Betrayal cuts deep.
But betrayal from your husband and best friend at the same time? That’s the kind of wound that scars your soul forever.
Claire and I had been best friends since college. We did everything together—late-night study sessions, heartbreaks, job hunting, weddings, and even pregnancy at the same time. Our bond was unbreakable. Or so I thought.
Looking back, I should have seen the signs.
Claire wasn’t jealous of my looks, my home, or my money. No, she wanted something far more valuable—my marriage.
While my husband, Eric, and I were still affectionate partners, Claire’s marriage to Jake was crumbling. She always complained about how unloved she felt, how Jake barely looked at her anymore.
“It’s so hard, Zara,” she sighed over brunch one day, stirring her latte. “Do you know what it feels like to be invisible in your own marriage? Jake used to look at me like I was his whole world. Now? He doesn’t even glance at me when I step out of the shower in just a towel.”
I reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “It’s just a rough patch. You two will figure it out, Claire. You always do. Now, eat your Eggs Benedict and think about something fun you two can do as a couple. Maybe a weekend getaway?”
She smiled and nodded.
But Claire had already found her solution.
That afternoon, while Eric was out picking up our son, Christopher, from his swim class, I used his laptop to order clothes for him. My phone was dead, and Eric’s laptop was already logged in—easy and seamless, right?
Wrong.
A notification popped up in the corner of the screen.
$800 transfer successful – Claire R.
My stomach twisted. My hands turned ice-cold. Why was my husband sending money to my best friend?
I clicked into our joint banking app. My heart pounded so hard I could hear it in my ears.
There it was—a long history of transactions. Some as little as $300, others over $1,000. All sent to Claire.
I felt dizzy. Maybe there was a reasonable explanation? Maybe Claire needed help, and Eric, being the kind-hearted man I married, stepped in?
But why wouldn’t she ask me for help?
With trembling fingers, I clicked back to Eric’s laptop home screen. That’s when I did something I never thought I’d do.
I checked his messages.
Claire: You treat me so much better than my own husband, you know that? Every time Jake walks into a room, I want to leave. But you? Every time I hear your voice, I feel safe.
Eric: I’ll always take care of you, Claire. You deserve to be happy.
Claire: I wish I met you first. I wish I was your wife instead.
And then, the message that shattered my world.
Eric: I can’t stop thinking about last night, babe. I wish I could have stayed longer.
My vision blurred. My head pounded. My body felt numb.
Eric wasn’t just giving Claire money. He was giving her his time. His affection. His love. My husband and my best friend had been sneaking around for months.
I kept scrolling. And that’s when everything clicked.
Eric: Are you sure you’re okay? I don’t want you struggling because of him.
Claire: I hate asking you for help, Eric. I know you’re busy with Zara and Christopher, but Jake cut my allowance again. He says I spend too much, but you know I barely buy anything for myself.
Eric: You don’t have to explain yourself to me, sweetheart. I told you, I’ll take care of you.
Claire: I feel so guilty taking your money…
Eric: Don’t. I love you, Claire. I want you to have everything you need.
I clamped my hand over my mouth, trying to keep from screaming. Eric was playing the hero in her story while making a fool of me in mine.
That’s when my heartbreak turned into something else—something sharper.
Revenge.
For days, I pretended I knew nothing. I answered Claire’s calls, cooked Eric’s favorite meals, played the perfect, oblivious wife. But behind the scenes? I was planning the grandest performance of their lives.
I hired an orchestra. A choir. And a group of cheerleaders.
Then, I sent Jake a text.
Hey! Claire’s planning a surprise for you today. You should come home early to see it!
At exactly 6 p.m., the orchestra arrived at Claire’s house. The choir followed, singing a song about a husband secretly sending money to another woman and a best friend betraying trust.
Then, the cheerleaders stepped forward, holding up giant posters covered in screenshots of Claire and Eric’s messages and money transfers.
Claire called me, screaming, “Zara, how did you find out?! Please make them leave!”
I leaned back in my car, watching the chaos from down the street. “Oh, Claire, you’ve been so generous with Eric’s money. Consider this my thank-you performance.”
Then, Eric called.
“Zara, please! Stop this!“
I laughed, stepping out of my car and walking toward the scene. “Why should I? Why should Jake and I be left in the dark?”
Just then, Jake’s car pulled up. He stepped out, looking confused.
“What’s going on?”
I smiled. “Ask your wife, Jake.”
Claire bolted to him. “Jake, it’s not what it looks like! Please, listen to me!”
Jake’s eyes landed on the screenshots. His face hardened. “You’ve been cheating on me?”
Claire sobbed. “It meant nothing! I promise!”
Moments later, Eric arrived, panic all over his face. “Zara, please, let’s talk—”
“Oh no, Eric,” I cut him off. “The time for talking is long gone. Like the money from our joint account.”
The entire neighborhood was watching. Phones were out, recording everything. Eric’s face turned pale.
Jake turned to me. “Your best friend and your husband?”
I nodded.
Jake looked back at Claire, his jaw tight. “Get inside. Now.”
Claire obeyed, shaking.
Eric tried again. “Zara, please—”
I smiled sweetly. “Enjoy your new life, Eric. And don’t worry, I already filed for divorce. I just hope Claire was worth it.”
That night, Claire showed up at my door, looking miserable. “Zara, please. I wasn’t trying to take him from you. I was just… lonely.”
I crossed my arms. “So you stole my husband?”
Tears streamed down her face. “Jake barely looks at me anymore! Eric made me feel like I mattered.”
I laughed coldly. “You knew exactly what you were doing.”
“I don’t want to lose you,” she whispered.
I shook my head. “Claire, you lost me the moment you chose to be Eric’s mistress instead of my friend.”
She sobbed. “I have no one else.”
“That’s not my problem.” I slammed the door in her face.
And that was the end of our friendship.
Forever.
