Shattered Lives (The Shattered Series Book 1) Read online

  Shattered LIVES

  Book One

  By Marilyn Williams

  Copyright 2018 Marilyn Williams All rights reserved.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means,

  Including photocopying, recording, or electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of

  Brief quotations embodied in reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright laws.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, business, events and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination.

  Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Cover Image: The Cover Collection

  CHAPTER ONE

  Tami arrived home and found her husband relaxed on the living room sofa playing a video game. She hoped to slip past him unnoticed.

  “Hey babe, how was your day?” he asked, shouting over the loud shooting coming through the speakers.

  He had caught her right as she entered the kitchen. “You know the same thing every day, nothing new.”

  She already knew where their conversation was headed, so she had to come prepared with her favorite ‘de-stressor’ — a nice bottle of wine. Chardonnay to be exact. Tami loves wine, and would drink it all day if she could. Red, white, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay: it doesn’t matter what kind it is, she didn’t discriminate.

  She has bottles well over one-hundred dollars shipped to her monthly. Josh thought she drank way too much, but that’s only because he doesn’t drink at all. Not even on special occasions.

  “Are we going out or staying in for dinner?” she asked, returning to the living room with a wine glass in hand.

  “Well, I prefer to stay in. We could order takeout and work on our special project.”

  “What project?”

  “Baby making project,” he smiled.

  Tami remained silent and rolled her eyes. A baby is all he cares to talk about nowadays.

  “I’ve been thinking,” he continued. “You should get checked by your doctor. I’ve stopped using a condom over six months and you haven’t become pregnant.”

  “I don't need a doctor!” Tami slammed her glass on the table. “I need you to back off,” she said, before retreating to their bedroom.

  She picked up the television remote resting on their king-sized bed. Hoping to drown out the sound of his voice she turned up the volume, but Josh snatched the remote right out of her hand.

  “What’s your problem? Every time I bring up the subject of a baby you become upset?” he asked, angrily.

  Tami closed her eyes and massaged her temples with her forefingers. The sound of his voice was grating on her nerves. “I’m tired of going in circles with you. I don’t know how many ways I can say I don’t want one. My career is very important and I’m nowhere near ready to start a family. Why can’t you understand that?”

  “What about my needs and wants? Everything is not about you. I'm thirty-eight and most of my friends are happily married with two or more kids, and I always ask myself the same question. Why can’t that be us? To have a son or daughter would mean the world to me.”

  Tami inhaled sharply to calm her nerves. “I don’t know what I can say to appease you,” she whispered. “I don’t have it in me to give you what you want.”

  Josh didn’t say another word, instead, he stormed out of the room down the stairs. Tami ran after him, calling out his name. He ignored her and grabbed his keys from the table. As he tried to open the door, she put her hand on his to stop him. The last thing she wanted was for him to walk out again after an argument. It’s what he does when a disagreement does not go his way.

  “Josh, please stop we need to settle this. You want me to make an appointment with Dr. Morrison, right?” Josh shook his head yes. “Okay, it won’t hurt to have a routine check-up. I’m not saying I’m on board for a baby. However, I can at least find out why I haven’t conceived one.”

  Tami had no intention of calling her OB, she just wanted to end the conversation. She doesn't understand his obsession to have a kid. Their relationship was very different in the beginning. They had met six years ago outside her doctor's office. After her appointment, she walked to the elevator and there he stood looking very dapper. He wore a navy suit, shiny black leather shoes, and carried a black briefcase. His body was slim with a muscular build, five- eleven, with black wavy hair. He introduced himself and they spoke for what seemed like hours. The elevator came and went several times. He shared with her he worked as an independent business consultant. He loved his job and had been doing it for ten years. Josh impressed Tami so much that they had agreed to have dinner that night. They were inseparable from that moment on. They spoke on the phone daily and saw each other every weekend. Their courtship was short after only eight months of dating the couple married. Her parents didn't think it was wise, but Tami and Josh were so in love with one another they both felt marriage was the next natural step.

  It’s unfortunate that after five years of marriage they are at odds over expanding their family. He wants a child, and she doesn’t. Her career is her baby. Right out of college, she obtained employment with one of the top five financial companies in the US, One Star Financial Services. She began as a Team Supervisor, two years later she received a promotion to Senior Administrator and now she is the sole contender for the Division Manager position. To say she’s ambitious is an understatement. If there’s a goal, she must achieve it. If there’s an obstacle, she must remove it. By any means, no matter the consequence. Josh has never understood the drive she has for her career. That’s why becoming pregnant is far from her mind and to make sure it didn’t occur, she had her doctor prescribe birth control pills a year ago. She doesn’t like lying to her husband, but it is a necessity. A necessity for both her marriage and career. At thirty years old she felt she has plenty of time to have kids. If women in their late forties are having babies, what’s the harm in waiting another ten years? Staying on the pill was her only option for now. Besides, her stash of birth control was minor compared to what else she’s hidden from her husband. If he knew the horrible secret she harbors inside, it would destroy him and decimate their marriage.

