Sarah's POV
I stepped forward, and my foot almost slipped.
Daniel tightened his hold on my waist, steady and warm. The music was loud, but my heart was louder. It beat in my ears like a warning.
"Breathe," he whispered.
I nodded, even though my chest felt tight.
We were fully inside the party now. Lights shone from every corner. Voices mixed together. Laughter rose and fell. People turned to look at us, one by one.
Some smiled.
Some whispered.
Some looked at me with soft eyes full of pity.
That hurt the most.
I knew those looks. I had seen them before. They said, Poor Sarah. Dumped on Christmas Eve. Left behind. Still trying.
I lifted my chin and walked on.
Daniel stayed close, like he knew the room might swallow me if he let go.
"Everyone is staring," I muttered.
"They are curious," he said. "Let them be."
I wanted to believe him.
We moved deeper into the room. I caught pieces of words as we passed people.
"That is her."
"She looks different."
"Who is he?"
Different. I did not know if that was good or bad.
I spotted Lily near the drinks table. She waved at me, then did a double take when she saw Daniel again.
"Sarah," she said, walking over. "Wow."
I forced a smile. "Hi."
"This must be Daniel," she said.
"Yes," Daniel replied calmly.
Lily nodded slowly. "Nice to see you again."
Her eyes moved from his face to his posture, then back to me. She smiled wider.
"You look happy," she said.
I opened my mouth to answer, but no sound came out.
Happy was not the right word.
Nervous. Scared. Hopeful. All at once.
"I am okay," I said instead.
She leaned closer. "Marcus is here."
My stomach dropped, even though I already knew.
"I know," I said.
Lily's smile faded. "Do you want me to stay?"
I shook my head. "No. Thank you."
She nodded and stepped away, but she glanced back once, like she wanted to make sure I would survive.
I took a deep breath.
This was it.
Then the room shifted.
It was not sudden. It was slow, like a wave building before it crashed.
Heads turned toward the entrance.
Voices lowered.
A sharp laugh cut through the music.
I knew that laugh.
Victoria.
My hands went cold.
Daniel felt it right away. His arm tightened around me.
"Do not look yet," he said softly.
But I already was.
Marcus and Victoria walked in together. They moved like they owned the place. People made space for them without thinking.
Victoria's laugh echoed again, bright and cruel. It bounced off the walls and hit me straight in the chest.
Memories rushed back.
Christmas lights. Snow. Marcus's cold eyes. The way he said my name like it was a problem.
"Are you okay?" Daniel asked.
"I will be," I said. "I think."
Marcus stopped talking. His eyes found me.
The room seemed to go quiet, even though the music kept playing.
His gaze dropped to Daniel's arm around my waist.
Then his face changed.
Surprise. Confusion. Something darker.
Victoria followed his stare.
She saw me.
Her smile widened.
"Oh," she said loudly. "Well, look who it is."
Her voice carried across the room. Heads turned again.
Daniel did not move.
I wanted to disappear.
"Sarah," Victoria said, drawing my name out slowly. "I almost did not recognize you."
I swallowed. "Hi, Victoria."
She walked closer, her steps smooth and confident. Marcus followed, his eyes never leaving Daniel.
"I heard you were engaged," Victoria said. "I thought it was just talk."
She looked Daniel up and down. Her smile turned sharp.
"And you must be the lucky man," she said.
Daniel nodded politely. "Nice to meet you."
Marcus stepped forward. "I know you."
Daniel met his stare. "Do you?"
"Yes," Marcus said. "You look familiar."
My heart jumped.
Daniel did not blink. "I get that a lot."
Victoria laughed. "Of course you do."
She turned back to me. "So, Sarah. Where did you find him?"
My face burned.
Daniel answered before I could. "She did not find me. We found each other."
Marcus scoffed. "Right."
Daniel's voice stayed calm. "Is there a problem?"
The air felt thick. People nearby pretended not to listen, but they were watching closely.
"No problem," Marcus said. "Just surprised."
"Why?" Daniel asked.
Marcus glanced at me. "Sarah has a habit of dreaming big."
My chest tightened.
Before I could speak, Daniel's hand squeezed mine.
"She also has a habit of surviving," he said. "That is something to admire."
Victoria's smile twitched.
"Well," she said lightly, "I hope you know what you are getting into."
Daniel's eyes stayed on hers. "I do."
I stared at him, shocked.
Marcus laughed, but it sounded forced. "Enjoy the party."
He turned away, pulling Victoria with him.
She looked back once.
Her eyes locked on mine.
The smile she gave me was slow and cruel.
"I will see you later," she said.
They disappeared into the crowd.
My knees felt weak.
"You did great," Daniel said quietly.
"I think I might throw up," I replied.
He smiled slightly. "We can step outside."
"No," I said. "If I leave now, they win."
Pride burned through my fear.
We moved toward the drinks table. My hands shook as I reached for a glass.
"Sarah," a voice said behind me.
I froze.
Victoria.
She stood there alone now, her smile bright and sharp.
"I hope I am not interrupting," she said.
I turned slowly to face her.
Daniel stepped closer, his presence solid and steady.
Victoria's eyes flicked to him, then back to me.
"Oh, relax," she said. "I just want to talk."
Her smile grew wider.
And something in her eyes told me this was far from over.