Sleep became a stranger to me after that night. I tossed and turned, my mind replaying every laugh, every hug, every little moment Chioma and Tunde had shared in my presence. All the signs I had brushed off now screamed at me like sirens. Chioma, my sister in everything but blood. Tunde, the man I dreamed of marrying. Together, behind my back.The pain was sharp, almost physical, like a knife lodged in my chest.

—Silence Between Us

For days, I avoided them both. I ignored Tunde’s calls and left Chioma’s messages unread. I needed space to breathe, to think. Yet, silence felt like its own kind of torture. Chioma finally showed up at my family house one afternoon. My mother welcomed her warmly, unaware of the storm raging inside me.“Amara,” she said softly after pulling me aside to my room, “please hear me out.”I crossed my arms, my face cold. “What is there to hear, Chioma? I saw and heard everything with my own eyes and ears.”Tears welled up in her eyes. “It wasn’t planned. I swear. It just… happened. I didn’t mean to fall for him.”Her words stung like poison. Didn’t mean to? What about all the promises we made as friends? What about loyalty?“Chi, you of all people?” My voice cracked. “Do you know what you’ve done to me?”She fell to her knees, sobbing. “Please forgive me. I don’t want to lose you.”But I couldn’t forgive her. Not yet. Maybe not ever.

(Tunde’s Desperation)

Meanwhile, Tunde refused to give up. He appeared at my office gate, waited outside my house, and sent endless messages. One evening, I finally picked up one of his calls.“Tunde, what do you want?” I snapped.“Amara, please listen to me,” he begged. “Yes, I made a mistake. But I love you. You are the one I want, not Chioma.”I laughed bitterly. “You love me? And yet you were sneaking around with my best friend? Tunde, love is not betrayal.”“Amara, I swear it was nothing serious. I was weak. Please, don’t throw away everything we’ve built.”But his words sounded empty. The man I once adored now looked like a stranger to me.

—A Confession I Didn’t Expect

Just when I thought I had heard it all, Chioma dropped another bomb.A week later, she called me, her voice shaky. “Amara, I need to tell you something… something you deserve to know.”I was silent, but she continued.“I’m pregnant.”The room spun around me. My breath caught in my throat. “Pregnant?” I whispered.“Yes,” she replied, her voice breaking. “And it’s Tunde’s.”At that moment, my world collapsed. Betrayal was one thing, but this? This was beyond repair.

—My Breaking Point

I felt a rage I had never known before. I stormed to Tunde’s apartment, banged on his door, and when he opened, I slapped him so hard my palm stung.“How could you?” I screamed. “You got my best friend pregnant? Was I a joke to you all along?”Tunde looked pale, guilt written all over his face. “Amara, it’s not what you think—”“Don’t you dare!” I cut him off. “I gave you my love, my trust, my future. And this is what you give me in return?”Tears blurred my vision as I stumbled out of his apartment. This time, I knew it was over.