Chapter 853

Evelyn Ross had never imagined that Natalie Castillo's reason for breaking with her would be so absurd.

Morning sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains into the bedroom.

Evelyn had just finished washing up when her door was flung open with a bang.

Natalie Castillo stormed in, her eyes wide and fixed directly on Evelyn.

"Tell me," she demanded, her voice sharp. "Who is your number one best friend?"

Evelyn was stunned.

Number one best friend? What on earth was that?

Before she could process it, Joanna Sterling, standing nearby, whispered a reminder.

"She means your ride-or-die bestie. Your BFF."

Evelyn was even more confused.

Natalie, however, let out a cold laugh.

"It's Mina Sherwood, isn't it? Grace, how could you do this to me? Since we were kids, I've always considered you my one and only best friend. You promised we'd be the best of friends forever!"

Evelyn rubbed her temples.

"And so?"

"And so you're a terrible friend! A player! You have Chloe Roland on the side, and now Mina Sherwood! Yesterday, when Mina and I both reached for that piece of watermelon, you handed it to her!" Natalie's voice was shrill, her eyes reddening.

Evelyn sighed in exasperation.

"She's pregSterlingt. It's not easy for her to move. The watermelon was right next to you. You could have just reached for it. Mina was sitting behind me. If I didn't hand it to her, was I supposed to hand it to you?"

"You should have handed it to me! I don't want to hear it! You're biased! I don't matter to you anymore! Since you're so close to her, why don't you just go live with her? Why bother coming to see me?!" Natalie grew more agitated, tears welling in her eyes.

The commotion in the living room drew several people.

Ethan Valentine peered down from upstairs, looking thoroughly entertained.

Evelyn sighed again.

"Can you please not be so childish…"

"I'm childish? Grace, you never used to say that to me! When we played house together as kids, you never thought I was childish! Now that you have Mina, is even my breathing a mistake?!" Natalie's voice choked with sobs.

Evelyn tried to explain.

"That's not what I meant. I'm saying, fighting over something so trivial is childish…"

Natalie took a sudden step back, her eyes completely red.

"Fine. Not only do you refuse to admit you're wrong, you turn around and blame me… I've had enough! Joanna, pack our things. We're leaving!"

She turned and rushed upstairs.

Moments later, she came thundering back down, dragging a suitcase behind her.

She slammed the door shut without a backward glance.

Evelyn stood rooted to the spot, a headache pounding.

Was this act going too far? Who would make such a scene over a piece of watermelon?

She sat down on the sofa and massaged her temples.

Mina Sherwood walked over quietly and sat beside her, her tone concerned.

"I heard you had a fight with Natalie?"

Evelyn gave a bitter smile.

"You think she's being childish too, right?"

Mina, however, shook her head.

"Grace, I probably shouldn't say this, but what she really wanted was just an acknowledgment from you. You didn't even try to comfort her. No wonder she's upset. You should go and make it up to her quickly, or this could really break your friendship."

Evelyn was taken aback.

Was something so minor really that serious?

She had never had many close female friends growing up and couldn't understand this intense possessiveness between best friends.

It all seemed like a massive overreaction to her.

If Natalie left like this, how would Astrid Sterling ever believe it?

Yet Mina's expression was utterly serious, even anxious.

Evelyn couldn't help but ask.

"You don't think she's being unreasonable?"

Mina sighed, speaking earnestly.

"Grace, how can you think that? She's making a scene because she cares about you. If you had been softer, said a few comforting words, she wouldn't have been so angry she left. Look at your attitude now. It's like you don't even realize you did anything wrong… Sigh. If you keep this up, you really will lose this friend."

"It's that serious?" Evelyn was half-convinced, half-doubting.

Not long after, Kiki Cortez burst in, all flustered energy.

"First Senior Sister, did you really say those things to Natalie? How could you say something so harsh? She'll never speak to you again!"

Evelyn: "…"

Almost immediately, Chloe Roland's call came through.

"Evelyn, even though I'd love to be your number one best friend, that spot can only belong to one person. You two promised to be best friends for life. How could you betray her like that? Go and make it up to her. If I were her, I'd be furious too…"

Evelyn held her phone, feeling like the world had gone a little mad.

Was this really how things were between friends?

Lost in thought, she felt Alexander Vance sit down beside her.

He spoke softly.

"Actually, friendships between women can be a bit like romantic relationships. If I got too close to another woman, would you feel jealous?"

Evelyn frowned.

"Why would I be jealous? Unless you had feelings for her, it would just be a work or friendly relationship."

Alexander was silent for a moment, then suddenly chuckled.

"Evelyn, I just realized something about you."

"What's that?"

"You have a bit of a player's mentality."

Evelyn: "…"