle chuckled and continued: "Still, I was shocked. I've never seen him accept help from any woman. He doesn't let them near him as they always come to him for their benefit. But it seems to him, you appeared different."
After hearing this, my heart ached, knowing exactly what it meant. At the same time, something happened in my heart which I couldn't explain.
As I was about to go, he stopped me again.
"Here," he said, handing me a card. "Please take this with you. I cannot do much but if you ever need anything - I mean anything - call me. Consider it a lifetime offer."
I took the card and started walking away from Noah, thinking -
Behind them was the man everyone feared or admired. A man untouchable. A headline. A name.
But tonight, in the forest, he had been something else.
Human.
And fate had chosen me to find him.
Maybe... fate had chosen him to find me, too.
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✨ Chapter 3 Teaser ✨
The storm inside her had quieted, but Rose knew it hadn't passed-it had only paused. Coming home felt like stepping into a fragile calm, a shelter where love wrapped around her like a blanket. Yet beneath that warmth lingered the taste of unfinished battles.
Her family's embrace healed what Cole had broken, but in their eyes, she sensed questions left unspoken-secrets waiting for the right moment to unravel. And though she told herself she was free of the past, a certain pair of storm-grey eyes refused to leave her thoughts. Noah. His presence was a shadow at the edge of her calm, a reminder that fate had only just begun weaving their stories together.
For now, Rose could breathe. But the night was only resting-the storm had not ended, only gathered strength for what was still to come.
🌙 Chapter 3: A Place Called Home - Coming Next...
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📝 Author's Note -
Hey loves!🧡
Thank you, loves, for walking with Rose through one of her darkest nights. Coming home gave her comfort, but as we know, calm skies don't mean the storm has ended-it's only waiting to return, stronger, fiercer, and far more revealing. Both family and fate have secrets to unfold, and yes, Noah's shadow will linger where she least expects it.
Stay close, because in Chapter 3, A Place Called Home, we'll discover that sometimes the safest places hide the deepest truths.
Your thoughts mean everything to me-drop your feelings, guesses, or even your favorite moment in the comments. Every like, read, and word from you gives me the strength to keep writing and to take you deeper into this journey.
Thank you for being here at the very start. The best is yet to come.
With love,
Darkangel🖤🌙🧿
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