Chapter 2

Instinctively, my eyes found Robert.

His gaze was locked on Sarah, the kind of tender softness in his expression I had never once seen directed at me. My chest tightened. I stood there like an ornament, nothing more than a shadow beside him.

The banquet hall buzzed with laughter and music, but all I could hear was the pounding of my heart. From the corner where I stood, I watched the scene unfold like a cruel play written just for me.

Sarah reached for a drink—Robert twisted the cap before she could.

Sarah spilled wine on her dress—Robert was already holding out a napkin.

Sarah shivered—Robert adjusted the air conditioning.

Every move. Every glance. Always her.

I tipped my head back and downed my wine, hoping the burn would numb the ache in my chest.

“Let’s play a game!” someone shouted, thrusting a phone into Robert’s hand. The screen flashed with a photo comparison—one of a celebrity, the other of Sarah. “Which one would you choose?”

Without hesitation, without even pretending to think, Robert answered. “Sarah.”

Cheers erupted. Sarah lowered her gaze, hiding her smile, but not well enough. I saw it. Everyone saw it.

My nails dug into my palms so deep I thought they might break skin.

Photo after photo flashed on the screen, different faces, but Robert’s answer never changed. Always Sarah. Always her.

The pressure in my chest became unbearable. I stood, ready to escape to the restroom.

But then the crowd roared louder, voices rising above the music. I turned, my heart stuttering in my chest. On the screen—two photos. One of Sarah. One of me.

All eyes went to Robert.

One second. Two. Three.

“Sarah,” he said simply.

The room erupted in cheers, but I heard nothing. The world blurred. My legs carried me into the restroom, where I splashed cold water onto my burning face.

The woman staring back at me in the mirror was still beautiful. Still me. Where had I lost? Wasn’t my face just as lovely, my body just as flawless? So why… why Sarah? Why her of all people?

My chest squeezed painfully as I left the restroom and stepped into the dim hallway.

“Hey, beautiful,” a drunk voice slurred. A group of men staggered toward me, blocking my path. “Come have a drink with us.”

“Get lost.” My voice was sharp, my back hitting the cold wall as I tried to move past.

One of them grabbed my wrist, his grip hot and damp. “Dressed like that, sweetheart… weren’t you begging for the attention?”

I jerked back, panic flaring. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Robert at the door of a private room, his gaze darkening as he stepped forward. Relief rushed through me—until a small gasp echoed behind him.

“Ah!” Sarah’s voice.

Robert froze.

“I think I twisted my ankle,” Sarah whimpered, tears brimming in her eyes. “I’m fine—you go help Barbara first.”

But Robert didn’t even look at me. He crouched down, his hands gentle as he examined Sarah’s ankle. “Barbara can handle herself. You need me more.”

My world tilted.

The drunk man’s hand slid to my waist, his breath reeking of alcohol. “Come with us, darling. We’ll make sure you’re… comfortable.”

Something inside me snapped. I snatched a wine bottle from a side table and smashed it against the wall. Glass shards flew, slicing my palm open. Blood dripped down my fingers, hot and sticky.

“If you don’t back off,” I snarled, holding the jagged glass like a weapon, “I’ll make sure you regret it.”

Their faces paled. They stumbled back, muttering curses before disappearing down the hall.

My hand throbbed with pain, but it was nothing compared to the hollow ache in my chest.

After the banquet, I stood outside in the rain, refusing to get into Robert’s car. I didn’t want his explanations. I didn’t want his pity.

Umbrella in hand, Sarah appeared beside me, jingling Robert’s car keys with a smug smile. “Barbara, you didn’t drive here, did you? Come on, I’ll give you a ride.”

I let out a short laugh, sharp as broken glass. “A ride with you? I’d rather push myself off a cliff.”

Her smile faltered. She grabbed my wrist, her voice rising. “Barbara! Say that again!”

I yanked free, meeting her eyes with a steady glare. “I’d rather walk than ever sit in a car with you.”

Before she could answer, headlights flared. A car screeched, swerving out of control straight toward us.

I barely had time to turn before I saw Robert—lunging forward, wrapping Sarah tightly in his arms, shielding her with his body.

The world blurred. Metal clashed. Pain seared through me as I hit the ground.

And in the last image before darkness claimed me, I saw Robert holding her. Always her.

*