Chapter 64: One Splash, One Sorry
Without the slightest hesitation, Summer raised her hand and swung it hard across Trevor’s face. The sharp crack of the slap sliced through the heavy air, echoing in the tense silence of the room. Peyton gasped, unable to contain her shock. “Summer, how could you… How could you slap Trevor?!”
But Trevor seemed completely unfazed by the burning pain that bloomed across his cheek, as if he hadn’t even felt it. He simply stood there, eyes wide, staring at the woman who had slapped him once and now dared to slap him again. Those dark eyes of his burned with a wild, scaring rage, as if an uncontrollable fire had been ignited within them. Trevor gritted his teeth, his voice raw with disbelief and fury as he roared, “Summer, you dare to slap me?!”
Summer lifted her chin, unwavering as she met his glare head-on. “Why not? You can grab me, so why can’t I slap you?”
Trevor’s face turned an ominous shade of dark, as if his fury was about to boil over. He dragged his tongue slowly across his back molars, then forced out his next words through clenched teeth, each syllable sharp as broken glass. “Apologize. To Peyton.”
In Trevor’s mind, it was so simple. As long as Summer was willing to lower her head, admit her mistake, and beg for forgiveness, he would let it go. He would overlook the dirt on her body, her betrayal, all of it. He would turn the page and move forward. He would make her his wife. Give her the title of Mrs. Larson that so many envied.
For a moment, Peyton’s tightly clenched heart loosened. A flash of triumph crossed her delicate face. As she expected, Trevor was still on her side.
Summer laughed—a short, sharp laugh full of scorn. “I didn’t pour hot water on that woman,” she said, “Why should I apologize? And besides, I’m not the same Summer you used to toy with. Not anymore.”
Trevor felt it—the difference in Summer. But the fire in his chest consumed that flicker of awareness, burning away the last of his reason and guilt. He glared at her, his expression hard as iron. Summer knew how stubborn Trevor was. A cold, mocking smile tugged at the corner of her lips.
“Peyton, since you say I’m the one who poured water on you and you want me to apologize, then I might as well actually pour it on you first before I apologize.”
Summer suddenly turned on her heel, striding with purpose toward the coffee table. Her movements were swift and precise as she grabbed a bottle of mineral water, twisted the cap off in one smooth motion, and without hesitation, swung her arm wide. The cold water burst from the bottle and drenched Peyton in an instant.
“Ah!” Peyton shrieked, caught completely off guard. Her hair clung to her face in wet strands, her clothes soaked through, water dripping from her lashes so heavily she could not even open her eyes. Across from her, Summer stood with her arms crossed lazily in front of her chest, her posture casual, her gaze full of contempt.
“Sorry,” Summer said flatly, not a hint of sincerity in her voice. “There. Satisfied?”
She tilted her head, the sarcasm in her tone slicing deep. “Want me to apologize again? One splash, one sorry.” She clicked her tongue. “What a shame that this was cold water. If it were hot…” Summer gave a slow, dangerous smile. “I wouldn’t mind saying sorry twice.”
Peyton’s eyes turned red as she wiped the water from her face, her breath hitching with pitiful sobs. She stumbled toward Trevor, grabbing onto his arm desperately as tears streamed down her face. “Trevor,” she cried, her voice shaking, “help me… please! Why is Summer doing this to me? What did I do wrong?”
Trevor’s brows were drawn so tight they seemed permanently knotted. His expression was dark and unreadable as he stood there, unmoving. He had never seen Summer like this before. She was like a stranger now. Summer gave him a fleeting glance, emotionless. She did not wait for him to speak or react. She spun on her heel and walked briskly toward the hospital room door. Summer flung the door open and nearly collided with Josh. He had heard Peyton’s scream.
Even if Trevor was his employer, even Josh had reached his limit. He had to step in and see what was happening. “Summer,” he said sharply, “what did you do to Peyton?”
“I apologized,” she said, voice crisp. “Didn’t you hear it?”
“Apologize?” Josh’s voice was low, dangerous. “You think an apology would make Peyton cry like that?”
Not a chance. She must have done something to Peyton. Josh did not believe Summer. His teeth clenched tight as he glared at Summer with the intensity of a wild beast ready to pounce, his fury simmering. Summer smiled at him.
“As a doctor,” she said lazily, her gaze sweeping over him like he was something stuck to the bottom of her shoe, “you’re supposed to save lives. Maybe try doing less thinking about violence and more about medicine. Though, judging by your temper, I’m guessing you’re not much good at it either.”
With that, she brushed past him without a second glance. Josh quickly stormed into the room. Inside, Peyton was still huddled close to Trevor, her red-rimmed eyes glistening with unshed tears. But Trevor’s gaze was fixed on the open door, on the spot where Summer had just vanished.
Peyton wished she could rush after Summer and slap her across the face until it swelled. But she could not. Not with Trevor standing right here. She forced it down, smothered the fury under a mask of gentle sorrow.
“Trevor, Summer was just angry. That’s why she lost control like that.” She bit her lip, tears clinging to her lashes as she looked up at him with misty eyes. “For you, I can forgive her.”
Josh snapped his head toward her, his expression darkening. “You’re too kind, Peyton,” he spat. “That woman, she’s a vile, heartless thing! And you’re still speaking up for her? That’s exactly why she keeps bullying you.”
He turned toward Trevor, his tone hard and sharp. “Trevor, Summer needs to be taught a lesson. You shouldn’t let her anywhere near Peyton. Peyton is already in a fragile state. She can’t take another shock.”
Trevor did not answer. He just stood there, his entire body emanating a glacial chill.