Page 44 of Back to Me

Suddenly, she begins marching toward me, not stopping until she’s within inches of my face, leaning forward far enough for me to see the tears of hostility building behind her eyes. I take a step back in fear. Seething with anger, she forces the words from between her clenched teeth.

“I don’t need you. I don’t want you here. Get the fuck out of my gallery, Sara.”

Swallowing back my tears, I manage to choke out, “I’m sorry, Allison.”

The corner of her mouth curls into a devilish smirk. “See, you don’t have what it takes to be in this business. You’re weak.”

Taking a step back, I stare into her eyes, knowing there has to be more to her than this angry shell of a woman standing in front of me.

“I’m not sorry for leaving you.” I pause. “I’m sorry you feel so threatened by me, this is what it has come to. I wish you the best.”

Loosening my grip around the edge of my resignation letter, I allow the paper to gently drift through the air, dropping onto the hardwood floor. Without another word, I leave Allison standing there, the ball of my foot stepping on the backside of my letter as I make my way to the stairs leading to the first floor.

When I reach the gallery, I release the breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. My lungs fill with clean, crisp air, and the feeling brings on a whole new rush of adrenaline. A single tear spills from the corner of my eye as I practically run by my desk, snatching up my purse on the way across the room. With my arms outstretched, I forcibly shove the tall glass doors leading to my new life.

A life where I no longer work for Allison Newbury.

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