Chapter 2

I picked up the luxury gifts Wendy had given me the day before and slipped past the security guards to find her suite.

When she opened the door, I could see the disgust on her face.

"Do you think I'm some gold digger who only cares about expensive gifts?"

I held out the gift bags, trying to make her understand.

"If that's what you think, I'll return everything. I don't want any of it."

My voice grew quieter.

"I just want my friend back."

I'd thought the gifts were far too extravagant when she'd first given them to me.

I'd even tried to refuse them.

But Wendy had insisted that refusing a gift from your best friend meant you didn't consider her a real friend.

Maybe she'd only been testing me.

Maybe she'd wanted to see whether I cared more about her money than our friendship.

Wendy glanced at the gifts, then let out a cold laugh.

"These things are worth nothing to me."

She stepped aside and pointed toward the door.

"I'll say it one last time. Get out. Otherwise, I'll call the police and have you arrested for trespassing."

She pulled out her phone, her expression full of contempt.

"My husband has money, connections, and the power to make your life miserable."

Her eyes narrowed.

"So go ahead. See how much trouble you get yourself into."

I watched as she reached for her phone and started dialing 911.

I left before she could finish the call.

I didn't even take the gifts with me.

But I hadn't gone far when I heard something hit the ground behind me.

Wendy had thrown the gift box out of her suite.

"Trash gifts for a trash person! Take your filthy things and get out!"

I bent down and picked them up.

I mean, who just throws away expensive gifts?

I'd already spent money on flights and travel expenses, not to mention several days away from work without pay. I couldn't afford to waste any more money.

I booked an afternoon flight back to Boston.

That way, if Wendy needed me for anything, I'd still be close enough to come back.

I told my boyfriend, Zachary Reed, what had happened.

I even sent him the photos I'd taken the day before while trying on my bridesmaid dress with Wendy.

"This is what I was going to wear. It wasn't revealing or flashy. I wore my hair in a simple bun and kept my jewelry understated. I wanted to look nice without taking attention away from the bride.

"I didn't even wear heels, and I'm shorter than Wendy. I thought of everything. So what did I do wrong?"

Zachary replied with a hugging emoji.

"You didn't do anything wrong. Stop blaming yourself for something you can't control. Come home. I'll take you out to dinner tonight. We can relax and forget about all this."

I sighed.

Somewhere deep down, I was still hoping Wendy would message me.

But even when the airport announcement told passengers to board, my phone remained silent.

Wendy never contacted me.

So I boarded my flight and headed home.

By the time I got back to our apartment, I was completely drained.

Zachary had promised to pick me up, but he'd been called away on an unexpected business trip.

The dinner he'd promised never happened.

Chloe Hale, my college roommate and current housemate, noticed how miserable I looked.

"What's wrong? Didn't you have a good time at the wedding?"

I told her everything.

Her eyes widened.

"How could she treat you like that?"

I didn't know either.

I let out a heavy sigh.

"I'm exhausted. I just want to sleep. You should get some rest, too."

Chloe nodded.

The next morning, I woke up to find breakfast waiting on the kitchen table.

There was also a handwritten note from her.

"Cheer up. I'm off to work. Don't forget to eat."

I felt a little warmth return to my chest.

When we'd first graduated from college, neither of us had much money. We'd moved in together because sharing rent was the only way we could afford a decent apartment.

Even after my career took off and I started earning more, we'd continued living together.

I'd always believed that genuine kindness would eventually be returned with genuine kindness.

I finished every bite of breakfast, took a picture to thank Chloe, and got ready for work.

I'd only taken two days off work. My manager had even reminded me that I was one of the company's key employees and couldn't afford to be away for too long.

If I didn't show up that day, I risked losing part of my pay.

So I headed straight to the office.

When I walked into the conference room, I noticed Mrs. Harper, the company's chairwoman, sitting at the head of the table.

She rarely attended regular meetings.

I smiled and nodded at her.

She returned the greeting.

But just as I sat down, her expression changed completely.

She slammed her hand against the table, pointed straight at me, and shouted,

"You! Get out of my company! You're fired!"