Nineteen | Partick thinks he won!

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PRESENT TIME– THAT SAME NIGHT


The roar of the crowd was still echoing in Sabrina's ears, a hollow, echoing reminder of her victory

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The roar of the crowd was still echoing in Sabrina's ears, a hollow, echoing reminder of her victory. She'd played like a woman possessed, every shot, every move fueled by a white-hot rage. But the victory felt hollow, tainted by the image that had flashed in her mind during the match – her mother and Nate, her ex-fiancé, entangled in a passionate embrace at the bar.

The betrayal was a double punch, the sting of Nate's infidelity amplified by the knowledge of her mother's complicity. They had to pay, but how? How could she possibly exact the revenge she craved?

The knock on the door brought her back to reality. 'Art?' she exclaimed, surprised. 'What are you doing here?'

'I just saw your mother and fiancé, all snuggled up at the bar,' Art said, his voice low and serious. He held out his phone, displaying a picture of the couple, undeniably intimate. 'I took a picture to prove I wasn't lying.'

Sabrina smiled, a strange, almost amused twist of her lips. 'Not what I was expecting, but okay.'

Art looked at her, concern etched on his face. 'Okay? Your fiancé just cheated, and you're laughing?'

'Why do you think I was so consumed with anger in the match?' Sabrina asked, her voice a low growl.

'Shit,' Art muttered, realizing the connection. 'Can you send me this?' he asked, gesturing towards the picture.

'I don't have your number, Sabrina,' he added, a hint of vulnerability in his voice.

'Oh, well… ah…' Sabrina grabbed his phone and typed in her number, sending the picture to herself. 'And now you do,' she said, her smile widening.

'Where's Patrick?' Art asked, his gaze shifting to the empty hallway.

'I don't know,' Sabrina shrugged. 'He walked off after the game. I have no clue.'

Art chuckled, a low, rumbling sound. 'Why are you laughing?' Sabrina asked, her brow furrowed.

'You know,' Art said, gesturing with his hands, 'the way you played? You were powerful, Sabrina… a force of nature. You wouldn't believe the effect it had on some of us.'

'Felt what?' Sabrina asked, her voice laced with confusion.

Art leaned forward, his gaze meeting hers. He tilted his head, a knowing smile playing on his lips. Sabrina understood, her cheeks flushed with a heat that had nothing to do with the anger that still simmered within her.

'So I made you feel something?' she asked, her voice a mere whisper.

Art looked around the room, his smile softening. 'Where's Patrick?' he asked again, his voice echoing the question Sabrina had asked earlier.

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