Chapter 5

The rage that boiled within me was unstoppable, a fiery tempest igniting in the pit of my stomach. My heart raced, pounding against my ribcage like a caged animal desperate to escape. I felt the heat rising to my cheeks, my breath quickening as I approached them, each step fueled by a mix of betrayal and fury.

As I drew closer, my fists clenched tightly at my sides, the nails digging into my palms, grounding me in the moment. My jaw tightened, and I could feel the muscles in my face hardening, a mask of determination forming as I prepared to confront the scene before me. My eyes narrowed, focusing intently on Jason, the betrayal etched across his face only stoking the flames of my anger.

When I finally spoke, my voice was low and laced with venom, each word dripping with sarcasm.

“Hi, Jason,” I said, the words escaping my lips like a sharp blade, cutting through the air between us. I could see his surprise morph into guilt, and it only fueled my rage further.

Startled, he turned around, his face paling as he registered my presence. "Araya... I... you... I... wh-what are you doing here?" he stammered, his eyes wide with shock.

The slap I delivered to his face echoed in the room, the sound sharp and satisfying. Jason's face fell , He stood frozen, clearly not expecting such a reaction, his expression a mix of disbelief and regret.

I jabbed at his chest.

"What am I doing here?" I spat, laughter tinged with bitterness escaping my lips. "What does it *look* like I'm doing here, Jason?!" My voice cracked under the weight of betrayal, each word laced with pain.

As he stammered, trying to find the right words, I felt a surge of power coursing through me. My body trembled with the intensity of my emotions, a mix of hurt and fury that threatened to spill over. I could feel my heart pounding in my ears, drowning out the music and laughter around us, leaving only the sound of my own anger echoing in my mind.

When I slapped him again , the sound echoed louder in the room, a sharp crack that silenced the crowd. The satisfaction of that moment was fleeting, but it was enough to momentarily quell the storm inside me. I stood there, breathing heavily, my chest rising and falling rapidly as I glared at him, my eyes blazing with fury.

When I told him about this party he wouldn't have imagined it was this same party he attended with his mistress.

Silence hung in the air ,thick with tension .

“What am I doing here?” I spat, my voice rising, cracking under the weight of my emotions. I could feel the heat radiating from my body, a physical manifestation of my anger. My hands shook slightly, not from fear but from the adrenaline coursing through my veins. I turned to Jennifer, who stood there smirking, her confidence infuriating me even more.

Jason opened his mouth to speak but I held up my hand to stop him.

“no more excuses.”

“And you—Jennifer, the town's professional gold digger_ hime wrecker did you think I wouldn't find out?!” My voice was laced with venom , each word punctuated with the force of my rage. I could feel my heart racing, the adrenaline making my hands tremble as I pointed an accusatory finger at her, my body tense and ready to lash out.

Jennifer’s smirk only deepened, and I could see the amusement in her eyes, which only fueled my anger further. “You look ridiculous, Araya Stewarts. Absolutely pathetic,” she shot back, her tone dripping with disdain.

The room fell silent, all eyes on us, but I didn’t care. My fists clenched tighter, my nails digging into my palms as I fought to contain the whirlwind of emotions threatening to explode. “You dare call *me* pathetic?” I seethed, my voice low and dangerous, each word laced with venom. “You’ve been sneaking around with my boyfriend, and now you’re bold enough to insult me?”

In that moment, I felt a surge of power, a fierce determination to stand my ground. I raised my hand to slap her, but Jason caught my wrist mid-air, his grip firm yet pleading.

“Stop, Araya. Please, let’s talk about this later,” Jason said, his tone desperate, his eyes wide with fear.

“Talk about *what*, Jason?!” I yelled, wrenching my hand away, my heart pounding in my chest. “There’s nothing to talk about! You lied to me, betrayed me! Just because I wouldn’t sleep with you, you decided to find someone else? And *her* of all people?!”

The guilt on Jason’s face only fueled my anger further, and I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes, blurring my vision. But I refused to let them fall. I was done being the victim. I was done being weak.

I took a deep breath,steeling myself. “and you Jennifer why did you choose my boyfriend.”

The woman laughed softly shaking her head. “boyfriend.” shifting from surprise to a smug smile clearly unfazed. “well the person who isn't loved in a relationship is the third party ,the home wreaker.” she said her tone dripping with condescension. “jason told me he loved me I didn't force him to, right honey.”she raised her eyebrow feigning innocence.

"Stop being unreasonable Araya. I said we will talk about this later , you misunderstood Jennifer she isn't like that. ” Jason came to defend Jennifer his tone desperate, I could clearly see the subtle pure and soft love in his eyes for Jennifer.the defiance in his time was palpable.

I took a step back my breath hitching.

"Talk about *what*, Jason?!" I yelled, wrenching my hand away, my heart pounding in my chest. "There's nothing to talk about! You lied to me, betrayed me! and cheated on me with her. What do we talk about! ”

Jason's guilt was written all over his face, but it only fueled my anger further, flames of betrayal igniting within me.

"You told me you respected my boundaries. You *promised* me it wasn't an issue. And yet, here you are. You're disgusting," I hissed, my voice trembling with rage, tears threatening to spill.

Jason tried to reach for me, but I stepped back, my heart racing. "Don't touch me! You disgust me , I hate you, Jason. I curse the day I ever gave you my heart."

I turned away, my vision blurred with tears, the weight of my emotions crashing down on me. Ash, Alex, and Emma were standing nearby, their expressions a mixture of hurt and concern, their eyes wide with shock.

"Ara, let me take you home," Alex offered gently, her voice soothing, I could hear the worry lacing her words.

"No, Alex. I'll manage," I said, my voice cold, a wall of defiance rising around me.

I turned to Emma and Ash, forcing a smile through my tears, my heart aching. "I'm so sorry for ruining your night, Emma. Truly."

I spun on my heel, addressing the crowd of onlookers, my voice rising in anger. "Can you all mind your own business?" I barked before storming off.

Before leaving, I pulled off the ring Jason had given me—a symbol of our three-years commitment. I tossed it at him without a second glance, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Goodbye, Jason Hardley. And thank you for showing me your true colors," I said, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions within me, before disappearing into the bathroom.