Not every story has a happy ending, but I will make sure mine does. After all, if life has denied me moments of joy, the least I deserve is a happy ending, right?

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**Zayana’s POV:**

**Introduction:**

My name is Zayana Bay Mersellus, and this is my final year of school. I’ve always dreamed of becoming a doctor. But lately, it feels like fate has something else in store for me.

*Zayana stands in front of the mirror, brushing her hair, when suddenly the skies darken, and rain begins to pour heavily against the windows.*

Her mother, Romona Bay, rushes into the room and says, “Zayana, you can’t go to school in this weather. It’s pouring buckets out there. You’ll stay home today.”

Zayana lets out a soft sigh, her reflection staring back at her. “Another day wasted,” she mutters under her breath, disappointed.

At first glance, Zayana is the image of poise and grace. She stands at 5'6", her long, dark brown hair cascading like a waterfall down her back. Her hazel eyes, wide and doe-like, are framed by soft lashes, giving her an air of innocence. Her fair skin contrasts with her heart-shaped lips, which are tinted a natural rosy hue, while her slightly chubby cheeks add a touch of softness to her features. With her gentle tone of voice, it seems she could calm any storm with a whisper. As the youngest in her family, she’s well-loved but also heavily protected by her two elder brothers, whose overbearing concern often feels like a cage.

Bored and restless, Zayana picks up her phone to text her best friend, Stacy, when an incoming call interrupts her thoughts. It is Stacy, and from the moment Zayana answers, she can hear her sobbing uncontrollably.

Zayana: “Stacy? What’s going on? Why are you crying?”

Stacy: *through sobs* “It’s over… everything’s over.”

Zayana: “Come over. We’ll talk it out here.” (Zayana comes from a conservative and strict family, and her freedom is limited. Inviting Stacy over is the only option.)

Stacy: “I’ll be there as soon as the rain stops.”

While waiting for Stacy to arrive, Zayana feels a sudden rough grip on her arm. She spins around, startled, and meets her father’s furious gaze.

Marco: “I’ve been calling your name for ages! Didn’t you hear me?”

Zayana: “No, Dad. I was standing right here by the door. I didn’t hear anything.”

Marco: “Useless child. Get out of my sight! Don’t let me see your face again, you worthless girl!”

Tears instantly well up in Zayana’s eyes as she flees to the safety of her room. Her heart pounds, and then the pain begins—a sharp, relentless throb deep in her head. Desperate for relief, she searches through the medicine cabinet but finds that most of the painkillers have expired. With little regard for the labels, she swallows a few anyway, hoping they will work. When they don’t, she takes more. Finally, the pain begins to dull, and she drifts off to sleep.

When she awakens, Stacy is already there.

Stacy: “You’re lying here napping while my entire world is crumbling!”

Zayana: *groggily* “What happened? I’m sorry, I had a splitting headache, so I took some medicine and dozed off.”

Stacy: “I found a dating app on Harry’s phone. He’s been talking to other girls.”

(Harry is Stacy’s boyfriend and also her cousin. They’ve been secretly dating for two years, hiding it from their family.)

Zayana: “Are you sure? Do you really think he’d do that to you?”

Stacy: “I saw it with my own eyes. But I couldn’t confront him. I only know his password because I snooped. I didn’t want him to know I was going through his phone. So, I just saw the notifications and put the phone back.”

Zayana: “You’ve got to be kidding. You should’ve confronted him right then and there!”

Stacy: “I know… I messed up.”

Zayana: “Call him now. End it.”

Stacy: “He’ll deny it. He’ll twist it around, say it’s not what it looks like. And I don’t have solid proof. He’ll make it seem like I’m the one overreacting.”

Zayana: “You don’t need proof! Just break free from this toxic relationship! How long will you let the same guy who’s been controlling your life is out there enjoying himself!”

Stacy: “It’s not that easy. If I confront him without proof, i know he’ll come up with a hundred excuses and it’ll turn on me—like I’m the one ending things for no reason. he’ll make me the bad guy. I don’t wanna be the bad guy here. I want to catch him red-handed, so he can’t talk his way out of it. I want to slap him with the truth and walk away, head held high.”

Zayana: *pauses, processing* “So, what’s your plan?”

Stacy: “I need to make a fake account on the dating app. See if he bites.”

Zayana: “Are you out of your mind?”

Stacy: *suddenly gasps* “Zayana, your nose! It’s bleeding!”

Zayana: *dazed* “What? What are you talking about?”

Stacy: “Zayana! Snap out of it! Your nose is bleeding!”

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**Stacy is a clever girl, and quite adorable too. She has blonde hair that reaches her shoulders and a sun-kissed tan. Standing at around 4'2", she’s a little on the shorter side and slightly chubby. She’s always thinking about dieting, but the moment she sees food, she can’t resist.

