I used to cling to him, desperately trying to get an explanation as if my entire life depended on his answer.

But all I ever got in return were more insults.

"Emily, how someone as petty and narrow-minded as you made it this far is beyond me. Would you still be around if I had something going on with Clara? Stop using that stupid brain of yours to obsess over her. You make me sick!"

That's how it always ended.

Any conversation about me disgusted him.

So, when he spat out his insults this time, I didn't argue back. I didn't feel the need to fight. My heart was eerily calm, like the stillness of a quiet lake.

Without a word, I slowly rolled up my sleeves, revealing patches of red, irritated skin and peeling.

I met his eyes steadily and said, "I'm allergic to the ingredients in that hand cream. How am I supposed to use it?"

The room fell into a thick, uncomfortable silence, the only sound being our shallow breathing. Finally, Adrian poured the clam chowder from the thermos into a bowl and smoothly slid it across the table to me.

Clearing his throat awkwardly, he muttered, "Just eat first. I'll get you something else later."

As I stared down at the bowl, memories I had tried to bury came flooding back.

It was about half a year ago when I caught COVID virus for the second time. My entire body ached, fever burning through me, and I could barely move. I had weakly asked Adrian to hand me a thermometer.

But I was too weak. The mercury thermometer slipped out of my hand and shattered on the floor.

Without a second thought, Adrian grabbed Clara by the hand and rushed into the kitchen, locking the glass door behind them.

He yelled at me, covering his nose, "Emily, are you that stupid?! That's mercury! Do you even understand how toxic that is? Why aren't you cleaning it? Forget it. Just clean it up! I'm taking Clara out of here so she doesn't inhale the fumes."

Clara, visibly shaken, pointed at the dining table, her voice trembling. "Adrian, what about my clam chowder?"

Adrian didn't hesitate as he gently ushered her out the door, his voice softening. "Sniffles, don't worry about it. You've been breaking out in rashes from allergies lately, anyway. Seafood has a high allergen. Don't eat it. Leave it for Emily to eat."

But what Adrian didn't know was that I was already covered in rashes. My entire body had broken out due to the fever.