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became what it is from that one phone call. Now I know it doesn’t matter; it would have still ended the same.
    How does one person become so evil?
    How is it that I used to not only trust her, but love her? Guess it says a lot about my character.
    Knowing sleep will not come, I respond to a few emails from the insurance company and head out to the on-site gym.
    It’s the only way I know how to release this anger, working out to just sleep is an end to all means, now.
    I walk over and crank up the docking station: “Burn It To The Ground” by Nickelback screams out and causes me to laugh out loud at how appropriate this song is for tonight.
    Jumping up and down on the balls of my feet, I shake out my hands to get the blood flowing. The black punching bag hangs in front of me and I toss out a few jabs here and there. Convinced I’m warmed up enough, I let the music take over and seep into my system.
    With each beat, I throw a punch at the bag; it’s a steady right, left, right for the first few chords of the song. Getting into the rhythm of the beat, I swing a punch and alternate to a kick, then back to the punch.
    Every throw and kick releases the years of pain I’ve felt for my unborn child, the suffering I’ve put myself through as I went through the emotions of a fake marriage.
    The song comes to an end and I hit the repeat button, as I need to keep this tempo awhile.
    Time passes, but I’m not sure how much. I crash to the mat and look up at the clock on the wall. I’ve been going at it for the last hour and a half. I rest my backside on my heels as I bend forward to catch my breath. My lungs burn as if I lit them on fire. It’s a welcomed pain, and I reach up to wipe the sweat from my forehead.
    Finally, I feel as if exhaustion will take over and I push myself up from the floor. A quick toss of the gloves towards the wall, a click to switch off the sound system, and I head up to shower and let sleep take over.

Chapter Eight

    Tabitha
    AFTER ONE OF THE BETTER nights’ sleep in months, I wake with a more desirable outlook than other days. Arriving at the office before Jessica, I turn all the equipment on and flash evil eyes at the copier. It’s been a love-hate relationship that I’ve not missed over the last few months.
    Knowing that I have contracts to copy and prepare today, I pray it doesn’t screw up my day. I could, on the other hand, pass this task off onto Jessica, but then I’d feel remorseful for making the pregnant assistant copy my work.
    “I’ll deal with you later today,” I say to it as I point my finger in warning.
    An hour has passed and I hear Jessica slam her purse down on her desk. I’m not sure what she’s mumbling, but this can’t be good. A part of me is actually looking forward to getting on the next flight out of here. The hormones she releases are off the charts.
    “Jessica, I’m in here,” I yell from my office to alert her to my presence.
    “Oh, you’re back early. Everything okay?”
    “Things are … well, they are okay. How are you and the baby?”
    “That’s a loaded question, but we are doing swell. Do you have anything I can help you with today? I finished up a few things yesterday for Angela already.”
    “I might have some work later, I’m just going to catch up on a few things and get ready to fly to Texas.”
    “Oh, that’s right. I totally forgot to tell you guys. I received an email from Mr. Northwood’s assistant, Kelly. They had a fire in their office. Apparently they’re working from a remote location. I have all the information if you need it.”
    “I hope everyone is okay. Just email it to me so I can save it,” I respond as I try to grasp it all. What if Carter would have been hurt? I know it’s only a dream, but I still have feelings for him. A girl can hope for a fairy tale; after all, I am human. I might have had my heart ripped from my chest¸ but in the end, only one man can restore it.
    “Well, I’m going to get to work then. Yell