Chapter 2

I stared at Julian.

He shot me a fleeting, mocking smirk that Lauren couldn't see.

I put down my glass, my tone dead flat.

"I said no."

Julian's smile vanished instantly.

He dropped his head, his voice turning small and fragile. "Are you mad at me, Chase?"

"Is it because I went with her? Are you blaming me?"

"It's all my fault. I shouldn't have asked her out."

As he spoke, tears welled up in the corners of his eyes.

Lauren blew a gasket on the spot.

"Look at what you're doing! Julian was just trying to be helpful, and you're treating him like garbage!"

She shoved the container right against my chest.

"Eat it."

I didn't budge.

"Chase, I told you to eat it. Are you deaf?"

I still didn't move.

Lauren completely lost her temper.

Grabbing a pair of forks, she stabbed the largest oyster out of the shell and shoved it straight toward my face.

"Open your mouth!"

I jerked my head away, but the greasy meat brushed hard against my lips.

The spicy oil smeared across my skin, instantly triggering a sharp, burning itch.

Julian gasped dramatically from the couch.

"Lauren, stop! If he hates it that much, don't force him!"

"No, he's eating it today."

"He pulls this childish act every single time. I've coddled him for too long."

She grabbed another one, pinched my jaw with brutal force, and shoved it straight down my throat.

The rancid, fishy stench exploded across my tongue, sending an intense wave of nausea straight to my gut.

I doubled over, gagging violently until tears spilled from my eyes.

Julian stood up, looking deeply wounded.

"Lauren, if Chase hates me, he could just say so. Did he really have to put on a show just to humiliate me?"

"I tried to do something nice by saving those for him. Why does he have to be so cruel?"

Lauren's expression turned murderous.

Looking down at me as I choked and heaved, she felt zero pity—only convinced I was performing.

"Chase, you are going to finish this entire box right now."

Leaning against the table, I wiped the oil from my mouth, my voice barely a whisper.

"Lauren... you know I could die from this."

"Julian just told you it's harmless! Stop playing the damn victim!"

"Eat it!"

She forced every single piece into my mouth, fork by fork.

I fought back with everything I had, but she pinned me down, forcing me to swallow each slimy mouthful under sheer force.

When the box was finally empty, Lauren slammed it onto the table.

"There. Done."

"Look at you—you're perfectly fine! Stop being so pathetic."

She turned to Julian, her tone instantly melting into sweetness.

"You barely slept last night. Go into the guest room and take a nap."

Julian gave an obedient nod and followed her toward the guest room.

I sat frozen at the dining table, staring at the empty container.

Red hives were already erupting across my hands.

My neck was on fire, itching uncontrollably.

I glanced down at my phone. It was 2:45 PM.

Gripping the table, I forced myself to stand, grabbed my wallet, and walked out the door.

Once downstairs, I dialed 911.

"Operator, I'm having a severe seafood allergy attack. I need an ambulance immediately."

"Sir, can you still breathe?"

"Barely."

"Stay calm, help is on the way."