WALKING AWAY

Laura stared at Cila for what felt like an eternity, her eyes searching for any hint of the friend she once knew. She was trembling with a mix of disbelief and sadness.

Finally, she whispered, "Okay, Cila, I’ll go. But remember this—today, you kicked your best friend out of her own husband’s house. I hope you can live with that for the rest of your life."

Cila kept her face turned away, unable to meet Laura’s gaze. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides, but her expression remained hardened. She knew Laura was vulnerable, emotional, always driven by her heart rather than reason.

But for Cila, this was about survival—about securing a future for herself and her unborn child. Pity was a luxury she couldn’t afford. She had to protect herself, and in her mind, she was doing exactly that.

Ethan, stunned and unable to comprehend what was happening, grabbed Laura’s shoulders and shook her, his voice thick with desperation. "What are you saying, Laura? You told me you couldn’t live with