Just as I prepared to go to my father's grave, my cousin, Demi Johnson, intercepted me at the stairs.

She asked me to help her prepare for her 20th birthday. So, I tried to push past her, but Demi blocked my way.

In a flash, she lost her footing and fell from the second-floor landing, tumbling down to the first floor with a gasp.

It was in that instant, my two closest friends since childhood, Morgan Andrews and Nate Hawkins arrived at the house.

The shock on their faces told me they had drawn the worst conclusion, so I tried to explain, but they would not listen.

Morgan and Nate used to be my guardian angels, but here they were, standing across me with cold expressions, with Demi nestled between them, casting herself as the victim.

My heart could not help but sink when realizing if they decided to trust Demi, a newcomer they had known only a year, than me who had been with them for fifteen years.

I made a decision and called my mother - "Mom, I accept your proposal. I am willing to marry Luke!"

***

Demi wore an impatient expression and crossed her arms firmly.

“My birthday is in two days, Ariel. We can visit your father’s grave later, but my party preparations can’t wait. I want it to be perfect, and I want it planned early,” she insisted, her tone leaving little room for discussion.

Taken aback, I shook my head. “But today is….”

But she cut me off sharply, “I don’t care what today is, Ariel! I want the party to be perfect, and I want it planned early.”

Demi stood there, arms crossed and eyes narrowed. Despite being two years younger, she never showed me any respect. Instead, she acted like the queen of the household, lording over me in my own home.

The cruelty of her words struck me like a slap too. A year ago, my father had sacrificed everything to protect her, but then, on the very day that marked his passing, she was demanding I help her throw a lavish party.

In that moment, grief and anger surged within me, filling me with memories of my father. He had been my rock, my protector, the one who had loved me unconditionally. How could she not care that this day marked his loss?

"Demi, are you losing your mind?” I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady even as anger surged within me. “Don’t you remember how tragically my father lost his life, for you?”

“Oh, grow up, Ariel!” Demi cut me off, rolling her eyes as if I were being unreasonable. “Why can’t you just let it go? He’s gone, and you’re still here. You’re the one making this into such a big deal.”

“Demi, you’re unbelievable!” I shouted, my voice raw with emotion. “Do you honestly think you can make me forget today? Or pretend my father’s sacrifice did not happen?”

She folded her arms defiantly, as if daring me to continue.

I could not stand another second of her dismissiveness. “I’m done listening to this,” I muttered, pushing past her toward the stairs.

Demi grabbed my arm, trying to stop me from leaving. “Where do you think you’re going?” she demanded, digging her nails into my wrist.

The argument escalated, voices rising, words becoming angrier and more frantic as emotions flared.

In the heat of the moment, I pulled my arm free, and in a split second, Demi lost her balance. Her eyes widened in surprise as she tumbled backward, falling from the second-floor landing down to the first floor with a horrified gasp.

My heart froze. For a moment, I could not breathe when I saw her lying there, sprawled out at the bottom of the stairs.

But just as I was about to rush down, the front door opened, and my childhood friends, Morgan and Nate, walked in. Their faces turned to shock as they took in the scene, and immediately I could see the worst assumption flash in their eyes.

“Morgan, Nate, this isn’t what it looks like!” I called, rushing down the stairs. “She fell, but I swear I did not push her!” My voice shook with desperation as I tried to explain, but they barely spared me a glance.

Morgan’s gaze was steely, disappointment etched into his expression as he walked past me to Demi. “Demi, are you okay?” he asked softly, pulling her into a hug to comfort her.

Nate, who was training to be a doctor, had already dialed for an ambulance and knelt down to check for injuries.

He shot me a cold, disapproving look. “Ariel, I thought I knew you,” he said quietly. “I never thought you would hurt her.”

His words stung, each syllable cutting deeper than I thought possible. They had been my friends for over fifteen years, friends who had stood up for me when others had mocked me for my mother’s absence, friends who had once been my greatest supporters.

It felt as though they were turning their backs on me, dismissing all the years of loyalty and laughter as if it meant nothing. All because of Demi, who they had known for barely a year.

At that moment, I understood that everything had changed. My father was gone, and my closest friends, the people my father had trusted to look after me after my mother left, were gone too. Demi had somehow cast her spell over them, erasing our history and replacing it with lies.

Soon, the paramedics arrived and took Demi away, with Morgan and Nate following closely behind, their concern for her blocking out anything I might have said.

I was left standing there, alone in the echo of their silence, the realization sinking in that place no longer held anything for me. I had no one left who truly cared.

I took one last look at the house I had once called home, then left, finally making my way to my father’s grave.

