Chapter 16

Emma’s POV May didn’t hold back. She told Eric everything. How Mark dragged me into the alley. How he grabbed my neck. The words he used. The way I fought back. The way she arrived just in time. I stood there, soaked and shaking, while she spoke for me, because I couldn’t. Eric listened without interrupting. His face stayed calm, but the air around him felt dangerous, like a storm holding its breath. When May finished, he turned to her. “Thank you,” he said quietly. “You did the right thing.” He signaled to the driver of the black sedan. “Please take her home safely.” May hesitated, then looked at me. Her eyes were worried, but she forced a small smile. “Call me when you get in,” she whispered. I nodded.She left without another word, giving us space I wasn’t sure I wanted. Across the street, the Rolls-Royce waited. Eric opened the door for me. I climbed in, my wet clothes sticking to the leather seat. He followed, the door closing with a heavy thud that sounded final. The car moved. Si