“We’re just buddies. And even if we had slept together, so what? Why make appointments? Don’t you think I’d know if she had anything?”

That’s when I noticed the half-box of strawberry candy peeking out of his pocket—Bella’s favorite brand.

Last week, when I was on my period and asked him to bring me some chocolate, he said he’d “forgotten.” Yet somehow, he remembered to stock Bella with candy.

What a fool paired with a parasite. I ignored him, bent down, and started packing my bag.

Bella nudged Daniel with her elbow and said in a mock-innocent voice, “I won’t eat shrimp anymore. Don’t be mad at Olivia, be a bigger man.”

When Daniel didn’t move, she quickly turned to me. “Olivia, let me apologize for him. He’s just used to peeling shrimp for me. I hate peeling them myself, and if he doesn’t, I won’t eat them. He didn’t mean any harm. I won’t do it again.”

She even tried to pick the shrimp out of her bowl to give to me. I didn’t take it. Instead, I flipped the plate, sending the shrimp splashing into the hotpot. Oil popped, and a few drops hit Bella’s hand.

Daniel instantly jumped up, grabbing her hand and flipping it over anxiously. His voice shook. “Did it burn? Does it hurt? Let me get you to the sink!”

Bella bit her lip, but her eyes weren’t showing pain. Instead, she said deliberately, “It’s fine, I’m tough. Olivia didn’t mean it…”

Daniel didn’t hear her. He dragged her toward the restroom, but not before shooting me a glare. “Olivia, if you ever hurt Bella again, I’ll make you pay!”

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.

When I’d asked him about it, Daniel said, “It’s just a joke between friends. Don’t make a fuss.”

I shoved the phone at him. “This is a joke too? She wore my ring, claimed you as hers, and you still call it a joke? Daniel, you’re not stupid—you’re rotten. You know she likes you, but you still blur the lines and treat me like a fool!”

Daniel’s eyes flickered with panic as he tried to snatch the phone. “Don’t go through my stuff! She liked the ring’s design, so I let her try it on. I’ll buy you another one. What’s the big deal?”

“What’s the big deal?” I yanked my hand away. “An engagement ring isn’t for lending out. Is our engagement also something you can ‘share’?”

Bella suddenly spoke up. “Olivia, it’s not what you think… You don’t even like wearing the ring, so Danny let me try it…”

“Bullshit!” I snapped. “Because I don’t wear it, you get to? Because I don’t eat shrimp, you do? Bella, have some damn shame!”

She clung to Daniel’s shirt, whining, “Danny, she’s just jealous. Hurry and apologize to her.”

Daniel instantly wrapped his arm around her and shouted at me, “Olivia! Stop acting like a shrew! I gave her the ring myself—why are you attacking her? It’s just a ring. I’ll buy you ten more!”

“Shrew?” I looked at the two of them with utter disgust. “Daniel, this relationship is over. Forget the wedding. Go live with your ‘brother.’”

“You wouldn’t dare!” Daniel lunged for my wrist, but I pulled away, leaving him grabbing at air.

“Olivia! Apologize and let it go! We already booked the wedding dress. You’re breaking up over this? You’re insane!”

Jason tried to smooth things over. “Olivia, Danny didn’t mean it. Bella’s just like one of the guys—careless. Be more tolerant.”

“Tolerant?” I laughed through tears as I walked out. “I’ve tolerated her. But who has ever tolerated me? Daniel, I’m not the crazy one. Staying with you would be the real madness.”

Bella pretended to be nervous, chasing after me. “Olivia, don’t be upset. I won’t see Danny anymore.” Then she ran toward the stairs.

Daniel didn’t hesitate—he ran after her. After two steps, he looked back and shouted, “Olivia! Don’t be dramatic! I’ll deal with her and then come find you!”

I didn’t look back, didn’t stop walking.

At the restaurant door, the night breeze hit me, and I finally understood: if someone never put you in their heart to begin with, no amount of sacrifice will ever fill the space between him and his “brother.”

When I got home, I wrapped myself in a blanket on the couch, coughing. Soon after, Daniel came in.

Kicking off his shoes, he muttered, “Bella’s ignoring me. She said my apology to you wasn’t sincere and she won’t see me anymore.”

Every word was about Bella—nothing about my humiliation.

I ignored him, went to the kitchen for a glass of water.

He tossed his jacket onto the sofa, his voice full of irritation. “What do you want from me? Do you need me to fight with her before you’re satisfied?”

I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly. “Daniel, you’ve got it backward. You crossed the line with Bella, gave her my engagement ring, and now that she’s mad at you, you’re blaming me?”

Daniel jerked his head up, bloodshot eyes blazing. “We’ve been like this since we were kids. She’ll cool off. Why won’t you drop it? Now look—she’s really mad and even deleted me on WeChat!”

I pointed at the suitcase by the sofa—stuffed with his things. “We’re done. I packed your stuff. You can leave now.”

“I’ll cancel the wedding, too. You can explain it to your family.”

He froze, then trailed after me, rubbing his hands, lost. “Olivia, I know I was wrong. I shouldn’t have done that. Bella… she’s just blunt and thoughtless. I already talked to her. Don’t be mad, okay?”

“Look, I took off the ring. I’m really drawing a line with her.” He held the ring out to me, trying to appease me. “Olivia, give me one more chance, please? We’re about to get married…”

He headed toward the bedroom. “Okay, okay—if you’re still mad, I’ll calm Bella down and have her apologize to you, alright?” As he spoke, he yanked open the nightstand, pulled out a pill box, and tossed it to me. “You were coughing hard just now. Take some medicine.”

I looked at the label—Bella’s allergy meds. “I need cold medicine, not this.”

“Huh?” Daniel glanced back, waved it off. “Same difference. Take that for now; I’ll buy the right one tomorrow.”

He tried to put an arm around my shoulders. “Forgive me this once. I promise I’ll keep my distance from her from now on, I—”

His pocket buzzed, cutting him off. He stiffened, then answered on reflex, voice instantly soft. “Hey? Bella? You done being mad?”

Whatever she said drained the color from his face. He shot to his feet. “You’re in a bad mood? You’ve been drinking? Where are you? I’m coming right now.”

“Take your suitcase and get out,” I said evenly.

He stared, irritated. “Olivia! Don’t be unreasonable! I’m the only friend Bella has. She’s upset—I have to go! I don’t have time to babysit you!”

The door slammed. I stared at the pills and felt sick.

My fever spiked past midnight; cold sweat soaked my back.

Gritting my teeth, I ordered a car to the ER. I braced against the wall and shuffled to the door, turning the lock.

My phone buzzed: a text alert for charges on Daniel’s add-on card—2:00 a.m., Riverside Hotel, “Honeymoon Suite—extended stay,” plus a “strawberry cake,” note: “Miss Brooks’ favorite.”

I opened Bella’s alt account I hadn’t blocked yet. Ten minutes ago she’d posted: “Being cuddled by a thoughtful boyfriend, eating cake in his arms—nothing beats this.”

In the photo, she wore a man’s shirt. At her collar, above the hickey, hung a necklace I recognized—the couple’s necklace I’d given Daniel for his birthday last year. He’d said it was “too girly” and never wore it. Turns out he’d given it to Bella.

Those five minutes waiting for the driver were the longest—and clearest—of my life.

IV fluid dripped into my vein; I stared at the catheter in the back of my hand.

I reached for the water on the nightstand, but an arm beat me to it, lifting the cup and angling the straw to my lips. Daniel.

“Why are you hospitalized? You were fine yesterday.” He set the cup down.

I didn’t answer. My eyes fell on the fresh lipstick mark at his collar—clearly new.