Chapter 12

Ricky Shane stood there for a long time, his gaze slowly scanning every inch of me.

I didn’t say a word, didn’t even blink.

He crouched down beside the tub, brushing his hand through my wet hair, staring into my eyes. “Chloe, something’s off about you.”

Of course something’s off—I’m not Chloe.

Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through my abdomen. Warm liquid trickled between my legs. I quickly looked down and saw blood mixing with the bathwater.

“You’re early.”

I turned my head away, saying nothing.

He continued talking to himself. “Too much stress, maybe?”

He bent down and lifted me out of the tub, water rippling behind us. His fingers went to the buttons of my school shirt. I looked up at him, and in my mind, his face began to merge with Richard Shane’s.

Like a madwoman, I shoved him away and coldly said, “Don’t touch me.”

He laughed darkly. “Don’t touch you?”

I repeated, “Don’t touch me.”

In an instant, his hand clamped around my neck, slamming me back against the wall. He sneered, his voice icy and low. “Since when did I give you the right to refuse me?”

His cold fingers curled around my throat, pressing directly over my pulse.

Honestly, I thought he was going to kill me.

My breathing grew ragged as his grip tightened.

Just when I thought he was serious about strangling me, his hand loosened.

He let go and pulled me into his arms, his fingers tracing the scars on my arms. His voice dropped to a soothing tone, as if trying to coax me. “Wouldn’t it be easier if you just behaved? If you behaved, I wouldn’t have to make you suffer.”

He’s a lunatic—Ricky Shane is completely insane.

Chloe’s life was truly miserable, to end up with someone like him.

His eyes scanned my face, expressionless, as he murmured, “Too bad I won’t be able to tutor you tonight.”