Angela fell into the rhythm of college life more easily than she expected. The classes were challenging but invigorating, each lecture offering a small escape from the complexities of her personal life. She had always found comfort in structure, assignments with clear deadlines, professors who outlined exactly what they expected, and classmates who kept conversations safely superficial. Yet, no matter how busy she kept herself during the day, the nights felt impossibly long.

　　When the dorm lights dimmed and the hum of campus life quieted, her thoughts returned to Edmund. The memory of his voice, his touch, his presence filled the silence of her small room, and she would reach for her phone like a lifeline.

　　Angela sprawled across her bed, staring at the ceiling as her phone buzzed with a message.

　　"How's my favorite college girl doing tonight?"

　　Her lips curved into a faint smile as she typed back. "Missing you, as always. Trying to focus on school, though. Literature class is amazing."

　　The reply came almost instantly, as if he had been waiting. "I'm glad you're enjoying it. But don't work too hard. Remember to take care of yourself."

　　Her chest tightened at the thought of him worrying over her. Before she could stop herself, she hit the call button.

　　"Angela," he said softly, his voice washing over her like a warm tide.

　　"Hi," she murmured, curling her knees to her chest. "I just needed to hear your voice."

　　"I'm always here for you," he said. "How was your day?"

　　She told him about her classes, about a particularly engaging discussion on Byron, and about Elena's relentless attempts to drag her out of her shell.

　　"She's persistent," Angela said with a nervous laugh.

　　"Persistent how?" His tone sharpened, laced with concern.

　　"She's just curious about everything," Angela replied, downplaying the truth. "She invited me to a party this weekend. I'm thinking about going."

　　There was a pause, long enough for her to know he was wrestling with his response. "Be careful, Angela," he said finally. "You don't need to go if you're uncomfortable. And if you do, stay close to her. Watch your surroundings."

　　"I will," she promised, though his worry only made her stomach twist.

　　"I miss you," he said softly, his voice dipping into something tender.

　　Her heart ached. "I miss you more."

　　The next evening, Angela closed her laptop and leaned back in her chair, staring at the ceiling of her dorm room. The day had been productive, she aced a quiz in her literature class and had even managed to secure a meeting with her professor to discuss an upcoming essay.

　　By all accounts, she should have felt accomplished, but the quiet of the evening made her restless. The ache of Edmund's absence had taken root in her chest, a constant, dull longing. Her gaze fell on her phone, where a string of messages from him blinked back at her.

　　"How was the quiz?"

　　"Aced it."

　　"I never doubted you. My brilliant girl."

　　"Miss you."

　　The reply came instantly. "More than you know, baby."

　　Angela smiled faintly, the warmth of his words soothing her frayed nerves. Just as she started typing a reply, her phone buzzed with an incoming call.

　　"Edmund," she answered softly, leaning back against her pillows.

　　"I needed to hear your voice," he said, his tone warm but tinged with something heavier.

　　"You spoke to me this morning," Angela teased lightly, though her heart ached at the yearning in his voice.

　　"It feels like a lifetime ago," he admitted. "Tell me about your day."

　　Angela recounted her small victories, leaving out the gnawing sense of emptiness that followed her everywhere. She didn't want to burden him; he already worried too much.

　　"I wish I could've been there to celebrate with you," he said after she finished.

　　"You're always with me," Angela murmured. "In here." She touched her chest, though he couldn't see it.

　　His laugh was soft, a little sad. "You're too good for me."

　　"That's not true."

　　For a moment, silence stretched between them, comfortable yet charged.

　　"Angela," he said finally, his voice low, "I don't like you being there alone."

　　"I'm not alone," she replied quickly. "Elena's been around."

　　"Elena," Edmund repeated, his tone sharp. "Tell me about her."

　　Angela hesitated, unsure how to describe her enigmatic new friend. "She's intense. But she's been nice to me."

　　"Be careful with her," he warned. "People aren't always what they seem."

　　Angela sighed. "You're overthinking again."

　　"Promise me you'll be cautious," Edmund pressed.

　　"I promise," she said, though she knew it wouldn't ease his worry.

　　They lingered on the call a little longer, exchanging soft words and stolen moments, before reluctantly saying goodbye. Angela stared at the screen for a long time after he hung up, her heart heavy with longing.

　　Finally the weekend arrived. Angela found herself standing outside a sleek, modern building a few blocks from campus. Elena had appeared at her dorm earlier, sweeping her up with a mix of charm and determination that left Angela little room to refuse.

　　Inside, the atmosphere was far from what Angela expected of a college event. Instead of a student lounge or campus building, it was a chic loft just off campus, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. Ambient lighting bathed the room in a warm glow, and a soft buzz of conversation filled the air.