  ◆◆◆

  The next day at work, Tami reflected on the night before. A part of her felt she was wrong for how she handled Josh. The arguments have taken a toll on her marriage. How can she convince him to see her side? Before she could ponder on the question, her coworker and close friend, Alexis Roberts, walked into her office.

  “Tami, here are the weekly productivity reports,” said Alexis, placing a file on the desk.

  “Thanks, I'll look at them later,” she replied under her breath, tossing the reports aside.

  “What's wrong?”

  Tami forced a smile, but then realized she didn’t have to pretend with Alexis. “Josh and I had another disagreement about having a baby. I told him I would go see my OB.”

  “Why did you tell him that?”

  “I had to tell him something. I couldn't be honest about the birth control.”

  “I don't understand why you’re against having a baby.” Alexis sat in a chair across from Tami. “He’s a good man and if you don't give him what he wants another woman will snatch him up.”

  “He’s not going anywhere,” said Tami. No matter how bad things were between them Josh would never leave. He always told her divorce was an easy cop-out people use instead of doing the work it takes to stay together.

  “Your husband is thirty-eight and wants a family. He won’t
wait forever.”

  “Thanks for your insight, Negative Nancy!”

  “Okay...don’t say I didn’t warn you.” Alexis reached her hand into Tami’s crystal candy jar and retrieved a peppermint. Tami watched as she slowly removed the wrapping and popped it into her mouth. Then she continued with her pessimistic babble. “If you want to keep the birth control a secret why use pills? Why not a patch or an implant?”

  “I don’t believe in inserting foreign objects into my body and I’m allergic to the patch.”

  “I don’t believe you. I think deep down you want him to find the pills. It’s a way to distract from your real secret.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “What happened a few years ago.”

  Tami thought for a minute and then her eyes widened. She stood in disbelief for a moment before motioning Alexis to lower her voice with her hands. She closed the door to her office. “Really, Alexis? You promised to never bring that up.”

  “I’m only mentioning it now because you need a reality check. You’re running around talking about your career this and your career that. You can’t have a baby because of your need to be on top, running the company,” she said, mockingly.

  Tami gritted her teeth. She tried hard to keep her composure as she listened to Alexis rant. She already had a go around with Josh the night before. The last thing she wanted was another with Alexis. Afraid she would say something she couldn’t take back, she remained quiet and allowed her to get it all off her chest. “You will lose him and it won’t be because of what’s happening now. It will be because you were pregnant, and had an abortion,” she continued.

  Tami frowned and shook her head from side to side. “Wow, with friends like you...”

  “I am your friend,” she responded, softening her tone.

  “Well, you need to act like it. You know that was a painful time in my life and you’re throwing it in my face. I had no choice, and it haunts me to this day. But, Josh can never know.”

  “Secrets have a way of coming out.”

  “Is that a threat?”

  “No! I would never tell Josh.”

  Tami closed her eyes, she hated the direction of the conversation. “I’m sorry.”

  “No, I apologize. I should have chosen a better time to get into this. Discussing something so personal at work —I wasn’t thinking.”

  Once Tami was alone, she thought about when she and Alexis had met. It was on Alexis’ first day on the job. Tami had wrapped up a meeting when she noticed an unfamiliar face walking back and forth down the hall. Tami asked if she was lost and offered to walk her to the correct floor. As they walked, they talked about the job and other various things. It was like they’ve known each other for years. That same day, they met for lunch and the rest is history. Although they are as close as sisters, they are very much opposite in every way. Tami is ambitious while Alexis is content and happy to have a job. If possible Tami avoids confrontations, unlike Alexis who will say whatever is on her mind. Tami is tall and very slim. As a teen, she once considered a career as a model. Her height of five eight and slim physique, glowing smooth cocoa brown complexion are excellent attributes in her favor. Alexis does not stand as tall as her close friend, she’s five four and always on a diet. It’s not that she’s overweight, but like plenty of women, she struggles with being comfortable in her skin. She constantly picks herself apart and compares what she sees in the mirror against the so-called internet models on social media. Alexis has told Tami many times she wished she embodied her confidence. Their differences made them great friends. It gave them the ability to help and learn from one another.

  Later that day, the women had lunch together at a new Spanish restaurant down the street from their office. Afterward, Tami attended three long meetings on quality control and production. By the end of the day, exhaustion had hit her body hard. It was time to go home, and she wasn’t wasting one minute more. But, before she could get one foot out the door her boss, Dan Overton, Director of Operations, stepped into her office. He closed the door behind him.

  “Tami, I need a minute of your time to discuss the Division Manager position.” Dan sat in one of the black leather chairs opposite her desk with his legs crossed. Tami tried to read his expression. It was like someone who was about to deliver bad news.

