GENESIS
My heart pounded so hard I swore it wanted to break free of my chest. I stared at Jaden’s hand for a mont, unwilling to place mine on his. My eyes darted around the room, searching—no, my body searching—for soone. And I knew exactly who.
The piano swelled, its opening notes floating through the studio like silk. I had no choice. Slowly, hesitantly, I placed my trembling hand in Jaden’s.
His fingers closed around mine, warm and firm. Suddenly, we were moving.
The instructor’s voice cut sharp through the music. "First position. Partnering—support her port de bras. Genesis, open. Jaden, sustain her line."
Jaden shifted closer, his palm brushing down to the curve of my waist, steadying as I lifted my arms. His touch made my pulse trip. His breath grazed the shell of my ear as he bent closer, pretending to adjust his hold.
"Where have you been?" His whisper was low, hot.
I kept my face forward, forcing my arm through the movent. "Focus," I rasped under my breath, too quiet for him to hear.
"You read my texts." His voice pressed harder, though still soft enough for only . "But you never replied. Not once."
The instructor clapped once. "Good. Now pronade, slowly."
Jaden’s hand slid firmly around my waist, guiding as I pivoted into arabesque. The world spun in a controlled circle, my balance entirely in his grip. His hold was steady, strong—despite his focus being anywhere but the choreography.
"You ignored ," he murmured, his mouth so close it brushed a loose lock of my hair. "Why?"
My throat tightened. I tried to steady my breathing, tried not to falter. "Jaden, stop."
And then—my mistake. I said it out loud.
His steps faltered. His hands trembled. For a split second the floor tilted under as he nearly lost hold of my weight. Gasps rose from the girls.
"Careful!" the advanced instructor snapped. "Precision! Control!"
Jaden’s jaw clenched as he steadied again, his arm tightening around my waist. His eyes widened, stunned, as though the sound of my voice had struck him harder than any blow.
"You can talk..." he breathed, almost forgetting the steps, his hand pressing too firmly against my ribs.
"Jaden!" the instructor barked. "Focus! Support her in the lift."
He snapped back, crouching, hands firm on my waist. Before I could prepare, he lifted high into arabesque, my body weightless above him. The studio lights caught my skin, and for a heartbeat, it felt like we were alone—his hands anchoring , his stare devouring.
"Why didn’t you tell ?" he whispered again as he lowered carefully back, his chest brushing mine.
I swallowed hard, stepping into the next move, my palm sliding down his arm as choreography demanded. "Because..." my voice cracked, raspy but clear, "...it wasn’t yours to know."
His eyes darkened, burning.
The instructors clapped. "Again! Cleaner this ti. Genesis, trust his grip. Jaden, don’t lose focus."
We reset. His hand returned to my waist—hot, insistent. The music swelled once more.
And with every breath, every step, every dangerous touch, my body scread one truth.
If Knight ever saw this...
The studio would beco a battlefield.
---
Break
"Take five minutes," Miss Reneta called. Relief surged through like air after drowning. I pulled away from Jaden—his hand lingering at my waist, reluctant—before slipping free.
I didn’t wait. I fled.
The restroom door slamd shut behind . I rushed to the sink, twisted the tap, and splashed cold water over my face.
When I finally looked up, the mirror showed flushed pink skin, breath ragged, but no bruises anymore to betray . My hand braced on the porcelain, trembling.
I couldn’t keep avoiding Jaden. I needed to set things straight. It wasn’t only his fault. I had let him kiss , let his hands linger on my lips, and I had done nothing to stop him. That silence must have made him think sothing else could happen.
"You need to fix this, Genesis," I whispered to myself. "That kid might get himself killed."
Jaden was only nineteen. A kid. And if Knight ever found out what he was trying—Knight wouldn’t hesitate.
As if summoned, a door creaked open. Chatter spilled into the restroom. My stomach dropped.
I turned—and instantly regretted it.
"Ouuu, look what we have here," lanie’s shrill voice cut through the room. "If it isn’t our mute ballerina."
I sighed, rolling my eyes before turning back to the mirror. Not today.
I started toward the door, but lanie stepped forward, blocking my path.
Of course. Always the restroom. Always the confrontation.
"Going sowhere so fast? Don’t run off," she sneered. "We have a surprise for you." Her smile was sharp, witchy. Maya and Sophia mirrored it.
"Excuse . I’m... not interested." My mutter slipped out. Their eyes widened.
Sophia’s voice sliced through the room. "Ahhh, so the mute slut can talk now."
I froze.
Her words echoed off the tiles, poison curling in the air.
Their grins widened like blades. lanie leaned forward, glossy lips curling. "So the mute slut isn’t mute anymore, huh? Figures. Probably faking it just for attention."
Maya snorted. "Or maybe she finally opened her mouth for Kieran. Or the Father. Isn’t that what you do, Genesis? Spread your legs for your ’guardian’ like the little whore you are?"
Their laughter stabbed sharp and cruel.
My jaw clenched. My voice ca out calm, steady. "Move."
lanie blinked, stunned I’d dared. "Excuse ?"
"I said..." my eyes locked on hers, cold and unblinking, "...move."
The bathroom stilled, only the sink dripping into silence. Then lanie’s smirk shattered into sothing uglier. "You little bitch."
Her hands shoved hard against the sink. The impact rattled through my ribs.
Slowly, I straightened. My breath ca low, asured. My eyes burned into hers.
"Never," I said softly, "lay a hand on again."
lanie laughed, sharp and cruel. "Or what? What are you gonna do, slut?"
I stepped aside, trying to pass. Her hand shot up, ready to slap.
It never landed.
In one motion, I caught her wrist, twisted hard, and snapped her arm behind her back. She yelped as I shoved her away, sending her sprawling across the floor like a ragdoll.
Gasps echoed. Maya and Sophia’s eyes went wide.
"You bitch!" Sophia screeched, lunging.
They all ca at once.
But I was faster.
Sophia’s hand swung toward my face—I ducked, drove my palm into her stomach, and sent her crashing into a stall door. Maya tried grabbing my hair, but I spun, catching her arm and yanking her forward, flipping her over my hip so she hit the tiles hard.
lanie scrambled back to her feet, fury blazing. "You’ll regret that!"
I stood, my chest rising and falling with calm, predatory rhythm. "Then co find out."
The three of them circled, bruised pride stoking their fire, but none dared rush again.
Instead, Maya smirked suddenly. Her hand slipped into her pocket. She pulled out her phone, tapped the screen, and lifted it for to see.
A video began to play.
The sound hit first. That voice. My blood ran cold.
My eyes widened as the grainy footage filled the screen. I knew this video. I rembered that day, that humiliation.
Maya’s smirk widened as she stepped closer, holding the phone just inches from my face. "Touch us again," she purred, "and this little gem? It’ll find itself all over the world."
The video’s sound echoed in my ears. My pulse thundered. My stomach dropped.
It was her. Veronica.
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