The Hidden Camera Tattoo - Chapter 4: Chapter 4

The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife when Sophia's voice, muffled but unmistakably excited, called out from the bathroom again.
"Ryan, don't screw up Chloe's tattoo, okay? And after you're done, give her that swan necklace from my bag—the one I practically fought a mob to get. You wouldn't believe the chaos at that store. Almost lost a shoe in the stampede!"
My breath hitched the second she mentioned the necklace.
Not because it was just any necklace—
But because it was the necklace. The one I'd been obsessing over for months, the one I could never afford, the one that sold out in seconds every restock.
And Sophia remembered.
When neither of us answered, Sophia's voice grew louder, tinged with confusion.
"Hello? Earth to Ryan and Chloe? The necklace is right there in my bag! Chloe, try it on!"
It reminded me of last year—Sophia pulling the same kind of stunt.
For my birthday, she'd taken a bartending gig at some sketchy karaoke bar, putting up with sleazy bosses and sloppy drunks just to scrape together enough cash for my gift.
I still remember her standing outside my dorm that night, cheeks flushed from the cold, grinning like an idiot as she shoved a little velvet box into my hands.
Her legs, still bare in that ridiculous miniskirt uniform, were practically blue from the wind, but she just kept smiling.
"Open it! You've been eyeing this ring forever. Well, now it's yours. My girl deserves the best."
Looking at her—this ridiculous, selfless, perfect friend—I burst into tears right there, burying my face in her shoulder.
I'd never had someone care about me like that. I swore I'd spend the rest of my life making it up to her.
And now?
Here I was, tangled up with her boyfriend while she was literally in the next room.
And I'd actually thought she was showing off? God, what was wrong with me?
Guilt twisted in my gut like a knife.
Before I could think, I shoved Ryan off the bed, yanked my clothes on, and bolted for the door.
The shop fell dead silent behind me. Ryan, sprawled on the floor, just stared, mouth half-open like he wanted to say something—but nothing came out. The only sound left was my own shaky voice calling back.
"Got it, thanks, Soph. But—uh—something came up. Gotta go."
By the time I made it back to the dorm, I was a wreck.
I dove under the covers, face buried in my pillow, crying so hard I could barely breathe. Clutched in my fist was the ring Sophia had given me last year.
"Hey, is Chloe back?" Sophia's voice drifted up from below my bunk as she chatted with Lily.
I scrambled to wipe my face, taking deep, shuddering breaths before peeling back the curtain.
"Yeah, I'm here. Just… wasn't feeling great earlier. Came back to rest."
I forced a smile, but Sophia saw right through it, climbing up to press a cool hand to my forehead.
"What's wrong? I knew something was off—you wouldn't just bail like that. You didn't even get the tattoo! Don't worry, I'll make sure Ryan doesn't charge you."
She nudged me playfully, assuming I was stressing over money.
"It's not that, Soph. I just… thank you. For the necklace. And for everything."
My voice cracked. I ducked my head against her shoulder before she could see me cry again.
"Whoa, hey—since when are you this sentimental over jewelry? If I buy you a mansion someday, you're legally required to marry me, okay?"
She laughed, pulling me into a hug.
But only I knew the truth—how unforgivable I'd been.
My chest burned with shame. I swore, right then, that I'd spend the rest of my life making it up to her.
What I didn't know?
Today was just the beginning of the nightmare.