Wendy covered her ears and shrieked, pretending to be startled, her big tears rolling down her cheeks. Kevin glared at me before gently comforting the person in his arms.
My eyes stung, but I swallowed the endless bitterness and walked past Kevin. He reached back, grabbing my wrist, "Amy, have I been too lenient with you?"
In the struggle, blood began to seep from the freshly bandaged wound on my arm. My hands trembled slightly, my throat felt as if something was lodged in it and I looked at Kevin, "Lenient? Are you not actually indulging that tacky girl from the countryside you've got in your arms?"
I pointed at Wendy, watching her surgery-altered face change color and continued, "Or has it been so long that someone's forgotten who they are?"
Kevin's gaze flickered, his brow furrowing as he looked at the wound on my arm. "Amy, weren't you also from the countryside?" He looked down at me so arrogantly, his mocking expression enough to crush me.
Ten years ago, Kevin had discovered my potential as a model from among the crowds. He'd used each of his meticulously designed creations to elevate me to a high position. He was my mentor, but he was also my calamity.
Wendy giggled on the side, her malicious smile unmistakable, "Alright, let's forget about this. Just don't let it happen again."
Then he lowered his head, soothing the girl in his arms in gentle, soft tones. Once upon a time, he comforted and loved me the same way.
Even if I had just a minor scratch, he'd be anxious, vowing to find the best doctor to ensure I didn't scar. But now, with such a large wound on my arm, he acted like he didn't even see it.
He said, "Alright, stop crying. You're really bad at lying, aren't you? Who goes around constantly claiming allergies? Do I look that gullible?"
In that moment, my feet felt like they were filled with lead, unable to take a step.
"Oh, Kevin, you're so mean! You know I'm not that bright, yet you tease me," Wendy said in a coy, aggrieved voice, as Kevin patiently comforted her.
So, he knew all along. I had thought Kevin was fooled by Wendy, but I didn't expect that he knew everything. He knew she was faking allergies and even played along with her act.
I had been the only clown in this three-person game, with my hundreds of hysterical outbursts over the past two years becoming their shared inside joke.