After the most embarrassing moment of my life as I pleasured the sensual man before me, who possessed an unbelievable size, you know what.

Since my palms were slightly burnt from that previous incident, he had held the back of my head, and each time thrust himself against the wall of my throat with no break to breathe until he reached his climax and made me swallow everything.

It was my first time doing that, and it was a very rough and painful experience. It was humiliating and suffocating. It was something I don't wish to ever do again, but right now, I was only apprehensive of the sirens out there than how brutal Caden had treated me minutes ago.

I stood back on my feet, wiping my face with the back of my hand and taking in oxygen into my lungs while Caden zipped back his pants.

Yes, it was still raining, and it had combined with my tears and helped me put on my 'I am okay' expression, and no one knew I was falling apart mentally.

"You will dismiss them," I said to him when he was back composed in front of me.

His large hand cradles my face, drawing me closer to him, I stumble from my clumsiness, bumping into him, but his solid figure steadies me effortlessly. His hand grips my chin like before but more gently this time, he leans in, his lips closing just above my bottom lip.

Okay. It's just a kiss. Yet it lingers for nearly a minute, and it begins to feel just like sex on its own

When he finally pulled away, finishing with a sensual nip at my bottom lip, his hand slipped to his side. He watched me with a naughty stare.

He smirked and pushed back the locks of hair with his fingers while he said: "Oh! They ain't real."

Just like a robot, I blinked, exclaiming: "Excuse me, what?"

His lips pulled into a broad smile when he stabbed me in the chest with words as sharp as a blade: "It was a prank. The cops ain't no real cops. Those are Paxton cousins."

I sucked in air through my open mouth, my welled-up eyes burning.

He got me to do that in the icy rain, at the back of our building... To humiliate me? Hurt me? Belittle me?

All for what?

Barely seeing clearly, my whole body was shaking, only this time it wasn't because of the chilly rain. It was because of the cold man before me, scrutinizing me attentively as if he has no idea what he did.

"Y-you... No!" I stammered.

I didn't know what to say... He was too much, he was so cruel and vicious, I don't understand why? He had been slowly erasing me, and he had reached the borderline until every light I had was obliterated.

I shook my head and turned away... No! I am not staying here.

"Hey! Where are you going?" He called.

"Somewhere you are not! Even if it means hell. I'd rather burn a million years than be close to you."

Pain shot through my legs as I dragged myself back into the dark building. With the power out, the stairwell was the only option, and he followed close behind.

"It was a joke, Mad. I thought you'd laugh."

A joke. No, he's right. I feel like a joke.

"I'm not gonna let you pick up your things from our house. You're staying with me." His threat came firm behind me.

Little did he know, he had only changed my plan. At first, I wanted to get my stuff, but now, with a clearer head, I realized he would find a way to stop me, even if it meant tying me up. So I shoved through the third-floor emergency exit and into the hallway.

I didn't stop. Not until my hand banged on the door that I had stopped by twice today.

Just as Caleb opened the door, holding up his phone flashlight to find me, Caden burst through the emergency exit. His eyes locked on mine, and he caught on immediately.

He froze for a beat. "No." His voice thundered over the real one outside. "Do. Not. Mad."

Yeah, a little too late for that.

"Kiss me," I ordered the small asshole who sold out our relationship.

The shock in his voice matched the one on his face. "What?" His eyes flicked from me to Caden, who stood rigid at the end of the hall.

"That's the least you could do," I threw at him, peeling my soaked top over my head and tossing it down before going for it because Caleb sure as hell wasn't going to initiate.

I wanted to throw up as our lips met. But I had to keep going. Had to make sure the big asshole down the hall saw.

He didn't just watch. He ran. "I will kill you. Maddie, I'll kill you too."

Music to my ears. I shoved Caleb back into his apartment, and before Caden could reach us, the door slammed shut, selling him the idea that I was going to be with Caleb right now.

But the second it was just the two of us in the dim space of his living room, I dropped the revolting prick like the puke he was.

"What the hell was that about?" Caleb demanded as I shoved a hand through my hair, trying to think.

But every reasonable thought left my head at the next thud against the door.

"OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR." Caden's voice tore through me. I flinched.

"I WILL KILL YOU, ASSHOLE." He kept yelling, slamming, probably throwing his whole damn body against the steel door.

"Okay, I'm opening it." Caleb panicked, lunging forward.

"No, no, no." I rushed in, blocking his path. "He doesn't mean it."

"I don't care. This is crazy." He tried to pull me away, but if madness was the condition, I had it too.

"You don't get a fucking say, Caleb," I whispered, and his eyes widened. "You sit back, look pretty, and let me use you, okay?" I jabbed a finger into his chest until he surrendered, turning away to pace the space, yanking at his hair.

With no way out, I slid down against the wall, burying my face in my hands while the screaming and pounding continued.

