And that was when James pulled out another piece of paper.

“Look carefully. A DNR notice. The doctor told me they'd done everything they could. They turned off Carlos’ oxygen. You can see it for yourself."

One of the bodyguards moved aside so that Debbie could see. Carlos lay in bed, motionless. The oxygen mask he had been wearing the day before had been removed, just as James claimed.

“No! This can't be true! I don't believe you! Let me see him!" Debbie shouted. Then she dropped into a fighting stance, and prepared to leg sweep one of the bodyguards.

James spoke indifferently baby? You might miscarry

"I'd be more careful, if I were you. The

Debbie hesitated when she heard that. Just then, the bodyguards grabbed her. She couldn't move at all. She struggled, but in vain. The men were too strong.

Debbie yelled desperately, “James, you don't deserve to be a father

Oh, I forgot. You're not Carlos' father, are you? That's good. Because you're not worthy of the title."

James cared nothing for what she said. Once again, he held the divorce agreement in front of her.

"Sign it, and you can see him."

Suddenly, there seemed to be a strange force surging inside her. A renewed sense of purpose, and a strong sense of self. She wrenched free from the bodyguards’ arms and stalked toward James, who had a look of fear on his face. She snatched the divorce agreement, tore it into pieces and threw them in James' face.

"You don't get a say in this. Not at all. Carlos and I are a couple. Now and forever! You can just drop dead!"

The scraps floated Like snowflakes as they Landed lightly on the floor

Furious, James raised his hand and smacked Debbie hard.

Her face jerked aside because of the force, her head continuing in the direction of the slap. She felt a little dizzy for a moment. Slowly, she righted her head, turning to James. Her eyes turned dark and cold.

“How many times is this now? This is the third time you hit me, right

James was frightened by her expression.

"So what?"

Debbie sneered, "I only put up with you because you were Carlos’ dad

But I can't even..."

With that, she aimed a roundhouse kick at his face. His head rocked, and blood flew. Before anybody else could do anything, she clenched her teeth and kicked his fat belly. He crumpled, moaning in pain, blood pouring from his mouth, pooling on the floor. Debbie was like a machine programmed to humiliate James. She pounced on the man, showering him with punch after punch. The bodyguards stirred themselves, but it was too late.

“Ah! Debbie!" Tabitha had been in a daze. When the two bodyguards rushed over to stop Debbie, she finally came to her senses. She screamed and attempted to pull Debbie off of James.

But before she could reach her, the bodyguards already had it handled.

Debbie drew her arm back, ready for another strike, and one of the bodyguards had trapped her arm between his elbow and chest, grabbed her wrist, and turned, wrenching her arm. Controlling her with pain, he dragged her to her feet.