Chapter Ten

The sharp scent of burning sugar hit Kaelani’s nose a second too late. She whipped the oven door open, coughing as smoke curled out in a bitter wave. The tray of croissants, once golden and perfect, was now blackened beyond saving.

“Damn it,” she muttered, sliding them out and clattering the tray onto the stovetop.

Tessa looked up from the table where she was filling the napkin dispenser. Her brows arched high. “That’s the second one this week.” She tipped her head, studying Kaelani. “You good?”

“I’m fine,” Kaelani said quickly—maybe too quickly—grabbing a towel to wave the smoke away.

Tessa’s look was skeptical, but before she could press further, the front bell jingled. A delivery guy stepped in, tall and broad-shouldered, a crate balanced easily in his arms. Tessa’s expression flipped in an instant—eyes bright, smile coy.

“Hey, Ryan,” she chirped, leaning a little too far over the counter as he set the crate down.

“Afternoon, Tess,” he returned with an easy grin.

Her lips pursed, teasing. “You didn’t call.”

He winced faintly, scratching the back of his neck. “Yeah, sorry about that. Work’s been a mess.” His grin returned, smoother this time. “But hey—we’re all heading to the pub tonight. Just a few of us, nothing big. You should come.”

Tessa’s smile bloomed again. “Maybe I will.”

He gave her a wink before heading out, the door jingling shut behind him.

The second he was gone, Tessa turned back to Kaelani, practically glowing. “Please come with me. Please. I cannot show up alone and look like some desperate loser when I really like him.”

Kaelani smirked faintly, sliding the ruined tray into the sink. “You like him? He’s got fuckboy written all over him.”

“Oh, so it’s only acceptable to fuck the rich fuckboys?” The words landed sharper than Tessa meant them to.

A flicker of something crossed Kaelani’s eyes. She turned back to the sink, busying her hands, but the heaviness lingered in her chest.

Tessa’s face softened instantly. “Shit. I didn’t mean it like that.” She nudged Kaelani’s shoulder gently. “Look, just come with me. It’ll be good for you. Music, drinks, actual people. You might even enjoy yourself.”

Kaelani forced a tight smile, shaking her head. “I don’t really—”

“Don’t even try me,” Tessa warned, wagging a finger playfully. “You’ve been wound tighter than a drum lately. You’re coming.”

Kaelani sighed, wiping her hands on her apron. Her chest still felt tight, unsettled, though she hid behind the mask she’d learned to wear so well. “We’ll see,” she muttered. But Tessa was already beaming like she’d won.

By the time the bakery lights were switched off and the door locked behind them, Kaelani knew she’d lost the argument. Tessa’s pleading had worked its way under her guard, and now here she was, back home, standing in her bathroom with the shower hissing behind her.

Steam clung to the mirror as Kaelani swiped her hand across the glass, the reflection that stared back at her sharp in the hazy frame. Drops of water trailed down her shoulders as she dragged the comb through her long hair, each pull steady, mechanical.

Then her gaze snagged on the mark.

A dark crescent etched against the pale curve of her neck, faintly bruised, still stubbornly visible. Her body tensed. A week had passed—long enough for it to have faded into nothing—but no. The damn thing clung like a brand, refusing to let her forget.

Her fingers grazed it before she could stop herself, the skin still slightly tender beneath her touch. A bitter laugh escaped her. “Of course,” she muttered under her breath. “You couldn’t just ruin me quietly. You had to leave something behind.”

The comb hit the counter with a clatter. She didn’t want his mark. She didn’t want the reminder. Not of the way his body had consumed hers, or the way he’d dismissed her like she was nothing afterward. She wanted it gone. Every trace of him gone.

Kaelani drew a long breath, forcing her shoulders back. She slipped into a simple black dress—nothing fancy, but it hugged her curves enough that Tessa wouldn’t accuse her of being a nun at the pub. Sliding a bracelet onto her wrist, she squared her reflection with a look that said she could face the night ahead.

Even if that mark burned like a lie against her skin.

She stepped outside, locking the door behind her. Evening air cooled her damp hair, carrying the hum of voices down the street. Lights from porches and storefronts flickered warm against the darkening sky.

The glances started almost immediately. Neighbors pausing mid-step, conversations faltering. Two women perched on a bench leaned close, voices dropping as Kaelani passed.

