I’m pregnant with your fiancé’s child, announced Emily, her voice cutting through the chatter at Claire’s bachelorette party.
You’ve lost your mind! That dress costs as much as a secondhand Mini! Claire stared at the price tag, her eyes wide with disbelief.
No, youre the one who’s gone mad if you think I’d marry something that doesnt make James gasp for breath! Emily twirled before the fulllength mirror, clutching the opulent train. A wedding only happens once!
You can hope, Claire muttered, glancing at the gowns label. But seriously, why spend so much? James loves you, not the dress.
Emily froze, her expression turning solemn.
When my parents died, I learned how precious moments are. I want this day to be flawless, so Mum and Dad can look down and be proud.
Claires tone softened instantly, remorse flashing across her face. Emilys parents had perished in a crash three years earlier, and since then shed hidden her grief behind smiles and feigned carefree banter.
Im sorry, Claire said, pulling Emily into an embrace, careful not to crease the pricey fabric. If this is the dress you need, then its worth every penny.
Funny thing, Emily smiled, tucking a stray curl behind her ear. James suggested we dip into our travel fund. He says Venice will still be there, but a bride in a perfect gown only gets one chance.
Claire pictured James: tall, composed, kind eyes, a shy grin. He and Emily made a perfect pairher fiery, impulsive spirit balanced by his steady, thoughtful nature.
Im thrilled, Emily whispered when the sales assistant disappeared to fetch a veil. Sometimes it feels unreal. James is the best thing thats ever happened to me.
After me, of course, Claire teased, earning a bright laugh from Emily.
Absolutely! By the way, have you sorted the bachelorette plans? Only two weeks left.
All set, Claire replied, taking charge of the soirée as maid of honour. A cosy cottage in the Cotswolds, a pool, a sauna, karaoke, and your seven closest mates. No strippers, just as you asked.
Thatll do, Emily winked. I feel bad for Zoe; after her divorce she cant see the colour white.
Ive got a special surprise for Zoe, Claire grinned.
The assistant returned with a stack of lace veils, and the conversation shifted to length, style, and fastening.
Claire drove home, exhausted but satisfied. Emily had finally chosen her dress and accessories; the remaining wedding details now needed polishing. She allowed herself a long, hot bath, dreaming of the weekend bachelorette shed planned.
A text buzzed on her phone as she stepped out of the tub. Anna, another guest, wrote that she couldnt make ither son had a sudden fever.
How sad, Claire murmured, sending wellwishes. She sensed more cancellations to come, and she wasnt wrong. By morning Svetlana called, apologising she couldnt get time off work.
Dont worry, Claire soothed her. As long as were all there on the day.
Friday afternoon, Claires Jeep, packed with snacks and drinks, rolled out of town. Of the seven invited friends, only four remained: Claire, Zoe, Katie, and Victoria. Emily didnt mind.
Fewer guests, more breathing room, she said, settling into the front seat beside Claire. And more champagne for each!
The girls cheered. Zoe, the newly single friend, already uncorked a bottle of prosecco and poured it into plastic flutes.
To the bride! she toasted. To the most beautiful, happiest, luckiest woman!
And to her amazing groom! added Katie, who worked with James at a construction firm. Any woman would be lucky to have a man like him.
Im the unlucky one, Zoe sighed. My ex turned out to be a scoundrel.
Not all men are the same, Claire replied gently. James isnt like that.
Exactly, Emily agreed, her eyes shimmering. Sometimes I feel I dont deserve him. Yesterday he came home, lit candles, cooked dinner, opened a bottle of wine, and said, Youve been working so hard on the wedding, I want you to relax tonight.
Thats a proper man, Victoria said with a hint of envy. My boyfriend has never even cracked an egg for me in three years.
The banter drifted back to mens quirks as the Jeep pulled up to a modest twostorey cottage by a lake. The champagne bottle was empty, but spirits ran high.
