ROSALINE

"Go then, I'm not leaving today," I responded tersely, settling back into the chair. I didn't want to deal with this absurdity, not today.

"Rosa, do not provoke me," he barked at me, his fist tightening, and his face scrunched into a mean scowl. For a moment there, it felt like I could not recognize him. "Something came up at my company, and it is more important than whatever this is."

I threw my head to the side, away from him, and gulped hard, blinking back the tears that welled up in my eyes. He didn't deserve to see me so weak. I thought we were bonding. "Whatever this...