Breaking Free, Loving Again -The Flash Marriage with Mr. CEO

"Becca," Catrin called, her tone laced with pleasant surprise. "After so long, you finally visited." She took a step forward to wrap her arms around her friend. "I am so happy to see you —"

But her arms halted mid-air when, instead of accepting that warm embrace, Becca chose to take a step back, subtly avoiding it.

"Catrin," Becca said, her voice calm but edged with clear, cold indifference. "Let's go inside and talk."

Saying that, she didn't wait for pleasantries. Turning on her heels, she simply walked inside like she owned the space. Catrin's smile faltered, but she followed behind.

They entered the house and went straight to the living room. Catrin, trying to mask her unease, gestured toward the couch. "Sit," she offered.

Becca settled into a seat, her posture composed, unbothered. Catrin sat on the next seat beside her, trying to keep things light.

"Seeing you drop by like this finally eased me up, Becca," she said, flashing a warm, nostalgic smile. "After how you left the last time, I didn't know how to coax you back."

"I am not a child who needs coaxing, Catrin," Becca replied, her words sharp and deliberate. "And for the record, I wasn't upset. We didn't even argue —I just made it clear what I wouldn't tolerate."

"Becca, I —"

"And even today, I didn't come to reminisce or forgive," Becca interrupted, her tone firmer now. "I came to warn you."

Catrin paused, her brows knitting at Becca. "What?"

"I am repeating myself, yes," Becca said, her tone steady and resolute. "The last time I warned you, but it seemed like you simply brushed it aside. So, here I am again, taking the trouble to spell it out for you. Clearer. Louder."

"Becca, that's enough," Catrin snapped, her expression twisting into displeasure. "I know there have been … differences between us lately, but that doesn't give you the right to speak to me like this. We have been friends, and I have been patient with you, but don't think I don't have limits."

Becca smirked, leaning back slightly, arms crossed. "Limits? You?" she asked, almost amused. "That's funny, Catrin. Because I thought you had long forgotten about boundaries."

Catrin's brows tugged in a frown. "What are you implying?"

"I am asking," Becca said coolly, "where were those so-called limits of yours when you handed over Arwen's personal diary to Ryan? Or have you forgotten everyone's privacy —even a daughter's —has boundaries? Boundaries you shouldn't cross. Even if you think you had the right to."

Catrin stiffened, her face paling just a little.

Becca didn't stop. "That diary wasn't yours to touch, much less give away."

"Oh, Becca, don't make it sound like a big issue," Catrin tried to dismiss it. "It was just a diary that she wrote when young. It was filled with some random ramblings."

"Random ramblings?" Becca repeated, her voice slightly rising in pitch. "Really, Catrin? That's what you thought it was?" She wasn't asking her. She knew Catrin very well and knew what that diary contained; it was just that she never put any value on it. She only saw it as Arwen's teenage ramblings.

"What else was if not her useless ramblings?" Catrin looked away, shrugging as if she was very sure of it.

However, her confidence like that only made Becca chuckle in disdain. Nodding, she stared at Catrin and said, "Right, just some useless rambling that you used behind her back to manipulate Ryan into believing something that never truly existed."

"Becca, that —"

"Don't, Catrin." Becca raised her finger to stop her from continuing any further. "Don't try it. I have confirmed with Arwen already. Whatever she wrote in that diary was never for Ryan. Not a single word. Don't try to manipulate me because I am not going to get manipulated."

Catrin's fingers clenched, and she gritted. But she didn't say a word.

Beca looked at her, her gaze turning scornful. "How could you play such games with our kids, Catrin? How could you?" she asked, her voice laced with a tone of disbelief. "Have you never considered any of their feelings?"

"Becca, I did all this for our children," Catrin said like she had a solid reason for everything. "How can you not see it? How can you not see the love that Ryan carries in his gaze for Arwen? How could you not see him suffering? I am doing all this for them to have a happy life together."

"Really?" Becca leaned forward to ask. "But Catrin, while looking into Ryan's eyes, how did you forget checking on Arwen's sentiments, Catrin? She is your daughter. Have you ever considered what she really wants in her life? Because I could clearly see, Ryan is definitely not the one she wants. She never did. Yet, you forced her with him every time."

"That's because I know what 's right for her," Catrin spoke agitatedly, standing up and putting her back towards Becca.

"No, you don't," Beca said, shaking her head, only to make Catrin turn back to look at her. "You don't know what's best for her, Catrin. Because if you had known, you wouldn't have completely disregarded her feelings and sentiments and decided to adopt another girl just to make her feel she is replaceable."

Catrin frowned. "Emily is —"

"No need," Becca said, cutting her off. "I don't need you to explain to me your reasons, for I know no reason would feel reasonable. And I am also not here for that. I came here for something else."

She stood up and eased the creases of her skirt with grace. "I came here today to make things clear with you," she said, looking into her eyes. "To let you know that our friendship ends here."

"Becca!" Catrin's expression froze.

However, Becca didn't seem to falter. She stood firm. "Yes, I gave you the warning last time, Catrin. You shouldn't have manipulated Ryan like that. You crossed my bottom line, and that marked the end of the bond we share."

"We share a bond of three decades, Becca."

"No longer, Catrin," Becca said, not even the slightest hint of hesitation was there in her gaze. "We both are mothers, but I am not like you, Catrin. I am not like you. To me, my son and family stand as a priority. And I won't let anyone mess with them. Not even you."

"So," she paused to take a deep, difficult breath. "Here, it marks an end for us. We no longer share any bond, any friendship henceforth."