Chapter 1 Chapter 1

"Chloe, remember the childhood engagement our family set up for you? Now that you've almost recovered from your sickness, would you consider returning to Kingston City to tie the knot? If you're still not on board, I can have another word with your dad and call the whole thing off." In the shadowy room, Chloe Smith could hear nothing but the sound of silence. On the other end of the line, her mom had braced herself for another refusal, but then Chloe's voice cut through. "I'll go back and get married." Her mom, Felicia Brown, was caught off guard. "You're... You're okay with it?" Chloe replied steadily, "I am. I just need a little time to wrap up some loose ends here in Marina City. Give me half a month, and I'll be there. Mom, go ahead and get the wedding plans rolling." With a few more parting words, Chloe ended the call. As soon as she hung up, the booming beats from the party downstairs seeped into the room, mingling with the strains of a birthday tune. It was Helen Zimmer's birthday bash, thrown by Andrew Lewis and Stephen Jones. Out of nowhere, footsteps approached, and there was Helen, grinning with a slice of Black Forest cake in hand. Her doe-like eyes fluttered, her pretty face dolled up, though a smear of cream made an odd contrast. "Chloe, come join the fun, won't you?" Chloe saw right through her friend's festive facade and responded coldly, I've got a pile of work to plow through, so I'll pass. You guys go ahead and enjoy yourselves." In a heartbeat, Helen's eyes brimmed with tears. "Chloe, are you blowing me off because you don't like me?" Chloe's eyebrows knitted together without her even realizing it. She had not done a thing, yet somehow, Helen looked like the victim. What was up with that? She scoffed to herself, totally done with Helen's babbling. "Keep your little act for Andrew and Stephen. It won't work on me." Her words had barely left her lips when she reached to slam the door shut. "Chloe, please don't—" Helen's hand shot out, stopping the door with a thud. Just like that, her hand got caught, squished as the door snapped shut. A dark bruise bloomed on her fair skin in an instant. "Ouch!" Andrew and Stephen were just coming upstairs and got an eyeful of the drama. They both dashed to Helen's side, scooping her up and fussing over her hand like it was made of glass. The sight of Helen's bruised hand made Stephen's eyes water with concern. He had always been the hot-headed type, and he did not hold back, laying into Chloe, "You don't have to like Helen, but why stoop so low? Chloe, when did you turn into this kind of person?" Andrew was the calm and collected one, but even he could not hide his disappointment as he stared at Chloe with those intense eyes of his. "Chloe, it's still Helen's birthday. You didn't have to go this far." However, he softened as he turned to Helen. "Does it still hurt? Let's get some ointment on that." As Andrew led Helen away, Stephen was right on their heels, trying to cheer her up. "Don't be down, Helen. I'll give you my brand-new sports car, and we'll go for a joyride after the party. That'll lift your spirits!" Helen, surrounded by two guys who treated her like a superstar, finally managed to dry her tears, though her voice still quivered a little. "Thanks, Andrew," she said with a sniffle. After expressing her gratitude to Andrew, she turned to Stephen with eyes brimming with tears and implored, "Stephen, don't go racing, okay? It's super dangerous, and I'll be worried sick." Seeing Helen switch from crying to giggling, Stephen quickly promised, "Sure, sure, sure. Whatever makes you happy, I'll do it!" Chloe watched them as they headed downstairs, standing at the doorway lost in a daydream. She could not help but remember a time when she was the one standing between Andrew and Stephen. Ever since she was little, Chloe had been weak and often sick, especially with her asthma, and the damp, rainy weather in Kingston City just made it worse. When she was five, her parents sent her away from Kingston City to the always-sunny Marina City to live with her aunt, Natalie Smith, a doctor who could help her recover. That was when Chloe met the boys next door, Andrew and Stephen. They grew up together, as close as can be, like a trio of peas in a pod. From the moment they laid eyes on her, the boys were head over heels, always by her side, acting like her personal knights in shining armor. When they were kids, they would walk her to school, bring her breakfast and milk, and tear up any love letter she got, making sure no other boy could get close to her. When they grew up, one became a big-shot CEO and the other a famous race car driver. Busy as they were, they bought the houses next to Chloe's, knocked down the walls, and made one big happy home. They made it a point to come back every day to cook for her, just to make sure she had everything she needed. Chloe was on the mend, and her family was nudging her to head back to Kingston City, but her friends would not have it. They stood there, eyes glistening with unshed tears, practically begging her to stay. They would drop everything to go with her if she left. They were her rock, always saying, "Where you go, we go." It was their unwavering support that kept Chloe from heading back, even after she got better. However, Helen came along, and the game changed. Helen was the new intern Chloe had taken under her wing. On her first day, she hung back, too shy to join the lunch crowd. That quickly became her routine until Chloe found her sitting alone, quietly eating plain bread. It turned out Helen had clawed her way from a mountain town to the big city, scrimping every cent from her poor family's pockets. Chloe, the Smith family's golden girl, who had been raised in the lap of luxury, felt a pang for Helen and began looking out for her, even bringing her along to meals with Andrew and Stephen. That was how Helen met the guys. Andrew, the calm, distant one, had never attended parties—until Helen. Stephen had lived for racing, and no one could tell him otherwise—until a word from Helen had him hitting the brakes. That had been the new normal for a month by then. Before Helen, Andrew and Stephen were all about Chloe, never hiding their crushes. They had even made a spectacle a few times, each trying to get Chloe to pick him. Chloe's heart had fluttered for them, considering choosing one. However, with her family's marriage plans on the table, that did not seem like such a bad option after all. Chloe forced a smile and set a countdown timer on her phone for her departure. From that moment forward, she would stay out of the way of those three.

