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. “I-I 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.
Tina felt smug that she managed to make Toby cave once again by acting innocent. She hugged him and leaned against his chest. “It’s fine. I forgive you.”
Toby stared down at her, but he didn’t hug her back. In fact, he had a sudden urge to shove her away. He didn’t know why he had that urge, and he didn’t want to waste his time figuring it out either, so he held his disgust down. “I’ll get you a psychologist after we go back tomorrow, Tina.”
“A psychologist?” Tina stopped smiling and stared at him.
Toby nodded. “Your alter ego’s too dangerous. She must be stopped.”
“But—”
“Tina.” Toby held her head and gazed into her eyes. “This isn’t the first time your alter ego is trying to kill Sonia. As long as she’s here, she’ll try to kill Sonia. I can’t clean up her mess forever, do you understand?”
Tina could feel her heart getting squeezed by something. “You’re saying you’ll break up with me if I don’t get rid of my alter ego?”
“Yes,” Toby answered without hesitation, for he knew he wouldn’t accept a cruel woman as his wife, nor would his family. He was only tolerating her out of love, but his love would be eroded eventually.
Toby’s affirmation was a bombshell for Tina. At that moment, she realized she couldn’t rely on her ‘alter ego’ excuse every time she was attacking Sonia, or Toby would end up hating her. Good thing I found out about it in time. “I understand. I’ll work with you.” She nodded hastily.
Toby patted her head. “That’s good to hear.”
Tina smiled, but when she looked down, the demure look in her eyes was replaced by darkness. Looks like I have to kill Sonia as soon as possible. As soon as I get rid of her, I won’t have to fake my personality disorder anymore. Toby won’t end up hating me, and he won’t fall for her anymore after she’s dead. When she reached that thought though, her stomach started gurgling.
Toby looked at her. “Are you still hungry?”
She nodded. “I couldn’t work up my appetite since you were ignoring me.”
Toby held her hand. “Let’s go back and get you something to eat.”
“No. I don’t want to face them. They won’t want me there either.” Tina shook her head.
Toby knew how much Tina was hated by everyone, so he didn’t say anything. A moment later, he rubbed his forehead in frustration. “Give me a minute. I’ll get you some snacks. It’s not the best, but it should be enough for the time being.”
“Alright.” Tina smiled.
Toby let her go before he went back to the dining room, and everyone was surprised he came back.
“Are you still hungry, Toby?” Tyler was curious when he saw Toby filling a plate with snacks.
Toby put his tongs down. “It’s Tina’s. She’s still hungry.”
Tyler pouted when he heard that. “That woman again? Why didn’t she come down by herself? She thinks you’re her slave or something?”
The comment was shrugged off, and Toby went to the other side of the table. When he noticed there was mango in the fruit platter, he wanted to get some for Tina.
However, Charles stopped him at once when he saw it. “Hold it. That’s Sonia’s.”
Sonia’s? Toby looked up and stared at Sonia in surprise. “You like mangoes?”
“Do you have an issue with that?” Sonia stared back at him calmly.
“No,” Toby answered.
Charles snorted. “Sonia has liked mangoes ever since she was a kid. I asked the chef to make this specifically for her. Tell the chef to make one for you if you want it so much.”
