Bella drove back to her apartment, tears streaming down her face, her sobs shaking the car as she struggled to breathe. When she finally entered, she dropped her bag by the door and immediately collapsed into Kathy's arms.
Kathy, startled and concerned, gently held her and whispered, "Bella, what's wrong? Did Austin do something?"
But Bella couldn't speak. She only cried harder, her body trembling. Kathy's worry deepened as she asked again, "Bella, please tell me. What happened?"
Through shaky breaths and tears, Bella finally managed to stammer, "Austin… he's Justin's… they're brothers."
Kathy's eyes widened in shock, and she pulled Bella closer, realizing the weight of the secret that had just shattered her friend.
Kathy held Bella tighter, her voice trembling with concern. "What else happened, Bella? Please, tell me everything."
Bella wiped her tears and took a shaky breath. "It all just came out so fast… Austin brought me to meet his brother, Justin. I didn't know they were related. When I figured they were brothers, everything hit me,how I'd fallen for both of them without even realizing it. Then… I don't know how it happened, but I blurted out, 'I still love Justin' right in front of Austin."
Kathy's eyes darkened with disappointment as she sighed deeply. "Bella, girl… you're in deep trouble. You've fallen for two brothers, and now there's this tension, hatred even, between them because of you. You've got to figure out how to get yourself out of this mess before it destroys everyone involved."
She paused, her voice softer but serious. "You need to be honest with yourself and with them. Otherwise, this sticky situation will only get worse."
Bella sniffled, wiping her face as she slowly pulled away from Kathy's arms. "There's… there's something else," she said quietly.
Kathy narrowed her eyes, worried. "Bella, what is it?" she asked, sitting up straight. "Just tell me."
Bella hesitated, then let the words drop like a bomb. "Justin and Chloe… they had sex."
Kathy's eyes widened. "What?! Are you serious?!" she screamed, clutching her chest. "How do you even know this? Who told you?"
"Melanie sent a text saying it and I confronted Justin about it , his reactions said it all, it was true"
Kathy's mouth dropped open. "Wait… what?! Melanie again?!"
Bella nodded slowly, wiping her eyes. "Yes… it was her all along. Remember that anonymous message I got back then? The one that ruined everything between me and Justin?" She paused, then added, "Justin showed me screenshots… proof. Melanie was behind that fake account. She sent me the message… and those pictures of him and Chloe."
Kathy stood frozen, completely stunned. "You've got to be kidding me," she muttered, pacing the room. "So Melanie was the snake in the middle all along? And all this while you blamed Justin… ghosted him… and she just sat there acting innocent?"
Bella nodded again, eyes swollen from crying. "I feel so stupid, Kathy. She played me. She destroyed what Justin and I had, and I let her."
Kathy ran her fingers through her hair. "This is messed up. Beyond messed up. That girl is wicked. Like,psychotically evil."
Bella looked away, voice cracking. "And now I've broken two brothers apart… and I don't even know how to fix any of it."
Not quite long, Bella's phone began to ring. It was Justin.
She froze, staring at it as the phone vibrated softly in her hand. Kathy leaned in, noticing the name.
"Are you going to pick it?" she asked softly.
Bella shook her head and let it ring out.
Kathy sighed deeply, folding her arms. "Bella… what do you want? Like, truly. Who exactly do you love?"
Bella hesitated, her throat tight. She couldn't look Kathy in the eye.
"I don't know…" she whispered. "I'm confused, Kathy. I really am. I love Justin… I always have. But then Austin… he's been so good to me. He's sweet, he's calm, he listens. I didn't plan to fall for him but…"
She paused, then sat slowly on the bed, voice barely audible.
"My heart… it belongs to two people. Two brothers."
Kathy stared at her for a long moment, completely speechless.
"Bella," she finally said, "this isn't just confusion. This is emotional chaos. You're not just torn between two guys, you're torn between two brothers. This could destroy them."
Bella nodded slowly, eyes filling up again. "I know," she said, "but I swear, I didn't mean for any of this to happen."