Claire and I have been inseparable since college.
We went through breakups, internships, first jobs, marriages, and even pregnancies together.
However, in retrospect, I should have recognized the warning signs.
Claire was not envious of my appearance, my property, or even my money. No. She wanted to marry me.
My husband, Eric, and I remained affectionate—we were still partners in every way—but Claire’s marriage to Jake was in ruins.
And, like a fool, I always consoled her.
The trouble was that I was unaware that Claire had already found her remedy.
It happened by accident.
That afternoon, I was on Eric’s laptop, ordering clothes for our baby Christopher. My phone had d.i.e.d, and Eric’s laptop was already signed in.
An unexpected notification appeared in the corner of the screen.
$800 transfer successful – Claire R.
Why did my husband send money to my best friend?
I opened our joint banking app, my heart racing.
A summary of Eric’s trades throughout the last few months. Some cost as little as $300, while others cost well over $1,000. Everything was sent to Claire.
I read the texts on Eric’s laptop.
Claire: You treat me so much better than my own husband, you know that? Every time Jake enters a room, I want to leave. But with you, Eric, every time I hear your voice, I feel safe.
Eric: I’ll always take care of you, Claire. You know that. You deserve to be happy.
Claire: I wish I met you first. I wish I was your wife instead.
Then came the worst message.
Eric: I can’t stop thinking about last night, babe. I wish I could have stayed longer.
This was more than just emotional. Claire didn’t simply need Eric to confide in. No. They had been together.
I nearly vomited.
With our own money. We have a joint account. The money was for our family and our son’s future.
He had been handing it out to Claire.
I wanted to yell, toss objects, and burn their lives to the ground. However, revenge is best served cold.
So I pretended for several days.
I was planning the finest performance of their lives.
I hired an entire orchestra. A choir. There’s also a cheerleading squad. I wanted to be extravagant and over the top.
I messaged Jake.
Hey! Claire’s planning a surprise for you today. You should come home early to see it!
The orchestra arrived at Claire’s residence at exactly 6 p.m.
The choir then sang a song about a spouse who surreptitiously gave money to another wife. And what about a closest friend who seemed to be devoted while sneaking around?
The cheerleaders came forward. They were holding large poster boards with images of their text chats and money transfers.
Every untruth was exposed for all to see.
And then?
Eric called.
I laughed as I got out of the car and approached the scene.
“Oh, but I do. Things needed to be revealed, Eric. Why should Jake and I be left in the dark?”
As I stood outside Claire’s house, watching the mayhem, Jake’s car pulled into the driveway.
When Jake saw the screenshots, his demeanor darkened.
“You’ve been ch.e.a.ting on me?” His voice was low and dangerous.
Eric came just moments later.
The entire neighborhood watched. Everyone had their phones out, capturing everything. And for the first time, I noticed genuine terror in Eric’s eyes.
I smiled softly.
“Enjoy your new life, Eric. Oh, and don’t worry, I already filed for divorce. I just hope that Claire was worth it.”
That night, after Claire’s public humiliation, I wasn’t expecting her to show up at my door.
“Zara, please, just hear me out. We’ve been together for years. You owe me this, at least.”
I let her try to rationalize ruining two marriages. And I thought I’d see her make a fool of herself once more.
“I know what I did was horrible. I know I hurt you. But, Zara… I wasn’t trying to take him from you. I just… I was lonely.”
“That’s not my problem,” I said. “Goodbye, Claire.”
She moved passed me, head down, and stepped onto the porch. I didn’t watch her leave. But as I shut the door, I realized that was the end of our friendship.
Forever.
