Page 25 of Love Legacy

“Maeve, you’re making me nervous. What happened? What does it have to do with Sage?”

She takes a deep breath. “I think Aaron tried to rape Theia last night. I can’t be certain of it, but they disappeared upstairs together at the Lambda party we were at, and then next thing I know, I see her come running down the stairs, her clothes stretched and torn, and Aaron’s trying to follow her with a bloody nose. He could barely stand upright, otherwise he probably would’ve caught up to her.”

Alex gasps. “Oh my god, Theia, is she okay?”

“I’m not sure. I was with Noah when we saw them, and when I finally could follow after Theia, she was gone. Aaron never left the house though, so I know he didn’t catch up with her. I texted her this morning, but she’s probably still asleep. I was going to drop by her apartment today and check in on her.”

I chew my bottom lip, thinking back to the fight I overheard between Theia and Aaron shortly after I joined Kappa Theta Alpha. Maybe if I had spoken up earlier, this wouldn’t have happened. “I overheard a fight between Theia and Aaron about a month ago at the house. It was really loud and got really heated. I think he hit her,” I say softly, feeling guilty.

“And you didn’t say anything?” Alex asks.

“Theia asked me not to! I had just joined the sorority and wasn’t really close with anyone yet. I didn’t know what else to do. But in hindsight, though, I wish I had told someone.”

Maeve sighs. “So Aaron might have been abusing Theia for a while. Do you remember what they were fighting about?”

“Vaguely? From what I remember, I think they were fighting about Theia being in the PhD program. She wanted to further her career, and he wanted her to drop it and move back home so they could settle down. He said there was no point in her participating in the program since she was going to be a stay-at-home mom anyway.”

Maeve drums her fingers on the counter, thinking for a moment. “We have to tell Sage what’s been going on with Theia. I mean, this is a pattern of abusive behavior, and Aaron’s been escalating, if I’m right about what happened last night.”

Alex bites her lip. “Maybe talk to Theia first. Confirm your suspicions,thentalk to Sage. Or maybe convince Theia to do it herself. Someone should tell her though.”

Maeve nods. “I wonder if Sage has her own suspicions. If I remember correctly, I think Aaron’s the reason Theia left the drag show early. Sage went after her that night.”

“But if she doesn’t know about the other instances, Theia might have passed it off as a one-off,” I say.

Maeve checks her watch. “It’s noon. I should probably head over to her place now,” she says, packing a Tupperware container full of leftover scrambled eggs and sausage and atravel mug of coffee into her purse. She grabs her keys on her way out the door. “I’ll keep you guys updated.”

Alex and I start cleaning up the kitchen, making another pot of coffee, when my phone starts ringing. I check the caller ID: Sage.

“Sage is calling me! What do I do?”

“What do you mean what do you do? Answer it, Naomi!”

“I can’t! I’m not ready to speak to her yet.”

“Nay, you can’t avoid her indefinitely. Sage is your sorority president. Don’t you have a chapter meeting this week? You’re going to have to see her at some point.”

“And I will wait until then to talk to her,” I say, putting my phone down and letting it go to voicemail. My phone pinged, indicating a text came through.

Sage

Naomi, pick up your phone.

We need to talk about last night.

I know you’re ignoring my call.

Maeve says you were home and wide awake when she left the apartment. Pick up the phone please.

My phone rings again, Woman by Doja Cat flooding the kitchen as I stand firm, ignoring Sage’s second call. Alex gestures to my phone, and I shake my head, crossing my arms. Was I being stubborn? Absolutely, but I just wasn’t ready to talk to her yet. Not until I’ve sorted out my own feelings surrounding the whole situation.

The ringtone cuts off, and more pings come through my phone, likely from Sage. After a few minutes, I finally check the device.

Sage

Please pick up Naomi.

I’m not mad at you if that’s what you’re thinking.

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