Until It Breaks – Chapter 24

Lies

Jenny frowned as she saw an angry Valerie rushing towards her.

“You can’t marry this guy!”, Valerie called out.
“What?! Why?”, Jenny’s eyes went wide in confusion. Ethan came running in behind Valerie.
“Don’t listen to her, she’s lying!”
“What are you saying, what’s going -”
“He’s cheating on you!”
The chaos of voices subsided as Jenny just stared at Valerie speechless.
“He’s cheating on you, you can’t marry him”, she repeated.
“Bullshit!”, Ethan finally chimed in.

Jenny’s look wandered between the two of them, a pained look on her face.
“It’s not true, is it?”, she asked quietly.
“Of course it isn’t!”, Ethan assured her but Valerie was fed up with his lies.
“It’s true, I saw him kiss another girl at the first party I came to at your house and after that too, on your birthday and more! He told me he’s only marrying you for money!”
Jenny’s scared face turned into a half angry frown.

“That doesn’t make sense! The Alexanders have enough money of their own. Also, that party was months ago! If Ethan was supposedly cheating on me then why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
Valerie’s mouth went dry, but Jenny didn’t even let her answer as she raised her voice.
“I’ll tell you why: You fancy Ethan! You’re trying to take him away from me! I saw it from the very first second when you took his phone number and all. You’re jealous!”

“NO! I’d never want that… asshole!”, she spit out. How could Jenny not believe her?
“Hey that’s my fiancee you’re talking about. Shut your dirty mouth!”, Jenny cried out.
“Open your damn eyes!”, Valerie yelled back. By now, every person in the café was staring at them and the dramatic scene that had unfolded. The only one not frozen in shock was Ethan who had moved behind Jenny with a slight grin on his face that made him look even more arrogant than usual. Valerie knew she had forsaken her place at Havencrest by doing what she had done – forever. But the pressure and the guilt just became too much. Now she had to make it worthwhile.
“Check his phone! I bet he messaged the girl on there!”
Ethan’s grin didn’t go away.
“I did no such thing. Go on, check it!”, he held out his phone for Jenny to take but she shook her head and pushed Ethan’s hand away. “I won’t give in to this bullshit.”

“I know the girl”, Valerie tried again, “She’d tell you the same thing!”
Ethan’s smile faltered just for a second.
“You can’t get someone to testify who doesn’t exist!”, Jenny called out angrily. “Stop it with the lies!”
“He’s lying!”
Valerie didn’t now what to do. If Jenny didn’t believe her it was all for nothing.
“Even if I did believe you – which I don’t”, Jenny’s voice had turned ice cold, “I’d still be mad because you didn’t tell me about it sooner. I think you’re making this up because it suits you now! You’re a sneaking bitch either way. Now get out of my sight, I never want to see you again!”

Valerie stood in shock as she looked at Jenny with pleading eyes but she had turned away. Ethan’s smug face was only reminding Valerie of her defeat. But suddenly the café door opened.
“She’s telling the truth, though!”

Next: Chapter 25

Vee is for Vortex – Chapter 49

No, your eyes are not deceiving you, this is actually a new Vee is for Vortex chapter! Quick recap to fresh up your memory: After wooing a few ladies in his shop “Don’s slim sim supplies”, Don Lothario had a few pregnancies to deal with. He moved in with his alien girlfirend, Anyala Nirtam and they had a daughter named Rinai. But Alba Palermo, the blue haired barkeeper, and Candy Behr from Windenburg were also expecting babies from Don. So in today’s chapter we’ll see what they look like!

This is Judd Behr, son of Candy Behr and Don. He’s a cheerful little boy (but to be honest he also looks a bit mischievous! ) who has the artist prodigy aspiration. Doesn’t sound like Don at all – doesn’t look much like him either. Is Candy sure, Don’s the father?

Alba Palermo had twins! I visited her in Oasis Springs to age them up.

First off is Arian. He got the Music Lover trait and the Whiz Kid aspiration. I think he has the Don look!

His twin sister Sienna looks even more like Don, because she has his eyes! She is a lazy social butterfly, what a combination. Maybe she’ll meet loads of people online while lazying around in front of her computer – wait that’s me, not her. Oops.

Here are both of them in CAS. I didn’t give them any makeovers because I thought they looked really cute with the random clothes they got.

Especially Arian I mean isn’t he ADORABLE?! I might have to play with this household soon.

