"It's just a piece of cake," Calvin snapped, his frustration bubbling over. "Stop making a big deal out of nothing—it won't kill you."
Before Amber could respond, he picked up the plate and thrust it into her hands. The motion was forceful, almost dismissive, as though her allergy was a trivial inconvenience.
To Calvin, it was simple: Amber was trying to embarrass him. She had eaten the mango cakes he brought home for their anniversaries before—why make a fuss now?
Was it because Iris had cut this cake instead of him? Was Amber so petty, so jealous, that she would fabricate an excuse just to disrupt the moment?
The thought hardened Calvin's resolve. He didn't see the hurt flickering in Amber's eyes, nor did he notice the way her hands trembled as she held the plate.
"Miss Robert, I appreciate your kindness, but I can't eat the cake," Amber said firmly, refusing to take the plate Calvin was pressing into her hands.
Her refusal seemed to strike a nerve. Calvin's eyes narrowed and his jaw tightened. Without a word, he grabbed her wrist, forcefully placing the plate back into her hand. His grip was unrelenting, leaving her no choice but to hold it.