mory, but I couldn't recall taking that specific bag out of the trunk of my car. The realization that the bag was missing from the car, without my know

rbal assault against me. She seethed with fury, her face red hot like an ove

ppointment. Taking a deep breath, she continued, "I can't believe you kept this from me, Ravia. Me

ly hurtful. I couldn't decipher if she was more upset about the fact that I had the money or

d the bag and locked myself in another room. Panic consumed me within minut

questioned, her accusati

e to a thief. I had to regain control of the situation and prevent her from saying something she

back at her, "That's n

cant secret from my best friend was wrong, but I felt compelled to protect her. She had always been t

ing to pinpoint a single cause. It was the shocking realizatio

endships to the point of destruction? I struggled to comprehend why I clung to something that should have been forg

air. Without hesitation, I grabbed my bag and stormed out of the house. I hopp

I released it in a furious scream that echoed through the desolate space. Settling back into

er drama or her judgment. I knew her well enough to anticipate the thoughts swirling in her head. Truth be told, she couldn't bear the thought

finally picked up the call. It

alled friend. Without a second thought, I answered the call, and the conversation with Ms. Charlotte went pleasantly. She invited me fo

face my best friend. I had made up my mind to divulge the truth about what I had

a as I entered. She kindly offered me a drink, and we settled into an uncomfortable sile

counted my time at the police station, how I came into possession of the money, and my confusion over what to do nex

th the money?" she inquired,

ecure. All I knew was that I couldn't simply spend it. I wanted nothing t

Sasha," I rep

eave it lying around li

rom my car," I retorted,

o return it one day, thrust it back at him just as he had done t

ow about the bag of

y was missing. All the while, that bag had remained hidden in my car trunk, behind the

r. She began to hide things from me, and on Saturdays, our usual shoppi

ith me for keeping this secret from her. However, I couldn't help bu

oney to keep it safe. After reaching a decision, I quickly examined the cash in the bag to c

to believe what my eyes were seeing. I fell to my knees, unable to make

wouldn't. She couldn't,"

t swallowed the entire living room. My mind raced, trying to fathom how she had come into

ad accidentally fallen into the car trunk. I had to investigate. Despite a thorough search, I found nothing. I felt utte

oney. She couldn't have. Could she? We had been friends since childhood, and she had never taken anything f

p at Sasha and abruptly questioned