Chapter 1

"The internet said that hornet wine has some pretty miraculous benefits. I'm doing this for your future happiness in bed!"

Erica Loft's exaggerated expression suggested that she wanted credit for the thoughtful gift.

"Look, I've even brought you the hornet's nest.

"You can make more for yourself if there isn't enough wine. Hahaha!"

Erica's laugh was so shrill. It made my stinging pain feel like a bad joke.

"That's enough, you crazy woman!"

Joe Fulham cursed at the situation silently. He dragged Erica into a room without giving me a second glance, and they argued inside once again.

I was tired of listening to them argue, but they seemed to be enjoying it.

Ten minutes later, Joe dragged Erica out to apologize to me. Her eyes were red.

"This is my fault, Simone. I shouldn't have told this crazy woman our new address. Please don't be mad. I've given her a good talking to.

"Apologize right now! Look at what you've done!"

Joe glared at Erica, and his grip on her arm tightened. Erica's eyes turned even redder, on the verge of tears.

"That's not necessary."

My reply stunned both of them.

Joe felt relieved, but I spoke up again, coldly. I was holding back the intense pain in my arm.

"But you need to clear out every hornet in this house.

"Don't you dare leave until all of them are gone!"

I looked at Erica, and her face turned pale. There was hate in her eyes.

She was forced to put on gloves and clear out the hornets one by one, thanks to my demands.

Fortunately, the hornets had been steeped in alcohol before and were not as aggressive. It took her less than an hour to clear them all out.

While carrying the huge hornet's nest, Erica was unlucky enough to be stung. She screamed in pain.

Joe quickly rushed to her, and the worried look in his eyes looked real.

"Simone, Erica went to great lengths to do what you asked. Don't be mad anymore. Let me take her to the hospital."

Joe did not even care about how I felt as he held Erica and quickly left.

Once the door closed, I could no longer bear the pain in my arm. My hands trembled as I called my best friend, Charlotte Shore, who was a doctor.

"What the hell? How did you bear that pain for so long? You were stung so many times!

"Joe is such a jerk! How could he leave you behind like that?"

Charlotte gave me an emergency bandage as she complained about them.

"You can't ignore the wounds. They're starting to get inflamed. We need to get you to the hospital."

My heart sank when we arrived at the hospital entrance. I saw Joe's car parked nearby.

After I was given a drip, I bumped into Joe while my swollen arm was raised.

He was taken aback when he saw the wounds on my arm. He started to get worried.

"Why didn't you say anything when you got stung so many times, Simone? Is it serious?"

Joe wanted to check my arm when his phone rang in his pocket.

The man who had been so concerned about my well-being suddenly flew into a rage.

"Just stay in the hospital! Why must you insist that I stay by your side? Stop acting so pitiful!"

Erica's sobbing could be heard over the phone. I knew Joe would give in again.

Just as I expected, Joe hung up and turned to me.

"Wait for me at home, Simone. I'll be back tonight."

"Let's break up, Joe. I'm tired of this."