My Best Friend Schemed Against Me for Ten Years

On my son's birthday, I scrolled past a post:What's the wildest thing you've ever done?

One comment replied:

Oh, definitely sleeping with my best friend's husband~

I have this ridiculously naive bestie. Rich family, married to a total hunk.

So I went for it, hooked him instantly.

To make sure our kid inherited her fortune, we had our fertilized embryo implanted in her. She nearly died giving birth to my son with her husband.

"Now our boy's five, and that idiot still thinks he's hers, spoils him rotten!"

"She's been cooking and cleaning since dawn today for my son's fifth birthday party!"

"After the party, I'm taking my son to the amusement park, leaving that idiot home alone!"

My hands trembled. The reply's profile picture showed a distinctive bracelet.

The same one I'd gifted my best friend, Chloe.

Just then, Chloe walked up, holding my son's hand.

"Sophia! Ethan really wants to go to FunLand. I've got time, so I'll take him now!"

My eyes snapped to her wrist.

The bracelet. I'd had it custom-made for her birthday.

One of a kind. I'd cherished it as a symbol of our bond.

Now, it felt like a knife plunged deep into my heart.

Before I could speak, my husband, Michael Cohen, stepped up with a smile.

"Honey, I'll drive them. Chloe is your best friend after all. We can't take her help for granted."

What a perfect excuse.

My husband of ten years.

My most trusted friend.

Betraying me together for years.

No wonder.

I'd doted on Ethan since birth, but he'd always been closer to Chloe, clinging to her.

And Chloe, who always swore she'd never marry, adored Ethan, demanding daily video calls.

I'd been the incubator. They were the real family.

"Honey?"

"You look pale. Are you sick?"

Chloe rushed over too, pressing a hand to my forehead like she cared.

"No fever... maybe you're just worn out from all the prep?"

If I hadn't seen her words myself, I'd never believe someone could act this convincingly.

If you love the stage so much, I'll play my part too.

I forced a polite smile at Chloe.

"I'm fine. Just feeling bad you have to take Ethan."

Chloe waved a hand, all fake magnanimity.

"Don't be silly! We're best friends! Leo's like my own. It's no trouble at all!"

Ignoring the mocking glint in her eyes, I nodded.

"You're right."

"Go have fun."

Ethan practically jumped for joy when I agreed.

He completely ignored me, grabbing Chloe and Michael's hands, pulling them towards the door.

After they left, I reopened the post.

In minutes, Chloe's comment had exploded.

Hundreds of replies flooded in.

Users were calling her vile, cunning, some even asking for tips.

Chloe replied to them all:

"Want success like mine? First, find a rich, gullible friend!"

"I targeted her because she came from money. Paid some girls to bully her at school, then "saved her when she was broken."

"Rich girls are easy marks!"

"Be their shoulder to cry on, pretend to care. They'll trust you with their life!"

"Love my life! My man adores me, my son's perfect, and that idiot friend pays for everything! Haters in my DMs? Stay jealous! I'm living your dream!"

I remembered our first meeting. Surrounded in the school bathroom, being hit.

Chloe had kicked the door open, swinging a mop like a hero.

My salvation had been a scripted scene!

Silently, I logged into a burner account and liked Chloe's reply.

So happy with your life, are you?

Let me fan those flames.

After that, I pretended ignorance.

I became even more accommodating than ever.

When Michael came home late, reeking of Chloe's signature perfume, I looked the other way, sweetly reminding him to rest.

When Chloe found endless excuses to visit and play with Ethan, I not only welcomed her but encouraged it.

I even created opportunities.

"Chloe, I've got a crucial meeting. Could you pick Ethan up from school?"

Watching their little family unit grow bolder, feigning ignorance, even leaving the room to give them privacy.

Michael loved it. His smile widened whenever Chloe arrived. He'd flirt with her right in front of me.

Even Ethan grew more attached to Chloe. He bought her special house slippers so she could visit anytime.

This charade lasted until Ethan's SAT results came in.

That morning, Chloe was at our kitchen table, waiting with us.

The score was abysmal. Michael put on a show of anger.

"How could you score so poorly?"

Ethan shrugged. "We're loaded. Why kill myself studying? Mom can just buy my way into college!"

Michael shot me a sideways glance.

Seeing me silent, he pushed further.

"Your mother can't just clean up your messes forever!"

"She works hard. You need to step up if you want a future at her company!"

Chloe jumped in. "Sophia's his mother. Of course she'll look after him!"

Ethan nodded. "Exactly! I'm her only son.All her companies will be mine anyway!"

Chloe gave Ethan an approving look before turning to me.

"Sophia, Ethan might not be book-smart, but he seems keen on business."