At school, Stacy and Zayana are known as the ‘tall and short duo.’ Stacy struggles with feelings of insecurity, but Zayana’s self-doubt is even deeper. While everyone can see Zayana’s beauty, she herself cannot. The two friends are constantly working to boost each other’s self-esteem and confidence.**

...**Stacy's POV**...

Last night was unbearable. I couldn't sleep a wink, and I’ve been waiting for the morning ever since, just so I can talk to Zayana and get everything off my chest. But when I woke up, heavy rain greeted me, and seeing the downpour, my heart whispered a dark wish—if only those raindrops could turn into stones and bury me beneath them. I wished I could just end it all.

Unable to bear it any longer, I reached for my phone to call Zayana. The moment I heard her voice, my tears fell uncontrollably.

Zayana: “Stacy? What’s going on? Why are you crying?”

*(Thinking to myself: He’s only my fourth boyfriend, and yet it hurts as if he was my first love.)*

Stacy: “It’s over… everything’s over.”

Zayana: “Come over. We’ll talk it out here.”

Stacy: “I’ll be there as soon as the rain stops.”

I hurried to finish my chores and waited impatiently for the rain to stop. The moment it did, I dashed over to Zayana’s place. Our houses are only a few blocks apart, so it didn’t take long. But when I entered her room, she was fast asleep. Can you believe it? Here I am, with my whole world falling apart, and this girl is sleeping like a baby.

“Wake up, bitch!” I yelled.

As she finally stirred awake, I said sarcastically, “You’re lying here napping while my entire world is crumbling!”

Zayana: “What happened? I’m sorry, I had a splitting headache, so I took some medicine and dozed off.”

*Zayana’s life feels like a circus, where joy flutters briefly like a butterfly, only to be crushed by the weight of her ever-present sadness. Her father is the storm she can never outrun. I fear one day her exhaustion will push her over the edge, and she’ll do something drastic—sorrow clings to her like moths to a flame. Today must be another one of those days, or why else would she be lying here, passed out?*

After she apologized, I spilled my guts to her. Henry and I had been together for nearly two years. Sure, he was toxic and abusive, but I convinced myself that I could endure it as long as he was loyal. After all, relationships can survive anything—except another woman. (Well, maybe another woman would be fine in a threesome, haha!) But no, not like this—no other woman.

I noticed a dating app on his phone. Although I was a little shocked, I wasn’t entirely surprised. Deep down, I knew this was coming. Still, my thoughts kept spiraling, and I finally decided I wanted revenge—something cruel, something that would humiliate him. I wanted to trap him and throw his own dirt back in his face. I was determined to do it. And i will do it. I have to.

I was right in the middle of sharing my brilliant revenge plot when Zayana’s nose suddenly started bleeding. Her brother and I rushed her to the doctor.

At the clinic, they ran a bunch of blood tests and did an MRI and Ultrasound. The doctor said Zayana had a reaction from taking expired medicine. But then, he called her brother in privately and told Zayana she could join after a while. Zayana and I waited in the lobby for what seemed like forever, until a nurse finally asked us to go in.

The moment we entered, the doctor motioned for us to sit. Zayana’s brother’s face looked grim. He must have feared the worst—that Zayana had tried to harm herself.

Doctor: “Zayana, how are you feeling now?”

Zayana: “Just a bit dizzy and my head’s spinning, but otherwise I’m okay.”

Doctor: “Do you feel pain in your lower abdomen?”

Zayana: “Sometimes, during my period. Other times, it feels like there’s some throbbing going on.”

Doctor: “What I’m about to tell you needs your full attention.” *(He took off his glasses and placed them on the table, looking at her seriously.)*

Zayana, already anxious, replied nervously, “I’m listening, doctor.”

Doctor: “We found a small cyst on your left ovary. Now, cysts are usually harmless, but yours is larger than normal. That’s why we’re concerned that it might not just be a cyst.”

Zayana: *(her voice trembling)* “Then… what is it?”

Doctor: “To put it simply, so you understand, it’s likely a tumor.”

Zayana: *(in shock, her voice barely a whisper)* “A tumor?”

..............................

**Zayana's POV**

Doctor: "There's nothing to worry about. We'll run a few more tests and prescribe medication. It can be treated with the right medicines."

Stephen (Zayana's brother): "Doctor, are you sure there's no serious concern?"

Doctor: "No, no. Don’t worry. Everything will be fine."

We all stood up, thanked the doctor, and left the room together. The walk back was eerily silent, as if I had placed the tumor inside my body with my own hands. No one was talking to me. Irritated, I turned on some music to break the heavy atmosphere, and the mood lightened just a bit. Turning to Stacy, I said, "Let's head to my place. We have unfinished business."

Stacy: "But I need to leave before evening. I still have an assignment to finish."

Zayana: "You can leave later. After A while"

Stacy: "Ok."

I nodded absentmindedly, I looked out the window, wishing this day could be the end of my life. Maybe then, everyone’s life would get easier. Everyone’s worried about me, and when I get home, Dad will just say it's all an act. Hahaha, what a life.

