Chris and his beautiful wife Riley set the finishing touches on the table in order to prepare for tonight's dinner party.

The guests are going to be here any minute.

After setting down the final plate at the table, Riley sighs. Her work here is done. She has worked for the last three hours to get this perfect. A birthday party has to be perfect.

Chris grabs his wife and presses her against a nearby wall, kissing every inch of the skin on her soft face.

The doorbell rings, breaking the couple apart physically. Riley laughs and rushes to the door. She wonders who will be the first to arrive.

Riley opens the door and smiles at the four beautiful people on her front deck.

She hugs Katie Anne and then Mary, kissing each of their cheeks on either side before welcoming them and their dates inside.

Riley is very disappointed that Katie brought Ryan. He is no good for her. Just last week he beat her up so bad that Katie called Riley in tears thinking he was going to kill her when he came back.

Riley called the police and raced over to Katie Anne's house but Katie never pressed charges.

Katie is too much of a pushover. Riley knows it is going to get her killed one day.

What Riley does not know is that today may be that day.

Riley makes a quick mental note to talk to Katie about that later. Riley needs to know why she is back with him.

That brings Riley's attention to Mary.

She brought Carter with her. The drunken idiot who breaks up with her every three days so he has more time to do whatever drugs he can get his hands on.

Riley assumes that his appearance must mean they are back together for the thousandth time this month.

Never the less, Riley invites everyone inside.

Before she can even close the door, Hannah walks up to the deck, tears rolling down her face, smearing the makeup she spent hours applying.

"What is wrong babe?" Riley asks, already knowing the reason behind her tears is her estranged husband.

Their divorce has been anything but pleasant.

"I don't want to talk about it." Hanna wipes her eyes and pushes past Riley to get inside.

Mark walks up and smirks before entering the house.

Riley smiles. Her smile is fake. On the inside, she is fighting back the urge to rip his face off.

Riley never liked Mark. Especially not for Hannah, her best friend since high school.

Riley closes her front door and walks in to the kitchen to prepare drinks for everyone.

She can already tell it is going to be a long night.

The doorbell rings again as Riley pours vodka and other expensive alcoholic beverages in to glasses for her guests. Riley sighs.

Chris walks up behind her and kisses her cheek. "I'll get it love."

Riley blows a kiss his way as he leaves the room to get the door.

He greets Amanda and Brittany. Amanda is his sister in law, Riley's baby sister. And Brittany is his older sister.

They weren't always friends. But after Brittany passed out on a scalding hot day and nearly died of dehydration, Amanda swooped in to help her rival. Since that day, Brittany has forever been grateful of Amanda's heroic ways and Amanda has appreciated life more since the incident.

Chris invites them in and helps his wife pour drinks.

Riley squeals and hugs her sister and sister-in-law. "Happy birthday you two!" She shouts.

After all, they were both born on the same day.

At the same time, Robert walks in the back door, drawing all eyes to him.

He always has to make an appearance worth remembering.

Robert immediately sees his sister in the corner sobbing while mark tries to get her to look at him. He becomes distraught. He thought she dropped him a long time ago. Though Robert and Hannah haven't talked in months over a dispute about Mark, he still cares deeply about her, as any brother would.

Mark grabs Hannah's face and digs his fingers in her cheeks, drawing a bit of blood as his wife struggles to get his hand off of her.

Riley sees the struggle and dishes over to help her best friend. "Don't make me send you two home." She jokes, trying to keep Mark calm. She knows he has a violent past and doesn't want to blame him for this, even though it is his fault. Blaming him will only make him lash out against Hannah. "The baby is upstairs. I don't need any shouting tonight."

The two of them immediately calm down, relaxing Robert as well. He no longer feels the need to step in and defend his little sister. Though he is very grateful she has such an amazing friend as Riley. She never fails to be there when she is in need.

The doorbell rings. The last of the guests are here.

Hope and Brandon walk in after Riley opens the door and greets them.

Hope shows off her ring. This is the first time anyone has seen them since the wedding last month. They went on some extravagant honeymoon for a whole thirty days.

"Well, everyone is here. Let's eat." Riley claps her hands together and walks back to the kitchen.

"Screw you Mark!" Hannah shouts.

"What did you just say to me?!" Mark shouts, placing his forearm against Hannah's neck as he slams her against the wall.

"You heard me!" Hannah spits at him, raking her nails down his arm in an attempt to free her windpipe.

Robert rushes over, determined to save his baby sister.

Mark pulls a gun out of his jacket and holds it to her head. "Say it again, doll." He smirks, pressing it up against her forehead as everyone gasps.

No one was expecting that.