From sisterhood to sabotage: The betrayal that cost me everything

My best friend and I had been inseparable since childhood. We met at an orphanage, two lost souls who found comfort in each other. As we grew up, we shared everything—dreams, secrets, and an unwavering promise to always have each other’s backs.

Cooking became our shared passion. We learned side by side, pushing each other to be better. We went to culinary school together, graduated together, and, by some miracle, landed jobs at one of the top restaurants in the city—together.

For years, we worked in perfect sync, climbing the ranks in the kitchen. Then, one day, our boss made an announcement that changed everything.

"I'm looking for a new head chef," he said, his eyes scanning the room. "And I’ll be choosing between our two most promising chefs—Kera and Olivia."

My heart pounded. It was the opportunity of a lifetime. Olivia turned to me, grabbing my hands.

“No matter what happens,” she whispered, “let’s not let this ruin our friendship, okay?”

I smiled, squeezing her hands. "Of course. No job is worth losing you."

I meant every word. She was my sister in every way except blood. I never once doubted her.

That was my mistake.

A week before the decision, the kitchen ran as usual—heat, noise, and the rhythmic clatter of knives against cutting boards. But something felt… off. Olivia was distant, avoiding me when she used to seek me out for everything. When I asked if something was wrong, she forced a smile.

"Just nervous," she said. "This promotion means a lot."

I nodded, understanding completely. I was nervous too. But I reminded myself that no matter the outcome, we’d be okay.

Then, on the night before the final decision, chaos erupted.

Our boss stormed into the kitchen, fury radiating off him. His eyes locked onto mine, and his voice cut through the noise like a knife.

"I didn't expect this from you, Kera."

I froze. My hands, coated in flour, trembled slightly. "What?"

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he turned to the rest of the kitchen staff.

"Everyone, to the break room. Now."

The room emptied in hushed murmurs. My breath grew shallow as I followed. Olivia was already there, standing to the side, her face carefully blank.

Our boss slammed a folder onto the table. "Do you have any idea what this is?"

I shook my head.

"It's an invoice. A fake one. Someone’s been ordering expensive ingredients under the restaurant’s account and pocketing the difference."

My stomach dropped.

"You’re accusing me?" I whispered.

"Your login details were used," he said coldly. "And you signed off on every order."

My mouth went dry. "That’s impossible. I never—"

"Don’t lie, Kera," Olivia interrupted, her voice trembling. "I saw the invoices myself."

I turned to her, my vision blurring. "You think I would do this?"

She wouldn’t meet my eyes. "I—I don’t know what to think."

And that was it. No fight for me, no hesitation.

Just betrayal.

I was suspended immediately. They said they needed to "investigate," but I knew the truth. The staff whispered behind my back, and Olivia avoided me entirely. Days passed, then a week. I tried to call her, but she never picked up.

Then, one evening, I walked past the restaurant, my heart aching. The place that had been my home for years. Through the window, I saw them—Olivia and our boss. Laughing. Talking like nothing had happened.

And then he shook her hand.

I didn’t need to hear the words. I knew.

She got the promotion.

And I lost everything.

Months later, I got a call. It was from a former coworker.

"Kera, you were right. Olivia set you up."

I sat frozen as he explained. She had used my login, forging my signature, making sure everything traced back to me. But karma had caught up to her—she got too greedy. They caught her trying to pull the same scheme again, this time under her own name. She was fired immediately.

For a moment, I felt vindicated. But then, an emptiness settled in.

I had lost my career. My reputation. My best friend.

And no amount of justice could bring any of it back.