Two lines on the test were her passport to a new lifeand a direct path to hell for her closest friend. She danced at her wedding to the applause of traitors, but in the end, the final chapter was written by the one theyd both dismissed as nothing but a foolish pawn.
A playful autumn breeze danced through the faded leaves along the pavement, escorting her right to the glass doors. She paused at the entrance as if collecting her thoughts, before pushing them open with newfound resolve. The warm air inside was thick with the scent of fresh-ground coffee, vanilla and the soft sweetness of pastries. Her gaze, searching and a little uncertain, skimmed the dimly lit room, picking out tables lost in gentle conversation, until she found the oneby the high window swathed in the diffuse, silvery light of a gloomy afternoon. There, someone waited. A familiar figure, hunched over a delicate blue cup. A subtle wave, both welcoming and apologetic, followed as she threaded her way through the tables, her steps first hesitant, then increasingly urgent.
Hello darling, forgive me for being late. London traffic is a beast todayworse than ever, she said softly, her voice trembling with barely contained emotion.
The girl by the window tore her gaze from the grey city outside and looked up. In her eyes shone both joy and a fleeting reproach, which quickly melted into a gentle, familiar warmth.
Only as late as a single espresso. Not a minute more. She shifted her cup aside to emphasise that the time had been spent quietly, in reflection rather than impatience. Well? What could be so important that you couldnt even wait til our evening cinema date? We were meant to laugh until our sides ached at that new promising film.
Oh, the cinema can wait. Tonight isnt meant for mere entertainmentits marked for something special. And Ive got news that warrants it! Her smile, bashful yet radiant, illuminated the dim corner around them.
Go on, thenwhats happened? Calm words, but in her hazel eyes flickered a trace of wariness.
This morning we went to the registrars. You knowthe place couples make it official. Filed the papers. The wedding is in a month.
You mean there? Her friend looked stunned.
Is it so strange? After all, weve been together a little over two years. This isnt flightyit matters.
Will you have time to plan all thats needed for such a day? Her voice drifted off, her thoughts swirling anxiously.
Therell be no grand affair. Just something quiet and intimate, the people closest to us. Well sign, enjoy a modest dinner, and then start anew.
But why rush? You could savour it all, fuss over the details
Im expecting. The confession was a whisper, no louder than a falling leaf brushing the window, but it hung in the air between them with an electricity that made the table shake. She reached over, her face glowing with a porcelain fragilitya kind of hidden morning light. Honestly, Id skip the fuss, just make it legal, but he insists it should be beautiful, with proper photos and family together. If all goes well, well even sneak away for a getawayif Im up for it. The words rushed out, light as spring water, but slowly she realised her friend didnt share her glee. She sat frozen, clutching her coffee handle until her knuckles whitened. Hey, are you even listening? Youll be there, wont you? I need you with me
Yes, of course Ill be there, her friend replied faintly, as if surfacing from cold water, gasping for breath.
Whats wrong? Now her concern sharpened. You look pale. What are you not saying?
I I just feel a bit off. My stomach aches and I feel nauseous. I think Id better go home. Can we talk tomorrow, when Im feeling stronger?
Should I walk you? We’re heading the same way.
No, dont bother. Ill stop off at Mumsshell help me find my feet.
Tomorrow, then?
Of course
She watched the familiar silhouette disappear through the doorway, her brow creased with confusion. Why the sudden shift? Her hand unconsciously drifted to her still-flat bellyno hint of a secret showing yetand then it struck her: how blind shed become, swept away by joy and so numb to someone elses pain. Just three months ago, her friend had survived a devastating breakup she barely spoke about, but sadness had never left her eyes since. And now, blaring her own happiness so carelessly An acute, crushing guilt threatened to swallow her whole. Bending in on herself, she slipped quietly outside into the chill, burdened by the awkward weight.
Meanwhile, her friend rushed from the café, half-running halfway down the street. She flagged down a passing taxi with a decisive gesture.
