Chapter 10: The Exposure is up. It's one of my favorites in the entire story as it brings many of the themes together in one spot.
In this intense chapter, Elise is blindsided by a slut-shaming email exposing intimate photos of her in a harness, sent to art world elites with cruel labels like “Slut” and “Fraud.” The violation strips her private moment of context, aiming to ruin her. Shock and shame surge, but Elise locks her office door, her fractured reflection in the glass signaling resilience. She calls Rowan and they plot a bold response.
At Rowan’s loft, they channel fury into art, sketching a defiant performance. In the gallery, before a judgmental crowd, Elise and Rowan take the stage. Clad in silk and leather, they dance—a raw, sacred act of power and love, culminating in unapologetic intimacy. The crowd’s scorn fades as the gallery becomes their temple, their bond unbroken.
The chapter explores vulnerability, resilience, and art as defiance. Plus, Elise and Rowan reclaim their narrative, proving their strength against shame.
Enjoy!