Felix Lindsey, the boyfriend of my childhood friend, Celine Fletcher, will be visiting her home for the very first time. I help Celine out by preparing a nice feast for the occasion.

But Felix merely glances at the garlic butter shrimps before flying into a fit of rage.

"You cooked food that I'm allergic to on purpose in hopes that I'll embarrass myself in front of Celine and her family! You'll definitely drag my name through the mud on purpose afterward so that you can replace me as her boyfriend, right?

"Stop dreaming already! If Celine had feelings for you from the start, I wouldn't be in the picture right now!"

With a perplexed look, I quickly explain to Felix that Celine's mom has hurt her leg, so she specifically called me here to help out with the cooking. Also, I already have a fiancee of my own, so I'm not interested in Celine in the slightest.

But Felix just chuckles coldly at me.

"Stop playing hard to get. I can tell who's a simp at first glance. You often cling to Celine under the guise of being her childhood friend. How utterly disgusting!

"Why don't you take a look at yourself in the mirror? That way, you'll see how old and ugly you are! Who on earth will ever have her sights on you? Only a blind woman will ever fall for you!"

Celine holds back her laughter the whole time. Just as I'm about to lash out at Felix with clenched fists, she has the audacity to hug him while looking very haughty.

"My boyfriend has a really sharp tongue, doesn't he? Finally, there exists someone whose verbal firepower exceeds yours! I'd like to see if you have the guts to bully me ever again!"

As I stare at Celine's nonchalant expression, I don't hesitate to deliver a heavy slap across her cheek.

"Get the hell away from me! Both you and your boyfriend don't even have the right to speak to me!"

I finished the last dish and placed it on the table, then helped Layla Bennett, Celine Fletcher's mother, to her seat.

Just as we sat down, my childhood friend, Celine, walked out of the room with her boyfriend, Felix Lindsey.

Seeing the table full of food, she casually remarked, "Didn't expect you to be so capable."

At her words, Felix's expression darkened. He slammed his cutlery onto the floor, clearly annoyed. "Can you not talk so much when we're eating?"

The sudden outburst caught both me and Layla off guard.

Celine immediately cast aside all dignity and began to wheedle him. "Honey, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have praised Isaac. Of course, you're more capable than him. You didn't stop for a single breath all night. He can't hold a candle to you."

Those words were really uncomfortable to hear.

This was a typical case of praising someone at the expense of another, mixed with salacious elements.

But Felix seemed to eat it up. He gave Celine's waist a squeeze, and his simmering fury dissolved into a grin. "Babe, there are other people here. Save that kind of talk for the bedroom."

I paused as I was serving the soup. I thought for a second and then shot back, "Celine, please don't bring me up when you're complimenting your boyfriend. Thanks."

As soon as I said that, Layla quickly stepped in to smooth things over. "Isaac, Celine's just not good with words. Don't take it to heart."

But just then, Felix looked at the garlic butter shrimp and snapped at me, "You know I'm allergic to seafood, and yet you still make this dish? Are you trying to embarrass me?"

I was completely stunned. Not wanting him to misunderstand, I quickly explained, "I asked Celine if there was anything you couldn't eat when I was buying the ingredients. She said nothing."

Food allergies weren't a joke. They could be life-threatening. I wouldn't mess around with that.

Celine scratched her head, acting innocent. "Didn't I tell you? But I know Felix's preferences so well. I shouldn't have forgotten to mention it."

Her vague answer conveniently shifted all the blame onto me.

Felix lost it. "I know what you're up to. You're trying to piss me off, then make Celine think I've got a temper so she'll break up with me and you can swoop in and take my place.

"Let me be clear. Stop indulging in these delusions. If Celine had the slightest interest in you, she would have pursued you long ago, and I wouldn't even be in the picture.

"At the end of the day, she finds nothing about you appealing. Give up this hopeless cause and stop trying to drive a wedge between us."

He was getting more and more out of line, and the anger inside me started to boil.

But since Layla was trying to calm things down, I forced myself to stay calm and keep explaining. "Mrs. Fletcher broke her leg. And since it's your first time visiting, she didn't want to slight you, so she asked me to help with the cooking.

