AncelottiI sat in my favorite café, the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee wrapping around me like a comforting embrace. Sunlight poured through the large windows, casting warm patches on the wooden floor.I glanced at my phone again, half-hoping for a message from her. Nothing. A sigh escaped my lips as I tapped my fingers on the table, contemplating whether I should reach out. Just then, the door swung open, and Jeffrey stepped inside. My heart sank at the sight of him. I hadn’t expected to see him here. He was a presence that commanded attention, but not in a way that brought me comfort. I watched as his gaze swept the room before landing on me, his expression a mix of determination and vulnerability.“Can we talk?” he asked, his voice low but firm.I nodded, gesturing for him to join me at the table. “Sure. What’s on your mind?”He sat down, running a hand through his hair—a gesture that felt all too familiar. It was as if he was trying to gather his thoughts, but I could see
Caroline, my best friend, is a total mess. Her husband, Jeffrey , kicked her out! Like, seriously? Who does that? And then, Maralyn, the total jerk, ditched her too! Can you believe it? I was so messed up.We were supposed to be best friends, right? Like, forever and always! But when things got hard for Caroline, I just, like, disappeared. I told her she had "too much baggage" and that I "couldn't handle the drama." Ugh, I was such a jerk! I felt so bad after I said that. It was like a big, heavy weight on my chest. I knew I had to do something to make it up to her, but I didn't know what. I was scared she would never forgive me. Then, I saw it on the news. Caroline was standing outside her old apartment, all sad and alone. She was holding a big bouquet of flowers, and a woman with red hair was talking about how much she loved Caroline. The reporter said it was Caroline's mom's best friend, Rose. I was so jealous! Here I was, feeling guilty and useless, and Rose was swooping in to
Caroline"Grandma, I'm so done with this." I slumped onto the couch, letting out a heavy sigh. "I'm so tired of feeling like a failure." My Grandma Betty, a woman who could make even the worst day feel a little brighter, patted my hand. "Caroline, honey, you know you're not a failure. You're working hard, and you're taking care of your kids.""But, Grandma," I said, my voice cracking, "I'm not even taking care of myself. I barely have time to breathe, let alone take a proper shower.""Well, that's what I'm here for, sweetheart," Grandma Betty said, a twinkle in her eyes. "I'm your backup, your cheerleader, your all-around grandma-extraordinaire. Now, tell me what's really bothering you."I hesitated for a moment. This was a big one, something I hadn't even told Grandma about. But I knew I needed to talk to someone, and who better than the woman who had always been my rock?"It's Ancelotti," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "It's all his fault." "That name rings a bell," Grandma Be
"You know, Caroline," Grandma Betty said, watching me smile as I talked on the phone with Jeffrey, "I've been watching you, and you know what? You're starting to shine again. You're getting that spark back in your eyes. It's good to see."I blushed, feeling a little embarrassed. "Oh, Grandma, it's nothing." "Don't downplay yourself, honey," Grandma Betty said, her voice firm but kind. "You're a strong woman, and you're going to get through this. You've got this.""I'm trying, Grandma," I said, a lump forming in my throat. I didn't tell her about my plan, about my plan to use Jeffrey to take down Ancelotti. I knew she wouldn't approve, but I needed to do this. It was my way of getting even, of making sure Ancelotti never forgot what he did to me. "You know, sweetheart," Grandma Betty said, her voice softening, "speaking of strong women, someone came to visit you today."My heart skipped a beat. "Who?" I asked, my mind racing. Could it be...Ancelotti? No, he wouldn't dare show his fac
The slamming of the front door echoed through the house, the sound like a physical blow to Caroline’s chest. Maralyn, her face twisted with a mix of fury and shame, was gone. Caroline watched her leave, a cold satisfaction blooming in her chest. It was done. Maralyn was out of the picture. “Three meats in the game now,” Caroline whispered, her voice barely audible. Ancelotti was the first. She had been forced to be nice to him, all because of Grandma. Grandma, with her endless pronouncements about being "nice to the new boy", had become the bane of Caroline’s existence. But Ancelotti, with his shy smiles and his penchant for wearing mismatched socks, was just too easy to manipulate. He was the perfect target. She’d been pretending to be nice, but behind that mask of faux-friendliness, she was planning her revenge. Ancelotti had become her puppet, his every move orchestrated by her. She had him wrapped around her little finger, and it was only a matter of time before she pulled the s
She had come too far, invested too much, to back down now. She was going to win. She was going to break them all. She was going to be the queen of her own little kingdom.But as she stood there, staring at her reflection, she felt a flicker of doubt. A tiny, whispering voice in the back of her mind. Was this really what she wanted? Was this the kind of person she wanted to be? The thought made her stomach churn. But she quickly pushed it aside. She had made her choice. She was playing the game, and she was going to win. Even if it meant sacrificing her own soul. The next day, Caroline went to a show determined to finally break Maralyn. She had been working on a plan for weeks, a plan that she was sure would bring her victory. She had gathered information, listened to whispers, and put together a plan that was both cruel and devastating. She knew that Maralyn had a talent show coming up. It was her big chance to shine, to show everyone how talented she was. Caroline saw this as her
