Loved Too Late

Kara instinctively looked at Bennett.

His face was shrouded in the amber glow of the light, making it hard to see his expression. Someone in the know nudged Vanessa and whispered, "Vanessa, don't stir up trouble. Bennett just made his relationship official. Of course, he loves his girlfriend. There's no doubt about it!"

"This question is pointless. Let's move on to the next round!" Someone urged them to continue.

Kara tuned out their banter, keeping her eyes fixed on Bennett. It felt like an eternity had passed before he let out a soft chuckle, picked up his glass, and downed his drink in one go.

"What a ridiculous question. I can't even be bothered to answer it. I'll take the dare."

Kara was speechless.

Although she had braced herself, she still felt a chill down her spine.

She made an excuse and left for the restroom.

Staring at her reflection in the mirror, she noticed how pale her face was. Her eyes were tinged with redness as if she had suffered a great grievance. She lowered her gaze, forcing herself to swallow the bitter ache rising in her heart. Just as she turned to leave, someone blocked her way.

Vanessa leaned leisurely against the restroom door, a cigarette between her fingers, and smirked.

"So, you're the woman Bennett chased for eight years? Kara, right? I heard you had heart surgery eight years ago. The heart beating inside you belongs to my sister. Did you know that?

"Do you really think you've turned into some kind of Cinderella? If not for my sister's heart, he wouldn't even look at you. You're nothing more than a vessel."

Vanessa flicked the ash from her cigarette. Her tone was laced with mockery. "Oh, and do you remember that guy back in senior year who hid behind the door to scare you? Do you know what happened to him in the end?"

Vanessa smiled.

Kara's face turned even paler.

Back in her senior year, a boy had played a prank on her by jumping out from behind a door to startle her. Bennett had stormed forward in a rage, throwing punch after punch at the guy until he fell to his knees and begged for mercy. He was nearly dying.

Later, Kara heard that the same guy had been robbed and stabbed more than a dozen times.

Kara felt ice-cold blood rush through her veins. "That robbery… Bennett arranged it?"

"A vessel should know its place. Your only job is to keep my sister's heart healthy. Stay out of everything else."

Vanessa tilted her head back and laughed.

When Kara returned to the room, the game of truth or dare was still ongoing.

This time, Bennett lost again.

The question was 'Do you love your current girlfriend?'

Standing just outside the door, Kara clearly heard Bennett scoff.

"Love Kara? She's just a vessel. How could I possibly love her? Stop asking stupid questions."

"Hahaha, of course! Bennett's photo album is still filled with pictures of Natalie. He spends every night on his secret Facebook account reminiscing about her. A guy like him? How could he ever fall for someone else? Hey, wanna bet? I'll mess with Kara a little, and I guarantee Bennett won't even object!"

"Really? I thought after chasing her for eight years, he might've developed some feelings."

Vanessa returned at the perfect moment. Just as Kara was about to turn and leave, Vanessa shoved her forward, forcing her back into the room.

The next round began. This time, Kara lost.

One of Bennett's close friends poured out 88 shots and grinned. "Well, looks like you have no choice but to take the dare! Either drink all 88 shots, or do 10 push-ups!"

"Only ten? That shouldn't be too hard, right? You should pick the push-ups, Kara. I heard you're allergic to alcohol."

Kara stared at the shots lined up on the table. Her throat clenched.

She lifted her head and looked at Bennett. "Bennett, should I drink or do push-ups?"

Kara had been allergic to alcohol from a young age. Drinking would make her break out in painful red rashes all over her body, but doing push-ups would mean putting strain on her heart.

She left the choice to Bennett.

He picked up a shot glass, brought it to her, and spoke in that same gentle tone.

"Babe, be good. You have a heart condition. Even one push-up could make you unwell. Drink these, and I'll take you straight to a doctor."

"Okay, I get it."

Kara let out a small, bitter laugh. She tilted her head back and tried to hold back her tears.

But they fell anyway, slipping down her cheeks and mixing with the harsh burn of the alcohol. It tasted salty and bitter all at once.

She kept drinking, glass after glass.

By the time she was almost done, red rashes covered her arms, itching and stinging unbearably.

And still, she kept going.

She didn't stop until Bennett cursed under his breath and snatched the glass from her. He scooped her up in his arms.

"All you do is drink. Why don't you just drink yourself to death? Somebody get the family doctor, now!

"And bring her heart medication! Kara's upset. Her heart might act up!"

Seeing how worried he seemed, Kara finally closed her eyes.

A vessel should indeed know its place.