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“What’s she done?”

Lizzie sighed, voice cracking, revealing just how upset her twin was. She so rarely cried.

“You remember how she volunteered to plan the bridal shower and bachelorette weekend? Went on and on about how she loved planning and she wanted everything to be perfect so we didn’t have to worry about it.”

Charlotte’s stomach churned. She knew this was coming. The irony that Victoria volunteered Sasha and Lizzie to plan their engagement party that never happened was not lost on her.

“Well, now with her ‘new’ job, she’s simply ‘much too stressed’ and doesn’t know ‘how she will manage everything.’” Lizzie spluttered and coughed again. “So since you’re my maid of honor, guess who she requested help from? And who it will help bring closure with so there is no drama at the wedding.”

“Let me think,” Charlotte feigned amusement, knowing Lizzie would destroy herself from the inside out for days if Charlotte was affected negatively. “Me. Good thing I’ve already planned everything since I foresaw this coming. Don’t worry, I’ll handle it as long as you promise to listen to me vent about her bullshit.”

“Are you sure?” Lizzie sniffed.

“How many shots have you taken?”

“Dunno, it’s too disgusting to get plastered off of.” Her voice cracked again. “I’m sorry, Charlotte.”

“Why? Now I get to unleash myself and plan to my heart’s content. And I don’t have to worry about her ruining everything. Honestly, I’m saved.”

Lizzie hummed. “I just don’t know how Sasha doesn’t see it.”

“Well, technically, Sasha is her longest victim. Considering some of her family members, Victoria probably seems saint-like.”

When she and Victoria were together, Sasha was something close to a friend by default. Her presence brought about good conversation and a more relaxed version of Victoria. Back then they’d gotten along with relative ease. But the break up had certainly made things tense. And it took her longer than it should have to accept that Sasha and Lizzie salvaged something just for them out of the wreckage of Charlotte’s failed relationship.

“That’s certainly how she presents herself,” Lizzie snapped. “I have been trying to point out when things she says or does aren’t okay or weird. It seems more effective than when I’ve told her outright.”

“She will see eventually, I’m sure. But until then, we’ll make the best of it. I can always call for reinforcements. But I’ll likely have everything all planned out by the end of the month. So, it shouldn’t be a big deal.”

“I’m upset,” Lizzie admitted, voice cracking.

“You don’t need to be. I know what she is and how she operates. I can handle it.”

For the most part, Charlotte believed her own words to be true. But Victoria knew all of her weaknesses and wouldn’t be afraid to use them against her.

Lizzie stifled a small hiccup, “Thanks, Twinnie.”

“Of course,” Charlotte took a quiet breath, rolling her shoulders back as she started the mental gymnastics of planning all the logistics. “I’ll take care of everything. Don’t worry.”

Lizzie hung up, the phone screen going dark. The coming months leading up to the wedding seemed more daunting than ever. No part of her wanted to be in a room alone with Victoria… but not just that, Victoria had a reason to blow up her phone and Charlotte would have to answer.

The sound of feet thundering in the hall sounded right before Ali popped around the corner and bounded toward her, looking determined.

“Hear me out,” she began, eyes shining with something a lot like glee. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop but this apartment is…” her hands hovered in front of her, inches apart. “Not large. But I have a plan.”

“You, have a plan?” Charlotte asked, setting her phone face down on the counter, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Yes, here’s the thing. What do we know about narcissists?”

Charlotte cocked her head. “How do you know she’s a narcissist? You were only around her for one evening.”

Ali leveled her with a look that could only say, “Really?”

“I dated a narcissist once. Did some research afterward. Wanted to know what to look for.” She reached up to toy with her locket. “I never wanted to make the mistake of dating one again. Dearest Vicki is very good at camouflaging. But I see her.”

Charlotte hung her head. As a perfectionist, she rarely gave anyone specifics about the relationship. It remained one giant failure she cursed herself for allowing to happen.

“I think, between the two of us, we can make sure she doesn’t have free rein to manipulate all of this for her own sick satisfaction or personal gain.” Ali went on brightening again.