The trip up the stairs to his flat felt endless; her heart thundered in her throat, each step echoing with dread. Impatient rings at the door finally summoned hima familiar face now marred with a wary chill.
Why are you here? He sounded more annoyed than surprised.
We need to talk. Let me in. She brushed his arm aside without waiting for permission and stepped into the narrow hall, saturated with cologne and something unfamiliar.
Whats left to talk about?
Everything. About us two. And your wedding with her.
Whats there to discuss? He leaned against the doorframe, looking at her with cool contempt.
So its true? Youve filed for marriage, and shes expecting your child?
Dead true.
And what about me? Where does that leave me? Her voice broke, heart laid bare.
What about you? Did I ever promise you forever? Not that I recall.
You… do you realise what you are now?
And what am I, then?
Worthless, she whispered, her words flung with icy hate.
And youre any better? You shared a bed with your best friends fiancé. So which one of us deserves the title more?
Im the one carrying your child. Seven weeks now.
His eyes narrowed, disbelief giving way to cold calculation.
Youre lying.
Im not. We can go to the doctor tomorrow and youll see for yourself. The child is yours. Ill prove it any way you want.
Well then This mess is your own fault. You assured me you took precautions. He shrugged, feigning helplessness. If its come to this, I can make sure youve got funds to, welldeal with it. But as for me marrying you and raising a child born of deception? Dont even dream it.
Her palm cracked across his cheek, sharp as gunfire. She fled before he could react, shouting something blurred about destroying the wedding. He only laugheda bitter, cynical sound, swallowed by the closing door.
Outside, she collapsed onto a lost bench tucked beneath the parks autumn green. Only when she felt the raw chill of the seat beneath her did the tears begin, pouring hot and uncontrolled. What now? Her heart, torn to shreds, still clung to her childhood love for her friendand, painfully, still to him, a boy so cruel yet impossible to quit. And now thisthe new life growing inside. Her happiness would inevitably be someone elses tragedy.
When the tears were spent, clarity cut cold and sharp. There was only one path left. She would tell her friend everythingthe whole story, stripped of excuses. Let the fragile crystal of their friendship shatter; her friend deserved honesty before binding herself for life to a man so wrong. The choice would be hersto forgive or not, but shed do so fully informed.
The bell sounded. Her friend opened the door, surprise plain on her weary face. Youre here? We agreed on tomorrow. Are you feeling better?
I need to talk to you. Right nowits urgent.
Come in. I was just about to brew a new floral tea.
No need, please. She sank into the armchair, fingers clenched in a knot. Silence pulsed, thick with dread and conflicting impulsesrun and preserve the illusion, or speak and burn every bridge. She understood thered be no way back after this.
What is it, love? Her friends concern was genuine. You can tell me anything.
Guilt. Crushing guilt. I have to tell the truth. You mustnt marry Christopher. Hes not loyal, only after your fathers firm, not you as a person.
What are you saying? Thats unthinkable! Hes always been there, so supportive.
Because theres someone else. A woman waiting for his childsame as you.
Her friend went pale, fingers digging into the table edge until they blanched. A broken sound slipped from her chest.
Who? Do you know her?
I do. Its me, Alice. I have to tell you everything. She shut her eyes, words spilling out ragged and fast, afraid shed falter. Three months ago, I was drenched with shopping bags after a storm. He happened to pass, gave me a lift, helped me inside. Stayed for coffee, then the evening just… happened. I know it was unforgivable, but its done now. My boyfriend returnedcaught us.
So thats why you broke up so suddenly?
Yes. Although, in truth, things had already drifted apart. That night only sealed itno explanations needed.
How often did you meet afterwards?
Once a week, sometimes less. I begged him to tell you, but he ordered silence. Said hed choose the moment. When your dad offered him a place at the firm, he started stalling. Then, days ago, I found out about the baby. I wanted to tell him, make him decide. And now youre expecting too. Thats everythingyou deserve to know. My child has the same right to know his father as yours.