Author's povCaroline grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, the condensation clinging to the glass like tiny diamonds. She gulped it down, the icy liquid momentarily soothing the burning sensation in her throat. It was the kind of burning you felt after a good fight, not a physical one, but a mental one. The kind that left you feeling raw and exposed.Her eyes drifted to the front door, where Maralyn had stormed out just minutes before. The slam of the door still echoed in Caroline's ears, a reminder of the power struggle that had just unfolded. And while Maralyn had left, the fight, Caroline knew, was far from over. She wanted to feel triumphant, to feel that sweet sense of vindication that came with getting the upper hand. But instead, she felt a strange hollowness. Maralyn's apology had been half-hearted, laced with a resentment that Caroline could practically taste. It wasn't the kind of apology that closed a chapter; it was the kind that only opened up a new one, a more dan
Maralyn’s pov "You think you've won, Caroline? You think you can outsmart me? Think again, sweetheart. You might have a couple of smarts, but you're still playing with fire, and I'm the one holding the matches. Remember those adorable triplets?The ones who were so eager to get to know their big sister? They’re still safe and sound, for now. But they are my bargaining chips, my secret weapon. And I'm going to use them to make you squirm. You'll be begging me to let them go.You'll be begging me to be your friend again. But by then, it will be too late. I’m going to make sure you regret ever crossing me." A wicked laugh bubbled up from my chest, a sound like tinkling bells mixed with the hiss of a serpent. It was a sound that sent shivers down spines, that made hearts race and palms sweat.It was the sound of power, of control. It was the sound of revenge. XOXO, Maralyn. I sent the message and turned back to the babies as I was patiently waiting for Caroline’s response on the rece
Caroline slammed the restaurant door shut, the sound echoing in the quiet night. "Human, human," she hissed under her breath, the word tasting like bile in her mouth. How could she do this to her? How could Maralyn, her supposed best friend, betray her like this? After all these years, after all they'd been through, she'd just... thrown her under the bus."Human, human," she repeated, her voice rising in frustration. She could feel the anger simmering within her, hot and consuming. She needed to get out, to escape this suffocating betrayal. Out of that restaurant, out of that city, out of the clutches of this heartless, manipulative... human. She felt numb, the betrayal stinging like a fresh wound. Her friendship with Maralyn, a bond she'd cherished since childhood, had crumbled into dust. She hailed a cab, the city lights blurring past as she fought back tears. The cab ride was a blur, every street corner a reminder of the life she had built, the life that was now fractured beyond
Author's povThe air in Grandma Agnes's kitchen was thick with the sweet smell of cinnamon rolls. But Caroline couldn't even taste the sugary goodness. All she could feel was a hollow ache in her chest, a feeling that had been there ever since Maralyn dropped that bombshell. "Barren. You're barren." The word echoed in her mind, a cruel taunt whispered by the wind. Its almost 7 years now but she keeps getting flashes of the past."Caroline, dear, are you listening?" Grandma Agnes's voice, warm and comforting like a cup of hot cocoa on a snowy day, snapped her out of her thoughts."Uh-huh," Caroline mumbled, pushing another bite of cinnamon roll around her plate. "You've been so quiet. You've barely touched your breakfast," Grandma Agnes said, her brow furrowing with concern."I'm just… tired, I guess," Caroline said, forcing a smile. Grandma Agnes gave her a knowing look. "Tired of what, honey? Tired of being so sad? It's been a week since Jeffrey left, and you haven't even shed a
Maralyn’s pov "You think you've won, Caroline? You think you can outsmart me? Think again, sweetheart. You might have a couple of smarts, but you're still playing with fire, and I'm the one holding the matches. Remember those adorable triplets?The ones who were so eager to get to know their big sister? They’re still safe and sound, for now. But they are my bargaining chips, my secret weapon. And I'm going to use them to make you squirm. You'll be begging me to let them go.You'll be begging me to be your friend again. But by then, it will be too late. I’m going to make sure you regret ever crossing me." A wicked laugh bubbled up from my chest, a sound like tinkling bells mixed with the hiss of a serpent. It was a sound that sent shivers down spines, that made hearts race and palms sweat.It was the sound of power, of control. It was the sound of revenge. XOXO, Maralyn. I sent the message and turned back to the babies as I was patiently waiting for Caroline’s response on the rece