"Why not make him a manager at one of your firms? Let him learn the ropes."

Years of Chloe and Michael's indulgence had made Ethan arrogant and useless.

He wasn't even qualified for an internship at my company.

But I didn't say that. Instead, I nodded seriously.

"A manager? That's not enough."

"Ethan's my only child. He should inherit everything."

"My plan is to send him abroad for a top-tier business degree. When he returns, I'll hand over the reins."

Chloe's eyes lit up.

"Yes! Absolutely! A boy like Ethan deserves to be CEO!"

"I always said Ethan was born lucky!"

"Sophia, you're so blessed! A devoted husband like Michael, and such a wonderful son!"

Michael and Ethan grinned, nodding eagerly.

As the three of them celebrated, I smiled too.

They laughed at my stupidity.

I laughed at the downfall they couldn't see coming.

During the months preparing for his overseas studies, I took Ethan to the office daily.

I taught him everything about the business, or so he thought.

After Ethan left for his studies, Chloe visited less.

But Michael's "business trips" and "gym sessions" increased. He'd return looking drained.

If he ran out of excuses, he'd sigh dramatically.

"Ethan's never been away from me. I miss him so much."

"I need distractions, or I'll lose it."

Ignoring the fresh love bites on his neck, I'd soothe him.

"Ethan will be back soon. Then our family will be together again."

Michael would smile thinly, his meaning clear.

"Yeah. Soon, our real family will be together."

Three years later, Ethan returned.

Chloe, making a grand reappearance, joined us to fetch him from the airport.

The moment Ethan appeared, Chloe couldn't contain herself.

She rushed forward, tears streaming, and crushed him in a hug.

After their emotional reunion, Ethan walked straight to me.

"Mom. I'm back."

"When do I take over the company?"

Seeing his eagerness, I smiled faintly.

"Let's go. I've called a press conference."

"Right now, in front of everyone, I'll hand everything over to you."

The conference room was packed with media and business elite, there to witness the transition of the Williams Enterprises.

Under the spotlight, I announced Ethan would succeed me as CEO of Williams Enterprises.

With lawyers and cameras recording, I signed the share transfer agreement.

Transferring all my assets and company shares into Ethan.

The room erupted in applause. People marveled at a mother's love.

Then, in that moment, Chloe entered on Michaels arm.

Under confused and astonished stares, Chloe produced a DNA test report.

"Sophia Williams, truth time. Michael and I have been in love for years. Even that IVF baby you carried was our embryo!"

"I am Ethan's real mother. Letting him call you 'Mom' for over twenty years was repayment enough for being his incubator. Now, give me back my son!"

The room erupted.

"Chloe Dubois? Isn't she Sophia's best friend? She slept with her husband? Made her carry their kid?"

"This is monstrous! Sophia treated her like gold! How could she?"

"The timing! She waits until after the shares are transferred? This is pure greed!"

"Exactly! She made her carry their child? How vile!"

Amid the outrage, Michael puffed out his chest.

"My first marriage was a prison. As a man, I tried to do my duty."

"But I'm human! Countless nights, I asked myself: Is this the life I want?"

"Sophia had money. She was good to me and Ethan. But my heart belonged to Chloe."

"Am I wrong for chasing true love?"

"Marriage is for happiness. Divorce is too. It shouldn't be chains binding me from my soulmate! I ask for your blessings!"

His words were earnest, forceful. Playing the tragic hero breaking free for love.

I ignored him, turning to Ethan.

"What do you think?"

Ethan scanned the share transfer agreement, then spoke calmly.

"Mom... that's the last time I'll call you that."

"Though you raised me for over twenty years, you're not my real mother."

"Blood is thicker than water. Don't stand in the way of our family reunion."

He threw divorce papers in my face.

"Since everyone's here, divorce Dad today. Set him free."

"Considering you raised me, I'll give you a monthly allowance. Two hundred dollars should suffice."

Gasps filled the room, then anger boiled over.

"Like father, like son! The nerve! After she just gave him everything"

"Two hundred dollars? Is he serious?"

"I'm furious just watching! Sophia, don't give in to these parasites!"

"Yeah! They've gone too far!"

People shouted support, some offering legal help to reclaim my assets.

Michael and Chloe remained smug, as if ready for any challenge.

Amidst the fury, I smiled mysteriously.

"Okay."

To everyone's shock, I signed the divorce papers.

Chloe and Michael blinked, surprised by my quick agreement.

They snatched the divorce decree and share transfer, scrutinizing them.

Finding no flaws, their smiles widened.

As they basked in triumph, I spoke again.

"Since you've given me such a... memorable surprise..."

"I have a gift for you too."