Chapter 3
“What’s the big deal? It’s just a gift for Zoe because she was such a good girl during her treatment yesterday,” Summer said nonchalantly.
“Uncle’s so good to me,” Zoe clung to Summer, unwilling to let go.
“You know I’m allergic to pollen,” I looked at him in disappointment.
“Auntie’s so scary. Zoe’s so scared” Zoe whimpered, clutching Summer tighter, burying her face in his neck.
“Don’t be scared, Zoe. Uncle’s here,” Summer gently patted her back, then glared at me. “What’s with the yelling? You scared Zoe. I’m just trying to make it right for you. If
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something happened to Zoe, could you take. responsibility?”
I suddenly felt exhausted.
“Enough arguing. It’s Zoe being stubborn. Nicole, I’m sorry. I’ll throw the flowers out right now, Margot stepped in to smooth. things over.
“Don’t bother,” Summer blocked her. “If she’s allergic, she can just stay away. I didn’t force her to smell them.”
Summer’s face was cold.
I didn’t say another word and retreated to my
room.
I sat on the bed, listening to the laughter and chatter outside.
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It struck me how absurd I was being
Nicole Jimenez, you’ve already decided to leave. Why are you still holding on to all of this?
I walked over to the desk to organize my things.
Suddenly, the door opened.
Zoe walked in, holding a fruit plate.
“Auntie, have some fruit,” she said with a
smile.
I sneezed three times in a row, covering my nose. “I’m not eating. You can go now.”
Zoe turned to leave, and I quickly opened the window to let the lingering floral scent
escape.
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“Nicole, you’re being too much,” Summer stormed in, his voice raised.
I looked at him, bewildered by his anger.
“Zoe was being kind, offering you fruit, and you’re throwing a tantrum. She’s just a kid -how can you call yourself a teacher? Go apologize to Zoe.”
He grabbed my arm and started pulling me
out.
His body smelled strongly of flowers, and as soon as he came near me, I couldn’t stop sneezing.
“Still pretending? There’s no flower in this room,” Summer growled, clearly annoyed.
“If you hadn’t fed Zoe the wrong food, she
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wouldn’t have ended up in the hospital. Do you even have a conscience?”
I shook off his hand, but he shoved me hard, and I collided with the edge of the table.
The cup fell to the floor and shattered.
The room fell into a deafening silence, and I could hear Zoe’s cries from outside.
“Are you okay?” Summer sounded startled, rushing over to pull me away from the broken glass on the floor.
I calmly let him inspect me.
“I’m fine,” I said, my voice steady.
Summer exhaled in relief, but his face grew stern again. “Zoe’s so young, you should be more patient. Are you going to treat our child
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like this in the future?”
“I won’t,” I said flatly.
Summer nodded in approval. “Good. If you know what’s wrong, don’t make the same mistake again.”
I forced a smile, my lips trembling. There would be no child. There was no future.
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