Chapter 2

I looked at Nicole.

She flashed me a quick, smug smile—a blatant taunt disguised as innocence.

I set my glass down, my voice deadpan.

"I said, I'm not eating it."

Nicole's smile instantly vanished.

She hung her head, whispering softly, "Chloe, are you mad at me?"

"Is it because I went with him? Is that why you're unhappy?"

"It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have asked him to come."

As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes.

Ethan lost his temper instantly.

"Look at yourself! Nicole was just being nice and explaining it to you. Why do you have to act like such a jerk?"

He shoved the cake closer to my face.

"Eat it."

I didn't move.

"Chloe, I told you to eat it. Are you deaf?"

I stayed still.

Ethan completely snapped.

He grabbed a fork, scooped up a massive piece of the cake, and shoved it right against my mouth.

"Open up."

I jerked my head away, but the cream and mango smeared across my lips and cheek.

The moment the juice touched my skin, an intense, fiery itch flared up.

Nicole gasped beside him.

"Ethan, forget it. If Chloe doesn't want it, don't force her."

"No! She's eating it today."

"She pulls this crap every single time—throwing a tantrum over every little thing. I've spoiled her for too long."

He scooped up another bite, clamped my jaw with one hand, and forced it straight into my mouth.

The cloying sweetness of mango burst on my tongue, and my stomach violently heaved.

I doubled over, coughing and gagging frantically, tears streaming down my face.

Nicole stood up, wearing a deeply hurt expression.

"Ethan, if Chloe hated me, she could have just said so. Did she really have to humiliate me like this?"

"I saved that cake with good intentions. Why treat it like garbage?"

Ethan's face turned even uglier.

Looking at me dry-heaving, he didn't feel an ounce of sympathy. He genuinely thought I was putting on a show.

"Chloe, you're finishing this entire box today."

Bracing myself against the table, I wiped the cream from my mouth, my voice shaking.

"Ethan, you know I'm allergic."

"Nicole literally just told you eating it is fine! You're just being a drama queen!"

"Swallow it. Now!"

He forcefully fed me bite after bite.

I fought back with everything I had, but he pinned me down, forcing every single chunk of mango crepe cake down my throat.

Once the container was empty, Ethan slammed the plastic box onto the table.

"There. Done."

"See? You're perfectly fine. What were you whining about?"

He turned to Nicole, his voice dropping into gentle concern.

"You didn't get enough sleep last night. Go rest in the guest room."

Nicole nodded meekly and followed him toward the hallway.

I sat slumped at the dining table, staring at the empty container.

Hives were already breaking out on my hands.

My neck started burning with an unbearable itch.

I glanced down at my phone. It was 2:45 PM.

Slowly, I pushed myself up, grabbed my purse, and walked out the front door.

The moment I stepped outside the building, I dialed 911.

"I need an ambulance. Severe mango allergy. Anaphylaxis."

"Ma'am, can you still breathe?"

"Barely."

"Stay calm, ma'am. Paramedics are on their way."