Cut My Liver, Cut You Out

After half a month at the rehab center, I was finally starting to heal. Harvey called me once at the start, then ghosted.

As the day to meet Mom got closer, I forced myself to go home and pack.

The second I opened the door, though, I walked right into a party. Harvey and his friends froze like I'd just crashed the world's most awkward surprise. Harvey's face twisted, unsure, but he stepped forward, frowning.

"Leah, why didn't you answer when I tried to contact you?"

My eyes landed on the girl behind him—Vivi Baldwin. Long hair, white dress, perfect little soulmate vibe. When she caught me staring, Harvey rubbed his nose like a guilty kid.

"Vivi came back earlier than expected," he mumbled. "Since I just had surgery, I didn't wanna make a big deal out of it. Just a small welcome party. You're not seriously gonna throw a fit over something this trivial, right?"

I clenched my shirt. Five years with Harvey, and Vivi had always been a shadow between us. Just hearing her name was enough to mess with my head. But now? Didn't matter anymore.

I gave a quick nod. "Congrats on coming back. Keep celebrating—I'm just here to grab a few things."

My calmness made Harvey frown. Back in the day, he used to drop Vivi's name just to watch me snap, hoping I'd make a scene. But now? I was too calm, and it clearly threw him off.

As I turned to leave, Vivi's soft, pathetic voice cut through the room. "Leah, I've already forgiven you for what happened back then. Why are you still being so cold? Stay and celebrate with us, okay?"

Of course, Harvey couldn't stand seeing her upset. He grabbed my arm and yanked me over to the table, shoving me into a seat.

"Vivi said she doesn't blame you, so quit acting like a corpse and keep her company."

No sooner had I sat down than his friends swarmed me.

"To show your sincerity, Leah, drink up!"

I almost laughed at how predictable they were. They knew I'd just had a liver transplant and still shoved alcohol at me—disgusting. The old me might've thought they actually cared.

I pushed the glass away. "Doctor said no drinking."

"Oh, come on. Just a little won't hurt!"

They didn't even listen, grabbing my arms and forcing the liquor down my throat. It burned, and I choked, coughing hard. As I tried to pull back, someone shoved me forward—my face slammed into the cake.

Cream smeared over my mouth and nose, choking me. Laughter exploded around me—sharp, mocking.

I finally pushed myself up, my face stinging and damp. Blinking through the mess, I looked down—and froze. Steel nails stuck out of the cake.

Vivi was practically doubled over, laughing so hard she could barely breathe. One of the guys looked at me with zero remorse.

"Sorry, Leah. The cream was too soft, so I had them put something in to support it. Who knew you'd shove your whole face into it like a pig?"

Someone muttered something about me being just like a pig, and they all burst out laughing again.

I wiped the cream off, forcing down my anger, and moved to leave. But Vivi wasn't done. She grabbed a fistful of my hair, eyes glinting with smug satisfaction, and waved to the others.

"Leah's upset! Let's help her wash up so she doesn't go whining to Harvey."

They all grinned like it was some big joke and rushed at me. Panic crawled up my spine. I couldn't breathe.

When I was a kid, I'd been kidnapped—nearly drowned when they shoved my head underwater because I wouldn't stop crying. Ever since, water terrified me.

No matter how much I fought, Vivi dragged me to the kitchen. They pinned my arms behind my back and forced my head into the sink.

Freezing water crashed over me, and I screamed, choking and gasping for air. They just held me tighter, laughing like it was some twisted game.

"Scrub her good! A filthy woman like her has no place here!"

My vision blurred, darkness creeping in. I was seconds from passing out when Harvey's voice cut through the chaos.

"Enough! All of you, stop it!"

They dropped me like I burned them, and I collapsed to the floor, coughing and shaking.

Harvey walked over, brushing my wet hair from my face. "I'm sorry, babe. You must be so scared."

I pushed his hands away, my voice raw. "I'm fine."

Ignoring his wounded look, I turned and headed to the bedroom.