She delivered it with a satisfied smirk, waiting for me to cower or cry.

Instead I took a step closer and held her gaze.

“That’s fascinating advice, Linda,” I whispered, my voice dripping with cold amusement. “I’ll be sure to keep it in mind for the next hour.”

Linda blinked, unsettled by my complete lack of submission. She huffed and spun off to dote on her son.

The party hit its peak. Jason held court in the center of the living room, expensive scotch in hand, regaling his boss and coworkers with some inflated story about a merger.

Ding-dong.