Chapter 3 Friendship or falling in love

"Baby... you finally came!"

Naura welcomed Arvino with a wide smile and sparkling eyes filled with desire. The moment her door opened, she threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly as if she was afraid to lose him. Her body clung to him so closely that Arvino could feel the rapid thump of her heartbeat against his chest.

Arvino remained still for a moment. But as Naura's familiar, soft, and seductive scent reached his nose, his body reacted. The desire he had tried to suppress slowly surfaced.

"I couldn't let you sleep alone in this house," Arvino murmured, wrapping his arms around her waist. "I'd rather see Isabella cry... than see you cry."

Naura smiled, lips slightly parted, her eyes locking onto his face. "Did you really say that, Arvino? I... I'm so happy to have a friend like you."

Arvino didn't respond. He just stared at Naura-the gaze that once belonged to Isabella now resting on another woman. Slowly, Naura tilted her face up. Her lips brushed his. Gently at first... then deeper, fueled by passion.

Soft moans escaped them. Their bodies pressed closer. Naura's hands circled his neck, pulling him in, while Arvino's hand slid along her slim waist.

"Arvino... you're the best friend anyone could ask for," Naura whispered between shallow breaths.

With trembling fingers but a satisfied smile, Naura reached for her phone on the table. She lifted it, and without hesitation, snapped a photo of them-lips still locked, passion unmistakable.

Click.

Naura grinned smugly.

Then, with practiced ease, she opened her messaging app and sent the photo to a contact labeled: Isabella – Arvino's Wife.

> Look, Isabella. Tonight, your husband is no longer yours.

---

Elsewhere, in a cold and silent house, Isabella's phone buzzed. She picked it up from her bedside table, and the moment her eyes caught the message, her whole body trembled.

The photo was crystal clear.

Naura and Arvino. Kissing. His hands on her body. No guilt. No shame.

Isabella didn't speak.

Her head throbbed. Her eyes burned, yet no tears came out.

"So... you really did it, Arvino?" she whispered, her voice raw and broken.

With shaky fingers, she zoomed in on the photo, trying to convince herself it wasn't edited.

But no.

It was real.

That was her husband.

And that was her best friend.

"Arvino..." her lips quivered. "You're even lower than I ever imagined."

She took a deep breath and wiped the tears that had finally begun to fall.

"I can't stay silent anymore," she whispered firmly. "I'll make you pay for this pain."

Her fingers moved swiftly over the screen. She dialed Naura's number.

It connected.

Naura's voice came softly, "Hello?"

"You homewrecker!" Isabella shouted. "Can't you find a man who's not already taken?! Why does it have to be my husband?!"

Naura fell silent. The words stabbed through her. She began to weep softly.

"I-I didn't mean to hurt you..."

"Cut the act, Naura! Do you think I'm stupid? You knew he was my husband, yet you still flirted with him and kissed him! Are you proud of destroying someone's marriage?!"

Call ended.

Naura collapsed on the floor, crying. Her phone still in her hand as Arvino approached, noticing her tear-streaked face.

"What happened?" he asked.

Naura handed him the phone without a word. He glanced at the call log and instantly knew.

Isabella.

He exhaled sharply, then called his wife.

As soon as she answered, his voice rose. "Why did you call Naura a homewrecker?! I've told you so many times-don't lash out at her!"

On the other end, Isabella's voice was calm now-no longer crying, but laced with venom.

"Oh? You don't like me calling your mistress a homewrecker? Then teach your woman not to seduce someone else's husband!"

"Isabella! Enough! Don't blow this out of proportion!"

"Out of proportion?" Isabella laughed bitterly. "You want me to stay quiet after seeing my husband kiss my best friend?! You've got no shame, Arvino."

Arvino gripped the phone tightly. His jaw clenched.

Naura hugged him from behind, her voice pitiful. "I'm sorry... I shouldn't have asked you to come... this is all my fault..."

Arvino turned to her and gently caressed her cheek. "Don't worry, Naura... she loves me too much. She won't dare stay mad."

Naura looked surprised. "You really think so?"

"Of course. That woman is weak. She'll pout... cry... and then forgive me, like always. She's nothing but a pathetic lapdog."

Naura chuckled softly, though tears still lingered in her eyes.

Neither of them noticed... Arvino's phone call hadn't ended properly.

And every single word...

Was heard loud and clear by Isabella.

---

Isabella stood frozen in the middle of her room. The phone still in her hand. Her breath caught in her throat. Her eyes stared blankly at the wall.

"Lapdog...?" she whispered-so faint, it was like her soul leaving her body.

Arvino's words echoed in her mind. Words that didn't hurt anymore from sadness-but from rage that burned hotter than fire.

"Enough..."

Her voice was cold.

"That's enough..."

She marched to the wardrobe, yanked out a suitcase, and quickly packed some clothes. But not to run away.

No. This time, she would start the game.

After gathering important documents and files, Isabella grabbed her phone and snapped a photo of their kiss. She stored the evidence... for later.

Her fingers typed one final message. To Arvino.

I'm not a lapdog. But you'll soon see who ends up licking their own fate.