Raven's Point of View
The apartment was loud in that familiar, chaotic way-Jamie and Lila already arguing in the living room, voices bouncing off the thin walls like they always did.
"I'm telling you, that movie is trash," Jamie yelled.
"It is NOT trash," Lila shot back. "You just don't get cinema."
I barely touched my food, pushing it around more than actually eating. My stomach wouldn't cooperate. Every bite felt heavy, wrong, like my body was rejecting the idea of normal after tonight.
I grabbed my towel and slipped into the bathroom before either of them could drag me into the debate. I dropped the towel, stepped into the shower, and let the water crash down on my shoulders.
Hot. Too hot. I didn't care.
I scrubbed hard-arms, neck, skin burning as if I could erase the memory by force alone. My chest tightened. I could still feel it.
David's hands.
Too close.
Too wrong.
My breath hitched, a sob clawing its way up before I could stop it.
If it wasn't for Domin-
I froze. My heart dropped so suddenly it felt like I'd missed a step on the stairs.
No. Don't.
I sucked in a shaky breath and reached blindly for my body wash, squeezing far more than I needed into my palm. The cheap plastic bottle squeaked in protest.
Sweet Ember Vanilla-ten dollars, drugstore brand, overly sweet and artificial. I scrubbed it into my skin anyway, the sugary scent filling the small space, clinging to me like armor.
Breathe.
Just breathe.
A sharp knock hit the bathroom door.
I jumped, fumbling as I twisted the handle and shut the water off too fast. Suds slid down my face, stinging my eyes.
"Yes?" I called, blinking rapidly.
"It's snowing right now!" Jamie yelled through the door, way too excited.
I groaned. "Ugh. I have work tomorrow. You are definitely dropping me off at the Red Lantern Cab Stand."
A beat.
"Ughhh, I shouldn't have told you," Jamie complained.
I smirked despite myself. "I would've known anyway."
I turned the water back on just long enough to rinse the soap from my face, blinking until the sting faded. The pipes groaned-a warning. I didn't have long.
I grabbed my shampoo-vanilla again, cheap and thin-and worked a small amount into my hair. No conditioner tonight. I rinsed quickly, goosebumps already rising as the water temperature dipped.
"Shit," I muttered, shutting it off.
I stepped out-and nearly slipped. My heart lurched as my foot skidded on the tile.
"Whoa-!" I caught myself at the last second, scrambling onto the small worn carpet by the tub. My pulse raced as I laughed breathlessly to myself.
"God," I whispered. "That would've been embarrassing."
I wrapped the towel tight around my body and started drying off, hands slower now, more deliberate. Outside the bathroom, Jamie and Lila were still arguing-something about popcorn and subtitles-but their voices sounded far away.
For the first time since it happened... I felt almost safe.
Almost.
I stepped out of the bathroom, towel wrapped tight around me, steam still clinging to my skin.
The living room was right there.
Jamie and Lila were sprawled on the couch, knees touching, a giant bowl of popcorn between them as the movie played. Some old thriller-too much music, not enough plot.
They didn't even look up.
I groaned softly and made a beeline for the window beside the couch. My wet blonde hair clung to my shoulders as I peered outside.
Snow.
Of course.
Big, lazy flakes fell from the sky, coating the streetlights in a glow that made everything look colder than it already felt. I shivered hard.
"I hate this," I muttered, hugging myself.
Three steps later, I was already in our shared room.
I shut the door and grabbed another towel, rubbing it through my hair until my arms ached. My reflection in the mirror looked tired-eyes still a little too wide, skin too pale.
I tossed the towel onto the bed and reached for my lotion.
Vanilla Crème Cloud-cheap, drugstore, overly sweet. I rubbed it into my arms, my legs, my stomach. Grounding myself. Reclaiming myself.
No panties tonight.
She needs to breathe.
I pulled open the bottom left drawer of the dresser-the one that stuck every time-and grabbed my pajamas. Loose black pants, thin and worn soft. A white T-shirt that had seen better days.
Once dressed, I grabbed the damp towel and tossed it over the closet door.
A struggle hack.
The dresser groaned when I leaned against it, the sound as familiar as the apartment itself. I picked up my phone and flopped onto the bed, the mattress creaking beneath me.
I scrolled.
Nothing.
Nothing.
Too much nothing.
Social media blurred together-snow posts, complaints, couples. I sighed and locked my phone, staring at the ceiling.
Ugh.
I need boots.
Cheap boots.
Snow meant wet socks, numb toes, and slipping on ice like an idiot. I'd just started this job-no paycheck for another week.
Jamie or Lila would probably cover it. They always did.
I unlocked my phone again and opened ThredLux-the resale app Jamie was obsessed with. He'd made me download it months ago.
A notification popped up instantly.
ThredLux Alert:
Someone you follow just listed a new item.
My stomach dipped.
Jamie.
I tapped it without thinking.
The screen loaded.
And then-
My breath caught.
The photo stared back at me like it knew me.
Black. Heavy. Structured. A jacket draped perfectly over a chair, the lighting dark and dramatic.
Item Name:
Dusk Sovereign Jacket - Limited Edition
My fingers went cold.
The stitching.
The collar.
The cut.
I knew that jacket.
