The Wrong Woman

"What about social media? Why did you block me?" Sienna inquired.

"Sorry, Sienna. Why exactly did you call me?" Jane's response left Sienna somewhat resigned, a sense of foreboding settling over her. Such was the way of supposed lifelong friends. Sienna had no interest in maintaining one-sided emotional investments in friendships. Cutting straight to the chase, she asked, "Jane, did you write 'Into the Light'?"

There was silence on the other end.

For Sienna, this silence was deafening. She couldn't believe it. Her heart clenched with a mix of sorrow and indignation. "So, 'Into the Light' is really your work?"

"Yes." Jane's voice, though slightly hollow, carried an air of entitlement. "I've already bought the book's copyright and secured a film contract."

Sienna let out a wry smile, her eyes moistening. "I never imagined that my best friend would steal my book. I-"

Before Sienna could finish, Jane cut her off, her tone assertive, "Sienna, my book was published three months before yours. Who copied whom? It's pretty clear, isn't it?"

Sienna sighed bitterly. "Jane, do you know the meaning of shame when you speak like this?"

Jane fell

deep breath

for this book and stored it on my laptop. I never thought that even with

clear. I'm the original creator, and you plagiarized my novel. Considering our friendship, I didn't want to sue you.

privately and issue an apology, we can consider this

it seems I'm more ruthless than you. All I want now

Sienna hung up

was seething. The mere thought that Jane could be behind the

the lawsuit. She also got her company to hire a lawyer. Despite days of tireless preparation, the lawyer shook his head in dismay after perusing

the hotel's ground-floor restaurant, Sienna and the lawyer mulled over their options for the impending lawsuit. The lawyer proposed seeking a setteet given the slim chances of

case is a long shot," the

engineers who could retrieve the timestamps of my book's creation? Perhaps we could trace the exact route she took to steal

confidence reignited as he slammed his hand on the table. "That might work. It's a strong play. But where would you find such