Chapter 7

I couldn't even sleep that night. The dim light flickering through my curtains, casting dancing shadows on the walls of my bedroom. As I lay there, the coolness of the sheets against my skin provided little comfort to me. The city sounds gradually faded into silence as the night races to it's peak , leaving only the rhythmic ticking of my bedside clock to keep me company.

When the  sleep finally came, it was anything but peaceful. As reality blurred and faded, and suddenly I went back to three years in the past. The memory was vivid, painfully so. Rosy stood before me, her face beaming with joy as her hands cradled her protruded belly.

"Gianna, I'm pregnant with his child!" Her voice was giddy with excitement.

The rage that filled me then was just as real as in my dream. "How could you do this to me?" I shouted in sorrow, and before I could stop myself, my palm connected with her cheek. The sharp sound of the slap hung in took the moment by hands a bit for a while before being drowned out by an even more horrifying sight - blood pooling on the ground at Rosy's feet.

The scene shifted, and another slap echoed - this time from Margaret, my mother-in-law. Her voice was venomous as she spat out, "Bitch, you this fruitless tree, and that simply can't allow others to do in your stead what you've failed to achieve, right,ahn?"

The lawyer's cruel voice cut through the chaos: "This is the divorce agreement. Please look through well and sign your name on it."

Marino, the man I had loved for five years, couldn't even look at me as he said impatiently, "Mr. Myers doesn't have the time to spare. Stop wasting time. Hurry and sign it. It's best for all of us."

The pain that sliced through my heart was searing in and jolted me awake, my body drenched in cold sweat. As I Gasp for air, I sat up in my bed, my heart still pounding. Why did I keep dreaming of this, again and again?

The clock read 4 a.m., and the early morning light was already starting to creep in through my window. My skin felt clammy and damp against the cool air of the morning. Unable to face the prospect of more nightmares, I slipped out of bed and headed for the shower.

The sound of running water helped wash away the remnants of the dreams trauma. Choosing my clothes carefully - bright colors that stood out against the drab morning, a stark contrast to my usual attire. In the kitchen, I made coffee, letting in its rich aroma engrane me in the present.

Arriving at the office early, I hoped for peace before the demon of a day truly began. But Thane was already here.. waiting and his face lit up with that mischievous grin I'd grown to dread now.

"Gianna, were you hoping that I'll give you more bonus for coming in early? Fat hope!" He laughed, clearly enjoying himself. "You see, I'd rather give my money to a beautiful woman than to an ugly monster like you. It'd be a waste of my resources."

Taking a deep breath, my heartbeat sped up but I willed myself to ignore him. I was grateful for the conservative clothing and glasses I wore specifically to keep him at bay. In the three months since Nathan had introduced me to this job, I'd learned that Thane was a lustful man. The glasses, the modest clothes - they were my armor. And after three months of his harsh words, I'd grown almost immune to his insults.

Just as I was settling into my work, trying to forget Thane's presence, David's voice cut through the office tension. "Mr. Reed, I heard that Marino will be getting engaged soon. What should we get him for his engagement gift?"

My heart skipped a beat, and I looked up, stunned. What? Engaged? The words echoed in my mind, bringing back all the memories I buried deep a long time ago .

I forced myself to look back at my computer screen, but the words blurred before my eyes. The office sounds faded away as my mind raced. Marino is getting engaged. Of course he was. So he already moved on, just as he'd expected me to. Just as everyone had expected of me too .

The coffee I'd earlier churned in my stomach. I could feel Thane's gaze on me, probably waiting for my reaction, some sign that this words stung me. But I wouldn't give him that satisfaction. Instead, I straightened my shoulders and focused on my breathing - in and out, slow and steady.