[Nate: If you're feeling down, come with us on a trip. We can take a break together. It will help you feel better.]

I read their message slowly, marveling at how easily they brushed aside everything that had happened. No apology, no inquiry about my health; only concern about the house sale and how my departure might impact Demi.

Moments later, Demi posted another update on social media, a perfectly staged photo of her crying, paired with a caption that made my stomach turn.

She wrote, [What should I do now? My cousin seemed so mad at me until she sold the house I stayed in. Where should I go now?]

I stared at her words, seething. I knew it was her way of ensuring that Morgan and Nate would rally around her, misled into believing I had sold the house solely out of spite. And judging by their messages, it worked.

They seemed genuinely worried, completely misunderstanding my reasons for leaving Stanmore. Although, in truth, I did want to be as far away from Demi as possible.

Taking a steadying breath, I typed a response to our group chat, my fingers moving calmly despite the numbness in my heart.

[Ariel: I'm buying a camper van to make it easier for me to travel the world. Demi can stay with you both until she finishes college. After all, it seems like she's always in danger when she's with me, right? This is for the best.]

A pause followed, and I could almost feel the reluctance in their eventual replies, which held a grudging acceptance.

That was the confirmation I had been waiting for. My well-being no longer mattered to them; their sole concern was Demi.

I looked at the screen, feeling strangely detached, as if I were already gone from their lives.

“Goodbye, Nate. Goodbye, Morgan,” I whispered, closing the chat window and slipping my phone into my bag.

Once I finished checking everything for my departure, I called a taxi and gave the driver my grandparents’ address.

As the car pulled away from my house, the memories of Stanmore began filling my mind, each place we passed triggering scenes from my life here.

We drove past the small playground where Nate, Morgan, and I had spent endless hours as children, the site of our games and laughter.

Next, we passed the cozy gameboard café, a favorite spot from our college days. We stayed there until closing, refusing to leave until one of us won.

Then we passed the hospital, where I had spent so many days in treatment for my CHD.

I remembered Nate and Morgan visiting me regularly, their presence a steady comfort as they would play games, talk about their day, and distract me from the sterile loneliness of hospital life.

We also passed each of my schools, then the university where me, Nate, and Morgan had encouraged one another, reminding each other of class schedules and making time to study together in the student lounge.

My memories of Stanmore were painted with their presence, as if we were inseparable. But the truth told me that it was just a memory.

Then, at the end of our journey, the road turned toward the place where my father had saved Demi, the road where he had suffered the brain hemorrhage that would claim his life.

I closed my eyes, breathing deeply, and decided to let go of those painful memories. When I opened my eyes again, we were beyond the city limits.

An hour later, we arrived at my grandparents’ house. I had informed them of my visit, so they were waiting outside, seated comfortably in their rocking chairs, cups of coffee in hand as they enjoyed their usual morning ritual.

The butler, Alfonzo, promptly stepped forward to open my taxi door.

“Miss Johnson, it’s a pleasure to see you again,” Alfonzo greeted me with a respectful smile.

I stepped out of the car, smiling warmly. “Thank you, Alfonzo.”

I walked up the porch steps and immediately went to my grandparents, hugging my grandfather first. He had been my mentor, teaching me about business, guiding me in jewelry design, and regularly sending me support, even in the most difficult times.

Then I hugged my grandmother, who had been my constant companion after my mother left for Warlington, teaching me to cook and bake, even if I had never quite mastered it.

“Grandpa, Grandma, I missed you both so much. How have you been?”

Grandpa grinned, patting my hand. “As you can see, we’re still healthy as ever and feeling younger each day,” he said with a wink.

Grandma laughed, giving him a playful nudge. “Oh, your grandpa and his jokes.”

Then she looked at me warmly. “Ariel, we have prepared all your favorite dishes. Come inside, let’s enjoy lunch together.”

“Of course. I can’t wait,” I said, feeling a warmth in my heart as I followed them inside.

We chatted at the dining table, savoring the meal, laughter and stories filling the air.

Finally, I took a deep breath and shared the reason for my visit, telling them about my mother’s hospitalization and my decision to leave for Warlington.

My grandparents listened intently, sadness touching their expressions, but they nodded in understanding.

Grandma reached over, holding my hand tightly. “Ariel, we understand, but it’s hard to see you go so suddenly. We will miss you terribly.”

I squeezed her hand, my voice gentle. “I promise I will come back to visit every year, Grandma. And I will stay as long as I can each time.”

Tears glistened in her eyes as she smiled. “Please do. Let us know ahead of time so we can prepare your room. You can stay overnight and make the visit longer.”

