Chapter 1

Lately, I kept finding bite marks of all shapes and sizes on my body.

My boyfriend claimed I was just too tempting, that he couldn’t help sneaking bites at night. But I had observed them carefully. These teeth marks were clearly from thirty-two different people.

By the time our research project was wrapping up, I was carrying cupcakes and bubble tea I had ordered for the juniors when I reached the lab suite door. That’s when I heard a high, cheerful laugh.

“Ethan,” a familiar voice said. “You’ve been too hard on Lily lately, haven’t you? She only scolded me a little. You didn’t have to take it out on her. If she finds out, she’ll be mad at you.”

Ethan Drake chuckled. “Mad? She has the nerve to be mad? Always acting so high and mighty because she’s the senior. Besides, I made sure the drug I used would leave her no memory. How would she know?”

“Exactly! Jenna, you’re way too soft,” another voice teased. “Lily Harper’s always acting so superior. She deserves a lesson on humility.”

“And honestly,” Jenna Cole added with a smirk, “even if Lily’s got an attitude, that body she’s amazing in bed.”

Ethan tilted his head back and downed a sip of wine, then playfully flicked Jenna’s nose.

“She said you messed up thirty-three times, right? Well, we’ll just sleep with her thirty-three times. That’ll teach her to think twice about looking down on you. Let’s see how proud she acts then.”

The others clapped. “Legendary, Ethan! But where’s the last time happening?”

“The lab,” Ethan said coldly. “Let’s do this one where she’s most comfortable, her own territory.”

“That works for me,” someone muttered. “I’ve wanted to get her in the lab for a while.”

“But Ethan,” another voice cautioned, “if we post the photos online, Lily Harper will recognize herself. Won’t she cause trouble?”

“Ha!” Ethan slammed his phone on the table. “Who cares? Every picture has a different guy. Anyone looking will just call her loose. She won’t have the nerve to confront me. Besides, the faces are blurred. If she dares complain, I’ll blur yours too and post the videos. She won’t last a day at Crestwood University.”

“Whoa! Ethan, these videos are too clear! If you post this, she’s done for!”

“Come on, send me a copy too. Last time, right? Later, if I want to see her…”

Jenna picked up the phone, glanced at it, then tossed it back with a giggle. “Ethan, you’re shameless.”

They all laughed like maniacs. And me? I felt like I’d fallen into hell.

I frantically flipped through the phone, seeing myself naked in every shot. My heart shattered. The air around me felt like it had been sucked away, and I could barely breathe.

I had thought Ethan was considerate, that his small gestures, handing me perfectly warm water after experiments, were acts of care.

I’d even slept in the lab sometimes, thinking exhaustion was the reason. But no. I had been drugged, manipulated, humiliated, and recorded by him and his friends.

And every time I woke up sore, he’d give me massages and warn me not to overwork myself. I had been touched by his “care” countless times, only to realize it had been to keep me from suspecting anything.

All of this, all of it, just because I had scolded their junior once.

I clenched my fists and forced myself back to campus. Every glance from anyone made me panic. I felt exposed, stripped bare in front of the world, humiliated by every eye.

Back in my dorm, I saw a plush toy Ethan had sent me. Rage ignited instantly. I smashed every gift he’d ever given me but it was useless. Nothing could erase what had been done to me.

My roommate came in and gasped. “Did you fight with your boyfriend? He’s downstairs with a ton of stuff for you.”

I was shoved toward the door and saw Ethan waiting. He handed me a few food containers and a bubble tea.

“Jenna brought this for you, dinner and bubble tea. She says thanks for helping her all these days. Don’t be mad at her.”

I didn’t respond. He ruffled my hair gently. “You’re too amazing, Lily. That’s why they mess up. Forgive her, okay?”

Seeing me frozen, he guided the straw to my lips.

“Drink it. Then this will be over. While you’ve got time, come to the lab with me and guide the juniors.”

I trembled and clutched his jacket. “No! I’ll give you all my notes, but I’m not going!”

He frowned, disapproving. “Lily, don’t be silly. Jenna apologized. What else do you want? And if they ruin your data or samples, how will you graduate?”

I felt a threat under his soft voice: “Be obedient.”

He dragged me to the lab. Jenna and the others were waiting.

The junior students’ leering, sticky stares made me nauseous.

“Senior’s here. Aren’t you going to greet her?” Ethan said, shoving me into the center of the group.

I trembled, importing all my data into my computer. “I’m busy. Don’t have time to teach you.”

Ethan pressed his fingers to his forehead. “What’s wrong with you, Lily? You’re the senior! Guide your juniors!”

He motioned to the others, surrounding me completely. Then he brought over a cup of water, trying to calm me.

“I know you’re tired. Drink. It’ll be over soon.”

I shook my head violently. “I won’t! Let me go!”

He looked at me like I was a misbehaving child.

“You’re too stubborn, Lily.”

They pinned me down and forced the water down my throat.

“As usual, no marks left behind.”

His cold voice sent me into despair, and I closed my eyes, bracing for what was to come.