Yours, J

"I'm so stoked for you!"

"James asked me to give you this." He handed me a sealed manila envelope. "Come to my office and I'll give you all the deeds."

The envelope had weight and rattled. I knew from touch what I'd find inside before I opened it, but still, the sight of my keys sliding out and into my palm hit me hard. 

Gasping with a pain more intense than any I could remember, I read the accompanying note card.

Thank you, Emmy. For everything.

Yours, J

A Dear Jane brush-off. It had to be. Otherwise, he would've given me the keys after work on the way to the gym.

There was a dull roaring in my ears. I felt dizzy. Disoriented. I was frightened and agonized. Furious.

I was also at work.

Closing my eyes and clenching my fists, I pulled myself together and fought off the driving urge to go upstairs and call James a coward.