We reached home, and soon enough, we picked up where we left off.

Stacy: "I'll make a fake account, one that we can both log into from our phones."

Zayana: "Stacy, I can’t keep a dating app on my phone. If anyone sees it, no one will believe me. They'll think I'm just on it to satisfy my lust and desires."

Stacy: "It’s only for a while. Just hide the app. No one will notice."

I fell silent, a sense of dread settling in my chest. I don't know why, but I felt like my life was about to take a dark turn. Don’t ask me how, but I just knew.

The app was downloaded, and Stacy created the account. Afterward, she hugged me and left for her home. I threw myself into some chores, trying to get through the day. I was exhausted from waking up early for school, so as soon as I hit the bed, it felt like I drifted off to sleep instantly, as if I had taken some heavy sedative.

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**The Next Morning**

*Ringg ringggg ringggg* (phone buzzing)

Who could be calling this early? (Zayana, still half-asleep, tries to pick up the phone, not bothering to check the caller ID.)

Zayana: (groggy voice) "Hello?"

On the other end: "Wake upppp! Zayana, you won’t believe it!"

Zayana: "Who’s this?"

Stacy: "It’s me, you bitch! Wake up!"

Zayana: (in a startled voice) "Stacy? This early? Isn’t it a day off from school?"

Stacy: (excitedly) "Yes, but I have something to tell you!"

Zayana: "What is it?"

Stacy: "Girl, there are some seriously hot guys on the dating app! I couldn’t sleep after seeing them!"

Zayana: "You go ahead and enjoy ogling at them. Let me sleep."

Stacy: "Why should I let you sleep? Get up and check it out yourself. It’s a whole new world. I might date four or five of these guys!"

Zayana: "What’s the difference between you and your ex now?"

Stacy: "Forget about him. Right now, I can’t decide who to go out with—there are so many options!"

Zayana: "Yeah, and when one of them ends up assaulting you, you’ll come crying to me. Oh wait, how will you even come to me? They’ll probably dump your body by the side of the road."

Stacy: "Stop being so dramatic and just check your phone and take a look."

Zayana: "Stacy, you know my life’s already a cruel joke, and now you want me to add more chaos to it. I despise men, and you know that."

Stacy: "Exactly! That’s why I’m telling you to snap out of it and have some fun. Come on, open your eyes and enjoy."

Zayana: "No thanks. I have no interest. Let me sleep."

Stacy: (getting annoyed) "Ugh, fine! Sleep then, you boring girl. Bye!"

Zayana: "Two days off, and all I want to do is sleep. Bye now."

Stacy: "Bye-bye!"

The rest of the day passed sluggishly, and soon, night fell again. Stacy must’ve gotten busy, as she only called once today. She didn’t even reply to my texts. Oh well! With nothing left to do, I drifted off to sleep.

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**The Next Day**

I woke up to loud voices coming from downstairs. It seemed like Stephen was arguing with Dad. Being the youngest, I always got caught in the crossfire. And today was no different. When Dad couldn’t take out his frustration on Stephen, he turned to me.

Dad: "That nosebleed you keep getting? It’s because of that box you’re always glued to!" (By 'box,' he means my phone). "Get out of my sight, and don’t show your face until I’ve had my breakfast."

Like always, I didn’t say a word. I just walked back to my room and locked myself in. I was starving, so I ate a leftover biscuit to get by.

I know this happens all the time, but I still feel the same pain every time. Just a little longer… and I’ll end all of it, once and for all.

After a brief cry, I called Stacy to see how things were going. Did she find Henry yet? But when she picked up, it felt like things were going the other way around...

Zayana: "Hello? Stacy?"

Stacy: "Yeah?"

Zayana: "What do you mean 'yeah'? Tell me, what’s happening on the dating app? Did you find Henry?"

Stacy: "No... It’s just... well..."

Zayana: "What are you mumbling about? Speak clearly!"

Stacy: "I swiped right too much, and now I’ve run out of likes."

Zayana: "What do you mean you’ve run out of likes?"

Stacy: "There’s a limit on how many people you can swipe right on. The likes refill the next day."

Zayana: "Are you crazy, Stacy? How long do you expect me to keep this app on my phone? I’m walking on thin ice here. Just swipe left on everyone and focus on finding Henry! You can dream about your happily-ever-after after you lock him down!"

Stacy: "Okay, okay. You’re right. I’ll call you later."

Zayana: "Oh, alright..."

Was I too harsh? No, I wasn’t. Stacy should realize the risk we’re taking. If someone finds out, we could be in serious trouble.

I’m thinking of ordering breakfast. I can’t go downstairs to make it; it’ll take too long. By the time I finish showering, the food will arrive.

I placed the order and headed for the shower.

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I know this chapter was a little slow, but the next one... trust me, it’s going to be FIRE! Stay tuned, and keep supporting me, guys!