Chapter 1

The government transport plane touched down smoothly, the engines whining down.

Three years.

Three years at a secure desert facility, buried in advanced aerospace guidance systems.

I, Sarah, was finally going home.

My heart beat fast against my ribs, a drum of pure excitement.

David. My husband.

I pictured his smile, the way his eyes crinkled at the corners.

The terminal at LAX was a blur of people, a chaotic symphony I hadn't heard in so long.

I scanned the crowd, my luggage bumping against my leg.

Then, a man stepped in front of me, too close.

He was overweight, his shirt stained, and a greasy sheen covered his face.

"Honey, you're finally back!" he said, his voice wheezing.

He leaned in, and I smelled stale coffee and something else, something sour.

He tried to kiss me.

I recoiled, pushing him hard. "Get away from me!"

Who was this creep?

He stumbled back, a hurt look on his face. "Sarah? What's wrong? After all your hard work, I thought you'd be happy to see me. I've got dinner plans."

My stomach turned.

Then I saw them.

David. My David.

But he wasn't looking at me with love. He was looking with... pity? Concern?

And on his arm, clinging to him, was Jessica. My best friend since kindergarten.

Jessica, who was now looking at me like I was a bug.

"Sarah, what are you doing to Kevin?" David's voice was soft, but it cut me. "He's been waiting for you for three years."

Kevin?

This repulsive man was Kevin? Jessica's husband?

"David, what is this?" I choked out, my voice trembling. "Who is he?"

Jessica stepped forward, her expression all fake sympathy. "Sarah, sweetie, that's Kevin. Your husband. Don't you remember?"

My world tilted. "No! My husband is David!"

People were staring. Whispering.

My phone buzzed. A message from Mom. Sarah, please be nice to Kevin. He' s missed you so much.

Then another, from Dad. Honey, we know you' re tired, but Kevin is your husband. Try to be calm.

Digital photos on a nearby newsstand screen seemed to mock me, showing me with Kevin. Happy. Smiling.

Marriage certificates materialized in Kevin's hand, his name next to mine.

My protests, my confusion, it all just made me look crazy.

"She's trying to steal David from me!" Jessica wailed, tears streaming down her perfectly made-up face. "After all these years, she comes back and tries to break up my marriage!"

The crowd turned on me. "Homewrecker," someone hissed.

It was a nightmare.

In that first, awful life, it ended badly.

The online shaming, the accusations.

It led to an attack, a vigilante inflamed by lies. It led to darkness.

Then, a gasp.

I was back on the government transport, the seatbelt still buckled.

The plane was just taxiing.

I had a few minutes. Just a few minutes before it all started again.