Wrong Injection

CHAPTER 30

The tension between Sultan and Dante was palpable, their faces etched with unfriendliness. "Are you done flirting? Can we go now, Veronica?" Sultan asked, his tone curt. I recalled meeting them weeks ago, and my understanding was that Veronica was pregnant with Sultan's child.

Veronica's response was calm, but Sultan's eyes rolled in obvious disinterest. "Come on Sultan, Dante's just my childhood friend," she said, trying to diffuse the tension. Sultan's response was immediate.

"We're keeping the doctor waiting," he said, turning to leave without even acknowledging me. His dismissal stung. I turned to Dante, my eyes locked on Veronica's smirking face.

"Can we please go now?" I asked, trying to keep my tone neutral.

"Yes sure but before that, Veronica, meet Milani. Milani, Veronica." Dante did the introduction and I flashed Veronica a calculated smile.

"Hi," I said, pretending we'd never met before, hoping she'd forget the past. But her eyes sparkled with recognition.

"You're the little girl I met last time, right?" she asked, her tone dripping with condescension. I felt a flicker of annoyance, but I kept my cool.

"Correct," I replied, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "But I'm not a little girl. I'd appreciate it if you didn't refer to me as that again." My correction fell flat, and Veronica's expression turned icy.

"I see you've got some nerves, but the fact that my man sleeps with you doesn't give you the right to disrespect me, okay? Give me the respect I deserve as Sultan's girlfriend and mother of his child." Her words sliced through the air, her voice with venom. I felt a searing wave of embarrassment wash over me, wondering what I had done to deserve such a vicious attack. The sting of her words left me reeling, my mind racing to find a suitable response.

"Come on Veronica, not every girl falls for Sultan's charm, okay?" Dante intervened, his calm tone a stark contrast to Veronica's fury. But Veronica's expression remained unyielding, her eyes locked on me with an unnerving intensity.

"Why don't you tell him?" she taunted, her words dripping with malice. I fell silent, the weight of her accusation crushing me. The truth stung, and I couldn't find the words to defend myself.

Veronica's smile was a razor-sharp blade, slicing through my already fragile composure. "Oh, you can't tell him? You can't tell him you're just another fleeting conquest to my boyfriend?" Her words hung in the air, a challenge I couldn't meet. I stood frozen, my silence a testament to her words' devastating impact.

"Veronica!" Dante's angry yell cut through the tension. I stood frozen, lost and defenseless. "Milani is like a sister to me and Bella," he continued, his voice firm. "I won't tolerate you disrespecting her. You know me well enough, Veronica."

Veronica's expression twisted in disbelief. "She's Bella's friend too?" Her gaze raked over me, as if I was something disgusting. "Unbelievable," she muttered, shaking her head.

"Dante, I'll be waiting in the car," I said, turning away from them. I couldn't bear Veronica's presence any longer.
~~~
"Mom please don't go," I pleaded, tugging on her arm. "You can leave tomorrow morning." I didn't want her to leave, not yet.

"I'll only stay if you tell me what's going on between you and Sultan." Her words caught me off guard.

"Really, Mom?" I stared at her, amused.

"I'm listening." She folded her arms, her eyes locked on mine.

"This is blackmail," I said, incredulous. But her gaze didn't waver.

"I see you're not ready to tell me." She began packing up her things, and I felt a surge of panic.

"Wait, stop!" I said, grabbing her arm. "He's just a friend," I added, trying to downplay the situation.

"Friend, Lani? Don't forget I heard you moaning and screaming his name last night." Her words made me wince. I buried my face in my palms, mortified.

"Mom, stop," I mumbled. "I don't think I can make you understand." She shrugged, her expression unyielding.

"In that case, don't stop me from leaving," she said, her voice firm. And I felt a pang of desperation, realizing I had to choose between revealing the truth or losing her.