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.

“Oh, calm down, Ariel! It’s not like I’m going to break it or anything,” Demi scoffed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “I’m just curious about what’s inside.”

“Give it back, Demi,” I said, reaching for the jewelry box she clutched.

But seeing me react only seemed to amuse her, and a mischievous glint appeared in her eyes. She danced out of reach, her fingers still firmly wrapped around the box.

“Oh, I wonder how important this cheap jewelry is to you,” she taunted as she cracked open the box, revealing the delicate necklace inside.

Her eyes lit up as she took in the intricate design. Then, she took the necklace and threw the box carelessly.

“Let me just try it on,” she said, ignoring my outstretched hand. “Don’t worry, I will give it back once I’m done.”

“Demi, don’t!” I lunged forward, but she spun around, holding the necklace just out of reach.

She was practically laughing as she dodged my attempts, clearly enjoying herself.

Finally, I managed to grab hold of the necklace, but Demi clung to it stubbornly, refusing to let go.

“Get your dirty hands off of it, Demi!” I snapped, desperation rising in my voice.

“Why are you so stingy, Ariel?” she sneered. “I told you I would give it back. You’re overreacting.”

We wrestled for control, neither of us willing to back down. In the heat of the struggle, the necklace slipped from our grasp and clattered to the floor, snapping at the delicate clasp.

I froze, staring in horror as the piece lay in fragments on the floor.

At that moment, the front door opened, and Morgan and Nate stepped inside, arms full of bags of food they had bought for Demi. Their eyes widened as they took in the scene.

Demi, sensing an opportunity, instantly burst into tears, clutching her hand where the broken jewelry had cut her.

Morgan and Nate dropped their bags, their faces pale with concern as they rushed over to her.

“Demi, are you alright?” Nate asked, his voice filled with worry.

He shot me a glare as he examined her hand. “Ariel, you should be grateful that Demi's okay after yesterday’s accident, but here you are making her cry again. What’s wrong with you?”

It was the first time Nate had ever raised his voice at me, and his words struck deep. He was not looking at me as the friend he had known for fifteen years, but as some villain in Demi’s carefully spun web.

Morgan did not even acknowledge me as he knelt beside Demi, softly asking her what had happened and completely uninterested in hearing my side.

“I just wanted to try on the necklace,” Demi whimpered, her voice shaky as she clung to Nate. “But Ariel got all possessive and grabbed it from me. I just wanted to see it up close.”

“Ariel,” Morgan said, his tone heavy with disappointment, “She is your younger cousin. You should have just let her try it on. As the older cousin, it would not have hurt you to be generous.”

I took a deep breath, willing myself not to cry, even as the hurt and frustration welled up inside me.

I knelt down to collect the broken pieces of my father’s last design, feeling the sharp edges cut into my palm. But I forced myself to stay calm, determined to play the game Demi had set.

Forcing tears to my eyes, I looked up at them with a trembling voice. “This isn’t just any jewelry, Morgan. This was my father’s final piece, the one he designed before he passed away. He left it for me, for my dowry, for my wedding day.”

My voice broke as I stared at the broken necklace, knowing I had never seen it intact again. “How could I be calm while Demi was trying to make it hers?”

Morgan and Nate stared at me, but instead of understanding, their expressions hardened.

“Ariel,” Morgan said quietly, shaking his head, “Demi just wanted to see it, not steal it. You are blowing this way out of proportion.”

Nate, meanwhile, was busy cleaning Demi’s cuts, his voice filled with anger as he looked at me. “Look at her hand, Ariel. If you would just let her try it on, she would not have gotten hurt. She just got out of the hospital, crying out loud.”

I glanced down at my own hand, where blood from the broken jewelry smeared across my skin. But neither Morgan nor Nate seemed to notice.

Their attention was solely on Demi, who looked at me with smug satisfaction, her face hidden from their view.

After making sure Demi was comfortable, Nate picked her up and carried her over to the sofa, cradling her as he took out the first aid kit.

Morgan crouched down in front of me, his voice low and firm. “When you’re done cleaning up this mess, you owe Demi an apology. At the hospital, she told us that she was the one who had provoked you on the stairs yesterday. She even blamed herself for pushing your buttons, but never once did she demand an apology from you.”

He looked at me with a mixture of pity and frustration. “She is two years younger than you, Ariel. You need to act more maturely.”

A bitter smile tugged at my lips as I replied, “Oh, so that’s the story you two believe. Fine. Just go on believing it.”

Ignoring the blood trickling from my hand, I gathered the broken pieces of the necklace, each shard feeling like a weight against my palm.

My chest ached, but it was not the cuts that hurt, it was the pain of being completely dismissed by the people I once trusted most.

While Nate gently bandaged Demi’s hand, the two of them took turns feeding her the food they had brought, treating her like a delicate doll.

Meanwhile, I quietly cleaned my own wound under the kitchen faucet, feeling more alone than ever.

Once the bleeding had stopped, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I glanced at the screen and saw my mother’s name.

Her familiar voice brought a calm I had not felt all day.

“Hey, dear. Are you finished with everything there?” Her voice was warm, laced with that steady reassurance I had come to miss so deeply. “If you’re ready, I can arrange a plane ticket for you on a private flight.”

I felt a small smile tug at my lips. “Thanks, Mom. I can book the flight myself. I have plenty of savings. Maybe not as much as yours, but enough.”

She chuckled. “I’m sure your dad and your grandparents left you more than enough to get by. Oh, and don’t forget to say goodbye to them before you leave.”

“I was planning to,” I said, glancing toward the hallway, where Demi’s laughter echoed as she chatted with Morgan and Nate. “I will make my rounds, then take care of my ticket.”

“Okay, tell me if you have booked your flight, since I will ask your future husband to pick you up,” she teased with a broad smile.

I couldn’t help but stutter when she replied teasingly, “Oh my God, it is not like the marriage will….”

But just as I said that, I sensed someone behind me.

Turning around, I found Nate and Morgan rushing towards me from the door with shocked faces, and they both said in unison: "What? You're going abroad to get married?"