I let out a small laugh, despite myself. “Keep that wig on standby.”
“Okay, let’s just think about this rationally,” Kelsey said, briefly shutting her eyes while her stylist sprayed hairspray. “If you want to forget about this whole thing and move on, there’s a much easier way to do that than agonizing over it. You know what you need? A distraction.” Kelsey announced.
I raised an eyebrow. “I’m not sure I want to hear this.”
“No, trust me.” Kelsey leaned in, her voice lowering conspiratorially. “You need to let loose. Have a little fun. It’s been forever since you’ve gone on a date or, hell, just hooked up with someone. You’ve been wrapped up in work and Nathan, but now,” She gestured vaguely to the world outside, “Now, you’re about to be free. It’s been forever. You need to get laid.”
“It hasn’t been that long,” I blushed. “I have my dancing to keep me busy.”
“Trust me, one night doesn’t have to turn into a whole saga. You need someone who’llonlybe there for a fun time. That’s what you’re missing, Elise. A little bit of ‘me time’ with no strings attached. And hey, if you’re not into the whole casual thing, I could always set you up on some dates. I know a few guys who I feel you’d hit it off with.” Kelsey said.
“No dates,” I replied immediately, my hands up in protest. “I don’t think I trust myself to get it right this time.”
“Oh, I get it. You’re holding out for that hot boss of yours,” Kelsey smirked, her lips now glossy from a fresh coat of lipgloss. “Makes sense.”
“I’m not,” I said firmly. “And I don’t need your help in my dating life either. Promise me you will stay out of it.”
“Promise.”
I didn’t believe her for a second.
Kelsey stood up and followed after her stylist so she could finish getting dressed for a private performance at some influencer’s birthday party, mumbling something to herself aboutgetting Elise laid.I started to follow her, but something sparkly caught my attention.
A necklace—delicate, diamond-studded, shaped like a heart rested in a glass display case on the makeup table, glinting under the vanity lights.
I was sitting on the bathroom floor, knees drawn to my chest, my thin tank top clinging to my skin with sweat. Mycheek throbbed, hot and aching. The echo of Jax’s voice still rang through the apartment.
“You made me do this, Elise! You pushed me!”
My ribs burned from where he’d shoved me into the counter. The metallic tang of blood coated my mouth. I pressed myself into the corner, trembling, trying to disappear.
The door creaked open.
“Baby,” Jax said softly, crouching in front of me. His hand lifted like he meant to touch my cheek but I flinched, and he froze. “I’m sorry,” he murmured. “You know I didn’t mean to hurt you.” He reached into his pocket, pulled out a velvet box, and opened it. The necklace inside sparkled under the flickering bathroom light, simple and elegant. The kind of thing I once imagined someone giving me when they loved me. “I got this for you,” he said. “I know it doesn’t make up for tonight, but I wanted you to have it.”
I stared at the pendant as he fastened it around my neck, the cool metal brushing against my skin, too soft, like it could erase the bruises.
“I love you,” Jax whispered.
I wanted to believe him. God, I wanted to believe him.
But even then, something inside me knew. This wasn’t love.
“Elise? Are you okay?” Zoe, Rhodium’s makeup artist, questioned, pulling me out of the memory and reminding me that I was backstage moments away from dancing in front of a live audience.
In most Haitian households, daughters weren’t allowed to date until we were out of our parent’s house. A crush? Forget about it. A boyfriend? That was a foreign concept, something only whispered about in the safety of school halls or late-night sleepovers.
I never resented my parents, mainly my father, for his over-protection growing up, but there were times when I wished Iwas allowed to date when I was younger, because maybe then I would’ve been wiser and more perceptible of Jax’s red flags, which ended up being numerous. I’ll never forget the last time Jax and I were in the same room. That memory is what haunts my sleeping hours the most, along with every single one since the moment I looked into those green eyes.
The faint scent of cherry blossoms swarmed around me and I forced my heart not to pound so hard before a gentle hand landed on my shoulder.I turned my body to face Kelsey, and guilt swirled through me when I saw the concern in her eyes and the knot between her brows. She had her own history of abuse, one she created a whole separate identity just to get away from, but over the past year, she’d been my anchor in ways I didn’t even know how to ask for.
“I’m fine,” I whispered, though I’m afraid my trembling hands betrayed me.
Kelsey frowned, placing a gentle hand on my arm. “No, you’re not. You’re shaking.”
“It’s the necklace,” I finally admitted, my voice cracking. I gestured toward the display case. “Jax got me one just like it one night to apologize for...” I couldn’t finish the sentence, my voice faltered as tears sprang to my eyes.
Kelsey pulled me into a hug, shielding me from the chaos in the dressing room. “Hey, hey. You’re safe. I promise you, he’s not here. He can’t hurt you anymore. Breathe with me, okay?”