Chapter 2 Chapter 2

Chloe shut her door, popped in her earbuds, and tuned out the noise from outside. Having made up her mind to return home and tie the knot, she knew she would have to resign from her job. Still, she was determined to wrap up her projects, aiming to avoid causing any inconvenience to others. She sat alone in front of the panoramic window, diligently finishing up her work. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the evening sky faded to dusk. Chloe removed her earbuds, stood up, and stretched. After a long stretch of focused work, she was finally done. The building had quieted down completely. She flicked on her phone for a bit of mindless scrolling. That was when a message from Helen popped up. Without a second thought, Chloe tapped it open. [Why didn't you 'like' my post?] A minute barely passed before another message followed. [Oops! Sorry, Chloe. Wrong person. Don't be upset, okay?] Driven by curiosity, Chloe checked Helen's social media feed to see what the fuss was about. Her screen was filled with photo after photo of presents from Andrew and Stephen, including a luxurious pink princess gown laying spread out, resembling a fluffy pink cloud. To complement the dress, Andrew had gifted a pair of bespoke crystal diamond shoes that glittered with every turn, the epitome of opulence. The flashy red sports car had Stephen's name written all over it. In the photo taking center stage, Helen was flanked by Andrew and Stephen, her hands linked with theirs, her smile radiating pure joy. In the caption, she declared, [Yay! I got to be a princess for a day!] Chloe understood all too well. Helen was baiting her, hoping to ruffle her feathers and provoke a reaction. Once upon a time, Chloe would have been torn apart by the sight of Helen's fake sweetness, and even more by the fact that Andrew and Stephen had given their attention to Helen, a girl they had barely known for a month—a girl who was stepping into what used to be her exclusive territory. However, with her departure looming, Chloe could not care less. With a casual flick of her finger, she lit up a heart icon on her phone screen, sealing her approval. From that moment on, she, Andrew, and Stephen were nothing more than friends. The tough decisions were Helen's to make. The following day, Chloe strode into the office and handed in her resignation. When she got home, she began to sift through the mountain of photos that chronicled the trio's shared history. Over twenty years of friendship had produced album after album of memories. Childhood games of house with Andrew and Stephen, middle school award ceremonies, college road trips... Each photo brought the past to life, as if she could step right back into those moments. However, those days were gone, and they did not matter anymore. One by one, Chloe set the photos alight, tossing them into the trash can to burn. A small fire crackled to life, consuming years of laughter and camaraderie, reducing them to nothing but ash. Andrew and Stephen arrived home just in time to catch the last act of her personal purge. Andrew rushed over, his voice trembling as he exclaimed, "What are you doing?!" Chloe shot him an icy look and replied calmly, "Just burning some moldy old photos." Stephen reached out, a desperate attempt to save what was left, but Chloe's hand flicked, sending the last of the photos fluttering into the flames. The fire took them eagerly, leaving no chance for second thoughts or salvaged memories. Stephen cautiously reached for the photo that was still burning at the edges, but the intense heat made him jerk his hand back. "These are memories, you know! You don't just burn memories, even if they're a bit moldy!" His voice was tinged with pain as he spoke, and his eyes started to turn red with the effort to hold back tears. Andrew, too, stared at the flames with a sense of loss, feeling utterly helpless. Chloe could not help but find their reaction a bit funny. There she was, flesh and blood, right in front of them, and yet they kept getting all worked up over Helen. Just a bunch of photos, and they were getting all sentimental. She wondered, just for a second, how they would react if they knew about her plans to go home and get married.

