My Mate Sold Me At Her Birthday Banquet

I returned to my empty apartment alone.

Moonlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting fragmented shadows.

I mechanically unwrapped the blood-soaked bandage cleaned my wound.

Then I walked to the cabinet, pulled out a metal box from the cabinet.

Inside were all the things that belonged to Claire Carter.

Her photo, her favorite dolls, a few yellowed drawings.

I brushed my fingers over the gentle smile in the drawing, my hand trembling.

"Wait a little longer, Claire. I'll be with you soon."

My phone vibrated. The screen lit up: Luna Carter.

"Buy Eleanor's favorite snacks and bring them to Blue Bay Club."

She hung up, not even giving me a chance to say no.

Outside, rain poured down.

I stood at the window for a moment, then silently grabbed an umbrella and stepped into the downpour.

I waited in line at a trendy shop for nearly an hour, freezing to the bone, before finally getting the sushi Eleanor had demanded.

When I reached the club, my hair was still dripping.

Eleanor looked me up and down, smirking. "I've heard rumors that Andrew would do anything for Luna. I didn't believe it before."

He turned to Luna.

"Guess the rumors were true."

Luna sat deep in the sofa, legs crossed, swirling amber liquid in a crystal glass.

She glanced at me, her expression unreadable.

Eleanor opened the box, took a bite, and frowned.

"This is too greasy. I don't want it."

He looked at me, casual as could be.

"Andrew, could you get another brand? I remember that one's less greasy."

I hesitated a second, then nodded. "Sure."

I went back out into the rain.

The second time I returned, Eleanor shook his head.

"Not fresh enough."

The third time: "Tastes wrong. Did you get the right one?"

The fourth.

I was soaked to the bone, my fingers numb with cold, my breath visible in the air.

Eleanor finally stopped nitpicking, smiling.

"Thanks, Andrew."

He pulled Luna into his arms, murmuring,

"Luna, I've a new idea."

"What?" Luna's voice was soft.

"I want you to finish all the lemon drinks on this table."

The room went silent.

Luna's friends jumped up, chairs scraping the carpet.

"Eleanor Walker, are you insane? You know Luna's allergic to lemon!"

"I know," Eleanor said matter-of-factly.

"But I want a woman who loves me wholeheartedly. If she drinks despite her allergy, that proves she loves me, doesn't it?"

"You-" someone slammed a fist on the table,

"last time she almost drowned diving for you! Before that, she nearly broke her neck skydiving! Isn't that enough? How long will you torture her? Until she stops loving you?"

Eleanor's eyes instantly turned red. He looked at Luna, innocent.

"Luna, I didn't mean it that way. I just."

"I'll drink."

Luna picked up a glass and drained it in one go.

Her fair skin flushed immediately, her breathing growing heavy.

"Luna!" everyone shouted.

As she reached for a second glass, I stepped in front of her.

I snatched the glass, my knuckles white.

"You're allergic. If you die, you can't love him anymore. Is that what you want?"

I turned to Eleanor.

"One glass proves her devotion. More will kill her from anaphylaxis."

"So I'll finish the rest."

Eleanor seemed convinced, shrugging.

"Fine. You do it."

I pulled allergy pills from my coat pocket and pressed them into Luna's hand, no room for refusal.

Then I grabbed a bottle and chugged it.

Liquor burned down my throat.

I fought the sour stomach, downing bottle after bottle.

The room fell silent, filled only with the sound of me drinking.

Luna clutched the pills, her knuckles white.

She watched my pale face, her chest aching.

All these years, he'd stood in front of her, taking every blow.

She'd thought she was immune to his sacrifices, but now, watching his pallor, her throat felt choked.

She tugged at her collar, irritated, trying to ignore the feeling.