ARLENE

The wind blew strands of my hair against my cheeks as I closed the door behind me. The silence outside was a comforting contrast to the turmoil brewing inside my soul.

The victory of the auction seemed like a distant memory now, something that should have been the highlight of my day had turned into an afterthought. All I could think about was Sarah’s involvement in changing the course of my life.

There were so many angles to focus on, but what I couldn’t get out of my mind was what would’ve happened if she hadn’t interfered with the progression of events as they unfolded.

Would I still be...