Chapter 3

3

The company's semi-annual team-building event was held at a high-end seafood restaurant.

Zane insisted on bringing Lyla. He made her sit right at his right hand.

I, his so-called "fiancée," was pushed to the far corner of the long table.

During the meal, Zane's entire focus was on Lyla. He spent the whole time peeling shrimp for her.

No one mentioned me. I was like an uninvited ghost at the table.

Lyla suddenly looked up, her eyes landing on a signature dish.

It was fruit-glazed shrimp balls covered in a thick, rich sauce.

She picked one up and, in front of everyone, placed it on my plate.

"Director Reed, this is the specialty here. You should try it."

She smiled innocently, but her eyes were glinting with malice.

Everyone in the company knew I had a severe allergy to mangoes and certain seafood.

Mangoes, especially. Even a tiny bit could cause my throat to swell and kill me.

The main ingredient in that sauce was mango puree.

Zane used to be incredibly careful about this. He would always warn the chefs in advance.

But now, he just glanced at my plate with total indifference.

"Lyla gave that to you. Just eat one. Don't embarrass her in front of everyone."

"You're always so high-maintenance. One bite won't kill you."

The colleagues started egging me on, saying I should show Zane some respect.

The noise felt like needles stabbing into my ears.

To see just how cold Zane could truly be, I took a small bite.

Within three minutes, my neck started to burn.

A wave of suffocation hit me. I could feel my throat constricting rapidly.

I grabbed the edge of the table, trying to stand, but my legs were like jelly.

"Zane… Zane…"

I managed to choke out his name, reaching for him.

Zane was leaning in, whispering something into Lyla's ear. He looked annoyed when I interrupted.

"What now? You take one bite and start acting?"

Suddenly, Lyla let out a tiny gasp, clutching the back of her hand.

"Ow, that hurts. I think a mosquito bit me. It's a little red."

Zane's face changed instantly. He grabbed her hand with intense worry.

"How did that happen? Are you having an allergic reaction?"

He started blowing on the tiny, invisible red dot, his eyes full of panic.

"Don't worry, baby. I have imported ointment in the car. Let's get you taken care of."

He swatted away my reaching hand without a single glance.

He put his arm around Lyla and rushed her out of the private room.

I was left alone, gasping like a fish out of water while everyone stared.

My vision blurred. My consciousness began to slip.

Finally, a server passing by realized something was wrong and called 911.

The lights in the ER were blindingly bright and hopeless.

The doctors pushed meds into my IV. The oxygen mask was thick with fog.

Listening to the beep of the heart monitor, I felt strangely peaceful.

Zane, the man who swore to protect me forever, left me to die over a mosquito bite.

I was discharged three days later.

Zane finally called. His first words were a complaint.

"Gia, where the hell have you been? Your phone was off."

"Lyla can't figure out a proposal. Get back to the office and fix it for her."

"And that team-building stunt? You overacted. You ruined everyone's night."

I held the phone, listening to his entitled voice.

My throat still ached from the intubation.

"Zane, I almost died."

My voice was soft, devoid of emotion.

There was a second of silence on the other end, followed by Zane's dismissive laugh.

"Enough with the pity party. That trick is getting old."

"Meeting at 2 PM. If you aren't there, I'm cutting your year-end bonus."

I hung up quietly.

I didn't cry. I didn't scream.

I called a moving company and told them to be at the villa at exactly 2 PM.