Chapter 3: She Almost Killed Him

Kelsey fell hard to the floor, her palm scraping painfully against the marble tiles.

Her cheek burned badly from the two slaps Doris had given her, and before she could even recover, another harsh voice rang through the living room.

“How dare you come back here after what you did to Kendrick?!”

Kelsey slowly lifted her teary eyes.

Venus Holloway, Ramon’s younger sister, was standing beside the couch, glaring at her with disgust.

Kelsey’s lips trembled heavily.

“I didn’t do it on purpose…”

“Shut up!” Venus snapped immediately. “You always act innocent after causing trouble!”

Kelsey lowered her head again.

The entire living room felt suffocating. The servants stood quietly by the side, pretending not to watch while the humiliation continued openly.

Doris looked down at Kelsey coldly.

“My grandson could have died today because of you,” she spat angrily. “Do you know that?”

Tears rolled silently down Kelsey’s face. She was still terrified by what happened. But she knew she had been careful.

“I didn’t know there were nuts in it…” she whispered weakly.

Doris laughed coldly.

“You didn’t know?” she repeated mockingly. “What excuse are you going to use next? That you forgot your own son’s allergy?”

Kelsey’s fingers curled tightly against the floor. “I checked before serving it…”

“Then maybe you’re more stupid than I thought,” Venus snapped immediately.

“If Wanda didn’t have the medicine with her today, Kendrick would likely not have made it,” Collins, Ramon’s father, said in disappointment.

At the mention of Wanda, everyone’s eyes turned toward her.

Wanda quickly shook her head softly.

“Let’s calm down please,” she said gently. “Kelsey already feels bad about what happened.”

Her voice sounded kind, but every word only added more pressure to Kelsey.

“She feels bad?” Venus repeated with a loud scoff. “Kendrick was struggling to breathe while she stood there useless!”

“Venus,” Wanda called softly, as though trying to stop her.

But Venus didn’t stop. 

She pointed angrily at Kelsey. “I still can’t believe my brother married someone like this.”

Kelsey’s body shook.

She had heard those words many times before, but somehow they still hurt every single time.

“This is all your fault. How could you force our son to marry her?” Doris said to Collins, folding her arms angrily. “She can’t take care of him. She can’t take care of her child. What exactly is she useful for in this family?”

Collins closed his eyes as though regretting why he had agreed to arrange the marriage between Ramon and Kelsey.

Kelsey’s chest tightened painfully. She opened her mouth slightly. But no words came out.

Because deep down, she no longer knew the answer herself.

Wanda slowly walked forward before crouching beside Doris.

“Mum…” she said softly. “Please don’t be too angry. Kelsey didn’t mean to hurt Kendrick and besides, he is perfectly fine now.”

“Stop speaking up for her,” Venus snapped.

Wanda sighed sadly before turning toward Kelsey.

“Kelsey,” she said gently. “You know Kendrick’s allergy is serious. You should have checked more carefully, but it’s okay. Mistakes happen.”

Wanda paused for a moment before continuing softly, “You should apologize.”

“Of course she would. Isn’t that what she’s good at?” Venus commented immediately after Wanda finished speaking.

“Stop, Venus,” Wanda said tiredly before returning her gaze to Kelsey. “You should also apologize to Ramon later. He was really frightened today.”

Doris turned to Wanda and sighed. “You are too kind.”

Kelsey stared at Wanda silently.

Apologize? Even after everything?

Of course she had to.

Her heart squeezed painfully.

“What can I say?” Wanda said sadly. “We have to resolve the issue even though Kendrick is now traumatized and says he never wants to eat ice cream again.”

The room became silent for a moment.

Then Doris finally spoke again.

“This is why Kendrick prefers you to her,” Doris praised. “He can see the good heart you have.”

Kelsey watched as Wanda lowered her head shyly.

Those words shattered her.

The insults hurt every day, but hearing that her son loved Wanda more than her hurt the most.

“Why are you still  there?” Venus suddenly snapped when she noticed Kelsey hadn’t left yet. “Get your ugly self out of our sight.”

Kelsey slowly got up from the floor.

Her legs trembled slightly as she walked away while Doris continued cursing her from behind.

**

Later that evening, Kelsey slowly walked toward Kendrick’s room carefully so she wouldn’t make any noise.

The Holloways were staying overnight since tomorrow was Doris’s birthday, and she had insisted on celebrating it at the Ivory Mansion instead of the family house or a hotel.

Kelsey stopped in front of Kendrick’s door for a moment while silently hoping no one was inside.

But just as her hand reached for the doorknob—

The door suddenly opened.

Her heart skipped in fear. She thought it was Doris or Venus.

But it was Ramon.

Kelsey immediately took a few steps back.

Her head lowered automatically, unable to meet his eyes.

“I want to know how he is doing,” she explained softly.

Her voice was very low, and her chest pounded nervously while waiting for his reply.

But Ramon didn’t answer immediately.

She could feel his eyes on her before he finally spoke. “He is fine.”

Kelsey nodded in relief. “Can I see him?”

“No. He is sleeping,” Ramon replied immediately.

Kelsey’s heart dropped. She really wanted to see him. “Please…”

“I said he is already asleep.” 

His voice turned colder.

“And why haven’t you cleaned yourself up yet and applied medicine to your face?”

Kelsey’s hand unconsciously moved to touch her swollen cheek. She knew he was talking about the slap marks.

“Are you looking for pity?” Ramon asked scornfully.

Then he paused before adding coldly,

“That’s definitely what you’re looking for. You want everyone to think you’re being treated badly.”

Kelsey quickly shook her head in denial. That wasn’t it. She simply hadn’t been able to think properly since what happened earlier.

“If that’s not it, then go take your bath, apply medicine on your face, eat your meal, and rest,” Ramon said in annoyance.

“Since you apparently need someone to tell you what to do,” he added coldly, as though she couldn’t do anything by herself.

Kelsey didn’t argue. She was indeed hungry and exhausted.

Quietly, she turned around and walked away toward her room.

**

Some minutes later, Kelsey came out after taking her bath.

Her wet hair rested against her back while she slowly walked into the bedroom.

But the moment her eyes landed on the table, she stopped.

A tray of food had been placed there neatly. Beside it were medicines for her swollen face.

She stared silently at them. Her fingers tightened slowly by her side.

At that moment—

She didn’t even know what she was supposed to feel anymore.