"Celine didn't mention your allergy, but that's a small issue. There are still more than ten other dishes. Just skip the shrimp. Also, you don't have to worry. I have a fiancee. I'm not interested in Celine at all. She's yours."

After I said that, Felix scoffed. "Don't try that hard-to-get routine. I can spot a simp from a mile away. You've been hiding behind the guise of a childhood friend to throw yourself at Celine. It's pathetic. Anyone would call you out for that."

The insults kept coming, rendering me utterly worthless.

Meanwhile, Celine sat there, barely holding back her laughter. She even gave Felix a thumbs-up. "Such a sharp tongue you have. He doesn't even know what to say."

It was like she had nothing to do with this and was merely watching a show.

I was boiling with rage and snapped, "Celine, do you think fanning the flames makes you look cute?"

Celine grinned wide. "Felix, see? I told you I'm quite popular. You'd better keep an eye on me, or someone might steal me away, and you'll regret it."

Not only did she not understand what I said, but she was ridiculously full of herself.

I was out of ideas when dealing with someone this shameless. I picked up the plate of garlic butter shrimp and was about to dump it in the trash.

"You two really are a perfect match. You're both equally adept at playing the unreasonable fool. Since you can't respect my hard work, you don't have to eat it."

Layla rushed into the kitchen behind me and quickly grabbed my hand before whispering, "Isaac, don't get upset. Felix is young and doesn't know any better. Let's be the bigger people here. Don't let him get to you. I'll have Celine talk to him later.

"This is Felix's first time here, and it has taken Celine so long to find a boyfriend. Please, let it slide for my sake. The shrimp is really good. Don't throw it away, okay? Please."

Seeing her so humble, I couldn't bring myself to refuse, so I put the plate of shrimp back on the table.

Layla lost her husband before she even turned 30 years old. Raising Celine on her own hadn't been easy.

But Felix wasn't having any of it. "Ha! You act tough for a second and then back off? Such a joke! You're just pretending to be forgiving to impress Celine so she'll compare you to me and think you're more considerate.

"After all, you're even taking care of her mom. How nice of you. You should look in the mirror. You're old and ugly. Celine would never fall for you."

Desperate to de-escalate the situation, Layla rushed to clarify, "Felix, Isaac has a fiancee."

But Felix refused to believe it and continued his sarcastic tirade, "Don't think I can't see through your little act. Look at him, with that pathetic face. Any woman who'd date him must be blind."

I thought I could just grit my teeth and move on, but he kept pushing his luck, relentless as ever. He was like a carrion fly, impossible to shake off and utterly nauseating.

I laughed out of frustration. "You're more pathetic, uglier, and completely lacking in manners. Any woman who'd date you is just as blind."

With that, I stood up and turned to Layla. "Mrs. Fletcher, I have to go. You all enjoy your meal. Consider this dinner a free gift from me."

I started to walk away, but Layla grabbed my wrist, stopping me.

Celine, probably upset at being put in her place, sneered at me. "Isaac, you've been coddled by your own success for far too long. The moment you meet someone superior, you can't handle it and start getting all sarcastic. You've got no class."

After insulting me, Celine got a kiss from Felix. "Babe, that was perfect. You can't stand a simp too, huh?"

He shot me a disdainful look and then continued his mocking, "Isaac, face reality. No matter how much you try to act all mature and generous, Celine will never like you.

"The more you act like this, the more hypocritical you look. It's really fake. Though, I must say, this frantic loss of your cool has aged you a decade in an instant. You look like a weary old man."

He laughed afterward.

The anger that had been building inside me erupted. I clenched my fists, ready to explode.

But before I could react, Celine jumped in, saying, "Felix, you really hit a nerve with Isaac. If he loses his temper, he'll beat you up. He's been bullying me for years."

She turned to wink at me. Her tone dripped with spite as she said, "Isaac, look at you now. Finally, there's someone who can put you in your place. Let's see if you dare bully me again after this."

