The party carried on, laughter and music swirling around the room, but Chloe couldn't focus. Her eyes tracked Alexa like a hawk, every step she took feeling like an intrusion on sacred ground.

She half-expected Zoe to notice and ask questions, but Zoe was still wrapped up in hugs and chatter, her joy bubbling too brightly to be dimmed. Chloe forced herself to swallow her anger. Tonight was Zoe's night, not a battlefield.

Then Alexa's gaze found her. Smooth, calculated. She walked over, the room ...