Chapter 5
The guests started murmuring, glancing between Amelia and Stephanie.
“Seriously? She’s the one who got hurt, and she’s the one apologizing?”
“Mr. Ferguson is way too nice to Amelia.”
“His marriage has just been a formality for a while now. Everyone can see
that.”
Stephanie stood there quietly, digging her nails deep into her palms, but she didn’t feel anything.
Amelia tilted her chin up with pride. “Apology accepted.”
Trying to act generous, she grabbed Stephanie’s arm. “Since you’re already here, come and hang out with us.”
Before Stephanie could say no, Amelia’s friend was already holding up a box. “Let’s play something fun! Everyone pulls a number. Whoever gets six has to accept a punishment!”
In the first round, Stephanie unfolded her paper without emotion.
It was a six.
“Wow! Ms. Sanchez got it!” said a girl in pink, covering her mouth dramatically. “Your punishment is three tubes of mustard!”
Without flinching, Stephanie took them and forced them down, one after
another.
The sharp heat shot up her nose. Tears spilled out of her eyes, and her stomach twisted like it was on fire.
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Everyone around her burst out laughing.
“Wow, she did it!”
“Let’s play again!”
In the second round, she got another six.
This time, bark like a dog three times!” the pink–dressed girl smirked.
Stephanie’s face turned pale.
“That’s too much.” Her voice was shaky. “Pick something else.”
“Come on, Ms. Sanchez,” Amelia said, blinking innocently. “It’s just a game. You should follow the rules.”
Edgar walked over and wrapped an arm around Stephanie’s shoulders. “Don’t ruin the mood, Stephanie. Don’t spoil Amelia’s birthday.”
Stephanie stared at his perfect face so close to her. Her chest felt like it might rip open.
Woof.”
The first bark came out like she had to force it through her teeth.
“Woof… Woof…”
Each sound felt like it was tearing a piece of her pride apart.
People nearby giggled and whispered.
Stephanie bit her lips hard until she tasted blood.
In the third round, it was her again, of course.
“This time, chug all the wine on the table!”
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A long row of liquor sat in front of her. Her stomach was already in pain.
“I can’t drink,” she said in a raspy voice.
“Aw, don’t be like that.” Amelia’s friend laughed. “We’ve all been playing. Don’t ruin it now.”
Edgar was peeling grapes for Amelia. He glanced up and said, “Stephanie, don’t start acting out.”
She picked up the wine glass and drank one glass after another.
Her throat burned. Her stomach felt like knives were cutting it up inside.
By the time she got to the eighth glass, her body gave in. Blood poured from her mouth.
Bright red stained the white tablecloth, shocking to the eye.
“I… need to leave…” Stephanie got to her feet, but her vision was blurry.
“Don’t go.” Amelia frowned, almost maliciously. “We’re just getting started.”
Stephanie pulled away and stumbled outside
The wind hit her hard as she reached the deck. She gripped the railing, trying to breathe.
Her stomach twisted again as she threw up more blood.
Then, everything went fuzzy. She lost her balance and slammed into the rail.
Splash!
Freezing water closed in around her.
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Stephanie didn’t know how to swim. Salt water filled her lungs and nose. She couldn’t breathe.
She thrashed around in the water. Through the blur, she caught sight of someone moving on the deck.
“Help…”
She spotted Edgar racing toward the railing, ready to dive in. But then, a voice shouted, “Mr. Ferguson! Amelia passed out from an allergic
reaction!”
J
Edgar stopped mid–step. Without a second thought, he turned around and ran back.
The last image burned into Stephanie’s mind was Edgar hurrying away with Amelia in his arms.
The sea water rushed into her lungs, and then everything faded to black.