Back at the Lothario’s Rinai is trying to fulfil her social butterfly aspiration! Her first goal is meeting five new sims so she immediately gets to work by introducing herself to Sophie Mocca’s boyfriend, Francis.

Rinai: “Hey, Mr., aren’t you that famous baseball player Jack Llamason?”
Francis: “What’s baseball?”
Rinai: “I guess not… You’re lame.”

After moving on from the fake baseball player, she interrupted Eliza and some random dude who were fishing (Note to Rinai: Rude!).
“Hey you there, I just met a guy who looked like Jack Llamason. Do you know him?”
Update: They don’t. Also, Eliza wasn’t too keen on talking to Rinai at all. But it didn’t matter, because it fulfilled her milestone anyway!

After Rinai’s chattiness was satisfied, Eliza was allowed to go back to fishing. Rinai herself resorted to doing her homework directly next to the canal. Please don’t fall in! Oh well, I guess Eliza could fish her out again…

By now it was around 2 pm and Don was still sleeping! What a lazy bum!

Anyala was already hard at work practicing her mixology skills. I would love her to run a bar or a restaurant someday. She was having a pretty productive day and also cleaned all of the house and repaired a broken sink. You go girl!

However, Anyala was not pleased about Don being so lazy. She confronted him after he got up and tried to sneak out (probably to meet with one of his side chicks). They had a huge fight!

So huge that Rinai actually came up to her mother and asked her if her and daddy were getting a dee-borse. All that while glitching out on the porch. Yikes!

Anyala had to explain to her that her and Don aren’t even married. They’re just going through a rough patch and I’m sure they’ll be fine – maybe.  Anyala promised Rinai she would always be her mom and love her no matter what happened with her and Rinai’s dad. Rinai was satisfied with that answer. These two are cute!

A last dinner with the whole family. It actually went pretty well! I’m moving on to the next household soon but I hope these three will be okay while I’m gone and there will be no Don-ish shenanigans! See you around!

Next: Chapter 50

Previous: Chapter 48

Until It Breaks – Chapter 23

It’s a deal

“Engaged?!”, Valerie was shocked. What the hell was Ethan thinking?
“Yeah, fucked up, isn’t it…”, Eva hung her head. She sobbed quietly. “I think I need to go I can’t deal with this right now.”
“Why don’t you just go down there and tell Jenny about everything?”, Valerie blurted out. So you don’t have to do that yourself, huh?, a voice inside her head said. Eva frowned.
“You think that’s gonna make him love me more? What use would it be?”
“Justice.”
“Now, who’s talking.”

Valerie blushed. She knew what Eva was referring to. Her shady deal with Ethan was still on the table but by the second Valerie doubted its worth more.
“I need to go”, Eva said and rushed out of the door, her eyes still filled with tears. Valerie followed, but Eva was already gone as she got downstairs. Waiting for her were only a smiling Jenny and Ethan, with that smug grin on his face that just wouldn’t go away. Valerie wanted to punch him. She walked back to the table.
“There you are!”, Jenny called out as Valerie sat down, “I was just about to tell you… We’re getting married!”
Jenny showed her a giant diamond ring on her hand. How did he afford this?

“Wow, congrats”, Valerie managed to force a smile, “I didn’t see that coming.”
The slight edge didn’t bother Jenny at all.
“Isn’t it beautiful?”, she was marveling at her own hand.
“It sure is! Excuse me, Ethan, could I talk to you for a second… outside?”
Jenny’s eyes narrowed but Valerie interrupted her before she could say something.

“Don’t worry I’m not stealing him. Since you’re getting married, there’s some planning to do, isn’t there?”, she winked and Jenny’s eyes lit up. The surprise party excuse worked perfectly once again.
“Ethan…?”, Valerie poked his arm and he reluctantly followed her outside. She took a deep breath before confronting him.

“What the actual hell are you doing?”, she tried to keep her voice calm but it grew louder with every word.
“Sheesh, calm down, she’s gonna hear you. These doors aren’t that thick.”

“I’d be a lot calmer if you weren’t getting engaged to a girl you’re cheating on! Why are you doing this?”
Ethan shrugged.
“Marriage is bullshit anyway. I don’t need to love Jenny to marry her. It’s a deal.”
“A deal? What kind of deal?”
“Money. Her family’s rich you know. Really rich. Marrying her sets me up for life. And I can still have Eva for… my other needs.”

Valerie felt the urge to slap him but doing that would have alerted Jenny for sure. She could feel her watching him through the glass doors of the cafe.