Chapter 3 Chapter 3

Facing the two worried guys, she spoke with a calm she did not quite feel. "They're just photos. We can take more, can't we?""The fire did a thorough job, so we'll have to make new memories. It's about time we went on a trip again, anyway." Andrew, trying to make the best of the situation, was met with Stephen's eager agreement. "Yeah, and we can bring Helen along this time. She's always wanted to travel." Chloe could not help but laugh a little at Stephen's words. Andrew and Stephen took her chuckle as a sign of agreement and let out a collective sigh of relief. Just as they were about to head back inside, they stopped short at the sight of several boxes in the living room—boxes that were not there when they left that morning. "What's all this?" they asked together. Chloe gave the boxes a quick look. "Oh, I quit my job. I'm thinking of trying something new." She had liked her job before, had she not? The same doubt crept into both of their minds. Chloe was acting off, and it left Andrew and Stephen feeling a bit rattled. Stephen parted his lips, about to dive into a sea of questions, but the sudden jingle of a ringtone cut through the quiet. Andrew picked up the phone, and Helen's voice came through, panicked and lost. "Andrew, the power's out at my place, and I'm freaking out! What should I do?" Stephen, who was right there, heard her and his face changed. He jumped in before Andrew could respond. "Helen, don't worry, I'm on my way." Andrew's forehead creased with worry, a rare sight on his usually calm and collected face. Worried sick about Helen, Andrew and Stephen grabbed their keys and bolted out the door together. Chloe, on the other hand, was the picture of calm throughout. Once they were gone, she dialed up Natalie. She had grown up in Natalie's care, and Natalie had been nothing but kind, treating her like her own daughter. Since she was leaving, it was only right to say a heartfelt goodbye. When Natalie heard Chloe was heading back to tie the knot, her voice was tinged with sadness and shock. "Chloe, do Andrew and Stephen know you're going back to get married?" Chloe hesitated before replying, "They're in the dark, Aunt Natalie. Please keep it under wraps for me too. I just can't deal with any more drama." The line went quiet for a beat. Natalie let out a heavy sigh. "Yeah, I get it. You've been their gem since day one. It's clear as day those two fell hard for you, always stuck like glue. I really thought you'd end up with one of them. What a shame..." Chloe chuckled softly. "There's nothing to be sorry about. We just weren't meant to be." Natalie listened, and without pushing the issue, she said softly, "Chloe, I always knew you'd head back home eventually. I just didn't think it'd happen this fast. I've been by your side since you were a tiny tot. Before you take off, swing by and see me, okay? Once you're back in Kingston City, who knows when we'll get another chance to catch up..." With a playful grin, Chloe replied, "Of course, I'll come by. I've got some presents for you, and I'm not ready to say goodbye just yet." Natalie chatted a bit more before ending the call. The moment the line went dead, Chloe's phone buzzed again. It was her company's director. "Hey Chloe, your design snagged an award for us! The trophy just came in, and since you've moved on, I've sent your intern, Helen, to drop it off at your place." Before Chloe could even respond, the doorbell chimed. She hung up, swung the door open, and there was Helen, trophy in hand, smiling on her doorstep.

