Only i can hurt you

Chapter 9 – The Dance

As I stood in the corner, trying to hide my hands from my stepmother’s sharp eyes, she suddenly grabbed my wrist.

Her eyes narrowed. She saw the stains.

Before she could whisper her curse into my ear, a tall man walked closer. He was dressed in black, his hair neat, his smile soft.

He bowed slightly and said, “Would you like to dance?”

I wanted to say no, but before I could speak, my stepmother leaned in and hissed,"You will dance. He is rich.”

So, I nodded. My heart beat fast. He led me to the middle of the hall.

The music was slow, soft. His hand was warm on mine, but my ankle was weak. I tried to move with him, step by step.

Then it happened. My foot twisted, pain shot through my swollen ankle, and I fell.

The crowd gasped.

Someone rushed from the crowd and helped me to stand.

But in the blur of lights, fear, and pain, I couldn’t see their face.

Only one thing reached me—a faint smell of perfume.

The same perfume I had smelled before…

on the notes left at my door.

Then, as he leaned close to steady me, a low whisper brushed against my ear:

“You should take care of your ankle… it looks painful. Remember… only I can hurt you, not others. Not even you.”

My blood ran cold.

No one else knew about my ankle.

No one—except him.

The stalker was here.

My chest tightened.

Inside this hall.

Watching me.