I used to feel sorry for Celine since she had grown up without a father. I had always treated her like a little sister and protected her. If anyone bullied her, I was always the first to step in and defend her.

I might have been a little domineering in front of her, but she'd never complained.

Now, she was calling me a simp for her boyfriend.

I couldn't take it anymore. I flipped the entire table, sending all the dishes crashing to the floor.

I marched over to Celine and slapped her across the face. "Then, get the hell away from me! You and your boyfriend aren't even worthy of serving me!"

Amid their sudden outbursts of shock, I turned and walked out.

On the way home, Celine kept texting me, saying I was petty and jealous and demanding I apologize to her and Felix.

I replied, "Celine, from now on, our families should stay out of each other's way. Otherwise, your boyfriend might get jealous and lose it."

After I explained everything, my parents agreed and decided to cut ties with the Fletchers.

But the next day, Layla showed up at my door carrying a gift. She immediately dropped to her knees. "Isaac, I'm sorry about yesterday. I didn't raise Celine properly. I've brought her to apologize to you."

"Please, don't do this," I said while helping her up. No matter how angry I was, I couldn't accept a gesture like that from an elder.

Seeing me relent, Layla pulled Celine forward and scolded her sharply, "You brat! Isaac has treated you like a sister since you were children, and now you're picking a fight with him over some guy? Apologize to him right now!"

Celine looked reluctant but still lowered her head. "I'm sorry, Isaac. I was out of my mind yesterday and played a harmless prank. Look, you know how hard it was for me to land a boyfriend. Don't hold this against me, okay?"

I frowned slightly. Her apology felt half-hearted and irritating.

But having Celine block the door and refuse to leave was a bigger hassle, so I muttered a quick response, "Forget it. Let's move on."

I reached to close the door, but the smell of lamb stew caught Layla's attention. She dragged Celine into the room.

By the time I realized, they were already sitting at the table, cutlery in hand. Layla waved at me. "Isaac, come on. Eat with us!"

Fine. As the bridge hadn't been burned entirely, I'd host them one last time.

But after just a couple bites, there was a violent kick at the door. "Get out here! You shameless couple!"

Celine's face changed. She ran to open the door in a panic.

The next moment, Felix stormed in, shouting, "Isaac, you fucking simp! You try to seduce my girlfriend while I'm gone? You're really shameless! Are you provoking me on purpose?"

"No, Felix. Let me explain—"

Before Celine could speak, Felix slapped her hard across the face.

"Shut up! You certainly seem to enjoy the pathetic devotion of your simp."

His words were filthy, and my chest burned with anger.

I forced myself to stay calm and pointed at them. "Get out now. Don't cause trouble in my house, or I'll call the cops."

Layla, seeing Celine hurt, swung her cane at Felix. "You bastard! How dare you hit my daughter? I've never laid a finger on her!"

Felix dodged and shouted back, "You old hag! You wish this simp could be your son-in-law? Too bad Celine despises him. He's ugly and old! She only loves me! You're not fit to be her mother!"

He stormed into the dining room and flipped the table, sending the lamb stew and soup spilling everywhere.

My blood boiled. I stormed forward to punch him in the face. "Are you out of your mind? This is my house! Don't make a scene here! Let me be clear. I'm not interested in Celine. No one's taking her from you."

Felix covered his face and screamed, "Celine, are you seeing this? He just punched me! If you don't avenge me today, we're done for!"

As soon as he said that, Celine grabbed a chair and swung it at me.

I dodged and pulled out my phone to call the police.

The next moment, Felix came at me from the kitchen with a fruit knife like a madman. "You pathetic simp! I'm going to kill you for trying to steal my woman!"

In desperation, Layla struck him with her cane. But Felix turned around and stabbed her instead. "Go to hell!"

Amid Celine's panicked screams, Layla collapsed into a pool of blood.

"Mom!"

We froze, shocked by the sudden violence.

Celine turned to me, shouting, "Call 911! Save my mom!"

Felix dropped the knife and fell to his knees, bowing to Celine. "Babe, I didn't mean it… Isaac kept pushing me. If anything happens to your mom, I can't go on living."