She moved closer, chopping quickly and sloppily, clearly on purpose. I stepped aside, letting her continue.
Then—
“Ahhh!” Sabrina yelped, dropping the knife. Blood spread across her fingertip.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I muttered under my breath.
But it was too late.
“Nathan! Gabriel!” she screamed. “Help! Oh no—I cut myself! Elena didn’t even try!”
Within seconds, loud footsteps pounded the hallway.
The brothers burst in, alert and panicked.
Nathan lunged to Sabrina’s side. “What happened? Are you okay?”
“She didn’t care!” Sabrina sniffled, clutching his arm. “I was bleeding, and she just stood there!”
I froze, ladle still in hand.
“You didn’t help her?” Gabriel barked. “What is wrong with you?”
Sabrina held Nathan’s arm like a lifeline.
“I was trying,” she whispered, “but she… pushed me away.”
“I didn’t touch you,” I said softly, but no one was listening.
“I didn’t touch you,” I said quietly, but no one listened.
They were too busy hovering over Sabrina, who cradled her hand like it had been severed and not barely nicked. Her performance was flawless—wide teary eyes, a quivering lip, trembling shoulders. Every gesture perfectly calculated.
“You should’ve stopped her!” Nathan snapped at me. “She’s still recovering! Why did you let her near the kitchen?”
“I told her no,” I murmured. “She didn’t listen to me. Why are you blaming me?”
Gabriel’s glare could’ve sliced me in half. “You should’ve insisted. You know she’s not well. You’re supposed to be the responsible one.”
“And what about you?” I muttered under my breath. “I’m not well either.”
But again, no one heard me. Or maybe they chose not to.
“Next time, just cook for everyone yourself,” Nathan said sharply. “Sabrina shouldn’t be lifting a finger in her condition. Have some care for her! You guys are best friends, and we’re family here.”
Family? I wanted to vomit at the thought. I started, but the words withered before they reached them. What would be the sense of explaining when they wouldn’t listen to me at all?
“She shouldn’t have to want anything. Just take care of it,” Gabriel cut in. “You’re the one who’s fine now, right? So act like it. Cook for us! We want to eat something decent.”
They took Sabrina—still sniffling—into her room. Nathan had his arm around her like she was made of glass. Gabriel followed, saying something about getting her some ice.
And once again, they left me.