Chapter 43

Jane sat at the bar, nursing a glass of whiskey. The loud, pulsating music did little to drown out the chaotic swirl of thoughts in her mind.

She usually avoided bars, seeing them as refuges for the broken-hearted and desperate, but tonight, she fit right in. The last time she had been to a bar was when she was going through the divorce process with her ex-husband, Marcus. And here she was again.

She took another sip, her eyes wandering around the dimly lit room, observing the clusters of people laughing, drinking, and dancing.

She sighed and drew her scarf lower, to hide her face. The confrontation with Caleb replayed in her mind, his harsh words cutting deeper than she cared to admit.

She took another sip, hoping the alcohol would dull the pain, but it only seemed to amplify her frustration.

Suddenly, she felt an arm snake around her waist. She stiffened, her hand instinctively clutching her drink tighter.

"Hey, pretty girl," a man slurred in he