Chapter 3

A surge of pure rage, hot and cleansing, shot through me.

I slapped Kevin's hand. Hard.

The ID card flew through the air, clattering onto the hardwood floor.

"Don't you ever touch my things again," I snarled, my voice low and dangerous.

I snatched my wallet back from his stunned grasp. The entire room went silent. Everyone stared at me, shocked. The quiet, unassuming Chloe was gone.

Kevin's face turned red with fury and embarrassment. "What the hell is your problem?"

"You are," I said, looking him dead in the eye. "You and her."

I turned to Madison, who was trying to look hurt and confused. "Enjoy your trip, Madison. I'm not going."

"Chloe, you're ruining it for everyone!" she cried, her voice trembling with fake emotion. "If you don't go, I might as well just cancel the whole thing! I was doing this for us, for our sisterhood!"

The other girls immediately turned on me.

"Yeah, Chloe, don't be so selfish."

"Madison is paying for everything! The least you can do is be grateful."

"What is wrong with you?"

Kevin stepped forward, his face contorted with anger. "You are going to apologize to Madison right now."

He raised his hand. I saw it coming. I remembered the sting of his slap in my first life, the humiliation.

This time, I was ready.

He swung. I ducked. His hand met empty air.

Then he slapped me.

The sound echoed in the silent room. My head snapped to the side, my cheek burning.

The shock on the other girls' faces was immediate. But Madison just watched, a flicker of satisfaction in her eyes.

This was the final confirmation. This was the man who had abandoned me. This was the woman who had destroyed me.