Devouring Love in the Raging Fire

Ivana found it utterly absurd. She couldn't understand what made Sydney a 'senior.'

Back then, there were dozens of students learning under that pastry chef. How did Sydney suddenly become her senior? She had never recognized her as such.

"I lost a toe. I can't come." Ivana looked at her right foot, now missing one toe and that day trapped in the freezer involuntarily flashed in her mind.

Her heart clenched, though she didn't know if it was because of losing a toe or Ernest's heartlessness.

The phone was silent for a moment. "Where are you?" Ernest's tone softened.

Ivana said, "Alvarado Hospital. You don't need to come. I'm recovering well."

He asked again, "Why didn't you tell me?"

She explained, "You don't know? Your dear brothers should know. The freezer door at the dessert shop still isn't fixed, from what I hear." Ernest hung up.

Ivana looked at her phone. She hadn't had a chance to break up yet, but no matter, there'd be time.

She refocused on preparing for her departure, filling in all the necessary paperwork. With her flight scheduled for a month later, her visa couldn't wait. Hopefully, a quick-moving agency could speed things along.

"Bang!" The hospital room door was kicked open. The man called Dominic rolled into the room.

Ivana was startled but no longer surprised when she saw Ernest follow him in. That was just how he did things, direct, violent and fast. Over the years, Ivana had gotten used to it.

"I asked him. That day, he locked you in for hours." Ernest kicked Dominic hard, sending him stumbling forward to apologize to Ivana.

Ivana looked at Ernest calmly, "He locked me in for hours. But where were you?"

Ernest's expression faltered for a second before resuming its usual composure, "Sydney returned that day. She's unfamiliar with the area and I thought since she's your senior, I'd pick her up at the airport."

"You picked her up and that meant you couldn't answer your phone, return texts, or leave the keys to the freezer?" Ivana's tone was calm and indifferent.

Ernest thought Ivana seemed different at that moment, perhaps angry. That was fine. She'd been angry before and after a few days, she'd be back to clinging to him with a smile.

He said, "Enough already, Ivana."

"Let's break up." Ivana looked at Ernest with unwavering calm.

She had always thought it would be hard to say those words, yet the moment she did, her chest felt instantly lighter, strangely relieved.

Ernest felt a sudden heaviness in his chest, "What nonsense are you spouting? You're breaking up with me?"

She bravely said, "Yes. I'm breaking up with you. I'm not seeing anyone else either."

He asked, "What do you want me to do? Chop off one of his toes to pay you back?"

Dominic turned pale with fright, visibly trembling. Ernest would do it.

Once, a thug made trouble at Ivana's shop and tried to touch her inappropriately. When Ernest found out, he had one of the man's fingers cut off and dragged him to Ivana to apologize.

She said coldly, "If you cut his, will mine grow back? Or can you sew it back on for me?"

Ernest's face darkened. Just as he was about to say something, his phone rang.

Ivana could hear Sydney speaking.

Ernest's expression eased, "I'll let this slide because you lost a toe. I'll pretend you didn't say any of that."

Ting! A WhatsApp message from Sydney: [Do you think pulling this stunt will make Ernest come back to you?]

Ernest left quickly. Sydney's WhatsApp status updated just a few minutes later.