. We had once been inseparable, gossiping and laughing together like sister

sed our friendship as a means to get closer to him. When Burgess went

ions-to win Burgess's affection at any cost, even i

ng myself to respond to Zoey's question. Instead, I stood there in

t within me. How dare she waltz back into my life after all this time, pretending as though nothing

tstretched hand, refusing to play along with her charade. "Wasn't it you who didn'

a pitiful expression. "I lost my phone and had to get a new SIM ca

ll her out on her lie. "If that's the case, you could have simply asked Burg

icker of embarrassment and anger flash across her features befor

to her embrace as though she were her own daughter. The sight made my blood

r words dripping with false sincerity. "It would be w

my growing sense of outrage, and I shot her a scathing glare, silen

en Old Mr. Harrison himself chimed in, directing his words

anger rise within me. How dare they conspire to manipulate Burgess's feelin

n's words hung in the air, poised to reveal his inte

nterjected, his expression devoid of emotion. "D

bearing down on Burgess with a hint of disappointmen

kwardness of the moment. "Uncle, truthfully, I'm in the same boat as Burgess. Marriage isn't

at despite her relentless pursuit of Burgess, she hadn't managed to secure so much as a commitment from him. Y

shifted to me, her smile taking on a devious edge as she addressed m

y personal life. But I refused to let her see how deeply her words affected me, instead choosing to respond wi

speak. "Oprah, you're my best friend. I only want what's best for you. The best way to move on from a past relationship is

he feeling that there was an ulterior motive behind her words. As I weighed my response car

importantly, why was she so insistent

potential match for me, I couldn't h

laim, why don't you pursue him yourself?"

"I believe he's better suited to you. He has the qua

id little to pi

ly chimed in, "Oprah, why not take the opportunity to meet Mr. Alfred?