The rental, arranged by Claire, was spacious and homely: a large kitchenliving area opening onto a terrace with a heated plunge pool, three bedrooms upstairs, and a bathroom with a sauna.
Wow, Emily gasped, taking in the interior. Youve outdone yourself, Claire!
Claire beamed. Shed spent a month scouting the perfect spotscenic countryside, water, room for a barbecue, and total privacy.
Evening fell as they prepared dinner together, chopping salads, grilling steaks, and roasting potatoes. Zoe, unusually quiet, kept glancing at her phone, barely joining the chatter.
Everything alright? Claire asked softly when the others moved to the terrace to set the table.
Zoe shivered, then replied, Im just tired. Works a nightmare, and the babys being a handful.
If you need to talk, Im here, Claire squeezed her hand, earning a faint smile.
Later, under the stars, they uncorked another bottle of prosecco and swapped university stories. Emily, flushed with wine and attention, laughed, Remember our first year in the dorm? I walked into a room and there was Claire strumming a guitar, Katie clutching a huge teddy bear
And me with three suitcases of clothes! Zoe giggled. We all thought you were a posh kid.
Turns out you were just a shopaholic, Claire added.
Thanks to Zoes wardrobe, we always showed up to dates in fresh outfits, Katie chimed. Remember our swapping system?
The night stretched on with more reminiscences, jokes, and wishes for the bride. When the air grew chilly, they moved back inside, Claire cueing music while Katie pulled out a deck of cards, suggesting Truth or Dare.
How about Never Have I Ever? Emily proposed, smiling nostalgically.
The game erupted in laughter. Never have I kissed a girl, Kat shouted, prompting a sip. Never have I stolen from a shop, Zoe confessed, recalling a childhood gumchewing escapade. Never have I dreamed of my own wedding, Claire admitted, taking a gulp.
As the bottles emptied, the questions grew sharper: Never have I had sex in public, Never have I lied to my best friend, Never have I cheated
When the final prompt came, Zoes face crumpled, tears spilling over her mascara.
Zoe, whats wrong? Emily asked, moving closer. Its just a game.
Im sorry, Zoe sobbed. I cant keep it in any longer
A heavy silence fell.
Im pregnant with James, Zoe blurted, her voice cracking. With your fiancé.
The room froze. Emilys mouth hung open, disbelief gripping her. Claires breath caught, and Victoria felt a cold shiver travel down her spine.
What are you talking about? Emily demanded, her voice trembling. Youre drunk.
Its true, Zoe whispered, pulling out her phone and scrolling to a text thread with James, then handing the screen to Emily. Look.
Emily stared at the screen, her eyes widening. The messages were innocuous, Hey, hows it going? When will you be back? No mention of anything else.
Theres nothing here, Emily said, voice wavering. Just ordinary chatter.
He called me, Zoe said quietly. He didnt want to write it down.
Convenient, Katie muttered.
Emily scrolled further, then froze on a photo. It showed Zoe, halfdressed on a bed that Emily instantly recognised as Jamess bedroom.
When was this taken? Emily asked, tone flat.
The night you left for your aunt in York, Zoe replied. Fifteenth of April.
Emily shut her eyes, heart hammering.
I didnt go to York that day, she said. My aunt had a stroke; we stayed home and watched films.
Zoes eyes widened.
But James said you left, she insisted.
Did you believe him? Victoria asked. Or are you making this up?
Im not lying! Zoe snapped. He came to my flat, proof! She thrust the phone forward again.
Emily examined the photo closely, then burst into a hysterical laugh.
Oh, my God, she gasped, wiping tears of frantic mirth. Thats not our bedroom. Thats my own flat. Look at the swanpainted wallpaper; its from my parents house.
She pointed out the date on the picture: 15/02, not April.
A heavy pause settled over the room. Zoe sank onto the sofa, shoulders slumped.
So what now? Claire asked softly. Are you lying to all of us?
