There’s a wild look in his eyes now—unhinged and glassy. Like a man coming undone in real time, right in front of me. It’s not just anger—it’s desperation. Entitlement. A spiral that comes when someone realizes they’ve lost control, and they’ll claw at anything to get it back.

Gaslighting at its finest.

He wants me to question everything. To rewrite the truth into something more convenient for him. But I’m not confused about what happened.

My pulse roars in my ears, my whole body shaking.

And then I hear it—Violet’s voice. “What kind of fresh hell is this?”

She steps into the apartment like a bullet, keys still in one hand, takeout bags swinging from the other.

She sees him. Sees me. And without a second of hesitation, she plants herself right between us like she’s been waiting her whole life for this fight.

“Ten out of ten don’t recommend you being here. You need to turn the fuck around and walk out that door and never come back.”

I’m glad Violet’s my best friend because, fuck, she can be a little scary when she’s mad.

“This is between Magnolia and me. It has nothing to do with you, so fuck off.”

Oh shit.

His jaw tightens, hands flexing at his sides. But Violet doesn’t flinch.

“Everything that happens to her is my business. I’m more than her best friend—I’m the motherfucking fire-breathing dragon at the gate.”

I grab my phone, heart slamming in my chest, and dial 911.

Violet crosses her arms, lips curling like she’s just getting warmed up. “You ever come near her again, and the police will declare it a case of fucked around and found out.”

Tyson’s eyes flick to the phone in my hand. He hears me give the dispatcher our address and turns, leaving without another word.

Violet races to the door and locks it, deadbolt and chain. “Holy shit, Mags. That dude is enormous. I’m a chihuahua who chased away an Irish wolfhound.”

I slide down the wall, legs folding underneath me, hands trembling.

She crouches beside me. “Are you okay?”

I nod, but I’m lying. I’ve never been less okay in my life.

“That’s it. You’re not staying here with Hulkenstein on the loose.”

I nod, this time meaning it. “It’s time to call Alex.”

My hands tremble as I scroll to his contact. The moment he picks up and sees my face, his expression shifts from happy to terrified.

“Babe, what happened?”

“He showed up at my apartment again. This time, he forced his way in. If Violet hadn’t shown up when she did… I don’t know what would’ve happened.”

“That motherfucker!” he yells. “Call the police.”

“I already have.”