The Encounter

Adeline and Charlotte strolled down the sidewalk, the chatter flowing easily between them as they maneuvered through the crowded street.

"I swear, I need a drink after that first week," Charlotte said with a sigh, slinging her arm around Adeline's shoulders. "It's been intense."

Adeline laughed. "I hear you. But I'm making it."

They rounded the corner, and Charlotte's pace slowed. "Oh, look who it is."

Adeline's stomach tightened. There, in front of them, stood Hazel, laughing with a group of friends—her usual sweet smile plastered on her face. Adeline hadn't seen her in days, but just the sight of her stirred a sharp bitterness.

"Well, well," Hazel's voice cut through the air when she noticed them. "Adeline. Charlotte."

Charlotte's eyes narrowed. "Don't even try it."

Hazel's expression shifted to a fake, pleading sweetness. "Adeline, I—I just wanted to check in, make sure you're okay. You know, after everything. I didn't mean to—" She glanced back at the others, throwing an exaggerated look of vulnerability. "It's been hard for me too."

Charlotte snorted, stepping forward. "Hard for you?" She cackled, the sound dripping with sarcasm. "You've got some nerve playing the victim."

Hazel blinked, stunned for a moment. "What...?"

"You think I'm stupid?" Charlotte's voice dropped low, icy. "You've been playing the perfect little angel, sweet-talking everyone into your corner while you stabbed Adeline in the back."

One of Hazel's friends, a tall guy in a leather jacket, stepped forward, his eyebrow raised in defiance. "Now, now, Charlotte. That's not fair. You're making it sound worse than it is."

Charlotte's glare deepened. "Oh, don't even try to defend her, Brad. You've been too busy kissing Hazel's ass to notice the truth."

Hazel's smile faltered, but she quickly tried to recover. "I just... I didn't want to hurt you, Adeline. I really didn't. It wasn't meant to happen like this—"

Adeline crossed her arms, her voice sharp and cold. "You didn't want to hurt me? Hazel, you were with Luke before the accident. Don't pretend you had feelings for me."

Hazel's face flushed, but she shifted her stance, trying to maintain the image of the hurt sister. "I... I didn't want to hurt you. I just wanted things to go back to normal."

Charlotte raised an eyebrow, stepping closer. "Oh, spare me the act. You think you can fool someone? Adeline's not the one who changed. You are. You've always been two-faced."

Hazel's pretense crumbled, her faux tears shifting to anger. "You don't know what it's like—"

"I don't know what it's like?" Charlotte's voice was rising with fury. "You don't get to guilt-trip anyone here. You're the one who slept with her fiancé and now you're acting like it's all okay? Grow up."

Brad stepped between them, his face red with anger. "Alright, that's enough." He glared at Charlotte. "You've had your say. But if anyone's going to have the last word here, it's me."

Charlotte cocked an eyebrow. "Oh, really? What are you going to do, Brad?"

Brad puffed out his chest, sneering. "I'm telling you, you can't talk to Hazel like that and think you'll walk away unscathed. You'll regret it."

Adeline glanced from Brad to Hazel, her expression unwavering. "You're really going to fight for her? How adorable."

Charlotte leaned in, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Go ahead, Brad. Be her little lapdog, but don't think that gives you a free pass to pick a fight with us."

Brad opened his mouth to retort, but Hazel caught his arm. "Don't. It's not worth it."

The air was thick with tension, the silence stretched uncomfortably.

Adeline shook her head, turning away. "I've got better things to do than stand here and listen to this nonsense. Come on, Charlotte. Let's go."

As they walked away, Charlotte threw one last look over her shoulder. "Don't worry, Brad. You'll get your turn to face the truth soon enough."

Adeline kept walking, the rush of anger and satisfaction still simmering in her chest. "God, she's unbelievable."

Charlotte nudged her. "She'll get hers. You can count on it. Nobody messes with you and gets away with it."

Adeline didn't respond, still processing the confrontation. It wasn't over—not by a long shot. But for now, she was taking the high road.

For the first time in a long while, it felt good to have said something.