“Happy birthday, Chloe,” I said.

I turned and walked away from the pool.

I walked past the guests, my head held high, my shoulders back.

The night air felt cold against my bare skin, but it also felt incredibly clean.

I walked down the side path, past the blue hydrangeas, and out to the driveway.

I got into my car and started the engine.

As I backed out of the driveway, I saw the lights of the big house in my rearview mirror.

They looked smaller now.

I drove down the quiet, tree-lined street, leaving the neighborhood behind.

The road ahead of me was dark, but for the first time in my life, I wasn’t afraid of what was waiting in the shadows.

I rolled down the window, letting the cold wind fill the car, and took a deep, full breath.