As I stood by his resting place, my phone rang, interrupting my thoughts. I glanced at the screen and saw my mother’s name.

My mother, Cecile Burton, was a famous businesswoman in Warlington. Although she had been divorced for fifteen years from my father, she decided not to remarry and chose to focus on her career.

She also never forgot to send me pocket money every month. Someone who was kind and cared for me, but I never knew her in person, because we just did video calls since then.

After taking a deep breath, I answered, “Hello, Mom?”

“Oh, Ariel! I was worried you would not pick up. Today’s your father’s anniversary, and I thought you might be... well, mourning. So, are you okay today, dear?” Her voice was gentle, and her words brought an ache to my chest.

For the first time that day, someone had asked how I was doing and had shown concern.

“Yes, Mom,” I replied, my voice thick with the tears I had tried so hard to hold back. “Everything is fine here. How about you?”

There was a pause on her end before she sighed. “Oh, dear, I wish I could be there with you today. But unfortunately, I need to be hospitalized for a while these days.”

I gripped the phone tighter, my tears slipping free. “What? Why... What's wrong? Are you okay?”

“It’s nothing too serious, dear, just a reality of getting older,” she said, trying to sound reassuring.

Then, she continued before I could answer, “But, Ariel, I would love it if you could come to visit soon. We could celebrate your graduation together and maybe, one day, I would get to see you walk down the aisle before I pass.”

Her words were calm, but they struck a raw nerve in me.

The past year had been the loneliest of my life, emptier even than when my parents divorced.

Every day, I had been dealing with Demi’s dramas and the indifference of my supposed friends.

So, hearing that my mother wanted me by her side made me feel seen. It made me feel needed.

“Sure, Mom. I will come as soon as I can,” I said, a small smile forming as I wiped away my tears. “But as for marriage….”

My mother laughed softly. “No worry about that, dear. I have arranged you with my friend’s son, if you like you can try dating him before marriage. Well, I think you need to enjoy your youth! You deserve it.”

I chuckled at her words, the sound lifting some of the weight from my heart. At that moment, it felt like a good idea, and seemed like a chance to start anew.

Warlington, her city, was far from the haunting memories of Stanmore. Why not go and enjoy my youth there, to try and find happiness on my own terms?

“Okay, Mom,” I replied, feeling the tension in my shoulders ease. “I will tell you once I have everything sorted.”

We exchanged a few words, and after wishing her well, I ended the call with a small smile.

The decision had become clear: I would leave Stanmore and the broken circle of people who had abandoned me when I needed them most.

It was time to find a new path, one where I could finally find peace and leave the ghosts of betrayal behind.

I stayed at my father’s grave for a moment, thinking about leaving the town that had been my hometown for twenty-two years.

However, suddenly a cool breeze hit me as if it was my father greeting me.

I could not help whispering, “I’m sorry, Dad. I don’t think I can stay here anymore. Everything I loved about this place... it’s gone.”

My tears flowed easily as I said that. But when I closed my eyes, I seemed to hear my father’s whisper, he seemed to say, “That’s fine, dear. You deserve your own happiness.”

As soon as I opened my eyes again, I looked around to find my father. But all I found was an empty grave.

So, I took a deep breath and forced a smile to say to my father, “Sure, Dad.”

I had actually started thinking about leaving shortly after graduating from university. Still, my father’s jewelry business, a family legacy passed down from my grandfather, had kept me rooted there.

I could not simply walk away from something so deeply tied to my family. So, I studied business, hoping to carry on my father’s name and preserve his work.

But my plans shattered in my third year of college when my father passed away. With him gone, it felt as if everything meaningful had vanished from the world.

I was used to people leaving; I had learned early on to adapt. My mother had returned to her home country after divorcing my father when I was only seven, leaving a void I had thought would never be filled.

But my father, ever my rock, had filled that emptiness with gentle promises and endless support.

“It’s not just me, honey,” he would tell me. “You have your grandparents, and you will always have Morgan and Nate by your side. You will never be alone, Ariel.”

Starting from that day, Morgan and Nate had been with me. They were the sons of close family friends, which ended up becoming my constant companions.

We had grown together, filling each other's lives with laughter and shared dreams.

Nate had promised he would become a doctor. His eyes even shone with determination as he said, “One day, I will be the one to perform surgery on you myself, Ariel. I will make sure you’re strong, healthy, and no longer have a congenital heart condition.”

Morgan, with his steady confidence, had vowed to follow in his family’s footsteps as a lawyer.

“I will be the lawyer so I can look after the business with you,” he would say, giving me hope for the future.

As a result, for fifteen years, these two friends had filled my life with joy, companionship, and support. Even my mother, though far away, never forgot my birthdays and sent gifts that made me feel connected to her, no matter the distance.

