Page 2 of The Rancher's Vengeful Heart

Way to go!

By the time Tassy moved to shake hands with her superiors, her smile felt more natural, and the awkwardness in the conference room had lessened.

Maybe from 110% awkward, it was now 109.9?

Or wait, maybe 109.8, since she didn't want her first post-breakup day marked with negativity. She refused to be known as the girl who couldn't handle breakups, and oh God, was this truly happening?

It was just yesterday—-yesterday!—-when Tassy told Stella she would start taking her faith seriously. And now this?

Would God think she was ungrateful if she wished she wasn't the one being promoted?

Because maybe, if it was someone else, she and her boyfriend since college would still be together?

"I'm sorry, Tas..."

Xylan stood before her now, everyone in their department having filed out without being asked. Sweet of them, really, but Tassy suspected it was also because they couldn't bear to watch what came next.

Xylan's Rolex caught the morning light as he ran a hand through his perfectly styled dark hair.That was new,Tassy observed absently. It had always been his dream to own a Rolex, and despite everything, she was happy to see him finally wearing one.

"There was obviously a better place and time to do this, but I just couldn't hold it any longer."

Tassy only nodded...even though part of her was dying to ask:Really, Xy? You couldn't wait just a few minutes longer? Really?

"And what happened afterward..." Xylan's jaw clenched as he loosened his Italian silk tie in a fit of restlessness.

That's new, too, Tassy noted vaguely. Was it possible that while giving his wardrobe a complete overhaul...he'd realized their relationship needed a similar fix? Out with the old, in with the...new?

"You get what I'm saying, right?"

Tassy shook her head.

It can't be. It can't be.

"What happened today perfectly illustrates why we're never going to work."

Where was he going with this?

"I just broke up with you," Xylan burst out. "But you didn't say a word!"

Is he really saying what I think he's saying?

"You acted as if you heard nothing."

What else was she supposed to do?

He had just broken up with her...in front of everyone.

If she had stared at him a second longer, she would've broken down and cried.

Was that why he believed they wouldn't work?

"You just got up from your chair like our breakup doesn't matter."

Xylan's accusing tone robbed Tassy of words.

Is this for real?

Was he really saying he'd broken up with her because she hadn't burst into tears in their workplace?

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