Chapter 1985


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    Spencer was her rock, her unwavering support system who had helped her care for her kids for two solid years without a singleint. She could blow her top at anyone, but when it came to Spencer, she couldn''t find it within herself to raise her voice.


    It was peculiar, though. Ever since Spencer started dating Emmeline, initially, their friendship remained as solid as ever. But after that one dinner at her ce with Emmeline,munications had just... ceased.


    Even though they lived in the same apartment building, their paths rarely crossed anymore.


    "Too busy ying lovebirds to remember little old me, huh?" Spencer''s voice,ced withughter and the unmistakable tint of happiness, reached her through the phone.


    "Oh, head over heels with Emmeline, got it," Hertha joked back. After her response, an ufortable silence took hold. Back in the day, Hertha and Spencer were inseparable, sharing every little detail of their lives with ease, hardly ever encountering awkward pauses. Now, despite the yful banter, their conversations seemed to run dry after a few exchanges, a familiar closeness now reced with an unfamiliar distance. Just as the silence started to be unbearable, Hertha, trying to keep the mood light, was about to change the subject.


    Then, Spencer''s calm voice came through: "I''m getting married tomorrow. I really want you to be there."


    Hertha was speechless, all potential topics of conversation suddenly seeming insignificant.


    She shot up in bed, pping her thigh. "You''re what now? Getting married? This is so sudden!"


    "Sounds like you''re not thrilled?" Spencer remarked.N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    "Thrilled? Of course, I''m thrilled! My best friend is getting hitched; I couldn''t be happier!" In her excitement, Hertha blurted out with the kind of enthusiasm one might expect from a doting mother finally seeing her child settle down.


    "What did you say? You think of me as your son?" Spencer didn''t sound too pleased.


    Hertha burst intoughter. "No, no, just kidding. As your best friend, I just want you to find happiness and settle down. I''ve been feeling guilty for hogging your time for years and now that you''re getting married, I can finally stop feeling so selfish. How could I not be over the moon?"


    "Are youing tomorrow, then?" Spencer knew all along about Hertha''s sentiments; she had been rooting for him to tie the knot.


    "Of course, I''ming! I''d miss


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    anyone else''s wedding but yours? I wouldn''t dream of it! Even if it rains knives, I''ll be there." Hisughter echoed softly on the other end. Just make sure to show up, and don''te empty-handed. You know, because of how close we are, I can say this without hard feelings."


    "Oh,e on, you know me. Would I ever skimp out? The gift will be hefty, don''t you worry!" Hertha, ever the vibrant and candid soul, took the jest in stride.


    "Guess my future riches are in your hands, then," Spencer quipped.


    "Want me to take care of your entire future, too?" Hertha teased, raising an eyebrow.


    Spencer immediately went on the defensive, "No need for that, we''ll manage. You better get some sleep, goodnight."


    Knowing Hertha''s capacity for mischief, Spencer was wary. She had the audacity to pull pranks no one else would dream of-like the time she snuck into their room in the middle of the night, pretending to be a ghost just to scare them. Who else but Hertha could get away with such antics?