3. Dressing room

Chapter 3

Chloe's POV

It was awkward this morning. So awkward that I practically jumped at the chance to go out with Shawn when he came to pick me up for a date.

I wanted to be around Jayden for much longer, but I couldn't look him in the eye when we shared breakfast.

"I'm really surprised you wanted to come with me. Why don't we go get you some sexy lingerie as your pre-birthday gift?" Shawn's words broke into my thoughts, but I was still too distracted to give him a proper reply. I let him lead the way without paying attention to where we were headed, until he asked me to try on some underwear he'd picked out.

"I'm sorry, sir, but we don't allow customers to try on underwear," the store attendant said politely.

"Just shut the hell up! They're just undergarments, aren't they? I left my black card at the counter, I'll pay for everything she wears, so get the hell out of here!" he shouted, and I flinched at his tone.

"I'm sorry, sir," the attendant apologized, bowing her head.

"Go wear it. I want to see it," he commanded, and I had no choice but to obey. I didn't want to make things more difficult for the helpless attendant.

"Okay." I entered the dressing room and was grateful to be away from him again. I breathed a sigh of relief and looked at myself in the mirror while trying to force the memory of last night out of my mind as I pulled my sweatshirt over my head.

Until I suddenly felt someone wrapping their arms around my waist. I bolted in revulsion because those hands felt wrong, too slender and not strong like Jayden's.

"Shawn, leave me alone." I tried to put my sweatshirt back on, but he pulled it down and flung it to the other side of the dressing room.

"Why? Just six days until your birthday. Why are you being so conservative? You're mine, don't you get it?" He sounded furious, and I knew how violent he could become, so I tried to calm him down.

"I know, but please just wait until then. Don't you think it would be more special if I gave myself as a gift rather than like this? Plus, we're in a public place." I tried to maintain eye contact through the mirror, but his mouth was on my neck and his hands were moving roughly.

"Forbidden fruit is sweeter, darling, and I have certain preferences. Those girls at the club couldn't satisfy me—I only want you!" He yanked my jeans down, and I felt his body pressed against me from behind.

That was when I realized I couldn't stop him.

"Help! Somebody help me!" His forceful movements made me feel sick.

"Shut up!" He spat, covering my mouth with his palm as he slammed my face against the mirror.

My attempt at biting his hand was futile as he struggled with my underwear. My cell phone was the only thing in my line of sight. I reached for it and pressed speed dial before he slapped it away.

All hope seemed lost. I could only rely on myself, which felt pointless since he was stronger than me from his basketball training. I could only plead and beg while he took advantage of my helplessness.

"Now that the foreplay is over, I'll take possession of what's mine," I heard him say.

He was about to force himself on me when things suddenly changed.

"You bastard! How dare you?" Jayden's voice was full of rage as he flung Shawn to the other side of the room and began hitting him.

Shawn's pained groans filled the small space as I tried to free my bound hands.

I fell to the side and struggled to put my clothes back on before rushing to pull Jayden away. Both men were stronger than me, but Shawn's strength couldn't compare to my military stepbrother's.

Everything happened so fast, but I felt safer with Jayden there.

Jayden's POV

As soon as Shawn came to pick her up for their date, I excused myself and decided to follow them.

It was bad enough that she was giving me the cold shoulder after what happened the night before, but I couldn't bear to have her taken away from me when I hadn't gotten the chance to tell her my true feelings yet.

I followed them secretly, watching her lean into him every time he held her waist. I gritted my teeth to contain my anger until I couldn't anymore.

They went to a lingerie store, but I didn't hesitate to follow them there. I was furious that she was choosing him over me, and I finally lost control when I heard the commotion from her phone call.

It might have been a mistake call, I thought when she dialed and didn't say anything, but her protests and the disgusting words I heard made me rush inside.

I couldn't stand seeing that bastard taking advantage of her. I couldn't bear the helpless tears she shed while waiting for someone to save her.

"Can you please not tell mom and dad about this?" she said weakly from where she sat beside me in the car. I glanced at her before focusing my attention back on the road.

It was painful to see the woman I loved covered with bruises, knowing that all I could do was beat that bastard until he fainted.

I wanted to cause him more pain, but she had held me back.

"Jayden, please say something. It would be much more troublesome if they found out." Her eyes were glassy as she looked to me for an answer, so I swallowed my anger and tried to reason with her.

"I'll take care of it if any trouble comes from this," I said, but she grabbed my sleeve, shaking her head.

"I know you care about me, and that's why you followed us. I won't be angry about what you tried to do yesterday either. Just please, this one time. Or at least until next week."

"You're pulling this card now?" I wanted to express my hurt, but I couldn't because it wasn't my place.

"I'm sorry, but I promise I won't ask for your help after my birthday."

"How sure are you that this bastard won't try anything after your birthday?" I asked as I drove into our parents' driveway.

"Because after then, I'll let him."

"What?"

"It won't be forced anymore. I'm engaged to marry him anyway. It's just my fate." She got out of the car, leaving me with an answer I wished I hadn't heard, because now I was more troubled than when I was in active service.

I needed to find a way within these six days.