Chapter Twelve: The Voice I Can't Escape!

Vanessa's POV.

Just before I entered the courtroom. My mind wasn't at peace and I decided to redial the unknown number again as I pressed my phone to my ear. And for the first time today, the number rang.

And then, I heard a faint sound. Not from the phone in my hand but from close by. I turned around, only for me to see that Damon was standing behind his car now, his own phone was pressed to his ear. And he didn't say a word, instead he just smiled and the discovery sent shivers through my body.

It was at that moment that I was fully convinced that it was him. It had to be him. But all I needed to know was prove that he was the one stalking me otherwise all my accusations will end up being null and void without any evidence.

I entered the courtroom and I tried my best to focus on the judge, the papers, the signatures that would end it all. But whenever my phone vibrated against my thighs, I would flinch as though I was scared of something.

Obviously I was scared of the unknown number always calling me and I didn't need to lie to myself. I could lie to anyone but not to myself.

I looked up and my eyes caught Damon steady gaze on me as though he was already peeling apart the pieces of my life he still believed belonged to me.

At one point, my phone buzzed again and I picked it up only for me to say that it was still the same unknown number. I froze at the spot, then I slowly raised my eyes only for me to see that Damon was still standing outside the glass doors, staring right at me. The timing was too perfect. And my heart pounded hard against my chest.

After what took like forever to me. The judge finally declared the divorce between me and Damon finalized as my knees felt weak. I let out a loud sigh of relief, I was finally free and I could go ahead to live my life the way I wanted it to be.

But even if the divorce was finalized, the uneasiness I felt still didn't leave me alone. I left Lawrence alone to tackle the other documents as I looked up again and then I saw that Damon was not standing at the last place I saw him.

I walked outside and then I felt someone grab my arm as I turned with so much fear. And my eyes landed on my mother. 

“Vanessa it is me.” my mom said and I puffed out air.

“Mom, you scared me.” I said.

“And why should you be scared? It is not as though you are in a deserted place at night. This is still the early hours of the day. So tell me why you look pale and what is going on?” she asked and I hesitated to answer her before the words spilled out of my mouth.

“Someone has been calling me. Over and over again and I don't even think that the person is going to stop anytime soon. The person has been giving me silent calls and messages. I think I am being stalked.” I explained and I watched my mother's face harden. 

“And you think it is Damon, right?” she asked and I widened my eyes at her. 

For my mother to ask me that question meant that I wasn't the only one thinking that way. I mean I wasn't even overreacting, I had seen the proof already in Damon's phone and from his reactions. But I was definitely sure that if my mother was to see all of those things that I saw, then she would definitely tell me that I wasn't overreacting for me to suspect him as the person stalking me.

I wanted to answer her. But before I could, I sighted Ethan from afar. I knew that I had informed him last night when I went home about my divorce today but I wasn't expecting him to come over here especially when he didn't tell me that he was going to come. 

“Hi Vanessa. I just want to say I'm sorry for not informing you that I was also going to come here but it is just that your safety means everything to me and it is my duty to keep you protected. I would have sent two of my men to protect you but I sent them out on a mission, so that is why I am here.” Ethan said.

“It is really nothing. I'm glad you are here and please meet my mom.” I said as Ethan bowed his head in respect to my mom.

“Mom. This is Ethan, the private detective I went to see last night from Lucas parent's house. I wanted him to track the unknown number but unfortunately for me, the person behind the unknown number doesn't want to be found because there is no trace.” I explained.

“Have you been getting any other calls or text messages from the number since last night?” Ethan asked.

“Yes I have. And I also believe that the person stalking me is Damon. My ex-husband whom I just got a divorce from today.”

“Then I guess that it is safe for me to say that the simplest explanation is usually the right one. Damon has a motive. He has access to you. And he hasn't exactly hidden his obsession from you, I mean it is hard for some men to actually let go of their ex-wife so easily, and that is what is happening with Damon especially when you were adding to his profits in business.” Ethan said as my mom tightened her grip on my arm.

“Vanessa, I don't trust that Damon of a man one bit. You need to really be careful about him.” My mom advised and her words already fed the storm brewing inside of me. 

“I just want to sit in the car to clear myself up first then I'll join you guys soon. Just continue.” I said as I walked towards my car, but just when I had thought that I had gotten rid of him forever, Damon cornered me on my way to my car.

“Do you think that divorcing me and humiliating me in that way will make you get rid of me? I just want to let you know that you will never be able to run to anybody for help. And you will always belong to me in some way, Vanessa. You are never going to really be free of me.” he said as his words echoed the last cryptic message I received from the unknown number. You will never get rid of me and my blood went cold.

“Stay away from me.” I warned and he smirked at me. The kind of smirk that almost made me scratch his face with my nails but I had to practice self control in that moment, otherwise I wouldn't even know what I would do to him if I let my emotions get the better of me.

“Hi baby. How are you feeling after your divorce with that excuse of a barren woman?” I heard Sabrina ask as she approached us with fast steps and I rolled my eyes at her because she always speaks nonsense.

“I feel at peace, baby. I have more peace than I have ever had.” Damon replied and Sabrina kissed him on his cheek. And for a second everything felt staged to me, like they were both part of some twisted conspiracy designed to break me apart piece by piece.

I walked away from their presence as I let them continue making a mockery and a fool out of themselves. And by the time I reached my own car I could barely breathe. The court, the stares, the words, it was all too much. I pressed my forehead against the steering wheel.

Then my phone buzzed again and I knew very well that it was going to be another message from the unknown number.

Unknown Number: “You looked beautiful in court today, Vanessa. And I loved the fire in your eyes when you accused him. But Damon isn't your real problem, I am. And I am closer than you think.”

I read the message and my chest tightened until it hurt me enough that I was unable to breathe. Then another vibration followed.

Unknown number: “I was there, just like I promised. And you looked breathtaking even in your rage. Damon doesn't deserve your attention, Vanessa. That belongs to me. And soon, so will you.”

My hand shook as I dropped my phone on the passenger seat. For the first time since this nightmare began in my life, I realized something terrifying. 

Maybe, Damon wasn't the shadow hunting me. Maybe it was someone else entirely. And they were standing closer than I could bear to imagine.