“You’re disgusting.”
“Yeah, you said so quite a few times. So why haven’t you informed on me yet? I’ll tell you, because you’re disgusting too and you know it. We actually have something in common there.”

Valerie felt a hot surge of shame rise to her face.
“At least I’m not a gold digger.”
“You might as well be.”
There was silence for a few moments, but another question rose in Valerie’s mind.
“Wait a second why would you need to be ‘set up’ your family looks pretty rich to me!”
Ethan’s face fell.
“None of your business that is. Let’s just say my dad isn’t as good with money as it seems.”
Valerie shook her head.
“You know what. This stupid deal is not fucking worth it.”
Ethan’s eyes went wide as Valerie marched back into the café.

Next: Chapter 24

Until It Breaks – Chapter 22

Announcement

The week passed more quickly than Valerie would have liked. Before she knew it she was on her way to town to meet up with Jenny and Ethan. Valerie felt tense and anxious going into the meeting. She wanted to expose Ethan today but it would be hard.
The café Jenny had suggested was nearly on campus and frequented by a lot of students. As Valerie entered she already spotted Jenny waving excitedly from one of the tables.

I think I’m gonna be sick, Valerie thought as she made her way over to her trying to ignore Ethan’s smug grin.

“Val! So happy you could make it”, Jenny called out as she reached the table. Ethan only nodded. “What do you want to drink? Coffee? Maybe prosecco?” Jenny seemed even more bubbly than usual.

“Prosecco?”, Valerie asked confused. Something is going on here. This can’t be good.  For a moment she forgot about her plan.
“Yeah, we actually have something to celebrate! I was going to wait until later to tell you, but-”
“Jenny? Oh my god, hey!”, a girl from another table had come up to them and started a conversation with Jenny.

Valerie was glad for the distraction. An announcement?  
“What the hell is this about?”, she hissed towards Ethan. He shrugged.
“You’ll see.”
Valerie huffed and turned away. A million theories entered her mind and none of them she particularly fancied.
“Excuse me for a moment”, she mumbled and quickly made her way towards the back of the restaurant before Jenny could protest.

She took deep breaths as she went up the stairs to the bathrooms trying to calm herself down. She wanted to be mad at Ethan – not even knowing what for but instead all she felt was anger at herself and shame. Whatever this mysterious announcement was, she had already made sure that she wouldn’t be able to be happy for Jenny or support her. And she felt like a piece of shit for doing that to a friend – and herself. But suddenly she felt something else – a strong sense of déjà-vû she had only experienced once before. Oh god…

Just as in her dream, she slowly walked towards the door with the women’s sign on it. She was eager to discover the true meaning of her vision – and afraid at the same time because she knew it was going to be terrible news. The noise she heard as she entered was heart breaking; bawling sobs were coming from one of the stalls. Carefully Valerie walked up to the door and softly knocked. The crying stopped.
“Hey. Are you okay?”
She heard a click before the door swung open and revealed a teary Eva.

Valerie stared at her dumbfounded. What’s going on?

“Eva? What happened?”, she was inclined to give the other girl a hug but held her distance. She wasn’t sure how Eva would feel about it. Who ever thought I’d consider her a better friend than Jenny? Then again, Eva didn’t make her feel terribly ashamed every time they met.
“What happened…”, Eva’s voice had a bitter edge to it. “Didn’t they tell you already? Bet that bitch couldn’t wait to spill the beans.”

Valerie had never heard Eva speak of Jenny like that.
“Hey, that’s my friend you’re talking about!”, she angrily called out but Eva wasn’t phased.
“Is she now? Whatever, that’s your business. But he promised me. The bastard promised me and look at them now!”, Eva’s voice was growing louder as she let out her anger.

“Promised you what? What’s going on here?”, Valerie asked although she had a daunting feeling that she didn’t want to know.
“Hey promised he’d break up with her! As soon as he got into college and now… I thought what we had was special. Not them. Us.”
Wow, I had no idea she was this in love with him.  It shifted Valerie’s view of Eva. Maybe she wasn’t as tough as she always pretended to be. Whatever this is about, I’m gonna kick Ethan’s ass for it.

“Eva, tell me what happened.”
“Didn’t you see it? She practically shoved it in everyone’s face before you got here.”
Eva sobbed and turned away.

“See what?”, Valerie was growing increasingly terrified of the answer.
“The god damn ring”, Eva spit out, “They’re god damn engaged.”

Next: Chapter 23