The moment I saw that cartoon Band-Aid, my whole body froze for a second before I lunged forward, grabbing her hand.
“Where did you get this Band-Aid?”
I shook her wrist harder. “Answer me—where did you get it?!”
Peyton’s eyes glittered with malice for a heartbeat before she suddenly swayed backward, all delicate and helpless.
The legs of the wooden stool scraped hard against the floor.
David came out from the kitchen. The very first thing he did was check if Peyton was hurt—not even sparing me a glance.
I drew in a sharp breath, my nails digging deep into my palm.
But that physical pain didn’t even hold a candle to the ache in my chest.
Once David helped Peyton up, she immediately ducked behind him, peeking out at me like a frightened lamb.
Her voice trembled, pure and innocent.
“I’m sorry, Allie. I didn’t know this Band-Aid was yours. David said I could move around freely in this house and that I could use whatever I wanted. I really didn’t know a piece of Band-Aid would make you snapped. If I had known, I swear I wouldn’t have touched it…”
I clenched my fists.
“This is my home and David’s. You have no right wandering around and use the things here like you own the place! Do you know this is stealing?”
David immediately shielded Peyton, his gaze turning cold on me.
“Allie, can you stop making a scene? It’s just a stupid Band-Aid. Do you have to ruin the mood over this?”
“Taking something without asking is stealing,” I said, my voice low and steady.
Especially when this Band-Aid meant the world to me.
But he didn’t stop her—he even let Peyton trample over my space and use my things however she pleased.
David’s brows knitted, his tone darkening.
“Over a single Band-Aid? Really? Look at yourself—you’ve lost every bit of femininity and turned into some nagging shrew.”
Every word was a blade, driving deep into me.
My heart was numb, yet still it throbbed with pain.
I’d stayed for David’s sake, willingly playing the perfect partner.
And now, all I was to him… was an unfeminine, nagging woman.
If that’s the case, then this bitter, one-sided love wasn’t worth keeping.
“David, I don’t want you anymore.”
The next morning, bright and early, David came in carrying a bowl of seafood chowder, his face soft with a smile, as if the icy stranger from yesterday had never existed.
“Peyton was wrong to take your things without asking,” His voice was gentle.
“She’s already apologized to me and admitted her mistake. You should go downstairs and apologize to her. You were the one who pushed her, after all.”
I pressed my lips together, saying nothing.
His smile faltered and a chill crept into his tone.
“Did you hear me, Allie? Peyton’s just a girl trying to make her way in the world—it’s not easy for her. Don’t push her too hard. And don’t forget… your mother is still in my family’s hospital.”
