Annabelle was holding a bottle when I slapped her.
The sound cracked sharply through the room.
For a split second, silence swallowed everything.
Only then did I realize what I had done.
The bottle was still in her hand.
It could shatter on my head at any moment.
My sister Sarah stood beside me, yes—but that wouldn't stop the pain if the glass came crashing down on my skull.
Still… I didn't move.
Why did she have to touch him like that?
Why did she have to stand so close to him?
Every time Annabelle leaned toward Johnathan, every time her breath brushed his face or her body grazed his arm, my heart twisted violently in my chest.
It felt like my entire existence was under attack.
My balance felt unstable.
My world tilted.
I noticed Johnathan standing near her, his expression frozen in shock. I couldn't tell if he was impressed that I fought for him… or terrified of what Annabelle might do next.
But one thing was certain.
I would go that far for him.
And further.
I would crush any opposition that dared stand between us.
This strange feeling inside me had taken complete control. It wrapped around my thoughts like a storm of fire and ice.
It was dangerous.
Addictive.
Beautiful.
And I refused to let anyone take it away.
"You insect!" Annabelle screamed.
Her voice shook the entire room.
"I'll crush you and erase you from the face of the earth!"
Her eyes burned with fury.
"Let me see you try," I replied coldly.
The room held its breath.
Then she moved.
Without hesitation, Annabelle lunged forward, raising the bottle high above her head. Her arm cut through the air with frightening precision.
The force behind the motion was terrifying.
She could have split a rock with that swing.
And suddenly—
I remembered the bottle.
Too late.
But strangely…
My body didn't panic.
My breathing slowed.
My mind became quiet.
Only one thing remained inside me.
Fire.
She was closer now.
The bottle hovered above my head, ready to crash down onto my forehead—
But before the blow could land—
Johnathan stepped in.
His hand shot forward instantly.
The bottle struck his arm instead.
The impact echoed loudly through the room.
The glass didn't break.
But something inside me did.
My heart.
My faith in people.
Everything.
Johnathan grabbed his arm immediately, letting out a quiet groan as pain shot through him.
Across the room, Sharon—who had been lazily scrolling through her phone—suddenly jumped to her feet.
"Annabelle!" she screamed.
"You hit my baby!"
My eyes darkened.
Great.
Now there were two people I wanted to destroy tonight.
Annabelle…
and Sharon.
"What have you done?!" Sharon cried as she rushed toward Johnathan, grabbing his arm and trying to examine the injury.
Her hands touched him.
That alone made my anger explode again.
For a moment, I stood frozen.
Pale.
Stiff.
My thoughts scattered like broken glass.
Johnathan had been hurt because of me.
Then—
*SMACK.*
A sharp slap burned across my cheek.
Before I could react—
*SMACK.*
Another hit struck the back of my head.
Annabelle.
She had slapped me.
The room fell silent again.
People stood around us, watching the chaos like it was some kind of live wrestling match.
No one dared interfere.
"Vanessa!"
Sarah finally rushed forward.
She shoved Annabelle with all her strength.
Annabelle stumbled slightly but quickly regained her balance.
Her body was strong.
Athletic.
Dangerous.
She stood her ground like a warrior preparing for another attack.
Her eyes shifted toward Sarah.
She was about to strike.
But before she could—
Johnathan stepped between them.
Even with his injured arm, he raised his other hand and blocked her path.
His eyes narrowed at her.
Annabelle froze.
Reality returned to her expression.
She looked down at his injured arm and suddenly her fury melted into panic.
"Johnathan… I'm sorry," she said quickly, moving closer to him.
Tears gathered in her eyes.
"Please forgive me."
Around us, the crowd slowly began to whisper again.
The tension in the room shifted.
But I wasn't finished.
Not even close.
I grabbed Annabelle's arm and dragged her away from Johnathan.
"The fight isn't over," I said coldly.
My hand lifted, ready to slap her again.
Harder this time.
Hard enough to leave a mark on her perfect face.
Hard enough that tomorrow her colleagues and family would ask her what happened.
But suddenly—
"Stop!"
Sharon's voice cut through the room like a blade.
She held her phone up threateningly.
"If you two don't stop this nonsense right now, I'm calling the police."
Her eyes burned with anger.
"Today is my birthday, and I won't let two nuisances ruin it!"
She glared directly at us.
"I swear I'll crack both your heads open myself if this continues."
The room fell quiet again.
"Enough," Sharon snapped.
"If you want to stay at my party, compose yourselves."
Her voice dropped into a cold warning.
"Or you'll both spend the night in a jail cell."
My cheek still burned from Annabelle's slap.
The pain pulsed through my face.
Without saying another word, I turned and walked toward the door.
Not because I was afraid.
Not because I had given up.
But because tears were forming in my eyes.
And there was no way I would let Annabelle see me cry.
The moment I stepped outside, I pushed the door open hard.
Fresh night air rushed across my face.
Cool.
Sharp.
It helped calm the fire inside me.
I inhaled deeply, letting the air fill my lungs before slowly breathing out again.
I shouldn't have left Johnathan inside with those two women.
Especially Annabelle.
But I wasn't running away.
Not at all.
If Annabelle thought she had won tonight, she was mistaken.
I was only outside to calm down.
To steady my breathing.
To prepare.
Because next time…
She would feel my wrath.
Minutes passed as I stared into the dark sky.
Luxury cars lined the driveway.
A few guests lingered outside, laughing loudly while drinking. Some couples leaned close together, whispering and sharing soft kisses under the dim lights.
But none of that mattered to me.
Because suddenly—
I felt it.
His presence.
Johnathan.
My heart jumped.
I turned quickly—
And there he was.
Standing directly in front of me.
So close that I gasped softly in surprise.
"Johnathan…" I whispered.
"You're here?"
His expression was serious.
Sharp.
"Let's go," he said firmly.
"My penthouse."
My heart fluttered instantly.
I didn't argue.
I didn't question him.
I simply followed.
Like a dream pulling me forward.
Right now, nothing else mattered.
Not the fight.
Not Annabelle.
Not Sharon.
All I wanted…
Was him.
His arms around me.
His warmth against my skin.
His presence swallowing the chaos of tonight.
Because being with Johnathan felt like stepping into a world where everything else disappeared.
And tonight…
That was exactly what I needed.