“I’m going home, and I’ll let you know when I’m available again.” Never. The word is whispered in the back of my head. I’m never returning to this office. I’m never doing another thing for this prick.

“You can’t leave me. I’ll ruin you,” he practically whispers with nothing but hate. He says the words I already know.

“Ruin me then,” I respond easily, looking into his dark eyes as I turn the doorknob and leave him behind me. On the surface I’m calm, but brewing just beneath my skin is nothing but chaos. Everything I’ve feared has finally come.

Proof I was there.

Proof I lied to the police.

I leave the office with the threat echoing in my head. I did this to myself, digging the hole deeper and deeper.

There’s no way Kat will stay when it all goes down.

Kat

Never trapped, never alone,

This city never sleeps.

Even in the daylight,

The sins are left to creep.

They tempt me and pull me,

And make me feel alive.

My mouth is dry, my body hot.

In temptation regrets will thrive.

My iPhone lights up as I push the top button to check the time again, and then again to look at the date. I’m anxious for this meeting; unusually so. Then again, I’m anxious all the time now.

Evan hasn’t come home; he isn’t talking to me. It’s been four days and each day I feel like I need to cave more and more. I didn’t know how much I wanted him there until he was gone. I just need him back.

A huff leaves me and I shake my head at the thought. Breakups are always hard and that’s what this is, so there’s only one way to move on and that’s to get it over with.

I don’t want to be in our townhouse, but I have nowhere else to go.

An easy breath leaves me as I stand behind the only woman in line at Brew Madison and tilt my head to read the sign on the back wall. All the beverages they have to offer are written on a large chalkboard, and large bakery cases house all the treats they have available. From small pastries to toasted breakfast sandwiches, all lined up as if they’re plastic replicas, even though I know they’re freshly made and just simply that good.

I haven’t had much of an appetite, but every sip of my coffee this morning made me nauseated, so a blueberry muffin top it is.