Chapter 9

　　I quickly took out my phone to call the police and tried to stop Jerome.

　　"Stop, Jerome! I'm scared..."

　　Jerome's fist froze mid-air. Heaving a ragged breath, he shoved off Tristen and hauled me close, crimson-rimmed eyes blazing as he whispered, "I'm here."

　　Tristen still lay on the ground, looking at me in pain. "Aubrey, it hurts..."

　　In the past, the faintest whimper of pain from him would've had me rushing to his side.

　　Now I felt I was truly a fool.

　　I nestled in Jerome's arms, holding him tightly, as if I didn't hear Tristen's words.

　　When I remained motionless, Tristen's eyes darkened. A self-deprecating twist curled his lips.

　　The ring, which he had been protecting so well, was also lying in the dirty water, its color indiscernible.

　　The police station was just a block away from my house, and in less than two minutes, the police arrived.

　　"Who filed the sexual harassment report?"