The listing details blurred as I read:
Seller: @SaintJamie
Condition: New / Unreleased
Price: $98,000
Description:
Ultra-rare luxury piece. Pre-release. Impossible to find. Serious buyers only.
I swallowed.
My skin prickled.
Why does this feel so... familiar?
I locked my phone and stood up too fast, my heart thudding. I crossed the room and yanked open the closet.
Shoes.
Boxes.
Clothes piled everywhere.
I dug through everything-jackets, hoodies, scarves-breathing faster with every second.
Nothing.
Not even the scent.
I straightened slowly, dread curling low in my stomach.
I turned toward the door and yelled-
"JAMIE!"
"Oh no."
I heard it from the living room before I saw them.
My stomach tightened.
Footsteps followed-fast, then hesitant-until Jamie and Lila appeared in the doorway of our room. Jamie's face was carefully composed, too careful, a sweet little smile stretched on like armor.
I crossed my arms.
Slow. Deliberate.
"What is this?" I asked.
I stepped forward and shoved my phone in Jamie's face, the screen still glowing.
The jacket.
The price.
His username.
Jamie blinked once. Twice.
"Raven-"
"Take it down."
The words came out sharp. Not loud. Sharp.
Lila immediately lifted her hands. "I got nothing to do with that," she said, backing up a step. "That is between you and Saint Whatever."
Jamie sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Okay, but listen-"
"No," I cut in. "Take it. Down."
Jamie glanced at the phone again, then at me. His smile faded just a little.
"You came in shaking," he said quietly. "You were wearing that thing like it weighed a hundred pounds."
"That doesn't matter," I snapped.
"But it does," he insisted. "Raven, do you know what that jacket is?"
"I don't care."
"That money-" he gestured wildly, voice rising, "-that money could change everything. We wouldn't be struggling anymore. We could buy a house. A real one. No leaks. No broken heat. No-"
"I don't care," I said again, louder this time.
My chest felt tight. Wrong. My throat burned.
Jamie stared at me like I'd lost my mind. "You're saying no to ninety-eight thousand dollars."
"Yes."
"Raven-"
"Take it down," I said, my voice shaking now despite my effort. "Please."
Jamie hesitated.
That hesitation broke something in me.
I pressed my lips together, breathing through my nose. I didn't understand why my eyes were stinging. Why my hands felt cold. Why the thought of that jacket-his jacket-being touched by strangers made my stomach twist.
It was just a jacket.
So why did it feel like I was giving something away?
"I don't know why I'm acting like this," I said, my voice low, almost to myself. "I don't know why it matters. But it does. And I need you to take it down."
Jamie looked at me-really looked.
Then he exhaled slowly.
"...You're in deep," he murmured.
I swallowed hard. "I'm not."
"You are," he said gently. "And I don't even think you see it yet."
Silence filled the room.
Lila cleared her throat. "Again," she said, backing toward the door, "this is not my problem."
Jamie's fingers hovered over his phone.
Then, finally-
He tapped.
The listing disappeared.
Relief crashed through me so hard my knees nearly buckled.
I didn't say thank you.
I just stood there, heart pounding, knowing one thing for certain-
That jacket wasn't just expensive.
It was dangerous.
And somehow... it was pulling me right back to him.
"Where's the jacket?"
The words left my mouth before I could stop them.
Jamie scoffed like I'd just asked something ridiculous. "You're acting like it's a baby blanket."
"I'm serious."
He rolled his eyes and stepped out of the room. I stood there, arms crossed, heart beating too fast, my skin prickling like I'd walked into cold air without warning.
A second later, he came back.
The jacket was draped over his arm.
Black. Heavy. Perfectly structured. Even folded wrong, it looked expensive-Jamie studied me for a long moment.
"You know why I took it down, right?" he asked quietly.
I frowned. "Because I told you to."
He shook his head once. "Because it wouldn't have sold."
I froze. "What?"
He crossed his arms. "That jacket isn't normal, Raven. The listing wouldn't even be finalized without authentication."
My stomach dropped.
"That app lets you sell anything," I said.
"Not this," he replied. "Not without clearance. The internal code is locked."
The words settled slowly-heavy, ugly.
I looked back down at the jacket in my hands.
Restricted.
Private release.
His.
"So no," Jamie added, softer now. "It's not 'still okay' to put it on ThreadLux. It shouldn't even exist on there."
My chest tightened. Panic curled low in my stomach.
"I didn't ask for this," I said, my voice softer now. "I didn't ask for him. Or this jacket. Or-any of it."
"I know," Jamie said gently. "But you're reacting like it matters."
I shook my head hard. "It doesn't."
He sighed. "Raven... you're holding it like it does."
I looked down again.
My fingers were clenched in the fabric like I was afraid to let go.
I hated that he noticed.
"I'm not keeping it because of him," I said, even though the words tasted wrong. "I'm keeping it because it's mine. He gave it to me."
Jamie didn't argue.
He just nodded once.
"Denial looks real cute on you," he murmured. "But be careful."
"Of what?"
He glanced at the jacket.
"Of things that claim you without asking."
I swallowed.
And for the first time since he placed it around my shoulders-
I wondered if giving it back would hurt worse than keeping it.
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