Grandpa joined in, his voice teasing but full of love. “And don’t come alone next time. Bring your husband and children to fill this house with even more joy.”

Grandma swatted him playfully. “Don’t push her, honey. Let Ariel take her time.”

He chuckled, unfazed. “It’s just a wish. There’s nothing wrong with hoping for a little more family around here.”

I watched them, admiration filling me. After more than fifty years of marriage, they were still so in love, so playful and supportive.

I hoped, one day, to find that kind of bond, that unwavering connection that could weather any storm.

After lunch, we took a walk around the garden, talking and laughing, cherishing our time together.

As the sun began to dip, casting warm colors across the sky, it was time for me to leave.

My flight was scheduled for later that night, so I had planned to say my goodbyes in the quiet of the afternoon and make my way to the airport in peace.

But as I was about to step into the taxi, I heard familiar voices and turned to see Nate and Morgan pulling into the driveway, with Demi in tow.

Demi immediately ran forward, throwing herself into our grandparents’ arms with a bright smile. “Grandpa, Grandma, I missed you both so much!”

As the youngest among us, Demi had always been doted on by our grandparents, who greeted her with warm smiles. Yet their eyes were still rimmed with red from the sadness of my leave, a detail that tugged painfully at my heart.

I had hoped to share the moment quietly with them, to give a final goodbye without the weight of an audience. But seeing Demi cozied up to them, soaking up the attention, made my exit feel even lonelier.

Nate, noticing the redness around my own eyes, frowned with suspicion. “Ariel, have you been crying?”

I quickly looked away, hoping to dodge the question. “It’s nothing,” I replied, forcing a light tone.

Before I could continue, Morgan approached, having just finished parking the car. Concern etched into his face and he looked at me closely.

“Why have you been going off without saying anything to us lately, Ariel?” he asked, a hint of reproach in his voice. “We could have come along.”

I gave him a polite smile, trying to keep things simple. “I didn’t want to bother you guys.”

Demi turned to our grandparents; her face full of curiosity. “Grandma, Grandpa, why do your eyes look so red?”

Grandma’s lips pursed, and she chose not to answer. Meanwhile, Grandpa forced a gentle smile, trying to lighten the moment.

“Why don’t you all come inside and stay for dinner?” he suggested. “You came all this way, after all.”

Demi’s eyes lit up, and she quickly looped her arm through Nate’s and Morgan’s, excitement sparkling in her gaze. “Yes, let’s have dinner together!”

I turned back to the taxi, gripping the door handle and ready to make my quiet exit. But Nate reached out, stopping me before I could get inside.

“Come on, Ariel,” he urged, his tone softening. “It’s just one meal. Join us.”

Morgan added with a nod, “It’s been ages since we all sat down together. Don’t leave like this.”

I held their gazes for a moment, my heart heavy with a sadness I couldn’t shake. “Thanks, guys, but I really need to go. My flight is already close,” I said, my voice steady.

Thankfully, Grandpa stepped in, coming to my rescue.

“Right, Ariel has to get to the jewelry show soon, so she really can’t stay,” he said with a gentle smile. “And we all had lunch together, so don’t worry about her.”

I smiled gratefully at my grandfather, who gave me a reassuring wink. He understood, and his support meant the world to me.

‘I love you so much, Grandpa,’ I thought as I closed the door.

The taxi pulled away, and I waved to my grandparents, but as I glanced back, I caught sight of Demi chatting easily with Nate and Morgan, as if she had always belonged there.

**

When I reached the airport,I learned that my flight had been canceled due to bad weather.The airline rescheduled it for the next afternoon,leaving me with an unexpected overnight stay.

I decided to sit down and wait out the hours in the airport,too restless to book a hotel.

I had just settled into a seat when my phone buzzed with an incoming call.

When I saw Demi’s name on it,I sighed,reluctant to answer.I knew she was probably calling to flaunt something,especially if Nate and Morgan were still with her.

But,knowing she was still at my grandparents’house,I reluctantly picked up.

As soon as I pressed the answer button,Demi’s voice bubbled through.“Ariel,Ariel!Guess what?Grandpa said that after I graduate,I can start an internship at his company!Isn’t that amazing?He’s so kind to me.”

I closed my eyes,taking a deep breath to steady myself.‘She’s just calling to show off,’I thought,my annoyance growing.

But I responded with as much neutrality as I could muster.“Congratulations.”

“Oh,and now,”she continued,her excitement bubbling over,“I’m going to be introduced to Nate and Morgan’s families because I might stay with one of them for a while until I graduate.Isn’t that wonderful?I can’t wait to meet them!”

