She was just bitten by a snake that morning, but after she woke up, Toby didn’t even ask her if she was fine, nor did he even look at her. That indifference was, of course, unbearable for her.
Toby sipped some soup. “I do not," he answered coolly.
That attitude didn’t sit right with Tina, but she bit her lip and forced a smile. “Are you sure? I—”
“Alright, enough. Finish your dinner.” Toby interrupted her impatiently.
Tina started tearing up, but everyone on the other side of the table started laughing silently. She knew they were laughing at her, and her face contorted with rage. However, she couldn’t flare up, and that annoyed her greatly.
Toby finished his dinner a short while later and left the dining room after wiping his mouth elegantly.
On the other hand, Tina was only halfway through her dinner, but since Toby left without waiting for her, she suddenly lost her appetite. Thus, she put her cutlery down and went up to him; she couldn’t eat without him. “Toby!” Tina caught up to him and held his arm, though she was slightly out of breath. “What happened? You’re not like yourself.”
Toby simply pursed his lips and kept his silence.
Tina stared at him with tearful eyes. “Is it because of something I did? Is that why you’re ignoring me? Please, tell me everything. I don’t want you ignoring me.”
Right at that moment, Toby turned around. “Tell me the truth, Tina. You noticed the snake before everyone else this morning, didn’t you? And you startled it so it’d bite Sonia, right?”
Tina’s face fell. “Why do you think so, Toby?”
“Because Rebecca saw everything. You smiled when the snake attacked Sonia, as if you knew that would happen.” Toby shot her a quizzical glare.
Tina opened her mouth, but she couldn’t look him in the eye, so she stared downward and sobbed. “1-1 didn’t. I didn’t know the snake would attack Sonia.”
“You didn’t know?” Toby frowned.
“Yes. I was talking with Miss Reed beside the creek, then I suddenly blacked out. I was surprised when you told me I was bitten by a snake, but the funny thing was that I had no recollection of it at all.”
“You’re saying your alter ego did this?” Toby pursed his lips.
Tina shook her head. “I don’t know, but since you said Rebecca saw me smiling when the snake was attacking Miss Reed, I think my alter ego had taken over back then.”
Toby massaged his forehead. “Of all the times she could show up, she chose that moment?” Tina’s been acting normal when she met Sonia these past couple of days. Why’d her alter ego suddenly show up?
“Maybe my alter ego heard what Miss Reed told me, so...” Tina bit her lip.
“What did she say?” Toby squinted.
A bitter smile curled Tina’s lips. “Miss Reed said Tyler took their side because I’m evil. She even said you’ll leave me at this rate.”
“Sonia wouldn’t say something like that.” Toby defended Sonia instinctively.
Tina’s face contorted, but only for a moment. “Toby, you think I’m lying?” She gazed at him sadly.
Toby stared downward. “No, but Sonia wouldn’t say something like that. I know she won’t.”
“So you think she’s more trustworthy than I am?” Tina’s eyes widened in disbelief.
The bickering was tiring Toby out, but still he answered patiently, “I’m not saying that.”
“But you think she didn’t say that to me either, don’t you?” Tina’s voice broke.
Toby sighed. “Sorry for doubting you. Maybe I’ve been too biased about Sonia.” Tina’s alter ego would only show up when she’s under stress.
Maybe Sonia did say something to trigger her.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: Madam Escaped Again Sir