This paper introduces a new emergent-spacetime framework in which our4D universe arises as a time-retarded projection of higher-dimensional geometry.Unlike previous projection theories, this model embeds the hidden sector eitheras a Calabi–Yau compact space (string-theoretic interpretation) or as anonlocal information manifold (emergent interpretation).The resulting retarded projection map unifies gravitational curvature,cosmic acceleration, and quantum nonlocality under a single geometric mechanism.General Relativity is recovered as the macroscopic limit with full covariance.The framework is fully consistent with current observations while providingnew, testable predictions for gravitational-wave memory, entanglement phase lags,and large-scale cosmic anomalies.