Chapter 4 Chapter 4

Helen clutched the trophy, but her face was missing the spark of victory. She did not look like she wanted to celebrate, and she definitely was not about to hand it over to Chloe. Instead, she bit her lip, her eyes wide and pleading as she spoke. "Chloe, the director told me to give you the trophy. It's such a big deal, and you're so awesome. I'm going to be super bold and ask you something. I've never won this award. Can I borrow the trophy for just a few days?" Borrow? Chloe had never heard anything so ridiculous. She raised an eyebrow and said with a fake smile, "If you know it's bold, then don't ask. If you want one so badly, go win one yourself." With that, she reached out to take the trophy from Helen's embrace. Chloe's frosty response left Helen flustered, looking like she was the victim of some great injustice. "Chloe, why are you being like this? I'm not taking it forever. I just want it at home to inspire me, is that so wrong?" As Chloe went to grab it, Helen hugged the trophy even tighter, refusing to let go. Their tug-of-war ended with a crash as the crystal trophy hit the floor and shattered into a million pieces. Andrew and Stephen, who had just walked up, saw the disaster unfold. They dashed over and wrapped Helen in a protective hug. "Helen!" They circled her, faces etched with concern, checking her over for injuries. Andrew lifted the hem of Helen's dress and saw a cut on her calf, bleeding from the glass. His face turned to worry as he declared, "I'm taking you to the hospital now!" He did not wait for her to agree, just scooped her up and carried her away. Stephen's gaze was fixed on the glass shards scattered across the floor, his expression stormy. "Chloe, you've got it all, so why are you scraping with Helen over this?" Scrap? That word nearly made Chloe laugh, but not out of humor. "That trophy is mine, my hard-earned prize after three grueling months. It's my glory. There she is, holding onto it with those puppy-dog eyes, and you accuse me of scrapping?" Chloe's anger made her shake, her finger jabbing toward the broken glass, her voice sharp enough to cut through the chill air. "Now that she's gone and broken it, I expect an apology from Helen." Chloe thought her explanation was crystal clear about who was in the right, but Stephen only got hotter under the collar, his voice booming. "I thought this was about something that mattered. It's just a trophy. You can get a million of them. How does that stack up against Helen? You've hurt her, and I don't think she owes you an apology—you owe her one!" With that, Stephen did not even wait for Chloe's response. He was off in a flash to tend to Helen. Chloe stood there, the broken pieces a mirror of her own state, Stephen's words replaying in her head. He actually expected her to say sorry to Helen. The idea of the injured party apologizing to the one who caused the harm was absurd. 'Stephen, you're quite the piece of work,' Chloe seethed inwardly. A sharp pain suddenly gripped her heart, and then she felt it in her leg too. Looking down, she saw a long, jagged gash. With the flesh laid open, it looked more gruesome than Helen's injury. Biting back the pain, Chloe cleaned up the mess before finally turning to deal with her own wound. That night, Chloe's phone buzzed with a message from Felicia, who had sent over a slew of wedding dress designs. [Pick your favorite], the message read. Chloe skimmed the message once more before dialing Felicia's number. They had barely started chatting when Felicia picked up on the weariness in Chloe's voice and could not resist asking what was wrong. The day's unfairness flashed through Chloe's mind, her eyes brimming with unshed tears, but she dodged the question. "Mom, I should have everything wrapped up here in a week. How's the wedding planning coming along?" Just then, Andrew and Stephen walked in. Catching the tail end of Chloe's sentence, they both blurted out in sync. "Wedding? What wedding?"

Chapter 5 Chapter 5

Chloe had not noticed when the call ended. She took a moment to steady her emotions before saying, "My bestie's tying the knot. Why? Are you guys thinking of crashing it?" Andrew and Stephen had been giving her the silent treatment lately. Once she was back in Kingston City, they would probably never cross paths again—not even as acquaintances. There was no point in spilling the beans about her own wedding plans. At her comment, Andrew and Stephen shot each other a puzzled look but did not dwell on it. "Nah, you can go. I've got a mountain of work at the office," they dismissed. Andrew, still seemingly miffed about Helen's accident earlier that day, grabbed some papers and headed to the study with a frosty air. Stephen's face was set in a hard line as he added, "Helen got scraped up because of you. You should go say sorry to her. Otherwise, count me out for wedding festivities." With that, he marched off to his room. Chloe let out a bitter chuckle, keeping her thoughts to herself. The next morning, Chloe rose early to start on breakfast. Chloe had barely stepped out when she was hit by the sight of the living room, now a makeshift garden with vases of flowers everywhere, their scent hanging in the air like a silent alarm. The pollen was a yellow haze, swirling in with the breeze, everywhere at once. Her face drained of color as her breath hitched, faster and faster. She was asthmatic, and pollen was her kryptonite! Panic clawed at her chest as she struggled to breathe, her world tilting into shadows. Air seemed to vanish from her lungs, each breath a battle. "Medicine..." She stumbled toward the medicine box, her mind clinging to the memory of where her inhaler was. Her hands, weak and shaking, groped in vain, and in a clumsy moment, she sent several vases crashing from the cabinet. Crash! The sound of shattering glass echoed as flowers and water spilled into chaos. At the noise, Andrew and Stephen came running, only to explode in anger at the sight of the mess, oblivious to Chloe's distress. "What are you doing?!" Chloe, medicine finally in hand, could barely process their words. Stephen, face tight with worry, shoved her aside in his rush to save the fallen flowers. "Ah!" The push sent her reeling, her knee slamming into the cabinet's edge, skin tearing, pain flaring red and raw. She clutched her inhaler, hands shaking violently, as she fought for air. At last, the cap was off, the nozzle was found. She clung to it like a lifeline, medicating herself as she hobbled to the safety of a corner. The medicine soothed her raw throat, a small mercy in the storm. She had just dodged a bullet, fighting for her life, and there were Andrew and Stephen, oblivious, picking up the scattered flowers and broken vase pieces off the floor.

