Chapter 4
Louise's appetite vanished. Her face turned cold as she turned to leave.
Simon grabbed her wrist, pulling her close, his voice tense. "Don't leave me hanging. Tell me what you mean."
"Let go," Louise snapped with a frown, trying to shake him off.
Haley stepped in to break up the fight, but Wendy shoved her aside out of anger. But then Haley grabbed Louise's hand, and the two of them crashed straight into the prop pool set up nearby.
Wendy shouted, "Lulu!"
Simon blurted out, "Louise!"
Two voices called out at once. Just as Simon reached out to help Louise, Haley clutched her forehead, her eyes red from crying. "Simon, it hurts so much. Is my face ruined?"
Simon's hand froze mid-air. He immediately bent down and scooped up Haley, who was bleeding from her forehead.
With the waiter's help, Wendy managed to pull Louise out of the pool. The moment she saw what was going on, she snapped, "Simon, are you blind? Your girlfriend's hurt, and you're busy carrying another woman?"
Simon's face grew even darker, feeling utterly embarrassed. "If Louise hadn't struggled, none of this mess would've happened."
As soon as he finished, he picked up Haley, who was still clutching him and crying about her ruined face, and hurried away.
Louise was helped onto a stool, cold sweat breaking out as the pain hit her. She could clearly feel her left leg had been smashed into the fake rocks, and then Haley crashed into her, completely dislocating it.
"Wendy, take me to the hospital," Louise said, biting her lip. Then her vision blurred and she fainted.
*****
When Louise woke up, she found herself in a hospital room, with the other three going at each other tooth and nail.
Wendy snapped, "Every time Lulu bumps into you two, something bad happens. She can't even catch a break. Either you snatch her dress and embarrass her, or you make her break her leg.
"Can you stay away from her? Is ruining her life the only thing that makes you happy?" Wendy was blocking the doorway like a furious lioness.
Haley and Simon were standing outside the door, both looking sullen.
Haley muttered, "I'm sorry, I didn't realize Louise was hurt so badly. I just felt someone push me. I swear I didn't mean for any of this to happen." Every word sounded like she was implying something.
Wendy shot back, "Oh, someone pushed you? Then go check the surveillance footage if you dare. Don't act innocent. You were just trying to snatch her boyfriend. Lulu's luck must be rotten to have to deal with someone like you.
"You two bastards are stuck together for good. Get lost!"
She slammed the door with a bang, shutting them out. Turning around and seeing the disappointment in Louise's eyes, Wendy rushed to her side.
"Lulu, does it still hurt? The doctor said it's a fracture, but if you take care of yourself, you'll be all healed up in a few months," Wendy said, hugging her tightly as tears kept falling.
Louise sat up and hugged her back, burying her face in Wendy's arms.
*****
For the next few days in the hospital, Wendy stood guard like a watchdog, making sure neither Haley nor Simon could get anywhere near Louise.
It wasn't until Wendy had to leave to fetch some clean clothes for Louise that Simon finally managed to sneak in.
"Does it still hurt?" Simon asked, setting some fruit down on the table. He reached out to touch her thin face, but Louise turned her head away, dodging his hand.
His hand hung awkwardly in the air, and his face turned even gloomier.
After a few seconds of awkward silence, Simon handed her the dress from that day and said casually, "Haley really didn't mean for any of this to happen. She never thought you'd get hurt so badly.
"I was hoping you could text her and let her know you've forgiven her.
"She's been screwing up her lab work lately, and her professor's yelled at her so much that she's ended up in tears more than once."
Louise felt her blood freeze. She stared at Simon in disbelief. "Haley broke my leg, landed me in the hospital, and instead of apologizing, she expects me to comfort her?"
Seeing how pale Louise looked, Simon softened his voice. "Her lab work really matters. If she keeps messing up, her final grade will tank.
"I know I haven't been there for you lately, but as soon as I wrap up my current project, I'll take you to Icelori. Didn't you always want to go?"
After three years of waiting for this trip, she felt nothing but emptiness.
She stared at Simon, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "If she keeps screwing up, isn't that because she's not good enough?"
"Haley's not like you. She doesn't try to solve everything with money," Simon shot back without thinking. The words hit Louise like a slap, making her chest tighten.
She thought she'd stopped caring, but somehow Simon always managed to crush her dignity all over again.
"I..." Simon started, but Louise cut him off, shutting him down before he could say another word.
"Get out," Louise snapped, her voice rough and cold as ice. "Get out, now."
The hospital room fell silent again.