Chapter 3

Only then did Daniel look up, ignoring my pale face, and gave orders as if it were his right.

“Zara, be a good girl and prepare us a simple meal.”

“And make a special stew for Chloe. It’ll help her recover.”

The dull ache in my heart twisted into a sharp, agonizing stab, making it hard to breathe.

I walked into the kitchen with my head down, cutting off their joyful chatter.

It felt as if I were the outsider, completely out of place among them.

In the past, I would have argued hysterically with them, as if that could salvage my dignity.

But little did I know, doing so only fueled their arrogance.

Compared to my tantrums, Chloe always seemed so sweet and reasonable.

But now, I didn’t want to fight anymore.

This group of people, this kind of partner, simply wasn't worth it.

When I brought out the prepared dishes, I was drenched in sweat.

Chloe willingly took the food from my hands, but the moment I let go, she suddenly pulled away.

The food spilled everywhere, and the ceramic plate shattered into pieces.

“Watch out!”

Daniel, quick as a flash, shielded Chloe. My exposed calf, however, was scalded a bright red.

“Zara, I know you don’t like me, but you shouldn’t intentionally drop plates!”

Not a single drop of soup had splashed on her, yet Chloe burst into tears, throwing herself into Daniel’s arms as if she’d suffered a great injustice.

“Yeah, Zara, what are you doing?”

“Zara, you’ve been targeting Chloe for ages. We’re all just good friends, why are you like this?”

“She was the one who let go first.”

I coldly watched the chorus of voices scolding me, and spoke softly.

They were about to say more, but Daniel cut them off sharply.

“Zara, apologize!”

“You’ve gone too far this time. Chloe just got out of the hospital, and you scared her.”

In the scorching summer heat, I shivered all over. I felt a chill to my bones.

The burning pain in my calf was less than a fraction of the agony in my heart.

I looked at the man who had once been my greatest source of security and strength, now torturing me slowly like an executioner.

Something inside me snapped.

“Fine, I apologize.”

I smiled bitterly, tears uncontrollably welling in my eyes.

Daniel froze for a moment, trying to reach for me, but I dodged him.

“The food’s ready, I’ve apologized. Can I go back to my room and bandage my injury now?”

I showed him my skin, already blistering from the scald, hoping he would let me go.

With that, I ignored the mess on the floor and turned back to my room.

Outside the door, it was noisy. I heard Chloe’s whiny voice.

“I’m sorry, Zara is only angry because of me.”

“I’m just a jinx. I won’t cause you any more trouble.”

I heard the door open, Chloe ran out, and the whole group rushed after her, worried.

The door slammed shut loudly.

Just as I thought Daniel had gone out too, he pushed the door open and entered.

Daniel hugged me from behind, his hand gently stroking my lower abdomen.

“Zara, why can’t you just cut her some slack? Chloe is still like a child, she needs you to be more patient with her.”

“Besides, we have a baby on the way now. Once things at work settle down, we’ll finally have our wedding. Don’t be mad, okay?”

His voice was unexpectedly gentle, with a hint of pleading.

“So you still remember I was pregnant?”

I pushed his hand away, unable to stop the sarcastic bite in my voice.