D.C.'s elite. Sarah felt every eye on her

iley a handsome accessory on her arm. Her eyes found Sarah a

the speeches, Victoria

voice sweet as poison. "You look a litt

stumbled, her champagne flute tipping, its content

at Sarah's dress with a napkin, her touch lingering, almost pos

ittered. Public humiliat

offered a bland smile. "Accidents

avoiding hers. His complicity was a fresh s

t wasn't just champagne; it was a mark of V

d said it reminded him of her resilience. Now, she saw it differently. Victoria loved exotic birds, had an

as a blur of forced smile

her and Ethan for a "quick nightcap" at a private club favored by th

aring private jokes. Ethan looked bored, occasionally glancing at Sarah

walking towards their wait

around the corner, tire

eople screamed,

safety. He threw himself in front of Victoria,

ia! Get

in pain, but his focus remained solely on

" all for Victoria. The bullets hadn't been aimed at he