Chapter 4

I spent three days in the hospital. In all that time, not a single one of them sent me a message.

Riley was the kind of person who posted practically every detail about her life on Instagram.

Out of a lingering sense of resentment and indignation, I checked her Instagram religiously. Sure enough, I had a rundown of everything they'd been doing so far.

Their itinerary was packed every single day. They visited all the tourist destinations, and each photo had a new background.

The only thing that never changed was the way Jacob gazed tenderly at Charlene whenever the four of them took a group photo.

Their cheery smiles never left their faces either.

My absence hadn't affected them in the slightest. After completing the discharge procedures, I took a cab back to the hotel we'd booked for the trip.

I found them in the hotel restaurant. They were about to dig into a hearty feast, with the star of the meal being a massive tureen of spicy seafood boil.

When they saw me, their faces went pale, and they stopped talking. I could see how reluctant they were to have me join them.

In the end, Riley was the one who spoke up to ease the tension.

"Why don't you join us, Daphne?"

She had always played that role in our group, acting as the peacemaker whenever conflicts arose. I used to praise her for it, saying she was the indispensable glue that held the four of us together.

But now, her behavior only sickened me. I stared at the spicy seafood boil without saying a word. The glaringly red broth bubbled and churned, filling the restaurant with the intense, pungent aroma of chili peppers and spices.

Once again, this was a celebration I wasn't meant to be part of.

Riley seemed to remember that I couldn't eat spicy food, but she still pressed on awkwardly. "You can just take a few bites. It won't hurt you. Charlene is about to leave the country. She wanted one last meal of her favorite spicy food."

"I already told you, my stomach lining was bleeding. I can't eat any spicy food," I said curtly.

As soon as I finished speaking, Charlene asked in a wounded tone, "Is my presence making things difficult for you, Daphne? I can't find the same flavors abroad, so I just wanted to have one last taste of it before I left."

Seeing Charlene on the verge of tears, Jacob immediately stepped in front of her protectively. "Daphne Lloyd! Didn't I tell you not to ruin our trip by faking a medical condition?"

Simon chimed in from the side, "It's just a bit of spicy food. You're seriously getting on my nerves with how difficult you're being."

Charlene shot me a taunting look. These people were my closest loved ones and lifelong friends, and they were all taking her side.

As if he wanted to prove something, Simon filled a small bowl with broth and approached me.

Realizing what he was trying to do, I backed away. "Watch it, or I'll call the police!"

Simon curled his lips into a mocking smile. "Oh? I didn't know it was against the law to drink some broth, Daphne."

He lunged forward at once, grabbing me tightly before he forced the bowl of scalding broth into my mouth.

I fought back with all my strength.

"Jacob… Help me…"

The burning spice spread through my mouth, choking me as it went down my windpipe and into my stomach. Through my tear-filled eyes, I saw Jacob standing there silently, not moving an inch.

I remembered how the old Jacob had cherished me as if I were his greatest treasure in life. Even the slightest hint of discomfort from me would send him into a panic. But now, he simply stood there, watching as someone hurt me without lifting a finger.

"See? I told you it won't hurt to have a bit of spice," Simon said with a smug expression while I coughed and sputtered.

Riley chimed in, "Daphne, I know you don't like Charlene, but that doesn't mean you should be lying to all of us like this."

My stomach burned with excruciating pain. Blood poured out of my mouth, the red patch standing out against the ivory-colored floor.

Only then did Jacob finally realize something was wrong. "Daphne! Are you okay? Why are you having such a bad reaction to it?"

His panicked expression looked like a complete joke to me.

Summoning every last bit of strength I had, I braced myself against the floor, raised my hand, and slapped him hard across the face. The sharp crack rang through the silent dining hall.

I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth and growled out, "I'm breaking up with you, Jacob!"