Chapter 1 My Best Friend‘s Secret

Victor’s in Amsterdam for two whole weeks,” Bonnie said with a big grin as we moved through the crowded warehouse party. “No big brother watching us. We’re finally free, Claire.”

I smiled, but inside, I felt a rush of relief. Victor Cavendish was twenty-nine — ten years older than me and Bonnie, who were both nineteen. I had called him Uncle Victor for years, even though he wasn’t related to me. He was much older, cold, and handsome in a way that made my stomach flip. Intense grey eyes, deep voice that makes me quiet whenever he is speaking. He hated me because he thought I was a bad influence on his sister. But no matter how much he glared at me or tried to keep us apart, I couldn’t stop liking him. I’ve been crushing on Victor for years, but he saw me as trash.

Bonnie danced in front of me, laughing, her curls bouncing under the flashing lights. She looked so alive. She came from a wealthy family and a big house. I came from a small apartment with my dad, who worked tirelessly just to pay the bills and his medical stuff. But we had been best friends forever. She was like my sister.

She suddenly noticed something behind me and grinned. “Don’t look back, but that guy by the speakers keeps staring at you. Mostly at your boobs.” Before I could react, she cupped my breasts with both hands and gave them a little lift. “They look perfect in that dress. You should show them off more often. They’re gorgeous.”

“Bonnie!” I squealed, pushing her hands away fast. My face burned. The dress she had given me was too tight and revealing, and I felt uncomfortable, but she just laughed that bright, sassy laugh I loved.

We kept dancing until she spotted her boyfriend Sly at the DJ booth. Her eyes lit up. “There he is. My man. God, I’m so into him, Claire.”

Later, we slipped into the quieter hallway near the restrooms. That’s when we heard Sly’s voice from a side room.

“…Bonnie’s my golden ticket, man. I’ve been convincing her to go raw, and she finally agreed. We’ve been hooking up without condoms for a couple of weeks now. Victor Cavendish is loaded. If Bonnie gets pregnant, I’m set for life.”

His friend laughed. “You really think she’ll keep the baby?”

Sly sounded sure. “Yeah, I’m certain. She’s crazy about me.”

Bonnie’s hand tightened hard on my arm. We stood there frozen. When the voices stopped, Bonnie pulled me away without a word. Her usual energy was gone.

We didn’t sleep much that night. The next morning, we bought a pregnancy test. Bonnie did it in my bathroom. When she came out, her face was pale. She was really pregnant.

She sat on my bed and started crying quietly. “He planned this. Victor’s going to be so disappointed. He still thinks I’m his innocent baby sister. He buys me everything I want so I won’t need boys. He thinks I’m still a virgin, Claire. He has no idea who I really am.”

It was true. Uncle Victor had no idea who his baby sister was and the kind of life she led. I had covered for her more times than I could count over the years. Small things, mostly. A missed curfew. A boy she wasn’t supposed to be seeing. I told myself it was what best friends did.

I hugged her tight, my own heart breaking. “Why didn’t you confront Sly last night? We just walked away.”

Bonnie wiped her eyes. “There’s no need. It’s better he doesn’t know that I’m pregnant. Especially since he’s targeting my big brother for money. I don’t want Victor mixed up in this mess.”

We spent the rest of the day talking. The next morning, we went to a women’s health clinic to know what her options were. I put my name on the paperwork like she asked. I sat with her while she cried and thought. In the end, she decided to keep the baby.

“I can’t do it,” she said softly as we left. “I’m keeping it.”

I felt relieved. We got back in the car. Bonnie was driving, still emotional. Her phone rang. It was Victor. He had come back from Amsterdam early.

She put it on speaker. “Hey, big brother.”

Victor’s voice was sharp. “Bonnie, where are you? I’m home and you’re not here?”

Bonnie’s voice shook. “I’m… shopping with a friend.”

"Don't lie to me." He snapped. "I checked your location, Bonnie. What the hell are you doing in that sketchy area? Are you with that slut Claire again?"

Those words hurt. I was still a virgin. I was a good girl. But Victor had always seen me as the bad influence.

Bonnie looked at me. I shook my head, but it was already too late.

She didn’t hesitate. “I’m sorry for lying. It’s Claire. She had to get an abortion. I’m just helping her as her friend.”

Victor’s voice got louder, and disappointed. “Abortion? Are you serious right now? I warned you so many times to stay away from Claire! That girl is going to ruin your life one day, Bonnie. I told you she’s a bad influence. Get over here right now.”

The call ended.

I stared at her, shocked. “Abortion?” I couldn't believe she would pin that on me too. “Victor already hates me. Why would you lie on me like that?”

Bonnie looked confused for a second, then her face fell. “Claire… I’m sorry. I panicked. I didn’t mean to—”

I looked away, hurt beyond words. I had let Bonnie use my name as a cover so many times. I never complained. But this felt too far. It was worse because I have feelings for Victor and now he would think I had gotten an abortion? This isn't fair.

But then I looked at Bonnie. Her hands were shaking on the wheel. Her eyes were red from crying. She was already scared and going through so much. I swallowed my anger.

“It’s fine,” I said quietly. “Just… drive carefully, okay?”

Bonnie screamed, “Fuck!” Her hands shook harder on the wheel. “He’s going to find out. He’s going to be so disappointed!”

She hit the pedal, driving way too fast. I grabbed the seat. “Bonnie, slow down! Please!”

The tires squealed on the road. Headlights rushed toward us on the sharp turn.