The Fireworks He Set For Her - Chapter 3: Chapter 3

Rafael's voice trembled with anxiety as he rushed on, "Do all women suffer this badly during their periods? Poor Jenna's in agony. Do you know any remedies? Should I run to the pharmacy? Maybe that red sugar water thing? Or one of those heating pads?"
His fear of Jenna experiencing even a moment's discomfort was palpable.
Funny - he'd never shown me this level of concern during my entire pregnancy. Our years together suddenly seemed like a bad joke. "Why don't you Google it like a normal person?" I snapped before hanging up.
The next morning, Rafael's angry call woke me. "Lily! Since when do you hang up on me?" His entitled tone made my blood boil. "Here's your chance to make it right. Come cook for Jenna and I'll consider forgiving you."
Then, as an afterthought: "Oh, and make those sweet-and-sour ribs she likes."
His words stabbed through me. Now I understood why Rafael had suddenly developed a taste for my cooking last year - especially those damn ribs. I'd spent weeks perfecting the recipe, my hands covered in burns and calluses from the sizzling oil.
All for Jenna.
Wiping away bitter tears, I asked, "Any professional chef could do better. Why me?"
"Because Jenna wants your cooking specifically," he commanded. "You'll be here today." Click.
I arrived at Jenna's apartment clutching divorce papers, ready to end this charade. Jenna greeted me with faux concern dripping from her voice. "Oh Lily, I'm so sorry! I just had this sudden craving for your ribs. Though really, shouldn't you be avoiding kitchen fumes while pregnant? But Rafael insisted..."
Her tone oozed the privilege Rafael bestowed upon her while reducing me to their personal chef.
I shoved the papers at Rafael. "Sign these and I'll cook." He scrawled his name without reading.
"Aren't you worried this might be divorce papers?" I challenged.
His cruel laugh cut deep. "So what if it is? Jenna's happiness comes first. Besides," he sneered, "who'd want a pregnant woman like you?"
Silent, I moved to the kitchen. This would be my final meal for Rafael. There was a time he'd loved my cooking... until he didn't.
Their laughter from the living room pierced me like broken glass. By the time I finished, exhaustion nearly made me collapse.
Rafael's response? "One meal and you're ready to faint? Pregnancy made you weak. Jenna works through her period without complaint - what's your excuse?"
Nothing I did would ever measure up to Saint Jenna in his eyes.
Jenna "helped" me to her bedroom - a strategic move. The floor was strewn with clothes and used condoms.
"Oh!" She fake-blushed. "My boyfriend's just... insatiable." Then with poisonous sweetness: "Is Rafael as passionate with you?"
The setup was obvious. All those nights Rafael had pushed me away, calling me disgusting... now I understood. He'd been saving himself for her.
Even my pregnancy had been an accident—another consequence of Rafael's drunken recklessness.
Standing amid the scattered condoms, I couldn't help but sneer. "Miss Jenna, maybe you should worry if your boyfriend can handle this pace long-term."
Her face darkened instantly.
Back at the dinner table, Rafael was piling food onto Jenna's plate like a lovesick puppy. "Eat up, Jenna," he cooed, voice dripping with indulgence.
Jenna batted her lashes, playing the coy ingénue. "Sir Rafael, you spoil me rotten! Where else would I find a boss this perfect?" Then, with saccharine sweetness, she turned to me, depositing a heaping spoonful of crab roe into my bowl. "Thank you, Lily, for cooking tonight."