You'll be the death of me.

Later That Night:

Cara and Cathie walked home side by side; she had stayed out until late so that her sisters could go to sleep. After the earlier scolding from them, she didn't have the heart to get in their sight. She wasn't planning on being the night topic, but she was sure her elder sister Maya wasn't going to let the topic slide like that in the morning.

"So," Cathie said, breaking the silence. "You really think you can tone it down?"

Cara smirked. "Tone it down? Me? Not a chance."

Cathie laughed. "That's what I thought."

Cara nudged her playfully. "But maybe I'll try to stay out of trouble for a while."

Cathie grinned. "That's all I ask."

As they reached Cara's home, Cathie turned to her. "You know, Cara, despite everything, I'm glad you're my friend. Life's never boring with you around."

Cara smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "Same here, Cathie. Same here."

They said their goodbyes. Cara watched her friend walk away; she felt a mix of gratitude and joy. She knew she couldn't change her behavior, but with her sisters and Cathie by her side, maybe she didn't have to.

For now, she'd take it one day at a time—and try not to end up in another workplace showdown.

At eight in the morning.

Cara Isabelle Bennett was comfortably sprawled on the couch, casually scrolling through her phone when her sister's voice cut through her peaceful morning like a blade.

"I can't believe you got fired again, Cara!" Her sister's exasperated voice echoed through the small living room. Cara yawned, barely paying attention. "What are you even yelling about this time, Maya?" she replied, her tone flat as she lazily tossed her phone aside.

Her elder sister Maya Bennett folded her arms beneath her chest, her face flushing with the anger only a parent could muster. "This is the fifth job you've lost in three months! I'm talking to you, young lady!" Cara raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Take a chill pill, little Mom. It's just a job. It's not like I was going to stick around there anyway."

Maya's face turned an even deeper shade of red. "Can you believe this, Mara?" she asked, turning to Mara, their middle sister amongst the three triplets, who was sitting quietly in the coffee chair at the corner sipping her tea, ready to go to work. Mara Bennett, ever the peacemaker, sighed. "Just let her be, Siz. You know how Cara is. It's not entirely her fault."

"Of course, you'd defend her!" Maya snapped, her frustration turning towards Mara. "You two are peas in a pod! No sense of responsibility!"

Cara giggled, but her laughter faded as she caught her elder siz's glare. She knew she had crossed a line when Maya used her full name. "Cara Isabelle Bennett," her sister's tone intoned, her voice tight with anger.

"Okay, okay, siz. No need to get all worked up. You know I hate it when you're upset."

Cara stood up, holding her hands up in surrender.

"How can I not be upset? You're making me lose my mind!" She threw her hands up in exasperation.

Cara chuckled, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "We can't have three crazy people in the house, Siz. One of us has to stay sane." Mara burst into laughter, and Maya shot them both a withering look.

Cara swallowed hard, realizing she had pushed her elder sister too far.

"I'll find another job soon. You know I always do," Cara added quickly, trying to placate her Siz. Maya sighed deeply. "Another job? Just so you can lose it again?" she asked, her voice filled with disappointment. "It's not my fault, little Mom! Those jobs just aren't a good fit for someone as sophisticated as me," Cara said, flashing a cheeky smile. Maya scoffed, trying to hide her amusement. "Sophisticated? Is that what you call it?" Maya asked tiredly, shaking her head. Cara shrugged. "It's not like I asked to be treated like trash or touched by some sleazeball. Honestly, that guy's lucky I didn't do more than bruise his ego—and maybe a few bones." "You probably did enough damage as it is," Mara chimed in with a grin. "I'm sure he'll be in that hospital bed for a while."

"You'll be the death of me," Maya muttered, retreating to her room.