I could faintly hear Nate’s and Morgan’s voices in the background,confirming my suspicion that they were all still together.They must have left my grandparents’house right after dinner.

Morgan’s laugh echoed faintly through the phone.“You’re adorable,Demi.”

Nate chimed in,“Right,why are you so cute?We just offered you a place to stay;it’s no big deal.”

“Hehe,I’m just so happy to know I have somewhere to stay,”Demi replied,her tone laced with what felt like triumph.

I moved the phone away from my ear,ready to hang up,but Demi’s voice stopped me.

“Let us know when you get there,Ariel.Be safe on the road.”She hung up first,leaving me staring at my screen in silence.

I sighed,a hollow ache settling in my heart.“I can’t hope for anything more from them anymore,”I muttered to myself.

Resigned,I let the phone fall into my lap and leaned back in my seat,feeling a strange emptiness.

Just then,a voice called out,breaking through my thoughts.“Ariel?”

I looked up,surprised to see Sasha Blake,my closest female friend from high school.A smile lit up my face as I stood,and we hugged each other tightly.

“Sasha?Oh my God,it’s so good to see you!”I said,unable to contain my excitement.

Sasha,dressed in her flight attendant uniform,returned the hug with equal enthusiasm.“Are you traveling,Ariel?”

“Yeah.Are you just getting off a flight?”I asked,taking in her uniform.

She nodded,glancing out the window where the rain had begun to pour.“Yes,but the next flight got canceled because of the weather,so I’m heading back to my apartment for the night.”

My eyes widened as a sudden realization hit me.“Wait,you’re a flight attendant on the flight to Warlington?”I pulled out my ticket,showing her the flight number.

Sasha’s face lit up with delight.“That’s my flight!Oh,the universe must really want us to meet up.”She laughed,giving me a playful nudge.

“Maybe it does,”I said with a laugh.

Sasha noticed my bags scattered around my feet and glanced back at me with a smile.“Well,since our flight’s been delayed until tomorrow,why don’t you come stay at my apartment?We can head to the airport together tomorrow.”

My spirits lifted instantly.“Are you sure?I would love that.”

“Of course!It’s been forever since we have caught up,”she said,picking up one of my bags as we made our way out of the airport.

The next morning,we decided to grab breakfast at the airport before our flight.Sasha had some last-minute work to handle,so we found a small caféand settled in,chatting over coffee and pastries.

I did not notice if Nate,Morgan,and Demi had been at the table beside us all the time.They even overheard my conversation with Sasha.

“So,are you nervous about leaving Stanmore for good?”Sasha asked,her voice full of genuine interest.

I nodded,meeting her gaze.“A little,but it feels like the right time to move on,to finally say goodbye.”

Nate’s head snapped up at my words,his eyes narrowing as he processed what I had just said.

He quickly approached our table,cutting into our conversation with a glare.“Ariel,you said you were leaving last night.So,what do you mean by leaving Stanmore for good?”His voice held a sharp edge.

“Did you lie to us about the jewelry show and your friend's wedding abroad?You’re just going to leave without a word,are you?”

Morgan joined Nate, crossing his arms and leveling me with a look of disappointment.

Demi, standing nearby with fake tears shimmering in her eyes, took the chance to chime in, her voice trembling. “I’m sure Ariel wanted to keep it a secret because… well, she hates me. It’s probably my fault for wanting to celebrate my birthday. Maybe Ariel felt like I was a burden.”

Sasha folded her arms, her gaze hardening as she turned to Demi, sarcasm dripping from her voice. “Oh, please. Don’t you dare start with this pity act, Demi!”

Morgan’s expression shifted to anger, and he shot Sasha a pointed look. “And who are you to judge Demi? You don’t even know her.”

“I don’t have to know her to see through this act,” Sasha fired back. “What I can’t understand is why you two are blind to it. Ariel deserves better than this from both of you.”

Nate’s face reddened, and he snapped defensively, “You don’t know what you’re talking about, so stay out of it. Ariel put Demi in the hospital yesterday! And now she’s just running away from everything.”

‘You forgot I was in the hospital too because of Demi’s cake,’ I thought, but held my tongue.

Morgan continued, his tone harsh. “Demi just made a mistake, Ariel. She did not know about your mango allergy. You went and sold the house, the place you both lived together, all because of that? How selfish can you be?”

Demi’s smirk was barely hidden as she watched the confrontation unfold, clearly reveling in the tension.

Sasha looked like she was ready to argue more, but I gently placed my hand on her arm, signaling for her to let it go. Continuing that in public would only add to the drama, and I had no energy left for that.

“Guys, enough,” I said, forcing calm into my voice. “We don’t need to argue over trivial things here.”

