Chapter 9: The other side of the story

Ryan wasn’t expecting to hear from the university again so soon.

But three days later, his inbox lit up with another email  this time flagged URGENT.

Subject: Update on Conduct Matter

An additional statement has been submitted to your case file. You are requested to review and acknowledge.

He opened it instantly, breath already catching.

It was a statement.

Not from Jake.

But from someone else entirely.

“I don’t want to be involved, but I also can’t stay silent anymore.

Jake did the same thing to me.

It started as attention, turned into control, then got worse. He kept things messages, photos  even after I told him to delete them. When I tried to leave, he said he’d ruin me. That no one would believe me if I spoke up.

When I saw what happened to Ryan, I realized he wasn’t just cruel to me. He’s dangerous.

I’m sorry it took this long to say something. But I hope this helps.”

No name. No contact.

Just the title: Anonymous Witness #2.

Ryan read it twice, hand trembling slightly on the mousepad.

He looked up at Daniel, who sat across from him, silent but alert.

“They came forward,” Ryan whispered. “Someone else.”

Daniel took the laptop and read it too, eyes narrowing.

“This means Jake’s done this before.”

Ryan nodded. “I knew he was toxic, but… this confirms everything.”

“This helps your case. Big time.”

“But why now?” Ryan said. “Why not when I reported him?”

Daniel closed the laptop gently. “Because fear doesn’t follow timelines. It just waits until someone else shines a light. You did that.”

That night, Ryan couldn’t sleep again.

But this time, it wasn’t trauma haunting his thoughts.

It was clarity.

The realization that what happened to him wasn’t isolated. That Jake was a pattern, not just a mistake. That he wasn’t the only one who had fallen for the sweetness-turned-sour, the love weaponized into a cage.

And for the first time, Ryan didn’t feel shame.

He felt righteous anger.

A few days later, the university called him in again.

But this time, something was different.

They didn’t ask for his statement. They gave one.

Jake had officially been placed on disciplinary suspension. He was banned from campus pending full investigation, with legal consequences under review.

It wasn’t over.

But it was something.

A start.

When Ryan walked out of that office building into the sunlight, it was like stepping into a different version of the world. One where he didn’t have to look over his shoulder.

He texted Daniel:

“Suspended. It’s real. It’s done.”

Daniel:

“Good. Come over. I’ve got cake.”

Ryan smiled. For the first time, it didn’t feel fake.

That night, there was actual cake.

Daniel had bought it from a place Ryan mentioned offhand weeks ago. That stupid little bakery that made strawberry shortcake layered like clouds.

“I remembered,” Daniel said when Ryan blinked at it.

“Why?”

“Because it’s your favorite.”

Ryan stared at him for a long time. “I didn’t think you listened that closely.”

“I do,” Daniel said. “Especially to the things you say without realizing.”

Ryan didn’t know what to do with that.

So he kissed him again.

This time, Daniel kissed back like he’d been waiting for it all day.

And when Ryan pulled back, breathless, he whispered:

“I think I’m starting to feel like I belong here.”

Daniel smiled softly. “You always did. You just didn’t believe it yet.”

But nothing good stays untouched for long.

The next morning, as Ryan stood in Daniel’s kitchen stirring coffee, Daniel’s phone buzzed on the counter.

He glanced down.

Then froze.

Ryan caught it instantly. “What?”

Daniel hesitated. Then handed the phone over.

An email.

From someone named Thomas Bryant.

Subject: “We need to talk about what you did last year. I’m not going away this time.”

Ryan looked up, a weight suddenly shifting in his chest.

“Daniel… who is that?”

Daniel didn’t answer right away.

Then finally, he said, “He’s someone from my past. And… I hoped I’d never have to talk about him.”

Ryan’s stomach twisted. “Why?”

Daniel didn’t meet his eyes.

And for the first time since they started this… Ryan felt something cold bloom inside his ribs.

A doubt. 

A shadow.