"Emma, how are you? Does it hurt? Let’s go to the hospital right now!" he said, his voice filled with concern.
When I didn’t respond, his tone softened, almost pleading. "Emma, please. Don’t make a scene. After the wedding, you can do whatever you want, alright?"
Before I could respond, Ava chimed in with that soft, fragile voice of hers, always playing the victim.
"Emma, Jason was just in a hurry. Don’t blame him. Is your arm okay? Do you need to go to the hospital?"
Her fake, innocent act made my stomach turn. I shot her a disgusted look and swatted Jason’s hand away.
"Don’t touch me! You’re disgusting!" I spat.
I stumbled out of the restaurant, my stomach churning with every step. Behind me, Jason’s anxious voice called out, but I couldn’t stop. I just needed to get away from this suffocating scene.
My high heels twisted, and I almost lost my balance, barely managing to steady myself against the wall.
The burning pain in my arm flared up, like a thousand ants gnawing at my skin. I heard Jason’s footsteps getting closer, panic rising in my chest, and I pushed myself to walk faster.
But then, suddenly, the footsteps stopped. I turned around, heart hammering in my chest, and saw Jason holding Ava up, a worried expression on his face.
Ava’s face was pale, and she clutched her chest as if she was about to collapse.
She weakly leaned against Jason, her voice barely a whisper. "Jason… I… I don't feel good anymore..."
Jason quickly steadied her, concern written all over his face. "Ava, what’s wrong? Where does it hurt?"
I stood frozen, watching this ridiculous charade unfold, my heart turning to stone. Jason looked like he was about to come over to check on me, but Ava clutched his arm tightly.
"Jason, I… I feel dizzy…" she said, her body going limp as she collapsed into his arms.
Jason looked between Ava, limp in his arms, and me standing there, unable to hide the bitterness rising inside me. Finally, he made his choice.
He picked Ava up in a horizontal position and looked at me with a half-hearted apology. "Emma, you go to the hospital. I’ll take Ava, and I’ll come to find you afterward."
I felt my stomach twist painfully.
I leaned against the wall, dry heaving, but nothing came up. Just the bitter, sour taste of anger rising in my throat.
'Jason, Ava, the wedding…'