Chapter 4

Panicked, I acted on instinct and sank my teeth into Ryan’s arm with all my strength. The pain made him howl, and he instinctively jerked his hand away.

Seizing the moment, I kicked him hard between the legs. Ignoring his agonized screams, I scrambled to my feet and stumbled out of the dance studio.

I rushed into the locker room and immediately locked the door, pressing my back against it as I gasped for air.

Before I could catch my breath, footsteps approached from outside. "Fiona, open the door!"

It was Ryan. He had followed me here. My hands trembled uncontrollably, my lips quivering like a frightened rabbit.

"Come out. Let’s talk."

Even with the door locked, I shoved my weight against it, terrified.

"Get lost!" I shrieked, my voice breaking.

"Fiona, calm down. Let’s discuss this—" His hand twisted the doorknob, sending chills down my spine. I screamed, cutting him off.

"I’ll call the police if you don’t leave!"

"Don’t! This will only cause a scandal. Do you want everyone gossiping about you?" His tone was coaxing, but laced with panic.

My face paled, lips pressed tight, eyes wide with fear. I couldn’t bear to hear another word.

He wouldn’t back down until forced. With shaking hands, I pulled out my phone, scrolled to Chloe’s number, and hit dial—putting it on speaker so he could hear.

"I’ve already called the police!" I threatened, my voice raw with desperation. "If you don’t leave now, I’ll tell them everything!"

The silence outside told me he was stunned.

"Fine, I’m leaving. Don’t overreact." His footsteps retreated hastily until all sound faded. Only then did my legs give out, and I slid to the floor.

Hugging my knees, I curled into the corner, overwhelmed by helplessness and terror. My thoughts tangled into a suffocating mess.

Then, Chloe’s voice finally came through the phone. "Fiona? What’s wrong?"

The warmth in her tone shattered me. Tears burst forth like a broken dam.

Chloe had been my best friend since childhood. I could trust her with anything.

"Why are you crying? Tell me what happened. I’ll make it right."

Between sobs, I recounted everything.

"That bastard! We’ll ruin him!" Chloe’s fury crackled through the line.

Suing him was possible—but the real problem was proof. My word alone wouldn’t be enough. I’d escaped before things went too far, leaving no physical evidence.

And if I pushed this, he’d retaliate. That fear coiled tight in my chest.