Sarah's POV
The paper slipped from my fingers and fell to the floor.
I stared at it like it had just bitten me.
Office Christmas Party.
I bent down slowly and picked it up again, hoping the words would change. They did not. The date was bold. The place was familiar. My heart started to race.
"Are you okay?" my coworker Lily asked.
I forced a smile. "Yes. Just tired."
She leaned closer. "You saw the guest list, right?"
My stomach dropped. "Guest list?"
Lily nodded. "Marcus will be there. And Victoria."
The room spun.
I grabbed the edge of my desk. "Why would they be there?"
Lily shrugged. "Marcus still works with the partner team. Victoria comes with him everywhere now. They are kind of a package deal."
I swallowed hard. The name Marcus still hurt, even after three years. It was like a bruise that never healed.
"Oh," I said quietly.
"You are bringing your fiancé, right?" Lily added with a smile.
I froze.
"Yes," I said too fast. "Of course."
She clapped her hands. "Good. I want to meet him."
I nodded and turned back to my computer, but the screen was blurry. My hands shook.
I could not face Marcus alone. Not again. Not after the things he said. Not after the way he left.
I barely made it through the rest of the day. My thoughts kept spinning. Marcus laughing. Victoria holding his arm. Everyone watching me.
By the time I stepped outside, the cold air hit my face hard. I pulled my coat tighter and spotted Daniel waiting near the corner, just like he promised.
"You look like you saw a ghost," he said.
"Worse," I replied. "I saw my past."
He frowned. "What happened?"
I held up the invitation. "Office Christmas party."
"That sounds harmless," he said.
"My ex will be there," I said. "With the woman he left me for."
Daniel went still.
"And?" he asked carefully.
"And I told everyone I have a fiancé," I said. "I cannot walk in alone."
Silence stretched between us.
"Do you want me to come?" he asked.
I looked at him. Really looked at him. At the man full of secrets and kindness and strange coincidences.
"I need you to," I said. "Please."
He did not answer right away. His jaw tightened. I thought he might say no. I braced myself.
"I will come," he said finally.
Relief crashed over me so hard my knees almost gave out.
"Thank you," I whispered.
"But there are rules," he added.
"Of course," I said quickly.
"This is not about revenge," he said. "I am there to support you. Nothing more."
I nodded. "That is all I want."
We walked in silence for a while. My heart slowly calmed.
At my building, I stopped. "Are you sure?" I asked. "You do not owe me this."
He met my eyes. "I know."
That answer felt deeper than it should have.
"Tomorrow," he said. "We will prepare."
I smiled weakly. "Practice date number two?"
"Something like that," he said.
I watched him walk away, my chest tight with nerves and gratitude.
Inside my apartment, I dropped onto the couch and covered my face. Everything felt too big. Too fast.
My phone buzzed.
Sophie.
I hesitated, then answered. "Hey."
"Sarah," she said. "We need to talk."
"Not tonight," I said. "Please."
She sighed. "Okay. But be careful."
"I am," I replied, though I was not sure it was true.
The call ended. I stared at the ceiling, wondering how my life had gotten so complicated from one simple act of kindness.
Across the city, Daniel stood alone under a streetlight. His face was calm, but his eyes were sharp.
He pulled out his phone and stepped away from the sidewalk.
"James," he said quietly when the call connected.
"Yes, sir," came the reply.
"Cancel all my meetings," Daniel said. "Clear my schedule."
There was a pause. "For how long?"
"For as long as it takes," Daniel replied. "This is more important."
He ended the call and looked up at the night sky.
The game had changed.
And nothing was going to stop what came next.