End Game - Taylor Swift

Why?

Alex had Riley pinned to the wall, her eyes blazing with a fury I'd never seen before. Riley was struggling, trying to break free, but Alex was stronger, her grip like iron.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?"

Riley's face was twisted in a sneer.

"What does it look like? I'm taking what's mine."

Alex's grip on Riley tightened, her knuckles turning white.

"She's not yours, She's mine. And I swear to God, if you ever touch her again, I will end you."

Riley just laughed, the sound cruel and mocking.

Alex tried to follow as Riley ran from the room, but Riley was too fast, darting out the door before Alex could reach it.

I sat up in the bed, my body still shaking, my mind still reeling from the unexpected turn of events.

Alex returned a moment later, her face a mixture of anger and concern.

"Are you okay?"

I managed a shaky nod, my voice refusing to cooperate.

Alex sat down on the bed next to me, her hand reaching out to brush against my cheek. The gesture was so familiar, so gentle, it only served to highlight how wrong Riley's touch had felt.

"It's okay. I'm here."

I buried my face in my hands, tears streaming down my cheeks uncontrollably.

Alex's arm wrapped around me, pulling me into a tight embrace.

"Shh, It's okay. You're safe now."

I clung to her, my body shaking with sobs.

Alex just held me, her hand rubbing slow circles on my back. She didn't ask questions, didn't demand explanations. She just held me, offering me a safe haven in the midst of the storm.

After a few minutes, my tears began to subside, my sobs reduced to hiccups and whimpers.

Alex pulled back, her eyes scanning my face, assessing the damage. She winced as she saw the marks Riley's fingers and teeth had left on my skin.

"She hurt you."

she said, her voice flat and hard. Anger flashed in her eyes, but her touch on my skin was gentle as she brushed a finger over one of the marks on my neck.

I shivered at her touch, the memory of Riley's brutal kisses still fresh in my mind.

"I'm okay."

Alex's eyes darkened, her jaw clenching.

"You're not okay, She hurt you. She put her hands on you."

I closed my eyes, a fresh wave of shame washing over me. I had betrayed Alex, hurt her in the worst way possible. And now, I was being protected by her, cared for by her.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry."

Alex's hand cupped my chin, tilting my head up to meet her gaze. There was no anger in her eyes, only concern.

"Stop apologizing,This isn't your fault."

A fresh wave of tears welled up in my eyes. Her words were so kind, so understanding, it only made me feel worse.

"It is my fault, I hurt you. I cheated on you. I deserve this."

Alex's expression softened.

"No, you don't. What you did was wrong, but that does not give her the right to do this to you. You do not deserve to be hurt."