I marched into the lobby of Vance Tech. I reached the executive suite, but the double doors were blocked.
Elaine stood there. She was wearing a dress I had bought her months ago, back when she called me crying because she couldn't make rent. I had created the position of "Executive Assistant" just to give her a salary. Now, she was guarding my office like a sentry.
"You can't go in, Sam," she said.
"Move, Elaine," I said, my voice cold. "I have a meeting with Ms. Jones and the investors in ten minutes."
"Colton said you’re on medical leave," she replied, not budging. "He’s handling the meeting. You need to go home and rest. You’re not... well."
"I am the majority shareholder and the founder of this company," I stepped closer. "Get out of my way, or you’re fired."
"You can't fire me," she smirked, dropping the act for a split second. "Colton signs the checks now."
I didn't have time for this. I stepped around her, reaching for the handle.
Elaine threw herself to the side.
It was a pathetic performance. I barely brushed her arm, but she let out a high-pitched shriek and collapsed onto the carpet, clutching her ankle.
"Ow! Samantha, stop! Please!" she wailed.
The boardroom door flew open. Colton rushed out, followed by Ms. Jones and two other board members.
"Elaine?" Colton dropped to his knees beside her, playing the hero. "What happened?"
"She pushed me," Elaine sobbed, looking up at him with wide, tear-filled eyes. "I told her she couldn't disrupt the meeting, and she just... she shoved me down."
"I did not," I said, staring at them in disbelief. "She threw herself on the floor."
Colton stood up, his face contorted in practiced anger. "Samantha, look at yourself! You’re attacking my staff? You’re attacking your best friend?"
"She’s not my friend," I snapped. I looked at the investors. "Ms. Jones, I apologize for the scene. My husband is attempting a hostile takeover by questioning my competency. I am ready to lead this meeting."
Ms. Jones looked uncomfortable. She glanced from Elaine, who was whimpering on the floor, to me. "Samantha... we heard about the incident at the police station. And the hospital stay."
"It was a misunderstanding," I said firmly. "I am perfectly sane."
"She’s not," Colton interrupted, his voice grave. "She’s having another episode. Look at her eyes. She’s manic." He turned to the board members. "I’m so sorry. I’ll handle everything. Please, let’s continue inside. I need to get my wife some help."
"Security!" Colton barked.
Two guards I had known for years hesitated by the elevator.
"Ms. Jones," Colton said smoothly, "given Samantha’s current... condition... the bylaws state that decision-making power reverts to the spouse until she is deemed fit. I am acting as interim CEO."
"I see," Ms. Jones said, stepping back. She looked at me with pity. "Samantha, perhaps it’s best you go home. We can’t have this volatility during the merger."
I looked at the faces around me. They didn't see a CEO; they saw a liability. If I screamed, I proved Colton right. If I fought, I proved him right.
I unclenched my fists.
"Fine," I said, my voice icy. "Have your meeting, Colton. But this isn't over."
I turned on my heel and walked away, ignoring Elaine’s victorious smirk as Colton helped her limp into my office.
I spent the afternoon in the empty silence of the mansion, packing boxes. The front door opened at six.
"Samantha?" Colton’s voice echoed from the foyer.
I walked to the landing. Colton was there, supporting Elaine. She was leaning heavily on him, her ankle wrapped in an ace bandage that looked brand new.
"What is she doing here?" I asked.
"She’s staying," Colton said, helping Elaine to the living room couch. "She can't walk up the stairs to her apartment with that sprain you gave her. Plus, I need someone here to watch you while I’m at work."
"Watch me?" I laughed, a harsh sound. "I’m not a child, and I’m not a prisoner."
"You’re unstable," Colton said, taking off his jacket. "Elaine volunteered to help. She’s going to cook and make sure you take your meds."
"I’m not taking any meds, and I don't want her in my house."
"It’s our house," Colton corrected. "And why are you being such a pain in the ass? She’s your best friend, Sam. You guys have been inseparable since kindergarten."
He looked at me with that gaslighting innocence, as if the last week hadn't happened. As if he hadn't pinned me to the bed. As if I hadn't seen the photos.
A memory flashed—Elaine and I in our dorm room, eating cheap noodles. Elaine holding my hair back while I puked from morning sickness during the first pregnancy. Elaine hugging me when I lost the baby.
“I’ll always be here, Sam. Sisters before misters, right?”
The betrayal twisted in my gut like a knife.
"We aren't friends," I said, walking down the stairs slowly.
"Oh, stop it," Elaine said from the couch, propping her 'injured' foot up. "I know you're stressed, Sammy, but you don't have to be cruel. I forgive you for the push."
"You forgive me?" I stopped in front of her.
"Yes," she smiled sweetly. "I know you didn't mean it."
"I stopped being your best friend the moment you spread your legs for my husband," I said.
The room went dead silent.
Colton froze halfway to the liquor cabinet. Elaine’s smile faltered.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Elaine stammered, looking at Colton for help. "Colton, she’s doing it again. She’s hallucinating."
"I saw the texts, Elaine," I said, my voice rising. "I saw the photos. 'Frigid bitch,' wasn't it? That’s what you called me?"
"You're crazy!" Elaine cried out, shrinking back into the cushions. "I never did that! You're making things up because you're sick!"
"Enough, Samantha!" Colton shouted, slamming his hand on the bar. "Stop attacking her! You’re hysterical!"
"I am not hysterical!" I yelled. "I am the woman who paid your rent, Elaine! I am the woman who gave you a job when no one else would! And you repay me by sleeping with him?"
"She’s dangerous, Colton!" Elaine shrieked, fake tears streaming down her face. "She’s going to hurt me again!"
Something inside me snapped. “Hurt you? Fine!”
My palm connected with Elaine’s cheek with a force that echoed through the high ceilings.
