The triumphant look Bella threw me before leaving left me cold inside.
The door closed, leaving only the bubbling of the hotpot.
Jason Lee, one of Daniel’s buddies, gave a nervous chuckle. “Olivia, don’t take it to heart. Bella and Danny have been like that since they were kids. No big deal.”
I said nothing, tightening my grip on my bag strap as I gathered my things. Just as I was about to leave, the door banged open.
Daniel came in, supporting Bella, whose hand was wrapped in his jacket.
“Olivia! Apologize to Bella!” he demanded, eyes wide. “All this over a joke? You flipped food and burned her! What if she’s scarred?”
Bella tugged his arm quickly. “Danny, don’t be harsh. I’m fine—it’s just a little burn. Some cream will fix it. Don’t fight because of me.” She shot me a quick glance, her eyes glittering with smug victory.
Looking at Daniel fussing over her, I remembered last week when I cut my hand badly while cooking. Blood wouldn’t stop, and when I called him for help, he said, “Bella’s scared of thunderstorms, I need to stay with her.” I ended up alone, wrapping it in bandages and taking a cab to the hospital.
“Apologize?” I laughed bitterly, pointing at the strawberry candy in his pocket. “Daniel, let’s get this straight. She’s the one who ate the shrimp you peeled, she’s the one who called you ‘public property,’ and she’s the one who made those filthy jokes at me! I’ve been generous not demanding she kneel and apologize, and you want me to apologize to her?”
“It was just a joke!” Daniel frowned. “Bella was messing around. Why are you so petty? We’re like siblings. Of course I take care of her—that’s only natural.”
“Only natural?” I stepped forward, my voice shaking. “When I was on my period and wanted chocolate, you ‘forgot.’ But you remembered her candy. When I was bleeding and crying, you stayed with her through a thunderstorm. Daniel, in your so-called ‘natural order,’ when has there ever been room for me?”
Daniel’s face turned red. After a long pause, he blurted, “That’s different! You’re not scared of thunderstorms!”
“So because I’m not scared, I deserve to be ignored? Because I’m strong, I should suffer?”
I pulled out my phone, showing him a photo I’d saved from last month—Bella’s social media post. She wore the engagement ring Daniel had given me, leaning into his arms with the caption: My Danny.