Requested by: @criminalmindssr
A couple of months had passed since that night in the safe haven Travis had created for Taylor. Each day, she felt a little stronger, a little more like herself. With Travis by her side, she was beginning to rediscover the joys she'd once thought were lost forever. Her music was blossoming, her friendships were flourishing, and her life was filled with a new sense of purpose.
But even with all the growth and healing, certain fears remained. Despite her restraining order against Joe, Taylor knew he was still out there, a shadow that sometimes loomed over her happiness. Travis had become her rock, always supporting her and helping her feel safe.
As they prepared for the Golden Globes, Taylor felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. It was her first big event in a while, and though Travis reassured her that he'd be right beside her the entire time, she couldn't shake a lingering feeling of dread. But tonight was a night to celebrate, and she didn't want her past to overshadow her present.
The evening was a whirlwind of flashing cameras, glitzy dresses, and enthusiastic greetings from familiar faces. Taylor felt herself relaxing, even laughing as she and Travis made their way through the crowd. With his arm securely around her, she felt safe—until she saw him.
Joe was standing just across the room, his eyes locked onto hers with a dark intensity that made her stomach drop. He moved toward them, ignoring the many people standing between him and Taylor. Her grip tightened on Travis's arm, but Joe was already too close.
"Fancy seeing you here," Joe sneered, his eyes narrowing as he ignored Travis altogether.
"Back off," Travis warned, positioning himself protectively in front of Taylor.
But Joe shoved past him, reaching for her. Before anyone could react, his hand clamped around her arm, yanking her forward. The sudden, harsh contact triggered every painful memory Taylor had fought so hard to forget.
"You think you can just walk away?" Joe hissed, his grip tightening. He leaned in closer, his words low and venomous. "You're still the same pathetic slut and bitch you've always been."
And then, without warning, his hand struck her across the face, the sharp sting of his slap sending shockwaves through her body. The room seemed to blur as the humiliation and terror flooded her senses. She pulled away, stumbling as she turned and fled toward the bathrooms, her breath coming in shallow, frantic gasps.
Inside, Taylor locked the door and pressed her back against the cool tile wall, sliding to the floor as her body shook uncontrollably. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and her breath came in rapid, shallow pants. Her mind was spiraling back into the dark place she'd tried so hard to escape.
A few minutes later, there was a soft knock on the door.
"Taylor?" It was Travis, his voice steady but filled with worry. "It's me. Can I come in?"
For a moment, she didn't respond, lost in her panic. But as she forced herself to breathe, she managed a quiet, "Yes."
Travis entered slowly, his face etched with worry. He knelt beside her, wrapping her trembling body in his arms. She clung to him, her fingers digging into his shirt as she struggled to calm down.
"I've got you," he whispered, his hand stroking her back soothingly. "You're safe now. I'm here."
The warmth of his embrace and the steady sound of his voice helped ground her. Slowly, her breathing evened out, and she looked up at him, her face tear-streaked and her expression exhausted.
"I... I can't do this anymore, Travis," she whispered, her voice breaking. "He's never going to stop."
He tightened his hold on her, his gaze filled with determination. "Then we're going to put an end to this, Tay. We're getting the police involved. He broke the restraining order, and he hit you. They can't ignore this."