My father, too, had been my unwavering support through it all, cheering me on as I grew into a strong, spirited woman despite my health challenges. So, I could not simply leave the house and studio he had poured his life into.

After my visit to his grave, I headed to my father’s studio, hoping to find someone trustworthy to manage it in my absence.

I was lost in thought when my phone buzzed. It was a message from Demi.

[Demi: Hey, if you feel guilty, bring some clean clothes to the hospital, quick.]

I frowned, feeling a flash of irritation. Guilt? She expected me to feel guilty?

I tapped out a short, detached reply. [Ariel: I am busy.]

At the same time, I saw a notification that Demi had just posted on social media. It was a photo of her with Nate and Morgan with a caption, [So happy to have you guys. I don’t know what would have happened to me if there were no @Your_Morgan and @Nate_Than.]

Demi also tagged Nate and Morgan’s accounts, so from her post, she got a lot of sympathy in the comments column. They even asked what happened to Demi, while some felt jealous because Demi was surrounded by two handsome men.

That post made me sick and I immediately locked my phone to focus on my original purpose of coming to the studio.

However, I was unable to find any contacts at the studio, so I decided to head home and check my father’s study.

As I walked up the front path, I noticed two familiar figures stepping out of a car. They were Morgan and Nate.

I froze, watching as they used their spare key to enter my house. That key had been meant for emergencies, to protect me if something went wrong when I was home alone. But then, it was being used for Demi.

As soon as Nate saw me, he stormed over, his face clouded with anger.

“Ariel, do you even care about anyone other than yourself?” he snapped, his words slicing through me. “Demi is in the hospital because of you, and here you are, busy with your own business!”

Morgan followed; his expression was equally cold. He looked at me as if he barely recognized me.

“If anything serious happens to Demi,” he warned, “you will be facing a lawsuit. Think about that, Ariel.”

Without waiting for my response, he turned on his heel and strode into the house with Nate close behind, leaving me speechless on the doorstep.

The resentment simmered within me, bubbling over as I tried to process their words.

They did not care about my side of the story, nor did they remember what day it was. All their loyalty, all their concern, it was no longer for me.

I felt my heart harden as I realized how far we had drifted.

My gaze landed on a set of jewelry I used every day. It was the gift they had given me on my eighteenth birthday.

It was a beautiful set, something they had scoured the city for a one-of-a-kind design and unique to me. So, I had treasured it, wearing it often just to see the pride in their eyes.

But if they no longer valued me, why should I keep it?

That was why, as I came to my room, I took the small jewelry box resting on my dresser, placed the jewelry back in the box, took a deep breath, and headed out to return it.

Just as I reached the door, Morgan and Nate were coming out of Demi’s room, having packed a bag of clothes for her.

“Here,” I said coolly, holding out the box to Nate.

He stared at it, confusion flickering in his eyes. “Isn’t this the set we gave you for your eighteenth birthday?” His voice was softer, tinged with surprise.

“Yes,” I replied, meeting his gaze with a calmness I didn’t feel. “I thought it was time to give it back.”

Morgan’s brow furrowed as he took a step closer, glancing between me and the box. “Why would you give it back to us? We spent weeks trying to find this for you, Ariel,” he said, a hint of hurt in his voice.

I shrugged, keeping my tone steady. “The style doesn’t suit me anymore. But I know it costs you both a lot, and I appreciate the effort. I thought you might want to sell it or maybe put it in a museum. It’s up to you.”

Nate looked taken aback. “Ariel, you used to love this set.”

“Did I?” I replied, a bitter smile tugging at my lips. “It seems I was wrong. Maybe I thought you both cared about me, too, but I guess I was mistaken there as well.”

Morgan and Nate’s jaw clenched, but they said nothing. There was a flicker of something in his expression, maybe hurt, but I did not care.

I let go of the box, placing it in Nate’s hands, and turned back to my room without another word.

The countdown of leaving appeared in my mind, and I couldn't help but pull out a bitter smile. Leaving was the right decision.

I wonder how they would react when they knew the truth.

Before I could step into my room, Morgan reached out and caught my arm, his grip firm.

“Hey, since Demi’s birthday is coming up soon, why don’t you give her this jewelry set as a gift? I’m sure she would appreciate it.” His tone held a subtle pressure, and he met my gaze with a pointed look.

“Yeah,” Nate chimed in, nodding in agreement. His voice, oddly supportive of Morgan’s suggestion, held a strange warmth. “She’s been through a lot, Ariel. This would really mean a lot to her. Why don’t you come with us to the hospital and make amends?”

