All Chapters of Broken Then Desired : Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

The music throbbed too loud. Lights burned too bright. Laughter rang sharp, like blades slicing skin. Emily stood at the edge of the chaos, clutching a plastic cup she hadn’t touched. She didn’t know why she’d agreed to come. She didn’t belong here. She never did. “Relax,” Ayden’s voice brushed her ear. His cologne, sharp with beer, wrapped around her as his arm slid over her waist. Her heart tripped over itself. “You look beautiful tonight, Em,” he whispered. Her lips curved shyly. “You really think so?” “Of course.” He pressed his forehead against hers, as if the world was theirs. “I wanted everyone to see you. To know you’re mine.” Her cheeks flamed. Butterflies twisted in her stomach. “Ayden… people are staring.” “Let them.” He grinned, tugging her hand. “Come with me.” “Wait, where—” “Trust me,” he cut her off, pulling her toward the stage. Her chest tightened. The crowd’s eyes found her, curious, mocking. She hated attention. But Ayden was smiling at her, so she forced

Emily flinched, staring at him with wide, broken eyes. “You’re cruel.” Victor’s mouth curved faintly. “Yes. But I’m offering you life.” Her throat tightened, her voice breaking. “I really don’t want to die but I can't go back there.” Victor tilted his head. “Then say it. Say yes.” Emily shut her eyes. She was shaking all over. Her voice was barely a whisper. “Y-yes…” “Say it louder.” “Yes…” Victor’s gaze didn’t soften. He turned, giving one last command. “Then you’ll belong to me.”Victor’s eyes didn’t waver as he walked to his car door and pulled open the door. “Get in,” he ordered, his voice low, heavy with command. Emily’s chest rose and fell in shaky breaths. For a moment she froze, her mind spinning. She saw again the laughter at school, the cruel stares, the whispers that cut deeper than knives. She saw Ayden’s face, how he had laughed at her too. Her lips trembled. She swallowed hard, then, with unsteady steps, climbed into the car. Victor’s gaze hardened

Kelsey pushed forward, standing close to Scarlett now. Her eyes ran up and down Scarlett’s dress, her perfect hair, her red lips. Jealousy burned hot in her tone. “Who do you even think you are? Walking in here like you own the place?” Scarlett finally looked at her, one slow sweep of the eyes from head to toe. “Better question,” she said smoothly. “Who do you think you are, speaking to me?” Kelsey’s mouth dropped open. “What?” Scarlett’s lips barely moved. “Move.” The word cracked like a whip. Kelsey froze. Nobody ever told her to move. Nobody. The hallway went silent. Even Ayden looked between them, amusement flickering across his face. And with that, she walked away, leaving the whispers behind her to grow louder, the echo of her heels a promise that Emily was never coming back. * * The lecture hall was loud with chatter until Scarlett walked in. The moment she entered, the air changed. Her high heels made a sharp, clear sound on the floor that made people look up.