Maybe it was guilt. Or maybe he was trying to patch things up the only way he knew how—but Vincent had suddenly turned into the picture-perfect boyfriend. He barely left Roxanne’s side. Even moved his entire office into her hospital room.
Courtney had stopped by a few times, trying to drag him out. No luck.
Roxanne watched him as he busied himself with work just feet away. Her face stayed blank.
She knew Vincent cared. That wasn’t the issue.
But love that comes late… it’s cheap. And she had no use for it.
After a few days of recovery, Roxanne was finally cleared to go home.
“Hey Roxy,” Vincent said casually, helping her gather her things, “I was thinking we could swing by a little get-together tonight. Just dinner with some of my friends.”
Roxanne paused, thrown off.
In the past seven years, Vincent had never—not once—brought her to a single gathering with his circle. Even when she asked, he always had some excuse ready.
Eventually, she stopped trying.
So why the sudden invite? A guilty conscience? Or something else?
Whatever it was, she didn’t care anymore.
“I’d rather just go home and rest,” she said flatly.
Vincent kept his voice light. “C’mon, it’s just dinner. A chance to unwind. Weren’t you always saying you wanted to meet them?”
She hesitated. At this point, saying no would just make a scene. So she nodded.
As Vincent pushed open the door to leave, voices filtered in from the other room—his friends talking over each other, clearly unaware they had an audience.
“Courtney, seriously, what does that pretty-boy you’re into have that Vincent doesn’t? You two would make way more sense.”
“Exactly. Everyone thinks you and Vincent are a perfect match.”
“You’re gonna regret it for the rest of your life if you let a guy like Vincent slip away.”
Vincent cleared his throat loudly, a few awkward coughs to shut them up. He glanced behind him.
Roxanne had her head down, typing something on her phone, completely unfazed. Or at least pretending to be.
Relieved, he reached for her hand and led her into the room.
The second she stepped inside, the chatter stopped. Everyone went quiet, their eyes flicking between her and Courtney.
Courtney’s gaze landed on their joined hands. A flash of something dark—jealousy, maybe even hate—passed through her eyes.
Midway through dinner, Courtney suddenly grabbed two drinks and walked over with a bright smile.
“Roxanne,” she said, handing one over, “I owe you an apology. Let me toast to you.”
Roxanne took one look at the offered drink and sidestepped it with practiced ease. “Still recovering. Can’t drink.”
Courtney didn’t miss a beat. She picked up a different glass. “Juice, then. Let’s toast with that. Mind pouring me a glass too?”
Roxanne watched her closely. Her face seemed sincere enough. Reluctantly, she poured the orange juice and handed it over.
Courtney downed hers in one go.
Roxanne took a polite sip, just to be courteous, then set it down.
Courtney’s grin widened. She leaned in, dropping her voice to a whisper.
“I’m going to show you who really matters to Vincent.”
Before Roxanne could even process that cryptic warning, Courtney’s glass clattered to the floor.
She doubled over, clutching her stomach, her face turning paper-white.
“It hurts!” She shouted. “Oh God—what did you put in that juice?!”
Vincent was on his feet in a flash, glaring at Roxanne like she’d pulled a gun
“She apologized to you,” he snapped. “Why would you do this?”
Roxanne blinked, stunned. Then something in her face shifted—cool, bitter amusement.
“You really think I did this?”
His expression darkened. “Who else could it be? You’re the only one who touched that pitcher.”
Courtney whimpered weakly, tears glistening in her eyes. “It’s my fault… I saw Roxanne sip some and thought it was safe, so I…”
That was all it took. Vincent snapped.
He grabbed Roxanne by the neck, shoved the pitcher to her lips and forced the rest of the juice down her throat.
“You like poisoning people?” he growled. “Now, get a taste of it. Drink it all!”
Roxanne coughed violently, tears springing to her eyes, but she still locked eyes with him, refusing to break.
“I… didn’t… do it…”she rasped out.
Vincent looked at her like she was the scum on his shoes. “Still playing the victim?
He threw the empty pitcher aside. Roxanne collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath.
Without another word, Vincent scooped Courtney into his arms and walked out, not sparing her a single glance.
