Backed by the adults, the little boy suddenly ran over and bit my hand—hard—and refused to let go. The more gently Sean tried to coax him, the deeper his little teeth sank in.
I couldn’t exactly fight a child, could I? So, swallowing my pride, I apologized to him. But Simon still wasn’t satisfied. He didn’t notice the blood trickling from the bite on my hand. Didn’t notice the pain on my face. All he cared about was saving face for someone else.
He grabbed my arm as I tried to leave.
“Meggy,” he barked, “Apologize. To Sean.”
Sean put on a delicate, self-sacrificing face and tugged lightly at his sleeve. “Simon, let it go, it’s not a big deal… I mean, I’m fine. It’s just the little boy who got hurt and probably scared.”
His eyes immediately locked on the red imprint forming on the back of her hand. He was heartbroken. So he turned to me—and without warning, shoved my injured hand into a bowl of hot soup that had just arrived at the table.
The soup wasn’t boiling, but it had to be at least 60 degrees. The salt from the broth seeped into the fresh bite wound, making my skin burn with a sharp, electric pain that radiated up my arm. My whole body trembled involuntarily.
“Meggy, what is wrong with you?” Simon hissed. “You need to be taught a lesson!”
“Is that who I am to you?” I asked quietly, through clenched teeth.
I already knew the answer, but I still couldn’t help myself from asking. Around us, whispers started rising.
“Wait—so which one is his actual girlfriend?”
“Are you blind? Obviously the one he’s protecting! You don’t wear matching designer outfits unless it’s official.”
Their eyes turned toward me, heavy with pity.
“Hey man, enough is enough,” one diner muttered. “Another few seconds and you’re gonna boil her hand off!”
I stood there, lips pale and trembling, yet somehow… smiling. I looked Simon in the eye. And for once, he looked uneasy. Finally, he let go of my hand. Took Sean by the arm. And walked away.
When I got home, a notification popped up—he’d ordered me a box of burn cream through delivery service.
[Meggy, please stop being so sensitive and antagonizing Sean. You two are going to be seeing a lot of each other. I hope you’ll get along from now on.]
So that was it? He really thought he could buy my silence—and my cooperation—with a box of burn ointment, while he kept both women at arm’s reach?
I said nothing. Just applied the cream silently and went to bed. He never came home that night.
***
The next morning at work, everyone looked at me like I was a walking scandal. Whispers buzzed through the office like bees in a broken hive.
As I sat down, Jessy—one of the few coworkers I actually liked—leaned in and whispered,
“Meggy, people are saying… that you tried to seduce President Gudrick and his girlfriend caught you red-handed. It’s all over the company chat groups.”
She passed me her phone. Someone had recorded the restaurant scene last night. A new group chat had been created overnight just to gossip about me—how I supposedly tried to sleep my way to a promotion and failed spectacularly.
I barely had time to process it all when Simon walked in with Sean at his side.
“Everyone, let me introduce our new department manager—Sean.”
So that’s what he meant when he said we’d be seeing a lot of each other. He wasn’t joking. He literally parachuted her in—to be my boss. The office fell silent. All eyes turned to me.
Since the previous department manager had quit, I’d been handling most of the responsibilities. Everyone assumed I’d be the next in line for the position. But now? He added her to the company group chat—right in front of everyone. And immediately, one after another, they both sent messages.
Anyone with eyes could see it. Their profile pictures matched. A couple’s photo. Smiling. Lovey-dovey. The entire office spent the rest of the morning gossiping instead of working.
I didn’t care anymore. I was leaving anyway. I drafted my resignation and sent it to HR before lunch. With nothing left to lose, I went to the break room and made myself a cup of honey grapefruit tea—something warm, sweet and far away from bitter melon.
I’d barely taken two sips when Sean strutted in like she owned the place. She made herself a coffee and sat down next to me, crossing her legs like a queen claiming her throne.
Her voice was syrupy and smug. “Meggy,” she said, “I know you were Simon’s little secret for five years. But I’m his official girlfriend now. I’m back and it’s time for the mistress to know when to leave.”
She smiled faintly. “As long as you keep your mouth shut like you did before, I won’t make things harder for you.”
