Chapter 1

The Beginning of the End

The night it all changed started like any other. The air buzzed with laughter and music as I stood by the kitchen counter at Olivia's party, sipping a soda while everyone around me drank something stronger. The house was packed—people dancing, talking too loudly, and brushing past each other in the narrow hallways. I didn't even want to be there, but Olivia had insisted.

"Come on, Sarah. You can't keep acting like a nun forever," she had teased earlier that week, rolling her eyes when I hesitated. "Loosen up a little. You might actually have fun for once."

I knew what she really meant—she thought I was boring. Ever since I started dating Daniel three years ago, Olivia had become… different. Colder. And the more I said no to parties, the wider the gap between us grew. Tonight felt like my last chance to fix things—to prove I wasn't some uptight, innocent girl who thought she was better than everyone else.

I glanced at my phone. No messages from Daniel. He was working late, like always. A part of me wished he were there, his warm presence calming the unease that twisted in my stomach. I told myself I was being paranoid. It was just a party. What could go wrong?

"Not drinking tonight?" a smooth voice asked, pulling me from my thoughts. I looked up to see Jake leaning against the counter, his signature smirk in place. He was Olivia's on-again, off-again fling—handsome in a careless kind of way, with tousled dark hair and eyes that always seemed to linger too long.

"I'm good," I said, forcing a smile. I never liked the way Jake looked at me, like I was some prize he wanted to win just to prove he could.

"Suit yourself," he shrugged, tipping a red cup to his lips. "But you know… you're way too pretty to be standing here all alone."

I laughed awkwardly, taking a step back. "I'm waiting for Olivia."

"She's busy," he said, his eyes drifting toward the living room where Olivia was grinding against some guy I didn't recognize. "Why don't you hang with me instead?"

"I'm fine," I said again, more firmly this time.

His smirk faded into something colder as he leaned closer. "Relax, Sarah. I'm just being friendly."

A chill ran down my spine, and I forced myself to turn away, heading toward the stairs. I needed a break—a quiet place to breathe.

Upstairs, the noise faded to a dull hum. I slipped into Olivia's guest room, closing the door softly behind me. My heart was still pounding from my encounter with Jake, but at least here, I could think. I sat on the edge of the bed, texting Daniel again.

Me: Miss you. Wish you were here.

No response.

Sighing, I placed my phone on the nightstand and leaned back against the pillows. My eyelids felt heavy—maybe a quick rest would help. Just for a few minutes.

I barely noticed the faint creak of the door before sleep took me.

---

A sharp, jarring sound woke me hours later. My mouth was dry, my head heavy, as if I had been drugged—but that was impossible. I hadn't even touched alcohol. Confusion swam through me as I tried to sit up, but something wasn't right. My body felt… wrong.

The room was dark, but I heard movement. Someone—no, a man—was there. Panic gripped my chest as I tried to speak, but my throat felt thick and useless.

He didn't say a word as he moved over me, his touch rough and unyielding. I wanted to fight, to scream—but my body wouldn't listen. And then, pain. Blinding, unbearable pain.

I lost track of time—seconds stretched into eternity. And when it was over, when his weight finally lifted, I heard the faint rustle of clothes and the soft click of the door closing behind him.

I lay there in the darkness, broken and numb. Tears slid silently down my face, but no sound escaped my lips.

Somewhere outside, the party still raged on—laughter, music, life continuing as if nothing had happened.

But everything had changed.

And nothing would ever be the same again.