Bestie Over Cheating Man

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I was cutting through the underground parking garage when I saw it. My exs sedan was rocking violently on its suspension.

Behind the tinted, reinforced glass, I heard a muffled, tear-choked scream from my best friend: No please, stop

Any normal person would have pulled out their phone to record the affair. But me? Im the ultimate ride-or-die bestie. A hot surge of adrenaline slammed into my brain, bypassing all logic.

You filthy animal! Forcing yourself on my girl in broad daylight? Baby, hang on, Im coming for you!

I didnt hesitate. I snatched the fire extinguisher from the wall and went full-on berserk, hammering the heavy canister against the windshield of his million-dollar ride.

CRACK! SMASH! CRASH!

Safety glass sprayed like diamonds. The screaming inside turned into a terrified shriek. Before the two naked bodies inside could even process the assault, I jammed the nozzle of the dry-chemical extinguisher through the shattered window and pulled the trigger.

FOOSH!

A suffocating, blinding cloud of white powder instantly filled the cabin.

The air turned into a choking, chemical nightmare.

Cough! Cough! Gag!

Hacking and retching, they finally kicked the doors open. Two pale, shivering figureslooking like deep-fried shrimp covered in flourtumbled onto the concrete, scrambling for cover.

The garage smelled of harsh chemicals and raw panic. The guy wiped the white dust from his eyes, his pupils bloodshot with pure, unadulterated rage. He locked eyes with me and his jaw dropped.

You lunatic! Have you lost your mind? Im your

Before he could finish, I launched a brutal kick squarely into his chest, sending him sprawling back into the wreckage. Shut your mouth! A rapist trying to talk back? Security! Get me some rope! Weve got a perverted freak attacking someone down here!

My voice echoed off the concrete walls like a siren. It was rush hour at the corporate plaza; the blaring car alarms and my frantic screeching drew a crowd of onlookers like moths to a flame. Phones were out, flashes popping like a paparazzi frenzy.

My heart hammered against my ribs. I snatched a grimy, sweat-stained security guards parka and lunged forward. Baby, stay with me! Ive got you!

I wrapped my best friend, Elena, in the heavy, moldy jacket, cocooning her like a mummy. I pulled the collar tightso tight it covered her nose and mouth.

Elena thrashed inside the fabric, muffled sounds of Mmph! Mmph! erupting from the coat.

I pinned her down, turned to the gathering crowd of lens-wielding vultures, and let out a sob that tore through the air: Dont record this! Please, show some decency! Give her some dignity!

I knelt on the floor, cradling the "mummy" in my arms, tears streaming down my face. Shes the victim! Do you know who she is? She was just voted Teacher of the Year in this city! Shes supposed to be teaching children tomorrow! If her students parents see this, how will she ever stand in front of a class again? To think she was assaulted by this monster! God, have mercy!

The words Teacher of the Year hit the crowd like a shockwave. The laughter died, replaced by gasps of genuine horror.

Wait, thats her? The one from the news?

Thats sick. In the middle of the day?

Is he even human? Someone break his jaw!

A few hot-headed employees were already rolling up their sleeves, ready to jump the guy.

Inside the parka, Elena was fighting for air, trying to push her head out to explain, but I wailed even louder, drowning out her muffled cries.

Baby, dont be scared! I dont care that youre dirty! Nobody will ever know it was you! As long as Im breathing, I wont let that scums filth stain your reputation!

That was when Marcus finally cleared the dust from his lungs. He crawled halfway out of the car, his face white, his features twisted in fury. Sarah! Are you blind?! Its me! Im your boyfriend!

The entire roomno, the whole garagewent dead silent.

Every head swiveled between us, hungry for the drama. I stood frozen for a beat, acting like the betrayal had just shattered my soul, then I let out a scream that was even more pathetic and piercing than the last.

AAAAAH!

I lunged at Marcus and swung my arm with everything I had.

SLAP!

The sound was like a gunshot. The force sent a cloud of white powder flying off his face.

You have the nerve to call yourself my boyfriend?! I was shaking, my finger inches from his nose, tears pouring down. How could you do this to my best friend? Do you even have a soul?!

Marcus was reeling, clutching his cheek, his teeth bared. Are you crazy? She she was the one who seduced me!

SLAP!

Another strike, even harder this time. I felt the skin break at the corner of his mouth.

You filthy liar! I wont let you drag her name through the mud! I turned to the crowd, sobbing. People, judge for yourselves! My best friend loathes cheaters! Shes a woman of absolute integrity! Shes going to be my maid of honor next month, for heavens sake! You think shed throw her life away for someone like him?

I locked eyes with Marcus, my gaze filled with the jagged edge of betrayal. Marcus, youre so desperate to save your own skin youd destroy an innocent womans reputation? Youre not even a man. Youre trash.