Alice slid off the chair, clutching her knees, forehead pressed down, shoulders wracked with soundless sobs. The world seemed to crumble, ground to dust by betrayala pain so acute it was physical.
Julia got quietly up, glanced one last time at the broken silhouette of her former friend and slipped away, gently closing the door behind her.
Alice didnt move until familiar footsteps rattled the hallway outside.
Sweetheart, what are you doing on the floor? Are you ill? Shall I call the doctor? Christopher bent over, his concern clashing with panic in his gaze.
Yes, ill. But its not your concern any longer. Get out. Now.
Im not leaving until you explain what happened! His voice hardened, but in his eyes flashed quick fearthe kind that comes from realising that everything, every carefully woven plan, is about to unravel.
Theres nothing to explain. I know everything now. Julia was hereshe told me it all. So drop the act. Tomorrow well withdraw our application.
Julia? What could she possibly say? This is madness! Tell me right now! He raised his voice, hoping to drown his own terror.
Between sobs, Alice recounted what shed learned.
Now listen to me. Christopher gently, yet firmly, pulled her up onto the sofa, wrapped her in a soft wool blanket. Sitting close, he took her hands, searching her face intently. Theres been no cheating. Julias been coming after me all these months, stirring up trouble, but I never wanted her. I kept quiet so you two wouldnt feudnot to protect myself. Her boyfriend left her for someone elsethats why shes bitter, jealous. Remember how she always copied you? Your style, your books? Now, in a fit of spite, shes decided to destroy our happiness.
But why would she do this?
Shes alone, abandoned, and youre building a full family. Envys a powerful thing.
But she says the child is yours.
I dont believe it. If shes pregnant, its not by me. I have nothing to do with it.
She claimed youre only with me because of my fathers position
I couldnt care less about the company! If you wantIll resign, go back to my old job, start over. Anything, if youll believe in me.
She scoured his eyes for lies, but saw only earnest pain. Her heart splittrust in the childhood friend, or the man whod grown to mean everything? And Julia had changed recently, become withdrawn Was he right?
Do you want me to go, or stay?
Stay, she whispered, grasping his hand for familiar comfort.
While he showered, Alice picked up her phone, thumbs trembling as she typed: I never want to see you again. From now on, were strangers. What you did was despicableand I do pity you. She sent it, blocked the number, and, with guilty curiosity, checked his phone. The records were spotless; only work calls and her own loving messages remained. Shame mixed with reliefhed spoken the truth.
And under the hot spray, Christopher allowed himself a silent celebration. This was just what hed counted onhed deleted every trace, blocked Julia everywhere, and left his phone in plain sight. Seeing it slightly shifted, he smiled inwardly. The plan had worked to perfection.
At the wedding, Christopher gleamed brightest. Alice smiled, but through a veil of quiet sadness. No maid of honournothing like the day shed dreamt. Shed hoped her best friend would stand beside her, hold her bouquet, capture every joyful glance. Even up to the last minute, some timid hope flickered that the door would open, and shed come in, beg forgiveness, say it was all a ghastly mistake. After two weeks Alice unblocked the number, softened, and tried to reach outbut the night before the ceremony, her hand faltered, and the cold, indifferent voicemail replied that the number was unavailable.
Meanwhile, Julia sat shivering on a bench in the square opposite the registration office, watching painted cars and smiling guests. She was torn by the urge to run in, shout, stop this farce. Had Alice really believed him? Had he twisted it all again? Unable to act, she left, drifting into the park, carrying the weight of silence and pain.
Six long years drifted by.
