Chapter 9: Rage

Dana stood behind the counter of her bakery, staring blankly at the half-filled display case. The scent of freshly baked bread and roasted coffee beans wafted through the air, but it only made her stomach turn. The cheery pastel walls and sunlight streaming through the windows felt like an insult to her dark mood.

“Dana, table four is still dirty,” June said softly.

Dana turned sharply, her jaw tight. “Then clean it, June! Do I have to spell out every single thing for you? Or are you just waiting for the customers to complain?”

June flinched at the outburst, her cheeks reddening. “I was just about to, Dana. I’ll get right on it.” She grabbed a rag and hurried to the table, her shoulders hunched like she was trying to make herself smaller.

Dana pressed her palms against the counter, her nails digging into the wood. The sight of June scurrying away only made her feel worse. She wasn’t this person, snapping at employees who were only trying to help. But the hurt bubbling inside her wouldn’t stay contained.

The bell above the door jingled, and Dana straightened up, brushing her hair back in an attempt to look composed. A man in a dark suit stepped inside, his leather shoes clicked softly against the tiled floor. He had a sharp, angular face, the kind of face that seemed like it had never smiled.

He approached the counter and studied the menu on the chalkboard above Dana’s head. “What’s your best coffee?”

Dana’s voice came out flat. “Depends on what you like.”

“I asked for your best,” the man replied, his tone curt.

She clenched her jaw. “We’re known for our vanilla latte.”

The man nodded. “Fine. One vanilla latte. And make it quick, I’m in a hurry.”

Dana turned to the espresso machine, her hands trembling slightly as she began to prepare the order. She could feel the man’s gaze boring into her, and it only added to her unease.

As she handed him the cup, he leaned closer, “You look tired,” he said bluntly.

Dana blinked, caught off guard. “Excuse me?”

“You’ve got dark circles under your eyes,” he said, taking the cup. “You should sleep more. Stress isn’t good for business.”

Her cheek burned with anger, but she forced a tight smile. “Thanks for the advice,” she said coldly.

The man smirked, as if he enjoyed her discomfort, and walked out without another word. The doorbell jingled again as it closed behind him.

June, who had been wiping down a table nearby, approached cautiously. “Dana, are you okay?”

Dana exhaled sharply, her fists clenching at her sides. “I’m fine. Just… just focus on your job.”

June opened her mouth to say something, but the look on Dana’s face made her think better of it. She nodded silently and went back to cleaning.

Joe, who was fiddling with the coffee machine, glanced at Dana nervously. “Hey, boss, I think the espresso lever is a bit stuck. Should I—”

“Don’t break it!” Dana snapped, her voice very sharp. “Do you know how much that machine costs? If it stops working, I’ll have to shut down for days!”

Joe held up his hands defensively. “I was just trying to help, Dana. I’ll leave it alone.”

Realizing she had lashed out again, Dana sighed heavily. “I’m sorry, Joe. I didn’t mean to…” She trailed off, pressing a hand to her temple. “I’m just… I’m not myself today.”

Joe nodded, though the worry in his eyes didn’t fade. “It’s okay. We’re all here for you, you know. If you need a break, we’ve got things covered.”

Before Dana could respond, the bell jingled again, and a young woman in a floral dress walked in, holding a crying toddler.

“Hi,” the woman said, her voice strained as she juggled the squirming child. “Do you have anything sweet? Something to keep this one happy for at least five minutes?”

Dana forced a smile and gestured to the pastries in the display case. “We’ve got muffins, croissants, cookies—”

“Cookies,” the woman interrupted, digging through her purse. “How much?”

“Two fifty,” Dana said.

The woman handed her the money and sighed in relief as Dana passed her a box of cookies. The moment she pulled one out, the toddler grabbed it eagerly and the crying stopping immediately.

“Bless you,” the woman said, smiling faintly. “It’s been a crazy day.”

Dana nodded, not trusting herself to say anything. As the woman left, Dana’s chest felt heavy. Everyone had their struggles, their bad days, but hers felt unbearable.

