Master Ballet Studio
Jaden ran a hand through his hair as he stared down at Genesis.
"Um… hi," he said awkwardly, gritting his teeth. He hated how unsure he sounded — and worse, how nervous he felt.
Genesis, who had been staring at the floor, slowly lifted her head. Whatever words he had prepared died in his throat the moment their eyes met. He dropped down in front of her.
"What the hell…" he whispered, kneeling as he reached for her cheek. But she flinched, and he instantly pulled his hand back. His eyes scanned the redness around hers, and it didn't take a genius to realize she'd been crying.
"Who hurt you, Genesis?" he asked, his voice low but urgent. Sitting there with her knees pulled to her chest, she looked so small, so fragile, sickly pale, tears mark on her cheeks.
A heavy wave of anger slammed into him.
"Who hurt you?" he asked again, but she didn't speak. Without thinking, his hand moved, brushing his thumb gently under her eye. That's when she suddenly leaned into him.
He froze for a split second, then wrapped his arm around her. She broke down again.
Tears spilled down her face, soaking into his shirt as his heart pounded in his chest. He hadn't expected this — not from her — but he held her close and let her cry.
Genesis clawed at her throat like she couldn't breathe, like the words were stuck there. Her chest burned with the pressure of silence, a scream that never came.
The door creaked open.
Daisy stepped into the room, with Stacy and Calista behind her. All three froze at the sight.
"Daisy, do you know what's wrong with Genesis?" Calista asked quietly.
But Daisy didn't respond. She just stood there, staring, her brows furrowed. Something about the scene made her uneasy.
Fifteen Minutes Later
"You can talk to me, you know," Jaden said gently, slinging Genesis's duffel bag over his shoulder as they walked out of the studio. "I won't judge."
Genesis didn't reply. Her cheeks flushed, and she kept wringing her hands as she stared at the floor. She only gave a small shake of her head.
Right before they stepped outside, Jaden stopped and turned to face her. She still wouldn't meet his eyes.
God, he thought, how can someone look so beautiful even when they're crying?
He adjusted the duffel bag in one hand and gently tilted her chin up with the other. Her tear-streaked eyes met his, and he felt something twist in his chest.
Then, before he could stop himself, he leaned in and kissed her.
Her eyes widened. She stared at him, shocked, even as his lips pressed softly against hers. A moment passed. Then another.
After what felt like a full minute, he pulled away.
Still dazed, Genesis didn't move. Jaden rubbed her lips with his thumb, lost in his thoughts.
"Shit, I'm losing my mind," he muttered, adjusting his slacks with his other hand, his eyes and hand still on her lips.
He leaned in again but a small, sharp voice cut through the moment.
"What are you doing?"
Jaden turned.
Daisy.
She stomped up to them and planted herself between him and Genesis, glaring up like a tiny storm.
Then, with a surprising amount of strength, she yanked his hand away from Genesis's face.
"Why are you touching her lips? Don't you know she's married to my uncle?"
Jaden blinked, stunned. Before he could say anything, Daisy grabbed the duffel bag from him. It nearly toppled her, but she steadied herself like a pro.
She turned to Genesis who still stood frozen, her fingers brushing her lips and grabbed her hand.
Without another word, she marched her out of the building.
Outside the driveway, Daisy mumbled to herself as they walked up.
"Why was he touching you like that? Now his mean girlfriend's gonna say all kinds of awful things about you…"
The driver lifted Daisy into her car seat while Genesis stood by the door, hesitating. She glanced back at the studio and caught sight of Jaden standing there, watching them.
Her eyes dropped instantly, and she slid into the car.
As the vehicle drove off, Genesis sat stiffly. Her hand still hovered near her lips.
Daisy turned to her with a frown.
"What's wrong, Lily? Did that boy do something to your lips? You keep touching them."
Genesis snapped out of her daze. Daisy was watching her with narrowed, suspicious eyes.
She shook her head quickly.
Daisy didn't look convinced.
"I hope so, Lily. Just because you and Uncle Kier are mad at each other 'cause of Aunt Amelia doesn't mean you should leave him for someone else."
Genesis's heart skipped. Her eyes widened as she turned to Daisy but the little girl turned away, pressing her head against the window, avoiding her gaze.
The truth was, Daisy had seen the kiss. Genesis just didn't know it.
Her heart thudded in her chest. Her skin tingled with unease.
Did I just cheat on Kieran?
The thought spun round and round in her mind.
She didn't like Jaden not like that. He was just a friend. The kiss had taken her completely by surprise.
She wiped her lips with her hand, feeling sick with herself.
By the time they reached the estate, Daisy got out of the car without a word — not even a glance in Genesis's direction.
Genesis felt like everyone who looked at her would instantly know what she had done—the horrible thing she couldn't stop replaying in her mind.
As she stepped out of the car, her breath caught when she saw Kieran standing at the front door, waiting.
Tears welled in her eyes and spilled down her cheeks before she could stop them. Without saying a word, she ran past him into the house, her heart pounding like a drum in her chest.
She didn't stop.
Up the stairs. Into their room. Straight into the bathroom.
She yanked off her ballet clothes, her hands shaking, and jumped into the shower. The water hit her skin in sharp bursts, but she didn't care. She scrubbed at her face, at her lips, as if she could erase everything—the guilt, the kiss, t
he memory.
Behind her, the bathroom door creaked open.
She didn't notice.
She kept scrubbing.
And Kieran just stood there, silently leaning against the doorframe, watching her.
His face was unreadable.
Blank.