I clasp my hands together tightly, focusing on my perfectly manicured fingers, taking slow, deep breaths. I can’t believe I just lost my shit in a room full of my colleagues. In front of my boss. In six years, I’ve never once so much as raised my voice, knowing it only takes one outburst to be labeled emotional. And in five minutes I blew right past emotional and straight into irrational and aggressive.

I remain as still as one of those painted statue guys in Times Square, not moving until the rush of suits brushes past me, the room emptying within seconds. I push back my own chair and start to rise, but Bill stops me.

“Sit down.”

Closing my eyes for the briefest of seconds, I pull myself together. Sit up straight. Bright smile. Confident eye contact. Cool. Calm. Collected. I can fix this. “When would you like me to start working with Chad, sir?” If I pretend hard enough, he’ll forget all about this, right?

Bill steeples his fingers together, tapping his chin thoughtfully. “Of all the girls in this office, I never expected you to react in such an unseemly manner.”

“Oh?” I just manage to keep my voice from cracking. Or from firing back how I never expected to fall victim to his straight-up nepotism. “I apologize for my language. I’m not going to lie, I was expecting this promotion. Given my years of service to the company, and the many, many unpaid hours and tasks I’ve not only willingly taken on but have accomplished successfully.”

“Coordinating a few spreadsheets doesn’t mean you are ready for senior-level management.” His eyes narrow. “And one of your greatest selling points up until today has been your attitude, never pushing back or making a fuss.”

My shoulders start to creep up around my ears, my body shrinking in on itself, my anger and disbelief morphing into something far more sinister, a repeated refrain that’s been on a constant loop in my mind since I was a kid.

Why would you think you’re good enough? You know you’ll never be good enough.

“I apologize for my outburst. It won’t happen again.” My voice is as small as I feel. I push my chair back from the table.

“I’m afraid it’s too late for that.” Bill stacks his papers before standing. “I’m going to have to let you go, Sadie. That kind of behavior is unacceptable in a place of business. Gather your things, and make sure you stop by HR to sign the paperwork.”

My blood chills, freezing the breath caught in my lungs. “You’re firing me?”

He strides to the door, not even looking over his shoulder to speak to me directly. “It didn’t have to be this way. You should’ve kept those emotions in check.” He pushes out the door, letting it swing shut behind him with a thud.