The Friend Who Disappeared
Chapter 06 - The Friend Who Disappeared
Her name was Melissa Grant.
Anna and Melissa had been friends since college.
For eleven years, they were inseparable.
Then one summer, Melissa abruptly moved to Seattle.
She stopped returning Anna's calls.
No explanation.
Anna believed she had done something wrong.
For years, the loss hurt almost as much as a breakup.
Now she knew.
Melissa and David had been having an affair.
Emily had discovered them together.
She confronted David.
He promised to end it.
Then he told Melissa that Anna knew everything and never wanted to see her again.
Melissa left.
Anna stared at David.
"How many years?"
"Anna."
"How many?"
"Six months."
Caroline began laughing.
Not because anything was funny.
Because the absurdity had become too much.
"You told me you'd never cheated before."
David looked exhausted.
"I didn't want to lose you."
Caroline stared at him.
"You didn't have me."
Her words surprised Anna.
Caroline removed the gold bracelet David had given her.
She placed it on the table.
"I had a story you told me."
Then she turned to Anna.
"I'm sorry."
Anna couldn't respond.
Caroline continued.
"I knew he was married."
The honesty hurt.
"But he told me you had been separated inside the house for two years."
Anna laughed bitterly.
"We celebrated our anniversary last month."
Caroline's eyes filled.
"He said it was for appearances."
Anna looked at David.
So many lies.
Not clever lies.
Ordinary lies repeated confidently enough that people built their lives around them.
Rachel asked David to leave the house.
He refused.
"It's my home."
Anna finally smiled.
"No."
David looked at her.
Rachel placed the property deed on the table.
The house had been purchased using money Anna inherited before marriage.
Both names appeared on the mortgage.
But the title was held in a trust controlled by Anna.
Another decision her mother insisted upon.
David had complained at the time.
Anna had almost changed it.
She never did.
Rachel looked at him.
"You can leave voluntarily tonight, or we can discuss emergency legal options tomorrow."
David looked at Anna.
"You're throwing me out?"
Anna thought about Caroline's message.
AFTER THE ANNIVERSARY SHE'D BE OUT OF THE HOUSE.
"No, David."
May you like
She opened the front door.
"I'm just correcting your timeline."
