“Mia,I just got off a late shift and haven’t had dinner yet.Could you help me with it?”Vanessa smiled,but there was a look of provocation in her eyes.“Xavier says your cooking is great;I’ve never tried it.”
“Call a servant,”I replied.
She turned to leave,but Vanessa let out a petulant hum.Xavier reached out to stop her.“Mia!”
He didn’t say anything further,but the meaning was clear.
The divorce agreement would soon take effect;I didn’t want to start a scene now.I forced a smile and trudged toward the kitchen.
The soup boiled in the pot;I mechanically ladled it into bowls and set them on the table.
“Is this all we’re eating?It looks horrible,”Vanessa said,covering her nose as she stood by the table.
I had no patience left.“You don’t have to eat it,”I shot back.
At that,I saw a calculating glint cross Vanessa’s eyes.In the next instant she grabbed my wrist and shoved it into the scalding soup.
“Ah—”
A searing burn shot from my palm through my whole body and I jerked my hand back reflexively,but Vanessa held it down.In the struggle,a ceramic bowl toppled and shattered on the floor,hot soup splattering everywhere.
I yanked my hand free,but blisters were already rising and my skin reddening.