Chapter 2

The private dining room door was pushed open.

Amber walked in, carrying a greasy paper bag, her face glowing with a sweet smile.

"Sorry I'm late, guys! I brought a peace offering!"

She placed the bag in the center of the table and opened it carefully.

"I stood in line forever to get these smoked turkey legs for us!"

Instantly, she became the center of attention.

"Oh my god, Amber! You're literally the best!"

"My mouth is watering just looking at them!"

I sat in the corner, a wave of nausea hitting me.

My family has run a BBQ smokehouse for three generations. I grew up in the kitchen watching my grandfather smoke meats.

I could tell with a single glance what was real and what was fake.

This garbage wasn't turkey. It was expired duck legs wrapped in heavy artificial spices and chemical red dye, double-baked to look edible.

In my past life, this very tray of meat had ruined my entire existence.

I had warned them loudly that the meat was rotten, that it would put them in the hospital and ruin their exams the next day.

But Amber had burst into tears right there, covering her face.

"Chloe, I know your family runs a famous BBQ joint... but you don't have to humiliate me like this..."

Tyler, my boyfriend, had immediately jumped to her defense and slapped me hard across the face.

"Chloe, are you out of your mind?!" he had yelled. "We all know you've been jealous of Amber, but did you have to ruin her moment like this?"

Amber had run out of the restaurant crying, only to be hit by a semi-truck and die instantly.

"Chloe? Earth to Chloe. What are you staring at?"

Tyler’s voice snapped me back to reality.

He was sitting right next to me, looking at me with a soft, affectionate expression. He reached toward the table.

"You must be exhausted after the test. Let me grab the biggest one for you."

"No, thanks," I said coldly.

"What's wrong?" Tyler asked, confused.

Amber looked over too. She picked up a turkey leg and offered it to me with a sugary sweet smile.

"Come on, Chloe. Your family is the expert here. Try it first and tell me if it's authentic!"

I leaned back slightly, my voice flat.

"No. I'm watching what I eat."

"Watching what you eat?"

Amber froze, then laughed softly.

"But Chloe, you're already so skinny! Don't be like this. I bought these for everyone to share. If you're the only one who won't eat, it feels like you're rejecting me."

The moment she said that, Tyler’s brows furrowed.

"Chloe, Amber is just being nice. Don't start drama."

I kept my eyes down.

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

I repeated, clear and firm.

Tyler’s face darkened completely.

"Chloe, what is your problem?"

Tyler’s voice rose, drawing everyone's attention to our corner.

"No problem. I just don't want to eat it."

I leaned back against my chair, not even bothering to look at him.

He slammed his hands on the table and stood up, glaring at me.

"Chloe, do you think you're better than everyone else just because your family owns a famous smokehouse? Are you seriously looking down on street food bought by Amber?"