Chapter 1

I'm severely allergic to peanuts.

My husband knows this well—he even makes a point to remind the chef whenever we eat out at restaurants.

But at a company gathering, his female assistant brought a bag of peanuts from her hometown to share with everyone.

My husband actually told me to try some. I didn't lose my temper, just politely declined.

The next day, I invited a classmate who runs a seafood business to bring seafood to our house. I prepared a lavish seafood feast.

I looked at my husband, who's allergic to seafood. "My classmate brought this specially from his hometown. Eat it all."

Men who don't know respect should be discarded.

After all, I'm not just allergic to peanuts—I'm even more allergic to scumbags.

I arrived at the gathering to find a sweet-looking girl handing out peanuts.

Hearing everyone address me, Ruby rushed over with a handful of peanuts.

"Mrs. Anderson, I'm Ruby, Anderson's new assistant. These are peanuts I brought from my hometown. Try some."

I instinctively stepped back. Someone nearby explained for me, "Miss Ruby, Mrs. Anderson is allergic to peanuts."

"If you're allergic, you should eat more—that's how you build tolerance."

Ruby acted like she couldn't understand plain English. Before I could react, she shoved the peanuts into my hand.

I quickly threw them away.

"Mrs. Anderson, did I do something wrong?"

"Even if you don't want them, you shouldn't throw them away. There aren't enough peanuts to go around as it is. I only gave you extra because you're Mrs. Anderson."

I frowned. "I really am allergic."

Ruby put on a concerned expression and stepped forward.

"Mrs. Anderson, allergies aren't scary—what's scary is being too afraid to overcome them."

She picked up the peanuts while saying, "Just try them. If you eat a few, you'll definitely overcome the allergy."

"These are peanuts my parents grew. They're organic, so they definitely won't cause an allergic reaction. Just try them and you'll see."

She tried to stuff the picked-up peanuts back into my hand.

"I'm allergic to peanuts. I really can't eat them." I repeated.

"Mrs. Anderson, you've just gotten too pampered living the high life with Anderson. You're not like us country folk who can endure any hardship."

"Never mind peanuts—my grandfather used to eat tree bark when times were tough. You've just never been hungry. Peanuts are good food."

"Just try them."

I looked at her with displeasure. "Do you not understand English?"

"Anderson, are you sure this kind of person can be your assistant?"

Only then did Anderson speak up. "Ruby means well. You're being too harsh."

"Anderson, Mrs. Anderson, please don't fight because of me."

Ruby pressed the peanuts into Anderson's hand. "I'm an outsider. Mrs. Anderson might feel awkward."

"You give them to Mrs. Anderson. They're really delicious."

Anderson personally peeled a peanut for me. "Ruby brought these from her hometown. Don't waste her kind gesture."

"Just overcome it. Just one."

Last time I accidentally ate food with peanut butter, just one bite landed me in the ICU for a week.

Anderson cried his eyes out then, saying he'd fight anyone who ever let me near peanut products again.

I thought I'd found true love in an arranged marriage, that we could walk this path together forever.

Turns out that was just what I thought.

"Anderson, you've had too much to drink."

My voice turned cold, my expression clearly displeased.

Anderson scratched his head. "I guess I have had a bit much. Ruby, you eat it."

He reached out to feed Ruby.

Ruby naturally ate that peanut. "Mrs. Anderson, it really is delicious. Are you sure you don't want any?"

I stared at Anderson with a dark expression. Anderson's finger still lingered near Ruby's lips.

Testing my boundaries?

It seemed that landing that big project recently had made Anderson too full of himself.

"It's time for the bonfire dance. Everyone get moving." Before I could lose my temper, one of Anderson's trusted colleagues quickly stepped in to defuse the situation.

But Ruby chose that moment to extend her hand to Anderson. "Anderson, may I invite you to dance at the bonfire?"

I pointed at Ruby while staring at Anderson. "Anderson, I don't want to see her tomorrow."