Chapter 6 Chapter 6

It took a while, but Chloe finally got her breath back. She leaned against the wall, her medicine gripped tight in her hand, shielding her face to keep the pollen at bay. She had not even had a second to catch her breath when Andrew's accusing voice hit her like a slap. "Why are you always picking on Helen? She gives us these flowers and you just throw them on the ground!" Stephen's voice, thick with anger, was not far behind. "Chloe, you've been acting so unreasonably lately. What's gotten into you?" Chloe inhaled deeply, shaking with a mix of anger and frustration. She had a storm of words inside her, ready to burst out, but all that came out was a choked sob, her eyes brimming with tears. "Me, changed? Have I really changed, or is it you who changed? I have asthma, and I'm allergic to pollen. How could you forget that?" Her voice was weak, but her words hit Andrew and Stephen like a bolt of lightning. They used to be so attentive to her needs. Whenever Chloe had an asthma attack, they were the ones panicking, ditching class and jumping fences to get back to her, eyes red with worry, hovering by her bed, ready to do anything for her. They had forgotten something so crucial. Maybe realizing his mistake, Andrew's face went through shades of guilt, and after a moment, a trace of apology showed through his usually stoic expression. "Sorry." Stephen's brows knitted together as he thought about Chloe's painful episodes. They had been through so many together, and he knew just how much she suffered. He stepped closer, concerned about etching his face. "Hey, were you okay earlier? I'm sorry about the flowers. Helen picked them herself out in the wild. She put her heart into them, and that's why I was so worried." Chloe did not say a word. Once she took her medicine and her color started coming back, Andrew and Stephen quickly got the flowers out of there. They did not come home for days after that. Their room stayed dark. Chloe did not seem to mind. She had her hands full, packing up her stuff. It was only after she had packed most of her things that she really looked at the house. She had bought it first, but Andrew and Stephen, wanting to be close to her, bought the houses next door. They knocked through the walls, and that was how they ended up with that big place. However, only a third of it was really hers. Selling it was going to be a hassle. The day Andrew and Stephen finally came back, they walked right into a meeting between Chloe and a real estate agent. Andrew's face went stone-cold at the sight of a stranger in their home. "Who are you, and what's your business here?" The agent was clearly intimidated by their intense stares but managed to stammer out, "Good day. I'm an agent, and the owner wants to sell the place." 'Sell the house?' Andrew and Stephen looked at each other, both floored. They were about to kick the guy out when Chloe came downstairs. "I'm the one selling the house," she said, her voice steady. "I was just about to talk to you both about it." Hearing that, Andrew and Stephen's hearts skipped a beat, and they blurted out together, "Why sell it? Aren't we happy living here?" Stephen, recalling that day's events, figured and asked straight up, "You're not still upset about what happened a few days ago, are you?" He was obviously rattled and did something rare for him—he apologized, "We totally didn't mean to forget about your allergy to pollen. Does it really have to go this far?" Chloe shook her head with a calmness that did not quite reach her eyes, "It's not about what happened before." 'It's about you guys. I just don't want anything to do with you anymore.' She kept those thoughts to herself and said, "You both know I quit my job. When I find a new one, it won't make sense to live here anymore. Plus, we've been roommates for years, so we don't need to be joined at the hip." Andrew's face was a mask of seriousness, and he was not budging. "If it's about the job, Stephen and I can drive you. You don't have to worry. You said it yourself, we've been living together for ages. We're used to it. Why split up now?""Exactly, with Andrew and me around, we could even get a driver for you. I'm not on board with breaking up the band," Stephen chimed in, just as opposed. Chloe, seeing she was not getting through to them, massaged her forehead, puzzled by their stubbornness. She decided to lay down her ace. "Well, if that's how it is, let's sell this place and get a bigger one. Then we can have Helen move in with us too." The mention of Helen's name did the trick, their eyes lit up, and they wavered. Finally, Stephen caved to the idea. "If that's the plan, I guess I'm in." Andrew's gaze was deep and troubled as he watched her, a storm of emotions swirling in his eyes. "Would you really be okay with Helen moving in?" He could not shake the feeling that there was more to it than met the eye. However, before he could figure it out, Chloe's laughter cut through his doubts. "Of course, why wouldn't I be? We're friends, aren't we?" With her mind made up on the spot, Chloe declared, "That settles it, then. We'll sell this place and find a new one." Her words left Andrew and Stephen speechless, neither of them finding the words to argue.

