She was handcuffed and led away, the cold metal biting into her wrists, and the embarrassment of being paraded in front of so many people stung like salt on an open wound. She could feel their judgmental stares on her back, the whispers that echoed in her ears.

Kourtney held back the tears that threatened to spill. No way would she show them the satisfaction of seeing her break down. No way would she show them her vulnerability. She had been painted as the villain in this twisted play, and she wouldn’t let them win by seeing her crumble.

As she was escorted to the police car, she caught a...