Alice raised her son, Leo, and threw herself into charity work, supporting seriously ill children with substantial donationsher fortunes building swiftly. Starting from a small tailoring shop, she grew it into a small empire: three workshops and two high-end cleaners. She was independent of her husband, whose own career shot skywardhe became her fathers right hand. Victor had mentioned the company passing one day to her, but since Alice had no hunger for big business, the reins would stay with her husbandtrusted implicitly. Until, of course, it all changed
One night, Victor arrived at her door, somber and withdrawn.
Dad, whats wrong? You look like youve aged ten years.
Wheres Christopher?
What do you mean? You two were meant to fly to Manchester together for the deal!
The deal fell through. And I have every reason to believe your husband was involved.
What? Hed never! He cares deeply about the companyhe built our partner relationships himself!
Then where is he?
She dialed, but only the long, empty beeps answered. Christopher was gone.
Sweetheart, its pointless The contract wasnt just lost; it was snatched by competitors, almost as if theyd accessed all our confidential files. Security footage proves only he came near my office at the crucial time. And morethe accounts most of our funds have vanished.
What are you accusing him of? Hes your grandchilds father!
Their son Leo bounded in. Grandpa! Youre here! Climbing onto Victors knee, he asked, Wheres Dad? He said hed buy me a new model ship!
Dadll be home soon. Why dont we build one together?
An hour later, Victor received a call. His face drained of colour, hand clenching the phone so tightly his knuckles went white. He said only, Understood. Do as needed. Then he collapsed, gasping for breath, clutching his chest.
Chaos followed: ambulances, hospital corridors. Diagnosismassive heart attack. Weeks later, with his life saved by doctors and family, Alice rushed to Victors office to meet his deputy.
Mr. Green, whats happening? Your call nearly killed my father!
The company stands on a knifes edge. Our rivals somehow got everythingseamlessly. And I hate to say it, but your husband faces criminal charges. Victor is now classified as the victim.
But why Christopher? Its absurd!
Only he and Victor had access. And large sums have disappeared without a trace. I pray we recover thembut it was done with chilling expertise. Weve been robbed by one we trusted most.
The journey home became a haze. He couldnt have. Could he? Hed carried Leo, planned the future, cherished every moment
At the gates of the stately house Victor had gifted her for their anniversary, she noticed a stark white envelope in the mailbox. She retrieved it, trembling, opened it, and recognised at once Christophers broad, confident script. The letter froze her blood:
If youre reading this, know that right now Im basking on a foreign beach, with a new name and new life. All thanks to the funds I smartly withdrew, plus a generous bonus from yourwell, now my exrivals. Dont rush to call me a thief; I simply took what I earned after years playing the devoted husband. Youd never know how I loathed that rolethe perfect family man, the subservient son-in-law. I planned this preciselyand by multiplying the firms wealth, I took my fair share. Now Im free. You, your father, that dreary, rain-soaked countryits behind me. Only time I regret lost, but looking at my future, it was worth every minute. In this envelope is my divorce requestI’m sure your father can expedite the paperwork. Dont bother searching for me.
Signed,
The man you once called husband.
Hatred burned hot and quick. Where had her eyes been, all those years? Hed acted so flawlesslyseven years of happiness reduced to stage props, hiding a cold emptiness. Throwing herself into work, she tried not to thinkbut Leo clung to her, his questions reopening the wound:
Mum, when will Dad come home? His adventure is taking forever! His eyes, so painfully like Christophers, were bright with trust. If only hed inherited nothing but the looks.
A long time son. Well just have to be patient. It became her new mantra.
Life moved on. Victor, toughened by betrayal, rebuilt everythingwhat should have been ruined outright survived by sheer grit.
Alice continued her charity work. On one visit, she stopped by the office to discuss a case.
Anna, statistics are hard. More seriously ill children Two cases came in yesterday. This boy, Nicholas. Hes now top on funding prioritythe operation is urgent. Cancer. Without it, his chances shrink daily. The mothers desperate, relying only on us.
And the total needed?
Anna handed over a folder. The estimates heremost is already covered, but we need a final transfer urgently.
