"She doesn't like me, but I could take over for you. Or is it that you're worried I'll screw things up?
"I mean, come on, you look like you're blaming me for her condition."
I clenched my fists, anger welling up inside.
Adelaide's cancer was terminal, but Raymond had played a part in her rapid decline.
After Adelaide's surgery, she was stable—until Raymond, feverish with the flu, decided to visit my home while I was out of town.
Adelaide, already frail, caught the flu from him, and by that evening, she was in the ICU.
Her health spiraled from there.
"What? Cat got your tongue? Did I hit a nerve?" Raymond sneered.
"Yedda, I've seen guys like him before—big talk, no action. He says he won't do the photoshoot, but look at him, already here sulking.
"Stop pretending, Boyce. Adelaide would die of a heart attack if she saw that scowl. If you don't want to care for her, just leave. Who are you putting on this act for?"
"Acting? I'll show you acting!"
I couldn't hold back any longer. My fist flew towards Raymond's face, landing with a satisfying crunch.
Raymond clutched his nose as blood streamed down, fury in his eyes.
"You fucking hit me?"
"Shut the fuck up!" I spat, raising my fist again.
But before I could strike, Yedda grabbed my arm, holding me back with all her strength.
She shook her head, her face filled with weariness.
"Boyce, I used to think you were a responsible man. Now, seeing you consumed by jealousy—it's disgusting.
"Can't you two take this outside?"
The receptionist, a young woman, had a pained expression as clients began filtering into the room.
I didn't want to be around them any longer and needed to clear my head.
I stepped out, ignoring Raymond's parting threat.
"Boyce, this isn't over."
Leaning against the wall outside, I lit a cigarette.
I knew exactly why he targeted me—because he genuinely liked Yedda.
But Adelaide had seen through him, recognizing his petty and spiteful nature, and had refused to accept him.
So, he settled into the role of the "best friend," biding his time.
He never imagined that Yedda and I would fall in love and eventually get married.
Unable to let it go, he saw me as a thorn in his side, always encouraging Yedda to argue with me or stirring up trouble so he could swoop in and play the hero.
I crushed the cigarette underfoot and was about to call the photographer when the screech of brakes echoed behind me.