Chapter 7 Chapter 7

Finally, the house was all set, and Chloe let out a long, relieved breath. It was like a huge weight had been lifted off her in a heartbeat. While signing the papers, she realized the due date for the final real estate paperwork was the same as her departure day. Perfect timing. It meant she could skip the awkward goodbyes with Andrew and Stephen. Signing her name, Chloe felt a rush of relief. It was almost all behind her. There was just one more thing to do. She hit the mall, picking out a sleek massager and a cool pair of bracelets before making her way to Natalie's place. The moment she stepped through the door, Natalie wrapped her in a tight hug. "Chloe, letting you go is so hard. You've been part of Marina City for years, and I've come to love you like my own. It's going to feel so empty without you," Natalie said, her voice thick with emotion as she clung to Chloe's hand. Chloe felt a lump in her throat but managed a reassuring smile. "I'll miss you too, Aunt Natalie, but hey, we're family, right? Planes, trains—it's all easy. We'll see each other during the holidays for sure." Natalie nodded, her tears giving way to a smile, and nudged Chloe onto the couch. "Park it here, kiddo. I took some days off just for you. You're staying over, and I'm whipping up all your favorites!" Before Chloe could protest, Natalie was off to the kitchen, soon returning with a feast of Chloe's beloved dishes, all served up with her warm, infectious laugh. Chloe watched her, a smile spreading across her face. She knew there was no arguing with Natalie. A few more days there would not hurt. It was the least she could do to keep her company. Chloe glanced at the clock and knew she could not put it off any longer. With a heavy heart, she turned to Natalie. "I've got to head out. In three days, I'll be in Kingston City, tying the knot." Natalie fought back her tears and nodded, her hands pushing an envelope into Chloe's. "I've got three surgeries that day, and I can't skip out on them. Take this as a little something from me, okay? Chloe, promise me you'll find your happiness." Chloe's eyes brimmed with tears as she took the envelope. "I will. Grandpa's choice has got to be a good one, right?" Just then, the elevator dinged, and out stepped Andrew and Stephen, flanking Helen. They caught the tail end of the emotional goodbye and felt a tug at their hearts. "Chloe, what's with the waterworks?" Chloe quickly dabbed at her eyes and managed a smile. "Oh, it's nothing. Just haven't seen my aunt in ages, and it's tough to say goodbye, you know?" Andrew and Stephen let out the breath they did not know they were holding. Their worry melted away. "We're all neighbors here in Marina City. If you miss us, just swing by any time." Natalie watched the two, clueless about the real story. She wondered how they would react if they ever found out. She almost spilled the beans but caught herself. Chloe, sensing the danger, swiftly steered the conversation towards Helen. "What's going on with you guys?" Andrew and Stephen snapped out of their daze, a flicker of panic crossing their faces as they stumbled over their words, trying to explain. "Today's Thanksgiving, and Helen was all by herself, feeling pretty down. So, we decided to bring her back to join our celebration," they explained. "Yeah, and don't get it wrong, we tried calling you too, but you never answered." Their panic was kind of funny, considering how in past Thanksgivings, they would practically trip over each other trying to bring her home with them. On a holiday all about family coming together, taking a girl home was like an unofficial way of saying, 'She's the one'. Chloe was stuck in the middle, bouncing between the Lewis place and then over to the Joneses. However, that Thanksgiving, they both showed up with Helen instead. The message was loud and clear, even if nobody said it out loud. Chloe stayed calm, though. "Got it, sounds great. Have fun. I've got to go pack." With that, she was ready to head out and catch a ride. Just then, Andrew and Stephen both stopped her in her tracks. "Chloe!""Chloe!"