I Zoe covered her face with her hands. Im not lying about the pregnancy. The test is positive.
But the father? Emily whispered.
Zoe remained silent, then whispered, I dont know who the father is. Ive been with a few men since the divorce. When I found out I was pregnant, I panicked. Nobody wanted anything serious. Then James he seemed caring, devoted to you, Emily. I thought maybe he could be
You assumed hed be a good father and spun a lie to wreck your marriage, Victoria finished for her. Thats cruel.
You were my best friend, Emily choked out, hurt lacing every word. I trusted you.
I was desperate, Zoe sobbed, head falling into her hands. After the divorce I was alone, with a baby on the way, and I didnt know what to do.
Claire let out a heavy sigh.
You could have asked for help. Wed have been there.
Emily gathered her belongings in silence.
Where are you going? Claire asked, worry edging her tone. Its late; you should stay till morning.
I cant stay, Emily said, voice steady but eyes wet. Ill call a cab and go home.
Ill come with you, Claire declared, firm. You wont travel alone.
Zoe remained seated, eyes downcast.
Im sorry, Emily. Im sorry for everything. I was jealous of your happiness Please forgive me.
Emily paused at the doorway, turning back.
Youve shattered not only our friendship but my trust in people. I dont know if Ill ever be able to forgive you.
The taxi that carried Emily away from the cottage rode into the night, its headlights cutting through darkness. Claire sat beside her, understanding that her friend needed time to steady herself.
You know what scares me most? Emily finally said, voice cracking. For a moment I believed the lie. I doubted James, I doubted us.
Its natural to doubt, Claire replied gently. Anyone would, hearing something like that.
But I shouldnt have, Emily clenched her fist on the seat. Ive known James for four years. Hes never given me a reason to question him. One accusation, one word, and I was ready to think hed betrayed me.
You were overwhelmed, Claire placed a hand on her shoulder. Youll get through this. The truth is on your side.
The truth is that my best friend turned traitor, Emily muttered, bitter. She tried to ruin my happiness for her own gain.
Zoe made a terrible mistake, Claire said, sighing. But shes alone, scared, pregnant.
Are you excusing her? Emily asked, eyes flashing.
No, Claire answered firmly. Im just trying to understand. Theres a difference.
Silence fell again as the radio played a soft melody.
Im calling James, Emily said, pulling out her phone.
Now? Claire glanced at the clock. Its almost two in the morning.
It doesnt matter. He needs to hear this.
James answered almost immediately, as if hed been waiting.
Emily? Whats wrong? Are you okay?
Tears streamed down Emilys face as she recounted the nights events, Zoes confession, and the fleeting doubt that had plagued her.
Ill be there, James said simply. Come home.
When they pulled up to Emilys flat, the night was deep. Claire asked the driver to wait; she intended to stay with Emily a while longer.
Stay? Emily offered. We have a spare guest room.
No, Claire shook her head. You two need space to talk. Ill call you in the morning.
Emily embraced her friend tightly.
Thank you for being here.
Always, Claire smiled. And dont let this ruin your wedding. It will be perfect, I promise.
Emily nodded, then walked to the doorway where James waited, still dressed in rumpled pajama trousers and a crumpled shirt, hair tousled, eyes worried. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.
Im sorry, she whispered into his shoulder. I should never have doubted you.
Its alright, he kissed the top of her head. The important thing is were together.
From the taxi window, Claire watched the two lovers find solace in each other. Despite the chaos, she believed their wedding would indeed be flawless, built on a love sturdy enough to survive any storm.
As for Zoe Claire took a deep breath. She would call her tomorrow, offer real help, because even those who commit grave errors deserve a chance at redemption.
The taxi pulled away, carrying Claire away from the cottage where two hearts had found comfort. She reflected that true friendship isnt about blind support, but about delivering hard truths and forgiving when possible. The wound was fresh, the pain sharp, but time would heal, leaving only scars as reminders of a storm survived because love and loyalty endured.
