Chapter 2

Sarah found David in his room, hunched over his desk, sketching.

He looked up, surprised. "Mom? You okay? You look pale."

She pulled him into a fierce hug. "David, we need to go. Now."

"Go where? What's wrong?"

"To Fort Apex. To see your father."

Confusion clouded his face. "Dad? Why?"

"The scholarship, David. He's trying to take it from you." The words came out harsh, urgent.

She didn't have time for disbelief. She saw the flicker of it in his eyes, the reluctance to believe his father capable of such a thing.

She remembered that look from her first life. It had cost them everything.

"Just trust me, honey. We have to go. Now."

The drive to Fort Apex was a blur of adrenaline and grim resolve.

She parked near the PX, her hands shaking.

She knew where Mark would be. He' d be with Brenda, playing happy family.

They walked towards the small park on base, a place families often gathered.

And there they were.

Mark, in his crisp uniform, laughing, his arm around Brenda Lewis.

Brenda, looking smug and self-satisfied, her son Kevin smirking beside her.

They looked like a picture-perfect family.

A family built on lies and theft.

Sarah' s breath hitched. The sight of them, so carefree, so blatant, ignited a fresh wave of fury.

"Mark!" Her voice was louder than she intended, sharp and clear.

He turned, his smile freezing when he saw her and David.

Brenda' s eyes narrowed. Kevin' s smirk widened.

"Sarah? What are you doing here?" Mark' s voice was tight, an edge of annoyance.

"We need to talk. About David's scholarship."

Mark' s face darkened. He stepped towards her, lowering his voice. "Not here, Sarah. Don't make a scene."

"A scene?" She laughed, a harsh, bitter sound. "You steal our son's future, and you're worried about a scene?"

Heads were turning. Soldiers, other military families, their eyes curious, then judgmental.

Brenda glided forward, her expression one of pained innocence.

"Mark, honey, who is this?" she asked, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Is she bothering you?"

"It's nothing, Bren. Just a misunderstanding." Mark tried to wave Sarah away.

"A misunderstanding?" Sarah' s voice rose. "You call grand larceny a misunderstanding?"

Onlookers started to murmur.

"She seems hysterical," one woman whispered to another.

"Probably a crazy ex," her friend replied.

Brenda pressed a hand to her chest, looking faint. "Oh, dear. Mark, I feel a bit overwhelmed."

Mark shot Sarah a venomous look. "See what you're doing?"

Kevin, emboldened, stepped up to David. "What's wrong, crybaby? Mommy has to fight your battles?"

David, already pale and shaken, clenched his fists. "Shut up, Kevin."

"Make me," Kevin taunted, shoving David hard.

David stumbled back, then lunged.

The two boys went down in a tangle of limbs.

Mark roared, "David! Stop it!"

He pulled Kevin up, dusting him off solicitously, then turned on David, who was scrambling to his feet, a cut on his lip.

"What the hell is wrong with you, attacking Kevin like that?" Mark' s voice was cold, accusatory.

He didn't even look at David' s injury.

Sarah stepped between them. "He was defending himself! Kevin started it!"

Mark ignored her, his gaze fixed on David. "You're an embarrassment."

The words hung in the air, heavy and cruel.

David' s face crumpled.