“About time you came slinking back,” Oliver sneered from the doorway. I looked up, shocked at his tone.
“What are you talking about?” I asked as the kettle began to boil.
“Did you hide out at a hotel? Stay with a friend? God, you’ve become such a bitch,” Oliver snapped.
“Me?” I gasped, turning around. “I have? Where were you when I needed you?”
Oliver’s eyes landed on the bandage on my head. “Jesus, Alicia. Are you so pathetic you’d even fake an injury to steal attention away from Eve?”
“What?”
“You spitefully hurt Eve. Fuck, I’m so ashamed! God knows why I loved you,” Oliver shouted.
“Loved? Hurt Eve?” My heart stuttered.
“Yes, Alicia. Honestly, I should smack that expression off your face. Now remove that bandage. We both know you’re not injured.”
“Oliver, I had stitches because Eve pushed me,” I replied, holding my hands out in beseechment.
“Lies! I’m tired of your constant jealousy and lies,” Oliver yelled.
“Oliver, what’s happening?” Eve demanded as she limped into the kitchen. Another gasp left me again. What on earth was that bitch doing here?
“Why is Eve here?” I asked, as I gripped the worktop to maintain my balance.
“Alicia, you harmed Eve on purpose. Did you expect me to send Eve home alone? And as you hurt Eve so maliciously, you’re going to care for her. Wait on Eve hand and foot; after all, that’s all you’re good for!” Oliver snarled.
Eve staggered, and Oliver reached out and secured her to his side. While Oliver glared, Eve sent me a smug glance.
“No, I won’t,” I replied weakly. Movement caught my attention, and I remembered Zinnia was still here.
“It’s okay, Oliver, I’m just an assistant, and Alicia is your wife. She needs looking after,” Eve said sweetly.
“No. My wife hurt you, and she’ll make amends. Alicia is jealous and spiteful and needs to be taught a lesson on how to treat others. It’s those damn women who have changed her into this nasty person. Well, Alicia won’t be seeing them anymore. Their interest has given Alicia ideas above her station. Alicia, you will look after Eve, or there shall be repercussions!” Oliver threatened.
Eve laid a hand on his chest. “Oliver, can I trust Alicia to look after me? She might hurt me again. I’m scared,” she simpered.
“Alicia won’t do anything. If she does, I’ll take everything away. Alicia will wait on you hand and foot; it won’t kill her. Maybe she’ll learn some humbleness,” Oliver stated, sneering.
“Okay, Oliver. Alicia, I’d like a sandwich, please,” Eve said. Her eyes gleamed with triumph.
“Go to hell!” I whispered as pain and anguish seeped into my bones. Oliver was treating me so coldly, and Eve was gloating one minute and the victim the next.
“Take that damn bandage off! Your feeble attempt at sympathy is ridiculous,” Oliver yelled.
Lost for words, I stared at the man whom I’d loved and sacrificed so much for, and in that moment, Oliver was a stranger.
“No. Let Alicia keep it on. Everyone can laugh at how pathetic she is,” Eve said quickly.
My eyes narrowed. I guessed why Eve didn’t want me to take it off. I reached up slowly and peeled the bandage off. Oliver’s eyes widened when he saw the wound and my stitches.
“What the fuck?” he gasped and stepped forward.
“Don’t touch me,” I hissed, moving away.
“Who did that?” Oliver demanded.
“Eve. When she assaulted me, but wait, she’ll lie again and claim I attacked first, and this is a result of her defending herself. That’s the next untruth out of your mouth, right, Eve?” I asked softly.