A surge of bitterness rose in me, and my hands clenched tightly around the jewelry box. Without turning to face them, I kept my voice cold. “I already said it’s up to you two. Now, let go of me. I have things to take care of.”

Morgan’s grip slackened reluctantly, and I could feel their eyes on me, disappointment etched in their silence. But I did not care. I had more important things to do, to pack up my life, handle my father’s affairs, and figure out my next steps.

As I moved inside, I caught their murmurs drifting through the half-open door, likely about how they could present the jewelry to Demi to make it seem romantic. A dry chuckle escaped me as I grabbed my suitcase, amused by the irony of the situation.

I set to packing, methodically folding clothes and filling the suitcase. The sight must have caught their attention because they peered in, eyes widening as they took in my half-filled bag.

Realization dawned on their faces, but before either could speak, Nate’s phone rang, cutting through the silence.

“Yeah, Demi, we’re coming. Just sit tight,” Nate said softly into the phone.

With barely a second glance at me, he and Morgan rushed out, their urgent footsteps echoing down the hall as they hurried to her side. I listened until the last sound faded, leaving only an empty silence.

Once I had finished with my clothes, I turned my attention to a large box on top of the closet. It was filled with birthday gifts my mother had sent every year, from my earliest days to my twenty-second birthday.

As I pulled it down, a wave of nostalgia hit me, followed by a sinking realization: in this world, my mother was the only one left who truly loved me, making the decision to leave Stanmore solidified with each passing minute.

As I placed the last of my belongings into the suitcase, my phone buzzed with a new notification.

I checked it out in case it was important, but only got Demi's latest post. It seemed like she was really excited to post that day.

She even uploaded two photos: one of Nate and Morgan standing by her side with a bag of clothes, and the other showing off the jewelry set they had brought for her.

The caption read, [What a lovely set of jewelry! My birthday is still two days away, but @Nathan_Than and @Your_Morgan have already given me this precious gift. Thank you, guys!!]

Anger simmered beneath my calm facade. I typed a comment, barely suppressing my frustration, [Well, you deserve it, Demi.]

Then, with a wry smile, I tossed my phone onto the bed and went to my father’s study.

The study, still untouched, was a haven of order and detail. My father had been meticulous, and he kept records of every connection and contact in a leather-bound book.

Leafing through, I quickly found the name I sought: Jerome Morrow, a college friend and trusted partner of my father’s.

I dialed the number, and he picked up on the second ring. After a brief conversation, we arranged to meet at my father’s studio the following day to discuss the arrangements.

**

The next day, I arrived at the studio to find a man waiting, his face instantly recognizable from an old photograph my father had cherished. “Mr. Morrow?” I greeted him, extending a hand.

He smiled warmly and took my hand. “Yes, that’s me. And you must be Ariel. The last time I saw you, you were just a little girl, so you might not remember.”

I returned his smile, feeling a sense of comfort in his familiarity. “Thank you for meeting me, Mr. Morrow,” I said as we walked into the studio, the space filled with memories of my father.

We talked for a while, and I explained my plans to leave, asking if he could oversee the business in my absence. His expression turned serious, but he nodded, understanding the weight of my request.

“Of course, Ariel,” he replied, a gentle respect in his voice. “I would be honored to look after your father’s studio. He was one of the finest jewelry designers I have ever known.”

A soft light came into his eyes as he continued, “In fact, he once designed a piece called the Diamond Jade. It was truly special.”

My curiosity piqued. “Diamond Jade? I don’t think I have ever seen it.”

Jerome’s gaze softened. “Your father designed it back in college. He intended it for his wife, hoping it would eventually pass to his children and grandchildren. But when your parents divorced, he entrusted it to me, unable to bear the sadness it brought him.

“You know, Ariel, they truly loved each other, but sometimes, love and ambition clash. They chose their careers over staying together.”

His words struck a bittersweet chord within me. I nodded, feeling a strange sense of connection to the legacy my father had left behind. “Thank you for sharing that, Mr. Morrow.”

“And I think it’s time this piece found its way back to you,” he said, offering it to me. “I can send it through a courier if you would prefer.”

“Yes, please. Thank you,” I said, my gratitude genuine.

After finalizing the details with Mr. Morrow, I returned home, feeling lighter but determined to finish what I had started.

Yet as I stepped through the front door, I froze, my relief vanishing in an instant.

Demi was seated comfortably on the couch, a smug smile on her face as she opened a jewelry box with a look of pure satisfaction.

My heart dropped as I recognized the Diamond Jade, the piece Jerome had promised to send me.

The sight of her fingers on that precious heirloom ignited a fury I had not felt in years.

“Don’t you dare touch what isn’t yours!” I snapped, storming over to her, my voice filled with cold anger.