Chapter 3

On the way home, Celine kept texting me, saying I was petty and jealous and demanding I apologize to her and Felix.

I replied, "Celine, from now on, our families should stay out of each other's way. Otherwise, your boyfriend might get jealous and lose it."

After I explained everything, my parents agreed and decided to cut ties with the Fletchers.

But the next day, Layla showed up at my door carrying a gift. She immediately dropped to her knees. "Isaac, I'm sorry about yesterday. I didn't raise Celine properly. I've brought her to apologize to you."

"Please, don't do this," I said while helping her up. No matter how angry I was, I couldn't accept a gesture like that from an elder.

Seeing me relent, Layla pulled Celine forward and scolded her sharply, "You brat! Isaac has treated you like a sister since you were children, and now you're picking a fight with him over some guy? Apologize to him right now!"

Celine looked reluctant but still lowered her head. "I'm sorry, Isaac. I was out of my mind yesterday and played a harmless prank. Look, you know how hard it was for me to land a boyfriend. Don't hold this against me, okay?"

I frowned slightly. Her apology felt half-hearted and irritating.

But having Celine block the door and refuse to leave was a bigger hassle, so I muttered a quick response, "Forget it. Let's move on."

I reached to close the door, but the smell of lamb stew caught Layla's attention. She dragged Celine into the room.

By the time I realized, they were already sitting at the table, cutlery in hand. Layla waved at me. "Isaac, come on. Eat with us!"

Fine. As the bridge hadn't been burned entirely, I'd host them one last time.

But after just a couple bites, there was a violent kick at the door. "Get out here! You shameless couple!"

Celine's face changed. She ran to open the door in a panic.

The next moment, Felix stormed in, shouting, "Isaac, you fucking simp! You try to seduce my girlfriend while I'm gone? You're really shameless! Are you provoking me on purpose?"

"No, Felix. Let me explain—"

Before Celine could speak, Felix slapped her hard across the face.

"Shut up! You certainly seem to enjoy the pathetic devotion of your simp."

His words were filthy, and my chest burned with anger.

I forced myself to stay calm and pointed at them. "Get out now. Don't cause trouble in my house, or I'll call the cops."

Layla, seeing Celine hurt, swung her cane at Felix. "You bastard! How dare you hit my daughter? I've never laid a finger on her!"

Felix dodged and shouted back, "You old hag! You wish this simp could be your son-in-law? Too bad Celine despises him. He's ugly and old! She only loves me! You're not fit to be her mother!"

He stormed into the dining room and flipped the table, sending the lamb stew and soup spilling everywhere.

My blood boiled. I stormed forward to punch him in the face. "Are you out of your mind? This is my house! Don't make a scene here! Let me be clear. I'm not interested in Celine. No one's taking her from you."

Felix covered his face and screamed, "Celine, are you seeing this? He just punched me! If you don't avenge me today, we're done for!"

As soon as he said that, Celine grabbed a chair and swung it at me.

I dodged and pulled out my phone to call the police.

The next moment, Felix came at me from the kitchen with a fruit knife like a madman. "You pathetic simp! I'm going to kill you for trying to steal my woman!"

In desperation, Layla struck him with her cane. But Felix turned around and stabbed her instead. "Go to hell!"

Amid Celine's panicked screams, Layla collapsed into a pool of blood.

"Mom!"

We froze, shocked by the sudden violence.

Celine turned to me, shouting, "Call 911! Save my mom!"

Felix dropped the knife and fell to his knees, bowing to Celine. "Babe, I didn't mean it… Isaac kept pushing me. If anything happens to your mom, I can't go on living."