My best friend sat on my husband's lap at our friend's birthday dinner — in front of nearly thirty people.

I read Megan’s message until the words blurred.

Someone chooses me.

For twelve years, I had called her my closest friend. I had celebrated every job she landed, every photograph she sold, every small victory she thought no one else noticed.

She had seen my marriage as a contest I did not know we were having.

I showed the message to Tasha.

“She wanted to hurt you,” Tasha said.

“She also wanted Daniel.”

“Both can be true.”

I put the pages back in the envelope.

The next morning, Megan waited outside the bookstore before I opened. She wore dark glasses and held a paper cup of coffee. She used to bring me coffee on Saturdays.

I stopped a few feet away.

“Please leave.”

“I need five minutes.”

“No.”

“I know what you read. Daniel sent me a message saying he gave you our texts.”

“You wrote them.”

“I was angry when I said that thing about being chosen.”

“You were angry at me?”

Megan pulled off her glasses.

“I was tired of hearing how perfect your marriage was.”

“I never told you it was perfect. I told you we were having trouble.”

“That’s what everyone does. You had a husband who adored you, a shop your mother handed you, and friends who always took your side.”

I looked through the window at the shelves Mom and I had painted ourselves.

“She left me the bookstore because she died, Megan.”

“I know how it sounds.”

“Then listen to yourself.”

Her eyes filled.

“I didn’t set out to sleep with Daniel.”

“You kept speaking to him behind my back.”

“He called me too.”

“I know. I’m holding him responsible for that.”

Megan gripped her coffee.

“I’m pregnant, Claire. I’m scared.”

“I’m sorry you’re scared. Ryan and Daniel are the people you need to speak with about that.”

“You’re really going to abandon me now?”

I almost answered as I would have a month earlier. I almost told her I would come over later and we would find a way through it.

Then I remembered her arm tightening around Daniel’s neck when she saw me.

“I’m not the person who can help you with this.”

I went inside and locked the door until opening time.

Jules had seen us through the window.

“You okay?”

“No. Could you make sure I get a few minutes alone?”

“Of course.”

I sat in the back room and cried. Ending a friendship did not erase the years it had mattered to me.

Later, I called a counselor Tasha recommended. I told her I was trying to make decisions while every familiar part of my life felt uncertain. She offered me an appointment the next day.

I took it.

In the afternoon, Daniel called to ask if I had read the messages.

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry for what Megan wrote.”

“She told you she wanted me to lose you.”

“I told her not to talk about you that way.”

“You kept talking to her.”

“I know.”

“What did you think would happen?”

“I thought it would stop when we stopped seeing each other.”

“But you were still messaging.”

“I was.”

I did not want him to explain it into something smaller.

“Daniel, were you going to tell me before the dinner?”

He took a long breath.

“I kept planning to. Every time I tried, I imagined what it would do to you, and I waited another day.”

“You waited until Megan made the choice for you.”

“Yes.”

After we hung up, I walked through the bookstore. At the front display, I found a photograph from my wedding tucked inside a book someone had left on the counter. Megan had taken that photograph. I stood between Daniel and Tasha, laughing with my head tilted back.

I put it in my bag.

That evening, Ryan sent me a brief message.

Megan has an appointment to confirm the pregnancy. I’ll update you only if there’s something you need to know.

I thanked him.