Author's povCaroline grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, the condensation clinging to the glass like tiny diamonds. She gulped it down, the icy liquid momentarily soothing the burning sensation in her throat. It was the kind of burning you felt after a good fight, not a physical one, but a mental one. The kind that left you feeling raw and exposed.Her eyes drifted to the front door, where Maralyn had stormed out just minutes before. The slam of the door still echoed in Caroline's ears, a reminder of the power struggle that had just unfolded. And while Maralyn had left, the fight, Caroline knew, was far from over. She wanted to feel triumphant, to feel that sweet sense of vindication that came with getting the upper hand. But instead, she felt a strange hollowness. Maralyn's apology had been half-hearted, laced with a resentment that Caroline could practically taste. It wasn't the kind of apology that closed a chapter; it was the kind that only opened up a new one, a more dan
She had come too far, invested too much, to back down now. She was going to win. She was going to break them all. She was going to be the queen of her own little kingdom.But as she stood there, staring at her reflection, she felt a flicker of doubt. A tiny, whispering voice in the back of her mind. Was this really what she wanted? Was this the kind of person she wanted to be? The thought made her stomach churn. But she quickly pushed it aside. She had made her choice. She was playing the game, and she was going to win. Even if it meant sacrificing her own soul. The next day, Caroline went to a show determined to finally break Maralyn. She had been working on a plan for weeks, a plan that she was sure would bring her victory. She had gathered information, listened to whispers, and put together a plan that was both cruel and devastating. She knew that Maralyn had a talent show coming up. It was her big chance to shine, to show everyone how talented she was. Caroline saw this as her
The slamming of the front door echoed through the house, the sound like a physical blow to Caroline’s chest. Maralyn, her face twisted with a mix of fury and shame, was gone. Caroline watched her leave, a cold satisfaction blooming in her chest. It was done. Maralyn was out of the picture. “Three meats in the game now,” Caroline whispered, her voice barely audible. Ancelotti was the first. She had been forced to be nice to him, all because of Grandma. Grandma, with her endless pronouncements about being "nice to the new boy", had become the bane of Caroline’s existence. But Ancelotti, with his shy smiles and his penchant for wearing mismatched socks, was just too easy to manipulate. He was the perfect target. She’d been pretending to be nice, but behind that mask of faux-friendliness, she was planning her revenge. Ancelotti had become her puppet, his every move orchestrated by her. She had him wrapped around her little finger, and it was only a matter of time before she pulled the s
"You know, Caroline," Grandma Betty said, watching me smile as I talked on the phone with Jeffrey, "I've been watching you, and you know what? You're starting to shine again. You're getting that spark back in your eyes. It's good to see."I blushed, feeling a little embarrassed. "Oh, Grandma, it's nothing." "Don't downplay yourself, honey," Grandma Betty said, her voice firm but kind. "You're a strong woman, and you're going to get through this. You've got this.""I'm trying, Grandma," I said, a lump forming in my throat. I didn't tell her about my plan, about my plan to use Jeffrey to take down Ancelotti. I knew she wouldn't approve, but I needed to do this. It was my way of getting even, of making sure Ancelotti never forgot what he did to me. "You know, sweetheart," Grandma Betty said, her voice softening, "speaking of strong women, someone came to visit you today."My heart skipped a beat. "Who?" I asked, my mind racing. Could it be...Ancelotti? No, he wouldn't dare show his fac
Caroline"Grandma, I'm so done with this." I slumped onto the couch, letting out a heavy sigh. "I'm so tired of feeling like a failure." My Grandma Betty, a woman who could make even the worst day feel a little brighter, patted my hand. "Caroline, honey, you know you're not a failure. You're working hard, and you're taking care of your kids.""But, Grandma," I said, my voice cracking, "I'm not even taking care of myself. I barely have time to breathe, let alone take a proper shower.""Well, that's what I'm here for, sweetheart," Grandma Betty said, a twinkle in her eyes. "I'm your backup, your cheerleader, your all-around grandma-extraordinaire. Now, tell me what's really bothering you."I hesitated for a moment. This was a big one, something I hadn't even told Grandma about. But I knew I needed to talk to someone, and who better than the woman who had always been my rock?"It's Ancelotti," I said, my voice barely a whisper. "It's all his fault." "That name rings a bell," Grandma Be
Caroline, my best friend, is a total mess. Her husband, Jeffrey , kicked her out! Like, seriously? Who does that? And then, Maralyn, the total jerk, ditched her too! Can you believe it? I was so messed up.We were supposed to be best friends, right? Like, forever and always! But when things got hard for Caroline, I just, like, disappeared. I told her she had "too much baggage" and that I "couldn't handle the drama." Ugh, I was such a jerk! I felt so bad after I said that. It was like a big, heavy weight on my chest. I knew I had to do something to make it up to her, but I didn't know what. I was scared she would never forgive me. Then, I saw it on the news. Caroline was standing outside her old apartment, all sad and alone. She was holding a big bouquet of flowers, and a woman with red hair was talking about how much she loved Caroline. The reporter said it was Caroline's mom's best friend, Rose. I was so jealous! Here I was, feeling guilty and useless, and Rose was swooping in to