Chapter 8 Chapter 8

Chloe spun around, and the guys looked relieved to see she was not mad. Andrew closed the distance, taking her hand. "Forget about packing. It's way too much hassle. I'll send our driver later, and we'll move your stuff to the new place together." Stephen nodded like one of those bobbleheads. In that moment, Chloe could almost see the way they used to look at her, like she was the only one in their world. Back when they were just kids, chatting and laughing was all it took. However, those childhood promises were just words in the wind. Chloe glanced at Helen, shook her head, and said, "No need. I've got things to sort out on my own." Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and walked away. Chloe had just settled into her room, freshened up, and flopped onto her bed when her phone buzzed with an incoming call from Helen. Helen's voice, sugary and smug, trickled through the line. "Chloe, guess what? I visited the Lewises and the Joneses tonight, and both Andrew's and Stephen's folks were super sweet to me. They even dug out their precious family treasures, saying they wanted to gift them to me. Do you think they're hinting at something—" Chloe cut her off, her voice calm and detached. "Look, I really don't care about your social climbing. Save it, it's none of my business." With that, she ended the call. The day before her departure, Chloe had stepped out into the world. She had made plans to catch up with her bestie, Melissa Jensen, over lunch. Friends were a rare commodity for Chloe in Marina City since Andrew and Stephen had kept her on a tight leash all her life. No boyfriends, no love letters from admirers, and they even had a say in her girlfriends. They would whine, "Chloe, aren't we enough for you? You're so amazing, we bet even the girls have crushes on you." Their grip on her life was suffocating, wanting her to have eyes only for them. However, there they were, the ones pushing her away. At a trendy international bistro, Melissa was already there, waiting. The moment she spotted Chloe, she wrapped her in a massive hug, the sadness of impending goodbye heavy in her embrace. "Chloe, I can't believe you're heading back to Kingston City to tie the knot already. I'm gonna miss you like crazy. I always figured you'd end up marrying Andrew or Stephen and make Marina City your forever home. We could've kept having our adventures together." Chloe gave a small, knowing smile. "They've got their paths, and I've got mine." Melissa's spirits sank a little at that. Then, with a scowl, she brought up Helen. "You were always so kind to Helen, and she just—" Chloe cut her off with a light laugh. "Forget about her. She's not worth our time. Once I'm married, she'll be out of my life for good, and her drama won't be my problem anymore." However, as fate would have it, Helen walked into the restaurant. Chloe and Melissa's table was right by the door, so she caught only half the conversation. Driven by curiosity, she approached the pair and asked, "Chloe, who's getting married? Can I come? I've never been to a wedding!" Chloe was no stranger to Helen's boundary issues, but maybe she was used to her antics. With her own departure on the horizon, she stayed composed and collected. Melissa, though, was having none of it. She slammed her cutlery down and shot Helen a fierce look. "It's my wedding, and no, you're not invited! Happy now? Seriously, do you ever mind your own business? Are we besties or something? You're like someone who'd taste the slop from a garbage truck just to satisfy your curiosity." Melissa's voice rose, her words biting. Helen flinched as if struck, tears welling up and spilling over. She whimpered, turning to Andrew and Stephen, who had just come in, her big eyes brimming with a silent plea for help. Andrew walked in, totally clueless about what had happened, but the sight of Helen looking so lost and forlorn hit him hard. Without thinking, he scowled and pulled her into a comforting hug. "As long as I'm here, you can go to any wedding you want, just say the word." Stephen jumped in with even more enthusiasm. "Don't forget about me! Weddings are small fry. You want the stars? I'll climb right up to heaven and snag you the shiniest one. Ignore all those nobodies." The two guys, flanking her on either side, finally managed to turn Helen's tears into laughter.

