She Asked to Share, I Said Yes—He Crumbled

“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?”