THE SCENE BEHIND THE GLASS

KARIMA HEART

TWO DAYS LATER

The moment we got to his car, I yanked my hand out of his grip like it burned.

He turned to face me, sliding his hands into his pockets, his expression cold, like it was carved from damn stone.

“What the hell was that back there?” I snapped.

“You didn’t just hit my boyfriend, you also f*cking told him I was your girlfriend? Are you out of your mind?!”

My voice shook with rage. At this point, I didn’t care anymore, whether he had something on me or could spill my secret at any second.

He hit Jace!

That alone was enough to make me lose it.

Yeah, maybe Jace could be a jerk sometimes, but no one gets to lay a finger on him. Not even Owain.

He cocked his head, completely unbothered.

“Are you mad because I saved you? Or because I punched that little prick? Be honest.”

I scoffed and clutched my bag tighter, my fists itching to meet his face.

“Don’t you dare cross me, Owain,” I warned him. “I don’t joke when it comes to my boyfriend.”

And then? He clapped.

Like I’d just performed a damn Broadway monologue he loved.

Was this guy for real? Was he kidding me right now?

“Now, that’s the Karima I met at the club,” he said with a glint in his eye. “Fierce and fearless. But honey… you’re just with the wrong guy. I just did you a favor right now, saving you from Jace. That cheating asshole. I saved your a**.”

I rolled my eyes so hard they nearly got stuck.

“Saved me?” I hissed. “You mean the part where you assaulted him? Or the part where you lied about us dating? And for your information, he’s not cheating.”

He stepped closer, his tone darker now.

“You sure about that?” he murmured. “Because you might regret being so confident.”

He moved in again, very close. His lips hovered near mine, his breath ghosting over my face.

Then he whispered,

“What if I show you something? Will you completely obey me after that?”

Something in his voice made my stomach twist, not just because he sounded serious, but because, deep down, I was scared he wasn’t bluffing.

Still, I straightened up, my lips curling into a fearless smirk.

“You already have something over me,” I said calmly. “What more could you possibly want? My heart? Forget it. I love Jace and I will never fall for you, Owain. But sure, let’s see what you’ve got.”

His smile deepened with a wicked and slow grin.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” he said. “And don’t worry, Karima Heart. I don’t bluff. I like your confidence, it’s what makes breaking you so tempting.”

He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper.

“By the time I’m done, you’ll kneel before me willingly.”

Then he pulled out his phone.

“7 PM. I’ll send the address. You choose, Karry. I won’t force you. But if you don’t show…”

He didn’t finish his statement. But... It was more scarier than if he had to finish it.

He just walked away, leaving me standing there in confusion, and more scared than I wanted to admit.

***

KARIMA HEART

I stared down at my phone, my fingers frozen. The address Owain sent still glowed on the screen like it was mocking me.

And here I was, standing right in front of DAWN, yet my feet wouldn’t budge.

Tonight should’ve been yet another night to make some cash, about slipping into stilettos, walking through the crowd, and clocking out with bills in my purse. But instead… I was stuck, debating whether to walk right into Owain’s little trap.

Going to that address? It’d mean I actually gave his twisted words a chance. It’d mean I believed even a shred of what he said. But let’s be real, a part of me didn’t just want to prove him wrong. I wanted to know.

Deep down, I needed to see it with my own eyes. Because Jace? Jace couldn’t cheat on me.

We’d been together for over a year. We laughed, shared secrets, and definitely fought too, and eventually made up with kisses... I knew him and I trusted him. It couldn't be true, right?

My thumb hovered over the screen, then I tapped my call log and hit Zack’s name.

He picked it up instantly.

“Hello, honey pie! Been waitin’ on you. You not at the club yet?” His voice was full of bounce, with music thumping loud behind him.

I bit my lip.

“Yeah... I, um... I’ve got something I need to handle tonight. Can you just... give me this one night? I’ll make it up to you, Zack. Promise.”

He swore. I heard it loud and clear. But it didn't matter. He does it every time he was pissed.

“Alright, but no days off this weekend. Deal?”

I rolled my eyes, groaning.

"You not in? Forget it then. Bye."

I quickly cut in just before he hung up. “Okay, okay... don’t threaten me. I said it's a deal. Alright?”

“Good girl. And for the record...” I could hear the smirk in his voice. “It’s Zacky, not Zack. Get it right, sugar.”

I rolled my eyes again, but smiled.

“Right. Zacky.”

I ended the call.

Sometimes I honestly wondered how Zacky even passed as a boss. Cross-dresser, check. Zero charisma, check. But who cares? One year and I’d be done with the club, and with Owain’s mind games and threats, with all of it.

I swiftly flagged down a cab and slid in.

“Swiss Hotel,” I said quickly before the driver hit the gas.

***

SWISS HOTEL

The moment I stepped out of the cab, my eyes locked on him, Owain, already waiting at the entrance like some smug prince.

Damn it. He knew I’d come.

And that arrogant smirk on his face? Like he’d just won a bet with the devil proved it.

He waved at me, but I pretended I didn't see it. I stormed toward him, my heels clacking like gunshots against the pavement.

He flicked away the puff he’d been smoking and stepped into my path.

“Right on time,” he said smoothly. “Knew you’d show up.”

I bit back the urge to roll my eyes. He wanted a reaction, badly. But I won't give him.

I just forced a half-smile. “I’m here. So, let’s just get this over with, shall we?”

He held up a small pack. “Got you some wipes. You might need them later.”

The cockiness in his voice made my skin crawl.

I gave a short nod, ignoring the jab, and followed him in.

Each step echoed under my stilettos. My legs trembled slightly, but I kept my chin up, walking as if fear wasn't gnawing at me.

We slipped past the mini-bar. He casually approached a bar attendant, and he slid something into the guy’s hand like it was second nature. Like he’d done this a million times before.

I quickly averted my eyes just as his gaze flicked in my direction.

I glanced around, pretending to admire the walls, the décor, anything but him.

“Shall we?” he said, snapping me out of my thoughts.

We continued down the hallway until we stopped at a sleek, black door. He pulled out a pass card and, beep, the lock clicked open.

I stepped in, my eyes scanning the room. Dim lights plus posh couches. A long glass panel stretches across the far wall. It looked... normal.

Then, without warning, he grabbed me from behind.

“Hey, what the hell?” I snapped.

His arm locked around my waist, his other hand covering my mouth. I thrashed, but he pinned my wrists behind me, and turned my face toward the glass.

“Relax, Karry,” he whispered, his breath warm against my skin. “The fun’s just beginning. That room on the other side? We can see them... but they can’t see us.”

My chest tightened.

“In a few seconds, everything will make sense. Just watch closely.”

I closed my eyes shut, resisting, but his grip tightened.

“Don’t just watch. Let it sink in. Every damn second.”

And then I slowly open them.

God... I just looked.

At first, the room on the other side was empty.

Then Nathan walked in. Yeah, my Jace.

Another figure slipped in behind him, and just like that, she was pulling off his shirt.

Then they crashed onto the bed together.

That was when I saw them properly.

Nathaniel? And... Ellie. My best friend.

I froze.

My breath hitched. My lungs refused to fill.

Tears welled up and spilled faster than I could stop them.

“You see it?” Owain murmured.

But I wasn’t hearing him anymore.

I yanked myself from his grip, my hand flying before I even thought it through. It kissed his face hard.

The sound echoed through the room as my palm paused on his face.

“You a**hole!” I shouted, tears now streaming faster.

My voice shook the walls.

My heart shattered all over the damn floor.

And at that moment, I knew exactly what I'd do next...