THE NIGHT NO MEANT WAR
Bethany didn’t cry because she lost.
She cried because she was forced to pause.
Larry stood in front of her—calm, firm, unmoving.
Larry: “Bethany… you are not going to Montana.”
The words hit her like a locked door.
She nodded quietly.
Bethany: “Okay…”
A SECRET LARRY NEVER TOLD
Larry believed silence would protect him.
What he didn’t tell Bethany was the truth that would have shattered her.
Sharra was going.
And Brooke was going too.
Bethany already knew.
She had overheard a call.
Caught a name.
Connected the dots.
Bethany (whispering): “So she gets the family moment… and I get left behind?”
THE TEARS THAT WEREN’T REAL
Larry saw the tears.
He didn’t see the calculation behind them.
Larry: “The answer is still no.”
Bethany wiped her face and nodded.
Bethany: “I understand.”
But when Larry walked away…
The tears stopped.
Bethany (coldly): “If I can’t go through you… I’ll go around you.”
THE CALL THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
Bethany picked up her phone.
She dialed Jayden.
Jayden: “Hello?”
Bethany: “Jayden… I bought something for the baby.”
Jayden: “You didn’t have to.”
Bethany lowered her voice.
“This is something special.”
(— special gift —)
Bethany: “I wanted it to be a surprise… I don’t trust shipping it.”
Silence filled the call.
MONTANA WAS NEVER ABOUT THE BABY
Montana was about control.
About watching Larry.
About Sharra.
About Lynette.
Bethany imagined laughter without her.
Memories without her.
Bethany: “Not this time.”
THE TICKET SHE WAS READY TO BUY
Jayden stared at his phone.
Guilt settled in his chest.
Bethany was already searching flights.
Bethany: “If he says yes… I’m going.”
THE MESSAGE THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING
Larry packed peacefully.
Unaware of what was unfolding.
Bethany’s phone buzzed.
A message from Jayden.
Her smile froze as she read it.
TO BE CONTINUED…
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