The crowd swayed. Someone muttered, Yeah, thats twisted. Who hits on their best friends bride-to-be?

He definitely drugged or forced her. Look at her, shes so terrified she cant even speak.

The sympathy in the room was palpable. Marcus was officially the villain.

Sirens wailed in the distance.

Marcus was thrashing in the back seat, shouting at the arriving officers like hed found salvation. Officer! Its a setup! It was consensual! This crazy woman assaulted me! I want to press charges!

Still lying? I stepped in front of Elena like a mother hen shielding her chicks. I pointed straight at the backseat of his wrecked ride. Officers! Look! Look under the seat! Thats the evidence!

A cop peered inside with a frown, pulling out a pair of fuzzy pink handcuffs and a leather crop with a pair of sterile evidence tweezers.

A wave of knowing titters rippled through the crowd. Even the cops looked uncomfortable, their expressions shifting from duty to disgust.

I pointed at the items, my entire body trembling. Why are you laughing? This is sick! My friend is a teacher! She doesn't even wear skirts above her knees! Shes the most conservative person I know!

I glared at Marcus, who was being dragged out and pinned against the hood. Marcus, youre a deviant! You forced her to use these? Is that how you treat a woman? Youre a monster!

The crowd stopped laughing. A respectable woman wouldn't touch that gear. He had to be the sick one.

Marcus turned purple. Those are just toys! It was consensual! Thats our business!

Business? I gasped, turning to the police with eyes full of tears. Officer, who uses a whip in a healthy relationship? Please, save her! Shes been screaming for mercy!

The police officer looked at the gear, then back at the hysterical crowd. The pressure was on.

Enough! Save it for the station!

CLICK. The handcuffs went on Marcus.

He was shoved into a cruiser, shouting into the void. I stood there, clutching a shivering Elena, refusing to give a statement. Officer, can we get her to the hospital first? She inhaled so much dust and shes in a state of severe shock! She needs medical care now!

I squeezed the cops hand, my voice cold as ice. We want a full medical exam. A gynecological report. Were going to sue this animal for every cent he has!

Elena went rigid at the word exam.

The ambulance roared toward the city hospital. Once on the stretcher, Elena was finally freed from the coat. She was hacking, coughing up white dust, her face a mask of trauma. When I reached for her purse, she froze, her eyes widening in sheer terror.

Oh, baby! Dont move! The doctor said your airways are scorched! I gently pinned her hand down and snatched her phone.

Elena was crying, shaking her head, her throat raw and failing.

You want to call your parents, dont you? Dont worry, Ill show them exactly what this monster did to you.

I swiped her phone across her face. Beep. Face ID unlocked.

Elena squeezed her eyes shut, her body shuddering. A nurse hurried over. Maam, stop moving! Youre on an IV!

Its okay, shes just panicked, she wants her mom, I cooed to the nurse. I turned my back to Elena and dialed the number of her uptight, image-obsessed parents.

The moment they picked up, I didn't say a wordI just started wailing.

Auntie something happened to Elena Marcus that animal I shouldn't have let him near her

I gave them just enoughassault, undressed, police are hereto trigger their worst nightmares. Every word was a needle to their pride.

Twenty minutes later, they burst into the ER. Her father looked like hed aged ten years, his knuckles white around his walking cane, his face a storm of rage.

Dad Mom Elena shrank under the blankets.

Before they could speak, I dropped to my knees. Im sorry! Its my fault! I didnt see him for the beast he was! He dragged her into the garage the handcuffs if I hadn't arrived, he would have destroyed her!

Her mother started wailing, clutching her daughter. My poor baby! What kind of karma is this? How are you supposed to get married now?!

Her father banged his cane on the floor. Where is he? Ill kill him! And youwhy were you even with a man like that? Do you know what this does to our reputation?!

Elena looked ready to faint. She opened her mouth to speak, to defend herself, but I lunged up, clapping a hand over her mouth.

Doctor! Get in here! Shes hallucinating! She needs a sedative, now!

The staff rushed over. Whats happening?

Shes in shock! Shes trying to defend her attacker! Hes completely broken her mind!

In the chaos, I leaned in close to her ear, my whisper sounding like a velvet-lined threat.

Baby, take a good look at your fathers cane.

She went rigid.

Think carefully, I breathed. If you say it was forced, youre the victim. Everyone will pity you. Your parents will shield you. But if you say it was consensual knowing how much your father cares about his 'image,' do you think hell stop at just shouting? He might beat you to death right here in this room.

I paused, my voice chilling.

And tomorrow, the headlines will read: Teacher of the Year caught in affair. Youll be ruined. Your parents entire legacy will burn. So, whats it going to be?

I felt her hot tears hit my skin. I patted her back like I was putting a child to sleep.

Choose.