When Kaija arrived at the dance studio, the hallway outside was already crowded with trainees spilling out from Antony's Intermediate Dance Class.
The sharp rhythm of sneakers against polished floors echoed through the corridor, mixed with exhausted laughter and hurried chatter. Sweat, perfume, and the stale chill of air conditioning hung heavily in the air.
Kaija stood there for half a second too long.
Her legs still felt weak.
Not tired weak.
Ruined weak.
Every step she had taken since waking up in Charles's bed had been accompanied by a deep ache between her thighs that made her want to lie down permanently and never move again.
'I'm going to kill him.'
The thought drifted through her mind with absolutely no real hostility behind it.
Then she spotted Antony walking out among the trainees.
His golden eyes landed on her instantly.
And stiffened.
It happened for barely a second, but Kaija caught it.
