Chapter 4

Heather and I had been friends for six years. Three years ago, she introduced me to her childhood friend.

William, an independent game developer. Handsome and rich.

In Heather's words, he was a high-quality man.

But I hadn't really had any strong feelings for William. I knew he was Heather's childhood friend, and because of that connection, I kept turning him down.

I didn't want a man to ruin my friendship with Heather.

But Heather kept pushing for us to be together, saying her biggest wish was for me to be happy.

So, with Heather cheering us on, William chased me for an entire year.

And just like Heather said, William was a great guy. He was gentle and caring, never once losing his temper with me.

In the years I was with William, I felt incredibly happy.

We would all go out together like usual. I didn't mind Heather joining us, but William seemed quite annoyed by it.

Taking advantage of a moment when Heather went to the bathroom, he grabbed my waist and whispered a kiss near my ear.

"Lisa, I was hoping our dates could be just the two of us. Heather always tagging along... what is this?"

"During the movie just now, I didn't even get a chance to steal a kiss."

William's words made my heart tingle. Just as I was about to soothe him, Heather popped up again.

Embarrassed, I pushed William away. "Oh, William, stop it."

Heather took the opportunity to wedge herself between us, naturally looping her arm through mine and saying sourly.

"Lisa, you're so blinded by love. Now that you have a boyfriend, you've forgotten all about me!"

I quickly denied it jokingly, moving to placate Heather.

"You're the one who set us up. When we get married, I'll have to thank you properly."

But just as the words left my mouth, Heather froze.

Maybe it was my imagination, but I caught a flicker of shock in Heather's eyes.

I didn't think too much of it at the time.

Heather laughed dryly and said, a little strangely, "You two are getting married?"

As she spoke, her eyes darted toward William.

William looked at me and was silent for a long time before finally murmuring, "Yeah."

But after that outing, year after year, I brought up my wish to get married countless times.

William's answer was always the same: wait a little longer, there's no rush.

Now that I think about it, I realize he wasn't against marriage. It was just that I was never the one he wanted to marry.

Thinking this, my tears had already run dry.

I was like an empty shell drained of all strength, my heart filled with nothing but endless grief and helplessness.

The door clicked softly, and Heather walked into the room, perfectly fine.

She came closer and sat on the edge of my bed, saying softly, "Don't worry, I'm not hurt at all."

I stared silently at this incredibly familiar face, trying to see through her and figure out what she was thinking.

"Pretty good act, right?" She smiled, a look of provocation on her face. "William really does still care about me."

My brow furrowed, and I ground my teeth. "Why?"

Heather let out a sigh and answered casually, "Because I love him."

"You bitch!"

Heather's shamelessness made me furious all over again. I raised my hand to slap her.

But I was too weak. Heather easily overpowered me in a second.

She grabbed my wrist and slammed it down hard against the bed. Her face flushed with anger, clearly offended by what I called her.

"Lisa, watch your mouth! You're the one who stole William from me!"

I let out a humorless laugh.

She was the one who pushed me towards William, and now she was the one betraying me!

How dare she accuse me of stealing her man?!

If she loved William, why did she go out of her way to set us up, over and over?

More than William's betrayal, being played by Heather hurt me so much more.

I ground my teeth, threw all dignity out the window, and spat out the most hurtful words I could find.

"I'm pregnant with William's child. We're going to get married. So aren't you the one rushing to be the other woman right now?"

Heather's face darkened with humiliation.

"So what if you two were sneaking around behind my back? Did he give you any real status? Did he promise you anything?"

"Am I wrong to call you a whore? Sharing my husband with me?"

I glared at her fiercely, my voice a low growl through gritted teeth. "Heather, you are a goddamn whore!"

"Shut up!"

Heather was furious. She raised her hand and suddenly grabbed my throat.

This time, I understood.

There was hatred in her eyes. She hated me.

"Who do you think you are? Let me tell you something. The only reason I let William go to you was because I wanted to use your body to get a child!"

"You bitch, you actually dared to seduce William. If it weren't for his baby in your belly, I'd strangle you right now!"

"What do you have to be so smug about? You think William loves you? He has never loved you! I'm the only one he loves!"

"If it weren't for me, he wouldn't even want to touch you! You call me the other woman? Let me tell you, you're the other woman!"

"The one who isn't loved is the other woman!"

My heart shuddered violently.

My eyes red, I asked her one more time, "Then why? Why do this to me? Wasn't I your best friend?"

Heather glared at me, grinding her teeth. "I never considered you my friend."

Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.

So it was all one-sided. I was the one who foolishly thought Heather was my friend. I was the one who foolishly fell in love with William.

Whether it was William or Heather, this disgustingly twisted three-way relationship, I wanted nothing to do with any of it anymore!

"Fine. I'll give him back to you." I climbed out of bed in a daze.

"I'm going to get rid of this baby right now. You and William, and that... child that can never see the light of day. I don't want any of it."