She turned to June, who was now restocking the display case. “I’m leaving early today. Can you handle things until closing?”

June’s eyes widened. “Of course, but… are you sure you’re okay?”

“I just need some time,” Dana muttered, grabbing her purse. “Text me if there’s an emergency.”

Without waiting for a reply, she grabbed her purse and walked out, the bell jingling softly behind her.

Joe and June exchanged worried glances. They've never seen her this way.

As Dana stepped outside, tears pricked her eyes, and she hurried toward home. She needed the warmth of her old bed, she needed it now.

***

A few weeks later, Dana is still in bed. She's been horrible. Every single day, streams of tears fell off her face, soaking her pillow until her sobs turned into hiccups.

Corey’s face flashed in her mind for the upteenth time: the image of him smiling, laughing in the car with that woman. Her stomach clenched at the thought, her pain twisting into fury. How could he? After everything, how could he just replace her so easily?

A soft knock at her bedroom door startled her. "Dana," Riley’s voice came from the other side.

"Come in," Dana croaked.

Riley stepped in, her expression immediately softening at the sight of Dana’s swollen eyes and tear-streaked face. She walked over to the window and yanked it open, letting in a gust of fresh air.

"I only knocked because you complained that I usually don't." Riley mummured. She glared at Dana and shook her head in pity.

"Dana, look at yourself," Riley said gently. "You’ve been like this for weeks. After the first episode that happened, are you really in for a second? All thanks to a man? This is so not you."

Dana hugged her knees to her chest. "I can’t help it, Riley. He… he cheated on me. And then he just disappeared. No calls. No explanations. Nothing."

"Even if he did, you’re stronger than this. You’ve fought harder battles than some man breaking your heart. And he’s not even a man if he can treat you like this."

Dana bit her lip, trying to hold back more tears. "I just don’t understand. What did I do wrong? Was I not enough?"

"Stop," Riley said, sitting beside her and grabbing her hand. "This isn’t on you, Dana. Corey has his own issues. Whatever happened, it’s about him, not you."

Dana didn’t respond, her gaze fixed on the floor.

"This is the first time a man would put me in such a horrible position. I've cried more these past few weeks than I've ever done my whole life! Gosh, I hate Corey for doing this to me!"

Riley sighed and stood up. "I know you are angry and hurt. And of course it takes time to heal, but your bakery needs you, you know? Your staff is worried sick. They keep calling me, asking if you’re okay."

Dana closed her eyes, she felt guilt creeping in. "I’ll go back soon," she murmured.

"Not soon, Dana. Now." Riley crossed her arms. "If not for yourself, then for them. They look up to you. Those cute kids that love calling your name, remember them? I wonder what they're thinking. I wonder what they must have told their parents."

Dana groaned, "I know, I know. Don't make it harder than it already is, Riley".

As if on cue, the doorbell rang. Riley frowned. "Were you expecting someone?"

Dana shook her head. Riley left the room and returned a moment later with June in tow.

"Dana," June said hesitantly, wringing her hands. "I don’t mean to intrude, but… we’re all really worried about you. You haven’t been to the bakery in weeks, and we can tell something’s wrong. We miss you."

Dana felt a lump rise in her throat. She managed a small smile. "Thanks, June. I’ll… I’ll come back tomorrow. I promise."

June smiled back in relief. "We’ll be waiting."

That night, Dana laid in bed, staring at the ceiling. She felt hollow, like a shell of the person she used to be.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand. She reached for it, her heart sank as she read the message:

"I haven’t seen you in a while, darling. I hope you’ve forgotten about him. He’s having the best time of his life while you’re locked up in your room."

Her fingers tightened around the phone as anger flared in her chest. She didn’t care who this stalker was; they had no right to pry into her life. She typed a response, her thumbs moving furiously:

"Leave me alone. You’re pathetic."

She hit send and flung the phone onto the bed, her breaths came really hard.

A few minutes later, the phone buzzed again.

Dana groaned, snatching it up to read the reply.

But it wasn’t the stalker.

The name on the screen made

her breath hitch.

Corey.

Her hands trembled as she opened the message.