“Would’ve never taken her for a screamer,” one whispered, stifling a laugh.

Heat burned her cheeks, but she kept walking, shoulders squared. A man walking his dog gave her a polite nod, but she caught the smirk tugging at his mouth before he looked away.

She was used to it—stares, whispers, words meant to cut. She’d grown up under their weight, carried them like stones. But tonight, it felt heavier. For five years she’d lived free of scorn, built a life without judgment. Now it was back—sharp, merciless—and all the harder to bear.

Kaelani quickened her pace, fixing her eyes on the glowing sign of the pub ahead.

The pub was already alive when Kaelani pushed through the door, a low hum of conversation layered over clinking glasses and the thrum of music from the jukebox in the corner. Warm light spilled across worn wood floors, the air thick with hops and fried food.

Tessa spotted her instantly from a booth near the back, waving her over with both arms like Kaelani might somehow miss her. Ryan and a couple of his friends were already there, pints in hand, laughing at something Kaelani couldn’t catch.

“Finally!” Tessa beamed as Kaelani slid into the seat beside her. “I was about to send a search party.”

Kaelani gave a faint smile, tugging her jacket tighter around her shoulders. The noise, the press of people, the curious glances—it all scraped at her nerves. She wasn’t built for this. Not anymore.

Ryan leaned forward from across the table, his grin easy. “Glad you made it. Tessa always says you’re too busy working.”

“She exaggerates,” Kaelani replied smoothly, though her hands twisted in her lap beneath the table.

Tessa nudged her with a wicked little smile. “Don’t let her fool you. She needs a night of fun.”

Kaelani forced a small laugh, though it didn’t reach her eyes. All she needed was for the night to pass quickly—without more whispers, without more stares.

Still, one drink turned into two, and by the time Ryan ordered a round of shots, she let the burn slide down without protest. The hum in her chest eased the knot of tension she always carried.

When Tessa challenged her to a game of pool, Kaelani surprised herself by saying yes. Even more surprising—she was good. Really good. Her cue cracked sharp against the ball, sinking shots one after another with calm precision.

“Damn,” Ryan whistled. “Hustler energy.”

Tessa laughed, proud. “Told you.”

The game stretched on, Kaelani cool and collected with every shot. She felt the weight of eyes on her, though—Ryan’s friend lingering a beat too long, his gaze shameless as she bent over the table. She ignored it, chalking her cue, sinking another ball.

A few more drinks later, the music swelled, and Tessa dragged Ryan onto the dance floor. Kaelani hesitated, but the liquor made her bold enough to follow. Bodies moved, the bass thrumming through the floorboards, her head light. For the first time in too long, she almost felt… normal.

She swayed with the rhythm, letting herself forget, if only for a moment. That’s when he slid in beside her—Ryan’s friend. At first, just close. Then closer. His chest brushed her back, his hips pressing into hers in time with the beat.

She went along with it for a breath, the liquor making her careless. Until his hands crept higher. From her hips, up her waist, brushing the curve of her breast.

Kaelani froze. The burn of alcohol in her veins soured. She shoved him back, spinning to face him.

His grin twisted. “What’s your problem? Don’t you like it?” He leaned in, voice sharp and ugly. “Or do you only spread your legs for men in expensive suits? I’ll pay, if that’s what it takes.”

A ripple of laughter broke out around them—sharp, brutal, cutting straight through the music. A few heads turned from nearby tables, eyes gleaming with judgment.

Kaelani’s breath caught, her chest tightening. Everywhere she looked, someone was smirking, whispering, or outright laughing. The composure she wore like armor faltered, slipping just enough for the sting to show.

“You’re a fucking asshole!” Tessa snapped, shoving herself between them. Her voice cut through the noise like a blade.

“Hey, be cool,” Ryan added quickly, stepping forward, though his tone carried more appeasement than anger.

Ryan’s friend only sneered. “What? I’m just saying what everyone’s already thinking. Looks like we’ve got ourselves a new town whore.”

The laughter doubled, meaner this time, echoing off the walls.

Kaelani’s throat burned, shame rising like bile. Without another word, she turned and pushed through the crowd, the sound of their laughter chasing her like hounds.

“Kaelani, wait!” Tessa called after her, voice sharp with worry.

But Kaelani didn’t stop. She couldn’t.