Chapter 7

Seraphina POV

The next morning, Blake pushed the door open.

I sat on the sofa, not even looking at him. Blake announced as he changed his shoes, "Willow was scared last night, so she's staying in our guest room for a few days."

No sooner had he spoken than Willow poked her head out, wearing Blake's oversized shirt and carrying the bag with the stained wedding dress. "Morning, Seraphina! Blake gave me this dress, I'm thinking of shortening it to wear as a party dress. You don't mind, do you?"

I glanced at the loose men's shirt; it was Blake's, now on someone else. I smiled. "Not at all. If you like picking up other people's unwanted old clothes, keep it."

Willow's face stiffened. She hadn't expected me to hit back. Blake frowned, rebuking me with displeasure. "Seraphina, don't be so nasty. It's just a dress."

I scoffed, too tired for further argument, and turned to go back to my room.

That evening, a pungent, spicy aroma filled the living room.

Blake emerged carrying two bowls of noodles. Willow, already seated at the table, eagerly took one. "It smells amazing! Blake, you're the best, you knew I was craving this."

Blake placed the other bowl in front of me. "There's plain porridge in the pot, help yourself. Your stomach isn't well, so no spicy food for you."

Willow ate, sighing dramatically. "Poor Seraphina, can't even eat this delicious ramen, stuck with tasteless porridge."

I stood at the bedroom door, looking at the starkly divided dinner, and suddenly burst out laughing. I walked to the dining table and looked at Blake.

My laughter clearly unnerved him. He impatiently looked up. "What are you laughing at?"

"I'm laughing at your bad memory," I said. "Blake, who told you I naturally love bland porridge?"

Blake froze, then slammed his cutlery onto the table. "What new tantrum is this? You've been eating like this for three years! I'm doing this for your health, don't be ungrateful."

"For my health?" I said. "I spent three years eating nothing but bland food with you. Did you seriously think I enjoyed it?" I leaned down, staring into Blake's eyes, enunciating each word. "Blake, in these three years, did you ever once ask me if I wanted spicy food?"

Blake was speechless, his mouth opening and closing. Then, he flushed with anger. "If you don't want to eat it, then don't! Eat it or don't, I don't care!"

I straightened up. "Indeed. Things I don't like, I won't touch again." With that, I turned to leave.

"Wait." Blake stopped me, his tone shifting to a calmer one. "Liam and the others are having dinner tomorrow night, at the usual spot. You should come too."

I paused, my back to him, saying nothing. Blake, assuming I was being stubborn, grew impatient again. "Don't be difficult. This whole wedding dress thing has upset everyone. If you come tomorrow, it's the perfect chance to make up with Willow, and then we can just move past all this."

He expected me to quietly show up tomorrow, bow my head, and then he'd forgive my "unreasonable behavior" of the past few days.

Willow's saccharine voice chimed in from behind him. "Exactly, Seraphina. Everyone's waiting. Don't be rude."

I turned to face them, this sudden united front.

"Alright." I looked at Blake and smiled.

He frowned, but at my agreement, some of the tension left his shoulders. "Good. You're finally being reasonable."

I didn't answer and turned back to my room.

Go? Of course I'm going. I had seven years of messy history to settle. Why would I leave out the supporting cast?

I was going to let everyone know what kind of jerk Blake really was!