This fanfic is a labor of love created by an unapologetic Twilight enthusiast. I do not own any rights to the Twilight series, its characters, or its universe; those belong to the brilliant Stephenie Meyer. Any deviations, plot twists, or unexpected character behaviors are entirely my doing, so please don't hold Ms. Meyer accountable for my creative liberties.

Warning: Reading this fanfic may result in uncontrollable swooning, spices, drama, bouts of laughter, and the sudden urge to drink cranberry juice (because, let's face it, pretending it's a goblet of blood is just too fun). Proceed at your own risk!

Prologue

I always thought our story would end in peace. After the battles, the pain, and the sacrifices, I believed Edward and I had earned our happy ending. Our honeymoon on the secluded island was a slice of paradise, a promise of the serene future we deserved. The sun-drenched days and star-lit nights were a stark contrast to the storm of events that brought us there.

But as we left for Dartmouth, I felt a shadow lingering over us. It was a gnawing sensation, whispering that our peace was a fragile illusion. Edward's hand was cool in mine, his presence reassuring, yet I couldn't shake the feeling that something dark was looming.

Edward was always so careful, so controlled. Yet, there was one mistake, one ghost from his past that none of us saw coming. We had no inkling of the danger that stalked us. Not until it was too late.

The days leading up to Dartmouth were meant to be the beginning of our new life, a normal life. Instead, they became the prelude to a nightmare we could never have imagined. The Cullens, always vigilant, had missed this threat. And now, the darkness had found us, determined to shatter our fragile happiness.

As I look back, I realize the signs were there, subtle and insidious. The future I had dreamed of was slipping through my fingers, and we were about to be plunged into a battle more personal and deadly than ever before.

Because in our world, past mistakes don't stay buried. They rise from the darkness, sharper and more lethal than any monster we've faced.

And he was coming for us.

For Edward.

For me.