“You fired the staff?”

“Of course. She doesn’t deserve any privileges.”

“Or maybe you wanted to be alone with her, no witnesses?” He smirked.

I grabbed him by the collar and stared him down. My heart felt like it would leap out of my chest, and then… I realized it was still beating. It was there, in my chest, showing signs of life after years of dormancy. Whether from rage or hatred, I still had a heart.

I stared at my best friend, seeing fear in his eyes. I sighed and ...