Chapter 9 Chapter 9

After the exchange, Andrew and Stephen escorted Helen to their table, right next to Chloe's. Both guys were falling over themselves to dish up Helen's plate, their eyes practically glowing with adoration. Melissa watched the whole thing, fuming so much she practically destroyed her steak, but Chloe was the picture of serenity. Melissa bit her tongue, maintaining her composure and staying silent. The guys wrapped up dinner and took off soon after. Chloe said her goodbyes to Melissa and headed home. Andrew and Stephen did not come back that night, but Chloe did not mind. She was too busy getting her bags packed. In the morning, the sound of footsteps told her Andrew and Stephen had finally arrived. It was a moving day, after all. However, what they did not know was that their new home, their future, would not include her. The racket outside got louder, probably the sound of moving boxes, but Chloe ignored it all. Once she had her bags ready, her phone rang. It was Felicia. Felicia's soft voice came through the moment Chloe answered. "Chloe, when's your flight? We'll come to pick you up." Chloe flicked through her phone to check her flight details and murmured, "Looks like I'll land around seven tonight." Just then, the door swung open. She glanced over her shoulder to see Andrew and Stephen in the doorway. Stephen asked offhandedly, "Who were you talking to?""Nobody." She ended the call with a frosty tone that left Andrew and Stephen taken aback. Ever since Helen had come into the picture, Chloe had been giving them the silent treatment. Andrew had convinced himself there was no need to justify anything, but Chloe's recent aloofness kept nagging at him, stirring up a sense of panic he could not shake off. Without thinking, he blurted out, "Chloe, Helen's situation is different. She's had it rough, growing up in a family that's barely scraping by. That's why I can't help but lend her a hand. There's nothing more to it." Stephen added, "Exactly, we just feel bad for Helen. Plus, you were the one who introduced her to us, remember? Why would you be jealous?" Chloe's face was a mask of serenity. "Why are you even telling me this?" In perfect sync, they both insisted, "Because it matters to you!" They had been inseparable since they were kids, so in tune with each other that they could read Chloe's thoughts with a single word, anticipate her needs with a simple gesture. How could they not sense that she cared? However, lately, it was like she was a stranger to them. Chloe's gaze was indifferent and detached, as if she were looking at two strangers. "Why should I care? You said she's just a friend, right? I'm your friend too, so what's there for me to worry about?" That left them speechless, scrambling for a response. Andrew had been quiet for what felt like forever, but he finally broke the silence. "Chloe, you know I've never wanted just to be friends." Stephen's face was a storm of emotions. "After all these years, Chloe, do you really see me as just a friend?" Chloe knew exactly what they meant. They both had crushes on her and wanted to be more than friends. However, if their idea of liking her meant ganging up with Helen to pick on her, she wanted none of it. Chloe nodded. "Yes, we're going to be something else." Just like that, they were not even friends anymore. Something else like strangers. Her words were loaded, and Andrew's heart pounded with a sudden unease. He was about to say something when the driver walked in, ready to help with Chloe's bags. Chloe waved the driver off. "You guys go on, I'll handle my stuff." Stephen was visibly annoyed. "You've got so much stuff. How will you manage? Come on, don't be mad. I'm sorry, okay?" Chloe stood her ground. "I really don't need help. Go help Helen. She's all alone, a girl, all delicate and fragile, can't lift a finger without help. She needs you guys more." Andrew caught the edge in her voice and frowned. Right on cue, Helen's call came through. "Andrew, Stephen, can you guys help me out? It's all my fault, I'm such a klutz, I can't do anything right." Her voice was a mix of self-pity and vulnerability, and it filled the room. The guys exchanged a look, then glanced at Chloe, who was clearly not looking for their help. They made up their minds and left her to it. Andrew ended the call and turned to Chloe. "Helen's in over her head, I've got to go lend a hand." Stephen grabbed his car keys. "Count me in." On the brink of departure, Andrew could not shake off his concern and looked back. "Chloe, I get that you're not up for a chat right now, but I've booked us a spot at a restaurant. Once we're done with the move, we'll grab a bite and I'll fill you in about Helen. I promise." Chloe did not even get a chance to reply before he dashed out the door. She watched them go, a bitter smile flickering on her face. An explanation? Later? Too bad there was no 'later' for them. After all the stunts Andrew and Stephen had pulled lately, Chloe doubted any explanation would cut it. Her phone buzzed with a new taunt from Helen. [Oops, looks like I've got Andrew and Stephen ditching you again. Guess it's the four of us from now on. Take good care of me, will you?] Chloe's lips twisted into a wry smile as she tapped out her comeback. [Nothing's more important than the three of you having a blast. Count me out.] The second her message shot off, she blocked Helen on all fronts, followed by Andrew, and Stephen last. She wiped them clean off her list, erasing them from her world for good. Finally, she hoisted her suitcase, left the house brimming with memories behind, and walked away without a backward glance.