"Maddie? MADDIE, please. I AM SORRY. Open the door."

My heart broke at the sound. But not as deep as the reminder of what he had put me through just ten minutes ago.

I only wanted to help him. To love him in all the ways his father never could. I thought I could pull him from his darkness if I just loved him enough. But his demons were too many. He was pulling me down with him.

My sobs were silent beneath Caden's screams and the raging storm outside, but there was a chance Caleb still heard. He had gone into his room and returned with a sweatshirt and a pair of dry pants for me.

At some point, residents started pouring out of their apartments. Indistinct voices filled the hall, but one was audible through the noise, they were calling the cops.

My heart tightened in my chest.

"Caden, enough?" Maybe it was Mitch. Definitely him.

I silently prayed he'd take Caden with him. That this would all stop.

But it didn't.

"DON'T MAKE ME A KILLER, MADDIE, BECAUSE HE'S GONNA DIE. I AM GONNA KILL HIM FOR TOUCHING YOU."

"Okay, I'll tell him nothing happened. This is ridiculous. What is wrong with him?" Caleb charged for the door again, breaking our short silence. I shot up, grabbing his arm to stop him.

"Stop it." He warned.

He's such a coward. A real man would offer me safety, even though I know Caden wouldn't lay a hand on me even if that door opened. But Caleb? Caleb's just a pothole of shit. He only moves when there's money in it for him.

"Do you want me to pay you to keep the door shut or what?" I spat.

His whole demeanor shifted. "No, what?" He started shaking his head like I'd said something insane.

"You know what? Fuck off." I let go of him. Maybe he deserves Caden's wrath.

I undid the lock and swung the door open.

Caden stood there, frozen. His face carried every shade of distress that pain could hold. His wide, glistening eyes bounced between me, what I had changed into, and the man standing behind me.

He staggered back like the image had knocked the wind out of him. His lips trembled, and his eyes, wild and unhinged, darted over me like he was searching for something, anything, to make this make sense.

"It's not what it looks like," the chicken behind me blurted.

Caden's gaze snapped back to mine. "Tell me... no." He breathed it out, pleading.

And God, I wanted to. I hated myself. This was the darkness that he inhabited in, and the very place he had dragged me into.

When I remained quiet, his eyes flared before he charged forward, going straight for Caleb. And my heart knocked against its cage.

"This is the police! Put your hands where we can see them!"

The loud order rang through my skull. But at this moment, it was for the best.

***

That night I trekked in the rain to Asher's dorm room. He was alone with his book and a box of vegetable pizza for dinner.

And I thank God for giving me a friend.

He provided me with lots of towels and his dry t-shirt and track pants and, most importantly, solace.

I told him everything except the part where I kneeled and pleased Caden.

For the weekend, I stayed there in the dorm, even when Asher's roommate Daniel came back from his Thanksgiving holiday the next day. The same day Asher had done some spying and calling, finding out Caden had been bailed out by Mitch and that Caleb was so far crashing at his friend's place.

Daniel was extremely nice; he always brought two cups of coffee, one for me and the other for himself. He was shy but chatty, he filled me in about his childhood and his favorite TikTokers, so throughout the weekend, I forgot about my home and who was back there.

Yes, Caden had called me several times after and left voicemails I didn't listen to. Now that I knew he was out of jail and okay, I hate him, and I wanted nothing to do with him.

At night, Daniel even offered to share his bed with Asher while I had Asher's full bed for a pleasant sleep.

At least having friends was something I was very grateful for, right now.

On Monday, I skipped school, mainly to avoid Caden. I never wanted to mess with my attendance, but staying away from Caden was also a therapy I needed so badly.

So instead, I went where he wasn't. The community health care center, where I work.

On my way, Bryan kept me company on the phone. We had talked a couple of times over the past few days while I was away from home. I never told him about that, but he has been nothing but sweet as always. He promised to come see me when he's back in town, for right now, his career had carried him to a five-hour drive from here.

Okay, the thing is, Asher promised to let me know when to go get my stuff from my house as soon as he catches sight of my bully stepbrother.

When I arrived at work, it was early for everyone who works there, so I roamed around the building until Julie arrived.

She blabbered about how great her holiday went, and that it awoke what I thought was healing.

Pain.

I remembered everything as clear as day. I remembered getting on my knees and letting him use my mouth ruthlessly for his pleasure.

I hate him.

Well, Julie, who was quite a character, later managed to change the subject and brought in some funny stories about her first week working there.

It was relieving; I easily passed over the thoughts in my head and let myself laugh for minutes.

By the time I realized it was almost nine, the reception was filled up.

"They are all waiting for Reagan?" I asked Julie from the other side of her desk.

I didn't care to go to my office because I was expecting Asher's phone call. I needed to get my belongings from that toxic place.

I needed to leave that place forever. Asher and I had been looking through some online apartment rental sites over the weekend. I'd even called some numbers since I had enough money to rent a new place.

