Chapter 2

The drive home was a blur of clipped trees and sun-bleached sidewalks. Sarah' s hands gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles white. The thumping bass of music reached her before she even turned onto their street, a vulgar pulse in the quiet neighborhood. She parked, her heart hammering against her ribs, a sick cocktail of anger and disbelief churning within her.

The house, her house, was overrun. Strangers, young and loud, spilled from the open doorway, drinks in hand.

She pushed through the throng, ignoring the surprised stares, her eyes scanning the chaotic backyard.

And there they were.

By the shimmering blue of the pool, David had Brittany pressed against him, his mouth devouring hers. Brittany' s laughter, high and triumphant, echoed across the water.

Time seemed to slow. The music, the chatter, the splashing – it all faded to a dull roar.

David turned, mid-kiss, and saw her. His eyes widened, a flicker of shock, then something like fear.

Sarah didn' t think. She moved.

Her palm connected with his cheek, the sound a sharp crack that momentarily silenced the party.

"Who the hell are you, barging in like this?" a girl with bright pink hair snarled, stepping forward.

"Yeah, get out!" another one yelled, drink sloshing.

Brittany, recovering quickly, clung to David's arm, her face a mask of indignation. "She's just some crazy stalker David had to fire! Obsessed, obviously."

Her friends, a pack of entitled faces, closed in.

"Look at her, she's ancient," one sneered.

"David, baby, you know this psycho?" Brittany cooed, her eyes glittering with malice.

One of Brittany's friends, a blonde with a vicious smile, suddenly lunged, throwing a margarita. The sticky green liquid drenched Sarah' s face and hair, stinging her eyes. Another girl grabbed at her blouse, trying to rip it.

Sarah looked at David, waiting.

He hesitated for a beat, his face pale, then he seemed to make a decision. He stepped slightly in front of Brittany, a protective gesture that cut Sarah deeper than any insult.

"Sarah, you're embarrassing yourself," he said, his voice cold, distant. "Get out. We'll talk later."