All Over a Watch? You're Overreacting

Fine. If she was backing down, I didn't mind giving her a way out.

After I returned to the office, things in the technical team went back to running like clockwork.

That afternoon, Hailey surprisingly invited me out for lunch. I agreed and figured that it would be a good time to talk about the divorce. I wanted to end things peacefully, as long as she stopped causing trouble.

Still, I never thought she would show up with Jaxon in tow, even after inviting me out for lunch. She looked brisk and business-like, so I assumed it was a business lunch.

After we settled down at the restaurant, Hailey handed me a bouquet of lilies. "Yesterday was our wedding anniversary, but I got tied up, so I'm making it up to you today."

Instead of accepting the bouquet, I turned my head away and covered my nose as I sneezed. "Get those away from me! Don't you know I'm allergic to lilies?"

Her expression immediately darkened. "When are you going to stop, Landon? You're making up excuses just to put on airs. I bought you flowers. What more do you want?"

I was totally speechless. We had been married for three years. It was pathetic that she had no idea I was allergic to lilies.

Jaxon sat next to her, fussing over a beautifully wrapped bouquet of roses. There was a glint of triumph in his eyes, but when he spoke, his voice was full of hurt.

"This is all my fault, Ms. Miller. Is Mr. Chase upset that you gave me roses? To be honest, I'm fine with either roses or lilies. Shall I give him these roses instead?"

As he spoke, he shoved the roses toward me.

Hailey snatched them back and stuffed them into his arms. "I hand-picked these roses as a reward for your excellent work today."

Jaxon blushed shyly. "You're so kind, Ms. Miller. I'll work even harder, but I hate to make things tough for you. I like the lilies too, even if they came as a freebie for the buy-one-get-one-free promo."

Then, he shot me a provocative look. "I wouldn't mind swapping with Mr. Chase."

I let out a cold laugh. "So they were a freebie, huh? That's so thoughtful of you, Hailey."

Furious, she hurled the bouquet of nearly wilted lilies at me and snapped, "A useless slacker with a terrible attitude doesn't have the right to be picky! You should be grateful that I gave you lilies. Take it or leave it!"

The lilies hit me right in the nose, and the overpowering smell of pollen triggered a violent sneezing fit. My nose started running uncontrollably, and my skin began to itch. Even my breathing turned ragged.

I quickly dumped the flowers into the trash can and dialed 911, gasping out my situation to the operator.

Hailey was stunned and doubtfully asked, "Are you really allergic to lilies?"

I slumped back in my chair, gasping for air, too weak to even say a word.

Jaxon sarcastically chimed in from the side, "That doesn't look like an allergy. I have a friend who's allergic to pollen, and they just get a little rash."

She grabbed my hand, inspected it, and all her concern vanished. "There isn't a single hive on you. Enough, Landon! Are you seriously putting on a show out of jealousy? You've probably been watching too much TV, haven't you?"

I could barely say a word. All that mattered to me right now was staying alive.

Luckily, the ambulance arrived quickly. The paramedics gave me anti-allergy medication in time and saved my life, but I ended up hospitalized for a week.

When Hailey visited me in the hospital, she didn't bother to apologize. Instead, she contemptuously said, "It's pathetic how weak a grown man like you is. You delayed a whole week of work and cost us millions of dollars in losses."

I couldn't take it anymore and slapped her hard across the face. "My life is that worthless to you, isn't it?"

She clutched her cheek and angrily shrieked, "How dare you hit me! This is domestic abuse! I'll sue you!"