The wheel clipped the table leg. A sharp cry of pain escaped her lips. Her body tilted precariously to the side.
Simon reacted instantly, catching her before she fell. He whipped his head around, his voice a low, dangerous growl.
"Jasmine Delgado! Are you satisfied now?!"
He scooped Sarah into his arms and stormed out of the restaurant, leaving me behind without a backward glance.
The waiter stood there awkwardly, the strawberry mousse still in his hand.
"Miss, this..."
I picked up my coat.
"Pack it up. Someone likes it."
When I returned to the villa, it was pitch black.
I went straight to the second floor.
The master bedroom door was tightly shut. From inside came the sound of Sarah's suppressed weeping and Simon's gentle, murmuring comfort.
"I told you, she didn't mean it."
"She just has that temper. It's not your first day knowing her."
"Is your leg more important, or her mood? It's not even a question."
I stood outside the door, listening as his words stabbed through my chest like shards of glass.
My stomach churned violently.
I rushed into the bathroom and retched until the world spun around me.
In my pocket, my fist clenched around the plastic stick until the edges bit into my palm. The pregnancy test was crushed out of shape.
Simon... our child.
Would this baby also be less important than her leg?
Time lost its meaning as I leaned over the sink. Eventually, heavy footsteps echoed in the hall.
Simon pushed the bathroom door open. He paused, taking in my pale face and trembling form.
"What's wrong? Are you sick?"
He stepped forward, reaching out to pat my back.
I flinched away.
"It's nothing. I ate too much."
Perhaps realizing he had gone too far earlier, his tone softened.
"Jasmine, I know today is our anniversary. I wronged you."
"But you know Sarah's situation. That car accident three years ago... she ended up like this because of me..."
"I know." My voice came out hollow, cutting him off. "You say it every year. I remember it vividly."
My bluntness choked him. His expression darkened.
"Do you have to speak to me with that attitude?"
"I'm just stating facts. Sarah can't leave you. You're family. If I treat her well, I'm treating you well, right?"
I met his eyes.
"So, what about our anniversary? Can that be given to her too?"
"You're being irrational!"
He slammed the door and stormed off.
A moment later, the door to the master bedroom opened and closed.