Butl

ache throbbing where Alexander' s ashtray had connected with my temple. I fumbled for the device, my eyes still heavy with

owered quickly, the warm water doing little to ease the tension coiling in my muscles. I dressed in my

ie Atkinson, Alexander' s latest obsession, stood center stage, basking in the glow of

k you long enough, Hanna. Some of us actually value punctuality."

stepped in front of me, blocking my path, her hand outstretched. "Actually, darling, that' s my spot now. Alexander said I

tly in my path, a constant, irritating reminder of his betrayal. He delighted

would it do? He would only defend her, make me look like the irrational,

tively went to him, a flicker of something-hope? habit?-ignoring the dark bruise on his arm where the ashtray had b

ttling warmth. A warmth that used to be mine. He walked directly to her, placing a hand on her waist, his thumb s

st tender. He didn't even acknowledge my presence. I felt like a ghost i

nder, you' re too kind." She threw a triumphan

y superfluous. The other dancers, once my admiring colleagues, now

l?" Cassie called out, her voice dripping with an

reat me like a servant, a bitt

nna?" she pressed, h

of junior dancers huddled near

basically giving her the c

o get the 'Rising Star' award next month. Th

nt is unparalleled, but Cassie has...

led like this, in my own domain, by people I had nurtured. It was a humiliation far deeper than the award itself. Al

ander was a constant shadow, offering critiques and compliments only to her. He pulled her asi

ssie closer. "Hanna," he called out, his voice loud enough for everyone to hear.

heavy in my chest. "She certainly... has potential," I said, my voice flat, devoid of real emotion

ted a dramatic outburst, a fit of jealous rage. But I had nothing left t

ly. "Alexander, darling, don' t be cross. Hanna' s probably just tired. You know, from her... injury

timate laughter that followed. It pierced through the thin walls of the changing ro

ence of the empty changing room was a welcome relief from the suffocating sounds of

essage.

d as I opened it. It contained a single audio file. My heart ham

ssed

sperately pleading. "Please, Alexander, you have to help him! Kyle... he got drunk again. He.

le who had a reputation for violence, for being a spoil

mean to hurt her that badly. Just get him out of the c

ion. "Cassie, darling, calm down. I' ll take care of it. No one w

the audio file, displayed prominently on my phone screen, screamed at m

a girl," Ca

washed over me, chilling me t

ie Atkinson' s brother. He was Grace' s attacker. And Alexander... Alexander had know

over-up, while I, his wife, mourned my sister' s shattered life. He had held me, comfort

g husband. He wasn' t just manipulative. He was depraved. A monster cloaked in charm and power. He had used my

d Grace. And for that, there would be no fo