"She's very good. Someday you will be just like her. Maybe even better."

I didn't know about that. That's if I didn't get expelled from school, now that I was constantly skipping classes.

But Reagan, she was earning what he worked hard for. Every patient wanted her. She was well-known and stunning. I can never be like that. Caden had once again managed to seize that dream away from me.

Wordless, I stood against Julie's desk, my eyes wandering around the active hall when my eyes fell on someone so popular I almost choked on my breath.

He was in haste as he headed forward without sparing anyone around the reception a single glance.

"Kaiser Chandler." Julie and I said in unison as our eyes explored the holy perfection in the flesh.

"He is..." I drawled. Honestly, I was drooling. Bro, you should see him. He was everything a woman wants and everything a man needs.

He was tall, breathtakingly handsome, elegantly dressed, and wealthy.

I mean not only was his father the elected governor, which made his family even more powerful. His family had been one of the most famous successive business families in America, that gained a lot of millions every week.

There's a rumor about the dude renewing his twelve-car garages every month.

I know, right? Excessively rich.

I wonder what he's doing here, though.

"Why is he here?" Curious, I asked Julie, who wouldn't stop gawking at the young man.

"Oh shit!" She cussed. Still haven't answered what I asked her, she notifies: "Reagan hasn't arrived yet."

Yes, she was talking to him.

He twirled with some quizzical expression and began approaching back towards the desk. Towards us.

Holy moly.

His eyes were deliberately narrowed, and I could easily read how much trouble he was in.

"Why? It's after nine; what is she doing when she has patients... Clients waiting for her," he said the last part mostly to himself.

And so he was also a jerk.

I still don't understand why he and Caden couldn't stand each other. I mean, from what I understand about Caden, this is the kind of person he connects with. The straightforward type.

Why did they end up butting heads? That's a confusing issue that makes no weird sense.

"She will soon be here, would you like to book an appointment?" Julie inquired, batting her eyelashes at the boy. Oh, come on! He's probably underage.

"No, is it necessary?" He sneered. A very charming sneer.

"There are others waiting in line; to join them, you would have to book an appointment, Sir," Julie implied.

Does he do therapy? Who knew? I mean why? I don't understand?

Kaiser Chandler does therapy? That's absurd.

"I don't follow the line," he forwardly told Julie.

From beside him, since he hadn't noticed me and from how it was going, it seemed he wouldn't, I decided to make myself visible to him.

"I've heard a lot about you; it seems they've left out the part that you're so rude?"

He turned to his side with charming curled lips. Yes, I also knew he was taken. He had a girlfriend, Riley Hunter, one of the most beautiful and elegant girls in school.

Some people get lucky, while girls like me only get their hearts broken.

"And you are?" He asked.

"Madison Thaddeus, you and my brother are holding a grudge," I thoughtfully said while I rewound back to Caden's busted face.

"Oh, it's no grudge, it's loathing," he chastised me while his eyes meandered around the busy reception.

"You are so forward," I blurted.

Shit! Why am I thinking with my mouth?

"What do you achieve by being vague?" He retorted.

Whoa! Seriously!

"Patience," I pointed out.

Listening, he yawned, appearing bored and sleepy at my single answer.

"Oh, have they told you the possibility of rotting is high when patience is involved?" He rolled his deep green eyes, raking his fingers through his expensive hair.

Yes, very much like Caden. How are they enemies?

Confused at his belief about patience, I asked: "What is that supposed to mean?"

With conceit and arrogance, he began: "It means the more you sit in a chair and deceive yourself that patience is good, the older you get without obtaining your liberties, and you rot there, waiting for the impossible." He had a smirk on his lips. He was so self-confident. It's so weird.

With a gaping mouth, I started, "You are so..." but the attractive jerk who smelled like a billion dollars cut me off with a full grin that revealed his brilliant set of pearly white teeth: "Perfect." He concluded.

I scrunched my face at his narcissism. "I was going to say ignorant."

His gaze lingered on me for half a second before he said: "Save that for your brother," and dug out his mobile phone from his pants pocket.

Yes, I know when someone is dismissing me, and he was doing just that right now. But I needed to know him and the bad blood he shares with Caden.

"You seem in a bad mood; I am a psychologist, let me help you," I offered, with an innocent smile.

His eyes came back to me, and he scoffed before getting his focus back to his phone screen.

"Over my dead body. You know I have someone who used to be a psychologist, but I didn't confide in them. Why would I turn to Caden's sister out of all people?" He glanced at me, waiting for me to answer his insulting question.

And I did; I pointed out the reality of the presence: "Because apparently you won't be getting any session today, and you look like you need someone to talk to," I said, waving my hand around the premises.

But it seems I was only imagining when he rolled his eyes and they got stuck on Reagan's entrance door.

Without any response, he advanced for the office.

Okay, he's way out of my league.