Chapter 2

I stayed holed up in my apartment for a few days, trying to heal. I figured I was finally done with Zane and his little drama queen.

I thought we were out of each other's lives for good.

Then, a loud, violent banging on my door shattered the silence.

The second I turned the lock, a group of men shoved their way inside.

"So you're the little bitch who's been trashing my sister's life?" a massive guy yelled.

"You've got some nerve hitting her!" another one barked.

"Boys, tear this place apart!"

Before I could even process what was happening, they started smashing my furniture.

Within minutes, my home was a disaster zone.

They broke everything I owned, from my TV to my favorite ceramic vases.

"Who the hell are you?" I screamed, my blood boiling.

The leader stepped into my face. "I'm Jaxson Hart, Roxie's brother. She told me everything about how you tried to steal her man and then jumped her at work."

I let out a harsh laugh. "You want to talk about homewreckers? Look at your sister!"

Suddenly, his fist slammed into my shoulder.

The force sent me flying backward, and I collapsed onto the floor.

"Keep my sister's name out of your mouth," Jaxson spat. "I'm going to make sure everyone in this neighborhood knows exactly what kind of trash lives here."

A cold pit formed in my stomach.

Before I could scramble away, they grabbed me by the arms and dragged me out of the apartment.

They pulled me all the way to the local park, right where people were out walking their dogs and playing with their kids.

I fought with everything I had, but I was no match for three grown men.

I'd never felt so humiliated in my life.

"Hey everyone! Take a good look!" Jaxson shouted to the growing crowd. "This woman is a homewrecker! She's been stalking my sister's fiancé and attacking her at her job!"

People started gathering around, whispering and pointing.

"What a disgusting person," someone muttered.

"She looks so normal, too," another whispered.

I saw some of my neighbors in the crowd. People I used to wave to every morning were now looking at me like I was scum.

"I didn't do anything! He was my boyfriend!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.

I wasn't the one who cheated. I was the one who got played.

"Roxie is the one who couldn't stay away from a man she knew was taken!"

"Shut your mouth!" Jaxson yelled.

His palm connected with my face so hard that my vision went blurry.

I fell back onto the grass, the taste of copper filling my mouth again.

"You're still lying?" Jaxson mocked. "Zane and my sister have been together since college. When did you even show up?"

Looking at his furious face, I knew I was in real danger. If I didn't find a way to end this, these guys were going to put me in the hospital.