“Anna, what the hell—” Mark started.
“Just teaching a lesson,” I said, my voice calm but firm. “You wanted Lily to know how it feels to lose something she loves, didn’t you?”
Rachel’s face drained of color. “Don’t you dare.”
Too late. The Peloton tipped, wobbled, and crashed into the pool with a mighty splash. Water erupted around us, soaking everyone. The silence that followed was absolute.
“Now,” I said quietly, “we’re even.”
Rachel shrieked, and Mark gaped at me. “You’ve lost your mind!”
“No,” I said, “I’ve found my balance.”
I turned and left, water dripping from my arms but my heart finally steady. For once, justice sounded like a splash.
The aftermath of that day felt almost surreal. The sound of the splash still echoed in my ears, as though the water had carried away every ounce of restraint I’d ever held back. Mark’s furious voice, Rachel’s shrill protest—none of it mattered now. It had been done. The lesson, as painful as it was, had been taught.