Sasha rolled her eyes and snorted in frustration but stayed silent.

Nate and Morgan exchanged one last glare with us before turning back to their table with Demi, who clung to them as if for protection.

Sasha huffed as we walked away, grumbling to herself. “Unbelievable! They’re so blinded by that brat they can’t see what’s right in front of them.”

When we reached our gate, Sasha, being a flight attendant, had to go check in with her crew, but not before throwing me a reassuring smile. “If they keep bothering you, call me. I will come right over.”

“Thanks, Sasha,” I said, grateful for her loyalty.

“See you on board,” she said with a wink, and then headed off.

I settled into a seat to wait for boarding, but my phone buzzed, it was my mom.

I picked up, trying to keep my voice steady. “Hi, Mom. I will be leaving soon. Sorry, I forgot to let you know earlier.”

“No worries, dear,” she replied warmly. “Just send me the ticket info so I will know when to expect you.”

“Of course, Mom. I will send it right over.” As we spoke, I noticed Nate and Morgan standing nearby, staring at me. I ended the call quickly, saying, “I will call you again later, Mom.”

Nate took a step closer, crossing his arms as he glared. “So, you’re going to your mom’s place? All this about the jewelry show and wedding was a lie, then?”

I sighed, holding back the frustration bubbling inside. “What’s wrong with you two? It’s my business where I go.”

Demi was in the restroom, so Nate and Morgan took the chance to keep firing questions at me. “So which story is true?” Nate demanded; his voice harsh. “The jewelry show, the wedding, or visiting your mom?”

“Right, or is it all just lies?” Morgan added, his tone scathing.

I sighed, the exhaustion settling in. “What if they’re all true? You don’t listen to me anymore, so why should I explain anything to you?”

Morgan’s eyes narrowed. “Is all of this because of Demi? You have changed a lot over the past year, Ariel. You’re not the person we used to know.”

Nate, face flushed with anger, spoke up, “Yeah, Ariel. Demi’s been nothing but kind to you. She never wanted to cause you trouble. But now you’re acting like this toward her?”

“If you’re only here to talk about Demi, then leave me alone,” I replied flatly.

Nate scoffed. “See, you always get defensive whenever we bring her up.”

Morgan’s eyes softened, but his confusion was evident. “Are you jealous of Demi, Ariel? Is that why you did not want to celebrate her birthday and caused trouble with her?”

I looked at them both, my heart aching from how little they understood me now. “You’re blind,” I said, my tone as cold as I could manage.

My indifference left them both stunned, only then realizing just how distant I had become.

“If we’re blind, then you’re selfish, Ariel,” Morgan said, his voice quiet but filled with disappointment.

Nate nodded, his face hard. “We never thought you would become this selfish.”

Just then, Demi returned, her eyes darting between us as she sensed the tension. “Are we on the same flight as Ariel?” she asked, trying to cut in.

Morgan and Nate quickly pressed in on either side of her, as if I were some kind of threat she needed protection from.

I smirked, unable to hide my sarcasm. “Even if it were the same flight, I would rather cancel than spend another second on a plane with you three.”

At that moment, the boarding announcement for my flight echoed through the terminal. “Attention, passengers on the Stanmore to Warlington flight, please proceed to the gate immediately.”

I grabbed my bag, casting one last look at Nate and Morgan. “Ah, one important thing, I have never been jealous of her,” I said quietly, meeting their gaze for the final time.

Without waiting for a reply, I turned and walked past them, heading toward the gate where a new life waited.

The memories of what we had once shared faded with each step I took, and I felt a sense of peace settle over me. That was my closure, and I was ready for whatever lay ahead.

Demi glanced between us with a look of frustration. She must have sensed she had missed something important, something she had not been able to twist or manipulate to her advantage.

As a result, she tried to mask her irritation, but it was obvious.

As if to reclaim her place in the center of attention, Demi whipped out her phone and snapped a photo of herself sitting between Nate and Morgan.

Minutes later, a notification popped up, and I could not resist taking one last look.

The post was a carefully staged photo of Demi sitting in the middle, tongue out as if mocking me. Nate was pinching her cheek playfully, and Morgan was stroking her hair with a soft smile.

[Waiting for our plane, happy trip we are coming! As always, with @Your_Morgan and @Nate_Than who are kind, I love you guys so much.]

The caption, complete with heart emojis, was the perfect display of the game she had been playing all along.

She wanted everyone to know that Nate and Morgan were firmly by her side, leaving no room for me in the picture.

Taking a deep breath, I decided to distance myself for good. I opened my contacts, blocked all three of them, and deleted every trace of their messages.