　　"Elena, this is fancy," Angela said, her eyes wide.

　　"Relax," Elena said, sensing Angela's discomfort. She pressed a glass of something fizzy into Angela's hand. "It's just a party. Besides, you're with me. No one bites unless you want them to."

　　Angela laughed nervously, taking a small sip. "This place is incredible. How did you even find out about it?"

　　"You're welcome," Elena replied with a smirk, linking arms with her. "Stick with me, and you'll never endure a dull moment."

　　The evening blurred into a series of introductions. Elena seemed to know everyone, moving through the room with an effortless charm that made Angela feel both protected and scrutinized. She introduced her to a small group of people, students, or so they claimed, though their polished appearances suggested otherwise. One of them, a tall man with sharp features, eyed Angela with interest.

　　"Elena's told us so much about you," he said, extending a hand.

　　Angela shook it hesitantly. "She has?"

　　"All good things, I promise," he said with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.

　　Angela stayed close to Elena, feeling increasingly out of place as the night wore on. She was nursing a glass of sparkling water when one of Elena's friends, a woman in an impeccably tailored suit, leaned closer.

　　"Lovely necklace," the woman said, her eyes lingering on the seashell charm.

　　Angela's hand flew to her neck. "Thank you. It was a gift."

　　Before the woman could ask more, Elena cut in, her tone breezy but firm. "Come on, Angela. Let's get some air."

　　Angela followed her to a quieter corner, grateful for the reprieve. "What was that about?" she asked.

　　"Nothing," Elena said with a shrug. "People are nosy. Ignore her. So, this Edmund. Who is he, really?"

　　Angela froze. "What do you mean?"

　　Elena shrugged, her smile disarming. "You mentioned someone special once. I just thought it might be him. It's a nice name, by the way. Edmund. Very... classic."

　　Angela forced a laugh, her mind racing. "It's just a name I like."

　　Elena didn't press further, but the comment left Angela rattled, she couldn't ignore the way Elena avoided her gaze.

　　Later, Angela excused herself to find some air. The balcony overlooked the city, the lights twinkling like stars scattered across the ground. She leaned against the railing, letting the cool breeze steady her nerves. She stopped short when she heard Elena's voice, low and urgent, coming from a nearby room. Voices floated from the shadows nearby, low and urgent.

　　"She has no idea," Elena was saying. "And she won't if you keep the story under wraps."

　　A man's voice responded, too soft for Angela to make out the words.

　　Angela's breath hitched. She strained to hear more, but the conversation was muffled by the laughter and music from inside. She backed away, her heart pounding. She returned to the main room, but her mind raced with questions. What didn't she know? And why was Elena involved?

　　A moment later, Elena emerged, her expression bright and unreadable.

　　"There you are!" Elena exclaimed, looping her arm through Angela's. "I was about to send a search party."

　　"Where were you?" Angela asked, trying to keep her tone casual.

　　"Oh, I just met an old friend," Elena said breezily. "Nothing interesting. Come on, let's get you another drink."

　　Angela let herself be pulled back inside, but her unease lingered.

　　Meanwhile, Edmund sat in his study, staring at his phone. The silence in the room was oppressive, broken only by the soft hum of the city outside his window.

　　Mark entered, carrying a tablet. "The updates you requested, sir."

　　Edmund skimmed through the report: detailed accounts of Angela's classes, her social interactions, even surveillance photos of her and Elena walking across campus.

　　"She's spending a lot of time with this Elena," Edmund said, his tone clipped. "Have you found anything on her?"

　　"Not yet," Mark admitted. "But we're digging. Her background is unusually clean."

　　"Keep looking," Edmund ordered. "And increase the security measures around Angela. I don't like how close this girl is getting."

　　It was late when Angela returned to her dorm. The room was dark, the faint scent of her lavender candle still lingering in the air.

　　"I think you were right about Elena. Something feels off."

　　"Tell me everything."

　　She hesitated, unsure how much to share. "It's just a feeling. She's too curious about my life."

　　"Stay away from her, Angela. I mean it."

　　After talking to Edmund and sharing her unease with him, she decided to call it a day. She was feeling a little better after talking to Edmund. She locked her dorm door before climbing into bed, double-checking the windows for good measure.

　　She was halfway asleep when a soft creak jolted her awake. She sat up, her heart hammering in her chest. The room was silent, but something felt wrong.

　　Her eyes scanned the space, landing on her desk. The seashell necklace, which she always left in the same spot, was right there.

　　Angela's blood ran cold. She heard the door open and footsteps.

　　Someone was there in her room.