Chapter Two — No Doesn't Need an Explanation

The red flags didn't disappear.

They multiplied.

Ryan wanted passwords.

He questioned her clothes.

He hated when she went somewhere without telling him.

Whenever Maya complained, he'd apologize.

Then he'd do it again.

Eventually, Maya decided enough was enough.

She went to his apartment to end the relationship.

“I don't want this anymore.”

Ryan stared at her.

“You're joking.”

“No.”

His expression changed.

Maya immediately knew something was wrong.

She tried to leave.

He stopped her.

She said no.

More than once.

She told him to stop.

He didn't.

When Maya finally returned home, she sat on the bathroom floor for nearly an hour.

She didn't understand why her body felt like it belonged to someone else.

The next morning, her phone buzzed.

A message from Ryan.

Don't make this bigger than it was.

Maya stared at it.

Then another message appeared.

You know you wanted me.

Her hands started shaking.

She blocked him.

But before she could put her phone down, another notification appeared.

Unknown Number.

We need to talk.

Maya froze.

Because she hadn't given anyone her number.

What Maya learned: Consent isn't complicated. No means no. Silence isn't consent. Being someone's girlfriend doesn't give them ownership over your body.

But the question wasn't who was texting her?

The question was:

How did they get her number?