6#06

6

"Hey Leslie, I whipped up this Lobster Newberg for you," Kiana announced. "It's my way of saying sorry for that mishap with your wedding dress yesterday. Give it a taste and let me know what you think!"

Denver and Travis turned their attention to Leslie.

Leslie gave a weak smile. "You weren't aware of my seafood allergy?"

Kiana's eyes widened with feigned surprise. "Oh... I had no idea."

Leslie was certain Denver and Travis were unaware, as she'd never consumed seafood around them. But Kiana? That seemed highly improbable.

When Kiana first entered Denver's life, Leslie had welcomed her like a younger sibling. She even took her out for a New England-style meal once. It was then that Leslie discovered her lobster allergy when she broke out in hives shortly after.

Denver's brow furrowed. "Darling, are you truly allergic to seafood?"

Travis snorted. "Isn't that just an excuse? If you're rejecting Kiana's apology, just say so."

Denver exhaled heavily. "Are you still upset about the dress incident? Kiana's making a genuine effort to apologize. Let it go, will you?" He added, "I'll get you an even more beautiful dress. Don't complicate things, okay?"

As he spoke, he cut a small piece of Lobster Newberg and lifted it towards Leslie's mouth.

But she turned away, refusing to eat.

"Open up," Denver commanded, his voice cold and stern.

When Leslie clenched her jaw, resisting, Denver grabbed her chin. He forced her mouth open and pushed the food inside.

Leslie struggled, trying to break free.

Suddenly, Denver hurled the fine china fork to the ground, shattering it. The sharp crack resonated through the room, mirroring Leslie's breaking heart.

He stood up abruptly, glaring at her. "Leslie, have you had enough?"

Leslie met his gaze briefly before the unfamiliar coldness in his eyes made her feel scorched.

Tears streaming down her face, she dashed upstairs to the bedroom. Once there, she hunched over the toilet and expelled the Lobster Newberg.

Downstairs, Kiana lowered her head, tears falling steadily. "Denver... this is all my fault," she whispered. "I shouldn't have come. I'll go now..."

She rose as if to leave, but Denver caught her wrist and pulled her back down. "Stay put! This isn't on you."

Upstairs, Leslie continued retching until she felt dizzy. Weak and disoriented, she stumbled to the drawer, desperately searching for her allergy medication.

She ransacked the drawer but couldn't find it. Helplessly, she watched as angry red welts spread across her arms, swelling painfully.

Sliding down against the wall, Leslie sat on the floor, silent tears rolling down her cheeks. Then, she let out a bitter laugh.

So this was Kiana's scheme—not just to steal her husband but to end her life too.

Meanwhile, Denver finished both his plate and Leslie's portion of the Lobster Newberg.

Wiping his mouth, he smiled at Kiana. "It's delicious!"

Then, he went upstairs.

When he pushed the door open, he saw his fiancée lying unconscious on the floor. The sight made his heart skip a beat.

"Leslie? Leslie! Wake up! Don't frighten me like this!"

Panic-stricken, Denver scooped Leslie up and rushed downstairs.

Travis, startled, jumped to his feet. "What happened? Did she faint from being upset?"

Meanwhile, Kiana began sobbing again.

"Oh no, this is all my fault! I must be the one causing trouble! Everyone around me ends up miserable..." She sniffled, then declared, "I'll leave. I'll leave right now!"

With that, she grabbed her suitcase and made as if to depart once more.

Distracted and overwhelmed, Denver handed Leslie to Travis. "Travis, rush Leslie to the hospital! I'll stay here and look after Kiana. Hurry!"

Still flustered, Travis quickly carried Leslie out and drove her to the hospital, his movements clumsy with panic.