Genesis gasped as the video began to play in front of her. She had been there that day—she had lived it—but seeing it now, from another angle, made her stomach twist. There she was, strapped to the chair, helpless. She couldn't scream, couldn't make a sound. Her chest exposed as they snapped photos, and now it was undeniable—there were videos, too.
Veronica's voice drifted from behind the camera, crisp and cold. Her face never appeared, but that voice was burned into Genesis's skull. The screen showed water pouring over her head, and instinctively Genesis shivered. For a split second, it was as if she was back there again—trapped, terrified, that small, broken girl who had no idea why this was happening.
Melanie's mocking voice cut through.
"Who would've thought? Not only are you a slut who wormed her way into the Blackwoods, but you do things like this."
Genesis raised her head, staring into Melanie's piercing blue eyes—eyes full of spite, full of hunger. To them, this wasn't proof of her torment. To them, it was entertainment. Proof she'd "wanted it."
Melanie sneered, venom dripping from every word. "Stupid bitch. Pretending you're special when you're nothing but a whore on camera. That's the real you, isn't it? Some sick perverts little toy."
Sophia leaned in, her lips curling. "No wonder they keep you around. Bet that's all you're good for—opening your legs."
Maya tilted the phone closer, the harsh glow illuminating Genesis's face. "People would eat this up. The mute prodigy. The Caldwell heiress. Exposed as nothing more than a filthy—"
BANG.
The sound cracked from the speaker, freezing the video in static.
Genesis's breath caught. She knew that sound. That was the moment. The exact second Knight had come for her. Her chest squeezed painfully, memories clawing their way back.
But she would not break.
Her chin lifted slowly, though her insides quaked. "Play your video. Spread it. Do whatever the hell you want." Her voice cut like glass. "It doesn't change the truth—you're still just jealous."
The girls stiffened.
Melanie's laugh was sharp, brittle. "Jealous? Of you?"
"Yes." Genesis stepped closer, every word a blade. "You've been in advanced class for years. And I'm still in intermediate. Yet every single time—it's me your precious Jaden watches. It's me the instructors praise. And you hate it."
Melanie's face flushed, lips curling back like a feral animal. "You little—"
Genesis cut her off, her tone glacial. "Keep your phone. Keep your lies. Keep your jealousy. I won't bow to you. Not now. Not ever."
The silence that followed was suffocating. Their glares could have cut steel, but none of them moved. None of them dared.
Genesis walked past, spine straight though her hands trembled. She reached for the door, her breath shallow, her heart clawing at her ribs. She needed her phone. She needed Knight. She needed his voice, his arms, his promise that nobody could ever hurt her again.
Her pace quickened. She just needed air. Space. To breathe. She thought she was strong enough, thought she could stand tall after finding her voice again. But the video proved her wrong. She was reminded of that day, reminded of how small, how inconsequential she had once been.
And then….
She collided with something solid.
"Genesis…"
Her head snapped up. Jaden.
His hands gripped her shoulders, steadying her as she gasped for air. His eyes widened instantly, scanning her face. "What happened? You're pale. Did someone—"
She shook her head quickly, throat tight, stepping back.
But Jaden didn't move. His jaw tightened, his voice low and dangerous. "It was them, wasn't it?"
She didn't want to answer. Didn't want to talk to him. Not now. She needed Knight. She needed air. She needed anything but this.
"E– excuse me," she muttered. When he opened his mouth and moved to touch her, she sidestepped quickly and walked toward the classroom.
Genesis couldn't even recall how she got to class or what she said to Miss Reneta. The next thing she knew, she was outside, gasping, pulling in a large gulp of air. Her chest heaved as she steadied herself against the wall.
Her fingers trembled as she lifted her phone. Through the blur of her tears, she managed to make out his number and dialed. He picked up immediately—on the very first ring.
"My Peace," he answered.
Her lips curled faintly at the sound of his deep voice in her ear. She sagged against the wall, her heartbeat slowing. It was almost like magic—and terrifying at the same time—how someone so intimidating, scarier than anything she had just faced, could still be the balm to her soul.
For a moment, she said nothing. Knight immediately sensed something was wrong.
"Tell me," he said, firm and commanding.
And then it burst out of her. "A video."
Knight went quiet. He said something in response, but Genesis didn't hear—because another voice cut through the air, just a few feet away.
"You saw my little surprise baby girl."
Her head snapped up, eyes going wide. She recognized the figure standing there instantly.
Keenan.