Flicking through, she caught sight of a photoand her breath stopped. The boy was so eerily like Leo: same jawline, same eyes, lighter hair, and gaunt cheeks. Like watching Leos twin, but battling for life.
Her gaze darted to the mothers name: Catherine. She went cold as ice.
Shes is she here?
She works at the clinic as a caretaker. Lives simply, struggles alone.
Alice walked straight to the private clinic. Sitting in the sterile waiting area, she felt a stareand looked up into Catherines eyes. Tears shocked her, streaming warm and fast. Thin and worn, Catherine still bore traces of the young woman she used to know.
Its you Julia.
Yes, Alice. Life changed course.
Sit down. We need to talk.
Julia perched on the edge of the chair, movement tentative, as if she feared the moment would vanish.
Start from the beginning. Please.
Whats to say? After our talk, I fled to Mum. She convinced me to keep the child. Dad died in my seventh month; Mum couldnt cope, drank herself into oblivion, even Nicks birth didnt stop her. Money ran dry. I called himhe laughed and hung up. I wouldnt go to courttelling you once cost me everything. I watched from afarhoping you were happy. When things at home got unbearable, my aunt took me in; we moved to another city, worked double shifts for Nick. Things picked upI met someone, had plans The diagnosis came, and my boyfriend vanished. No one wants another persons pain. Doctors gave me this clinics address; I came back. My aunt and I took loans, but it wasnt enough. They kindly hired me as a caretaker, gave us a small room, discounted the fees. A specialist arrives in a week. I pray the charity will help. Her voice cracked. I know this is my punishmentfor lies, for weakness. But why must my son pay the price?
You know, I forgave you. Long ago. I only regret believing him, not you. You were righthe wanted only status, not love.
And you? Are you two still?
No. Alice told her everythingno emotion left. I was blindsaw the world through a glass of fantasy.
I I loved him too. Right up until that evening in his flat. Forgive meI know I dont deserve it. But he was the only light I had.
Ill come tomorrow, Alice promised, touching her hand. There was pity in the gesture, yesalso a beginning.
She arrived again the next day, bearing giftsand again after that.
Six months on, the two women strolled through an autumn park, gold and crimson leaves beneath their heels. Two boys played nearbyLeo, sturdy and laughing, and Nicholas, skinny still but recovering, red in his cheeks. Their laughter echoed across the paths.
Alice, thank you. It covered everythingthe surgery, recovery. Doctors say the worst is behind us now. Only onwards.
No thanks needed. A childs life is priceless. Where are you living now?
I rent a small flat, near the clinica caretakers wage.
Come join me. I need a reliable manager for my new tailor shop. Someone I trust.
Julia nodded, tears shimmeringthis time, tears of hope. Their embrace erased years of pain, misunderstanding and distance.
Mum, if Nicholas is my brother, what does that make you two? Leo asked, pondering with grave seriousness.
Were friends. True friendsalmost sisters, Alice smiled, ruffling his hair.
What once shattered rebuilt itselflike china repaired with gold, its cracks only adding value. Side by side, they found something greaterquiet, hard-earned happiness, deep and sustaining.
As for the man who wrecked their lives, justice came three years after. He risked a return to England when his own sister fell ill. Fake papers did nothinghe was caught, tried, and convicted, forced to repay the firm. Month by month, bitter wages slipped awaya punishment for a fleeting moment of brotherly sentiment. No remorse ever touched his soul, only a gamblers regret for losing this round.
And the two women who survived fire and ice marched on, hand in hand with their sons. They learned to separate true joy from the glitter of lies. Their hearts, smelted by lifes trials, grew stronger, richer. In that lay a bittersweet beautythe promise that life, despite everything, endures, pushing green shoots through cracks in frozen ground. Their story wasnt about broken mirrors but about crafting a new mosaic from the shardsone of authentic, hard won friendship and an abiding happiness, forever untouched by the storms of the past.
