The revenge

lla's

hs, she kept holding me like I might disappear if she let go. The room was quiet except for th

eavy, knowing sighs. The kind t

air away from my damp cheek, "I hate to say i

?" My voice was

I met him, back in uni-you remember that house party? You bro

rink. He got drunk and tried

ready flirting with that girl in the red dress. I saw it, Iz. He leaned in too close. His hand lingered to

And I thought-what if I'm wrong? What if I ruin something good because I'm being paranoid? But I watched. I watched the way he talked to

t me. "But I didn't have proof. And I kne

avier, because now it wasn't just Kelvin's lies I had to mourn-it wa

n my face, the pain, th

Five good years. You were loyal, kind, patient-even when he didn't deserve it. But this? This is

dy. "I feel... disgusting. Wor

didn't cheat because of you. He cheated because he's

still hanging on me like a second skin-I couldn't sit still in Jennifer'

wered, put on a dess

vin still burned deep in my chest-him, laughing and touching someone else like I never mattered. But tonight wasn't

and slightly sheer in places, teasing just enough skin to make a statement without saying a word. The plunging neckline showed off the delicate curve of my collarb

ronger. They were glossy black, with a sharp pointed toe that made every step feel like I was ownin

t caught the light just right. My hair cascaded in loose waves over my shoulders, frami

it wasn't just clothes-it was armor. It was my way of saying, "I'm here. I'm worth more than betra

ing small. Toni

-

st... desired.The bar was dimly lit, the air thick with music, perfume, and bodies brushing against each other. I found

ce floor. The way their hips moved, the curve of their dresses clinging to their bodies like seco

nside me-something I ha

si

ng

wanted... to be touched. Not l

Salt-and-pepper beard. Strong jaw. His presence screamed power, but his eyes were tired, distant. He look

locked eyes with him before I even said a word. He looked surprised, a

day?" I

tterly. "You c

drank. Talked about nothing. I laughed too loud. He st

d whispered, "

ted, then

en. I felt alive-his hands on my waist, his breath against my neck. There was no pretens

ppear into the chaos. I danced like I was trying to exorcise him from my skin, like I could sweat him out of my s

ck, then slid lower when the beat dropped. Maybe I should've pushed him away. May

n the dangerous thrill of being wanted again. We kissed near the bar. I tasted

me, but I do remember the hotel lobby spinning as we stumbled through

ed at the bed for a second too long. I almost l

, proving to myself that I still had power, that I could choose me. The sex wasn't love-it wasn't even

ady awaky.He left without waking me. No name. No number. Just a silence that followed me all the w

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