The Devil's Good Girl
Chapter 181: Cut them all loose

Chapter 181: Cut them all loose

It would be a lie if Fil said she wasn’t tempted to follow Michael. But as she mentioned, there was a reason people told her she would last long in a zombie apocalypse. She rarely overstepped. Hence, instead of following Michael and risking everything, she chose to follow the decision she made.

A decision she should’ve made a long time ago.

"Fil." Marianne smiled in relief when she opened the door and saw Fil outside her suite. "You came back."

"Of course." Fil smiled brightly, lifting a box of pastries to show her. "I got you something."

Marianne opened the door wider. "I’m on a diet, but one cupcake will do."

"How are you feeling now?" asked Fil as she casually went into the suite.

"Much better, thanks." Marianne sat on the couch and checked the box of cupcakes Fil was bringing with her. "Wow. This looks good."

"That’s why I bought it, even when I know you’re on a diet." Fil shrugged. "By the way, I went to visit Valerie."

"You did?" Marianne slowly arched a brow. "Why?"

"Even if Vincent and I have broken up, we were together for a long time." A short smile turned up on her face. "I felt obliged to show some courtesy even if I know she doesn’t want me there."

"Oh, Fil."

"Anne." Fil cast her a knowing look. "It’s okay. You, of all, people should know who I am. Didn’t you say it yourself? People don’t change. I was in denial, but you’re right. People don’t change unless they deeply and madly want to."

"I got accepted to a project abroad," she added, making Marianne’s brows furrow. "It’s a sub-project of the Solana."

"You’re leaving?"

Fil pursed her lips, nodding. "I want to start thinking about myself and my career."

"But the Solana Project —"

"I need to be away from here, Anne," Fil stressed before Marianne attempted to talk her out of it. "I loved Vincent for a long time. Breaking up with him isn’t easy, but I know it was the right thing to do. Moving on is a hard process, Anne. I needed time and space and I can’t do that if I am around him."

"But you’re also cutting me off?" Marianne scoffed in disbelief. "Why?"

"Would I say all of this if I’m cutting you off?" Fil gave her a knowing look. "Everyone around me was either Vincent’s friends or family. You’re the only one who is my friend before anyone else."

Fil rose from her spot and sat down beside Marianne, holding the latter’s hand. "I want you to support me, Anne."

"When will you come back?" Marianne frowned.

"Depends on the project."

"But your projects always take years. Even if it’s a sub-project of Solana, it’ll take a long time."

Fil squeezed her hand. "Will you talk me out of it?"

This time, Marianne didn’t say anything. All she could do was stare at Fil with equal sadness and understanding.

"When are you leaving?" asked Marianne after a minute of silence.

"Tonight."

"So soon?"

"It’s one of the reasons I didn’t agree to Vincent’s invitation, Anne," Fil explained. "The Solana wants me on their other projects, including their international projects as their consults. I planned to decide a few days ago, but the chairman invited me to the party."

"But after last night, I realized I needed it. I needed a break from everything, from Vincent, from the Hale, from everything that connects him and me," she continued. "I’m done with them."

Marianne sighed deeply while staring at Fil. "Come here, Filly." She carefully pulled Fil into her embrace, patting her back gently. "If that is what you need and want, what else can I say and do but support you?"

"I thought you’d be disappointed because you want me to come back to Vincent."

"That’s not what I meant."

Fil chuckled. "I’ll miss you, Anne."

"Me too, Fil." Marianne slowly pulled away from Fil and then clasped the latter’s hand. "Keep in touch, okay?"

"Mhm."

"Have you told your family about it?"

"I called them this morning and they’re... happy for me."

"Of course they are."

"Are you happy for me, Anne?"

"For the first time, I’m not being left behind," Marianne joked. "And for the first time, you’re doing something for yourself and not for others. Knowing you’ll be away makes me sad, but at the same time, if it makes you happy, then I’m also happy."

Fil clasped Marianne’s hands back. "Thank you. I really appreciate it, Anne."

"What are friends are for?" Marianne cast her a knowing look. "I’m still glad you told me about it."

The two of them smiled at each other whilst holding each other’s hands.

******

[An hour ago]

"You’re just going to go back to pick up your luggage?" Jackson asked as he sat languidly on the bed while watching Fil change clothes. "If so, then I’ll drive you in there. We can see Elijah together after that."

"I’m going to say goodbye to Kim. I feel bad for ditching her after she looked after me."

Jackson rolled his eyes. "You don’t have to do that."

"And I also want to say goodbye to Marianne." Fil looked back at him and threw him a shirt, which he caught midair. "If she’s obsessed with me, I don’t think it’ll sit well with her if I just disappear. I want to keep her out of my family’s life as much as I can."

"Oh?" Jack arched a brow. "Did you, perhaps, read my mind?"

"It’s easier for me if I believe she’s someone who wants me all for herself," she continued. "And someone like her will do everything to keep me wrapped around her fingers. So, even if the thought of her turns my stomach, I can’t just cut her loose. She knows my family, friends, where I work, and the people I’m close with."

She paused and faced Jackson. "She makes me feel trapped and I hate her for it. So, I’m going to tell her I need some space and cut off everything that connects me with Vincent."

"Nice plan." Jackson clapped slowly. "By telling her goodbye and a bit of your plan, she will think she now got you all for herself."

"I don’t believe Marianne’s actions stem from just mere lust," she reasoned. "But whatever her reason behind everything she had done, all screams, she wants me all for herself. I’m going to cut off everyone, but make her believe she’s not one of them. In that case, just like you said, she’ll think she has no competition. And if she thinks that, she’ll lower her guard."

Jackson slowed clapped again. "Good job, sweetheart. Want to take those clothes off again? You make me proud and I think of rewarding you."

"Get dressed." She grabbed his trouser from the cabinet and threw it at him. "We’ll have plenty of time together starting tomorrow."

******

[PRESENT TIME]

What Fil said were all assumptions of what Marianne wanted. But with how Marianne reacted and accepted her plans, Fil confirmed it. Marianne wanted her all for herself for whatever sick reasons, but this time, Fil won’t let her trap her in the house of fire Marianne was building for her.

"Please don’t let anyone know anything about it," Fil requested while squeezing Marianne’s hand. "I don’t want to hear anything from them."

"Of course. Why would I do that?" Marianne nodded without a second hesitation. "You have my word."

Fil smiled in satisfaction, proud of herself that even if she felt sick to her stomach, she was managing. Although Fil knew this was simply a temporary fix, a month was plenty of time for her to start anew and think of a better plan to dispose of this crazy best friend.

This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