As she finished setting the table, Jane sauntered into the kitchen wearing one of Rico’s oversized shirts. Her bare legs and confident smirk made Maddie feel even smaller.
“Good morning!” Jane chirped, her voice syrupy sweet. It was a far cry from the venom she’d spewed the night before.
Maddie forced a polite smile. “Morning.”
Jane scanned the table and pouted theatrically. “Oh no, it looks like someone forgot about me. No breakfast for the guest? Is this how you treat Rico’s girlfriend?”
Maddie blinked, realizing there were only two bowls of porridge on the table—one for her and one for Rico. Forcing herself to remain calm, she walked back to the kitchen and ladled another bowl for Jane.
As she turned to bring it to the table, she bumped into someone.
“Ah!” Jane shrieked, stepping back dramatically.
The bowl slipped from Maddie’s hands, crashing to the floor. Hot porridge splattered everywhere and the ceramic shattered. Maddie gasped as the scalding liquid splashed onto her feet. A sharp pain followed as a shard of porcelain sliced into the back of her foot, blood pooling instantly.
***
Jane’s scream drew Rico into the room. He rushed to Jane’s side, his eyes wide with concern.
“Jane, are you okay? What happened?”
“She just… bumped into me,” Jane said, her tone laced with accusation. “It’s fine, though. I’m not hurt.”
Rico turned to Maddie, who was crouched on the floor, clutching her bleeding foot. His brow furrowed as he noticed the injury. “Maddie, are you alright?”
“I’m fine,” Maddie murmured, her voice strained as she fought back tears. She tried to stand, but pain shot up her leg, making her wince.
Jane’s gaze flickered to Maddie’s foot, but her expression remained indifferent. “I mean, accidents happen,” she said breezily, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “But Maddie, you really should be more careful.”
Rico helped Maddie to a chair, his concern genuine, but Maddie could see the way his attention kept drifting back to Jane. The dynamic was clear: no matter what happened, Jane would always come first.
Maddie crouched on the cold kitchen floor, her injured foot stinging with pain. She glanced up at Jane, catching the fleeting glimmer of triumph in her eyes. Jane had done it on purpose—of that, Maddie was certain.
“What’s going on here?”