  “Is this about making a formal announcement to the team?” she asked, as she nervously played with the pen in her hand.

  “Actually, I…”

  “Dan, can I say something first?”

  “Sure, go ahead,” he said, nodding his head.

  “I just want to thank you for this opportunity and having confidence in my ability to become Division Manager.”

  “Tami, you're great and what I like about our relationship is that we are not only co-workers but we’re also friends,” he said, somberly. “I hate to be the one to tell you we’ve proceeded in a different direction.”

  “What do you mean a different direction?”

  “Well...” Dan said, slowly. “We’re offering the position to Allison Parks instead.”

  “Allison Parks? I don't understand. You and I discussed my promotion two weeks ago. You told me I was the only person being considered it was only a matter of announcing it to the team.”

  “I know, but after further consideration, Allison would be the perfect fit for that position.”

  Tami tried hard to remain professional and not lose her temper. “Dan, you know this isn't right. I worked hard and put everything into this promotion.”

  “That's why your talents would serve best at our new Accounts Acquisition Center as Vice President of Operations,” Dan said, smiling.

  Tami wasn’t sure she heard right. “Did you say VP of Operations?”

  “Yes, at our Acquisition Center.” Tim was still smiling from ear to ear.

  “Wow, thank you,” she said, standing to shake his hand. “Thank you for your consideration and belief in my capability.”

  “You’re welcome. It’s not just me who thinks you’re capable, you have the board behind you as well. Our new downtown center will be up and running in a few months, and we’re sending you and Tim Lansing over there. You as VP and Tim as Director of Acquisitions. I believe you and Tim will make a great team. Congratulations.”

  After Dan left, Tami sat in her chair as she tried to take it all in. It would have satisfied her to become Division Manager, but this was on a completely different level. To move up to Vice President of a brand new center was mind-blowing. She couldn't wait to tell Josh.

  When she arrived home, Josh's car was not in the driveway and the house was quiet. She reached into her purse and retrieved her cell phone to call him. That's when she noticed two new text messages, both from him.

  The first one read: I have to go out of town, covering for Nick. His mother is in the hospital. I’ll be back in three days.

  She hated when he had to cover for his lazy co-worker. The only reason he still had a job was that they’re best friends. She scrolled down on her phone to continue to his next text message which read: Did you remember to call your doctor?

  With all the excitement over her VP promotion, she had forgotten about the doctor. Although, she’s ecstatic about her new job title she doubts Josh would share the same enthusiasm. For now, she would have to keep that tidbit of information to herself. Tami placed her purse on the kitchen table and poured herself a glass wine. She snuggled under her favorite red fleece throw on the sofa. With a wine glass in hand, she turned on the TV to watch the evening news. The six o’clock news had a way of keeping her grounded. Whenever she thinks her life was a mess, there’s always someone out there who’s going through something worse. In the middle of listening to a story about a single mother losing her home to foreclosure, her thoughts drifted to what she should tell Josh about the doctor. After several more glasses of wine, she came up with the perfect cover story. She would tell him that her doctor found her to be in perfect health and there wasn’t any reason she
shouldn’t become pregnant. All the while, she would secretly remain on the pill. Eventually, he would question her again, but for now, it will give them both a peace of mind. The wine had made her sleepy, by the time the weather report came on she was fast asleep. Hours later the ringing of her cell phone awakened her. Still full of sleep, she reached over to retrieve her phone from the glass coffee table. She turned it over to see who was calling. It was Josh, the picture of him taken on their trip to Paris occupied the center of her phone. As much as she wanted to hear his voice, she wasn’t ready to speak with him. She wanted to tell him about her promotion and hoped he would share in her joy. That was a fantasy. If she answered she would have to tell her husband another lie. A knot in her stomach formed as she let the call go to voicemail. She would text him later apologizing for the missed call.

  ◆◆◆

  Tami pulled Alexis into her office, she was bursting with so much excitement she had to talk to her right away.

  “You won't believe what happened yesterday!” she exclaimed.

  “Well, it can't be good because I heard Allison Parks got the job you wanted,” responded Alexis.

  “Who told you that?”

  “Allison did.”

  “She did, huh? She can have the Division Manager job because I will be VP at the new Acquisition Center!” said Tami, grinning and doing a happy dance at the same time.

  “Wait...they promoted you to Vice President?” Alexis asked sharing Tami's excitement.

  “Yes, can you believe it?”

  “That’s great! Who are you working with?”

  “Tim Lansing. Dan said he’s coming on as Director.”

  “Tim Lansing!” Alexis turned up her nose. “You better watch your back dealing with him.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “You know, just some things I heard.”

  “You need to stop listening to gossip.”

  “Never,” she smiled. “Congratulations and I will miss you around here. What did Josh say when you told him?”