PART 3: THE FRIEND WHO LOST EVERYTHING
I walked into the ballroom just as security was escorting Sophie out through a side door.
She saw me and lunged forward, eyes wild.
“Elena! How could you do this to me? We’re best friends!”
I stopped a few feet away, looking at the woman I once loved like a sister.
“You stopped being my friend the day you stole my life’s work and texted me ‘business is business’,” I said quietly.
Sophie’s voice cracked. “Please… I’ll give you half. We can share it!”
My aunt Lena appeared beside me, arms crossed.
“There’s nothing left to share, Sophie. Every patent, every formula, every dollar you moved is back where it belongs. You have 24 hours to remove your name from anything related to Bloom.”
Sophie looked at me with tears streaming down her face.
“I’m sorry… I was jealous. I didn’t think you’d actually fight back.”
I leaned in close, voice low enough that only she could hear.
“You taught me that friends like you don’t deserve mercy.”
Security pulled her away. As the doors closed behind her, the audience inside started applauding again — this time for the real announcement of Bloom’s true founder.
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Some friendships end with tears and apologies.
Mine ended with a single phone call… and the empire she thought she stole crumbling in her hands.
