“What wedding are you even talking about?” Nathan asked, brow furrowed, confusion written all over his face.

I smiled slowly, deliberately, letting the words hang in the air. “The wedding you won’t be attending.”

He blinked, caught off guard. “Whose wedding? Not… not mine, right?”

I tilted my head, letting a soft, mocking laugh escape as I stepped closer. “Of course not mine. You haven’t even proposed yet, Nathan. Still my boyfriend, aren’t you?”

I lightly brushed my hand across his arm, just enough to unsettle him.

He recoiled immediately, shaking my hand off. “Elena… don’t be so clingy. You’re still healing. Just… rest for now.”

I swallowed the sting that cut deep into me. He didn’t even pretend to care anymore. How could I have been so foolish to actually fall for him?

Gabriel, leaning against the doorway, crossed his arms. “Wait… why aren’t we invited? We’ve known you forever.”

“She’s a distant cousin,” I said flatly, keeping my voice calm. “You wouldn’t know her. Mom just wants me there—to represent the family, I guess.”

“And Sabrina?” Gabriel pressed. “Is she coming with you?”

I shrugged. “No. She doesn’t know this cousin. Just my adopted sister. No reason for her to go.”

Nathan laughed like that was good news. “Perfect. Finally, we can go to Finland while you’re away.”

Finland? My breath caught. That had been my dream destination for years, and they’d always claimed it was impossible, a waste of money.

“Yeah,” Gabriel added casually. “Doctor cleared Sabrina for travel next week, so we’re booking our flight.”

“Without me?” I asked, though I already knew the answer.

Nathan turned with a smile. I didn’t mirror it. “Don’t worry—we’ll send you a gift for the wedding. A dress, something. Anyway, rest up. We’ll take Sabrina to her next hospital appointment.”

And just like that, they were gone again.

I didn’t answer. I nodded quietly, closing the door behind them. So this was it—me, a background note in someone else’s life.

Fine. Let them think I was still around. I’d leave quietly, disappear completely. No one would notice, and when they did… they’d regret it. I just needed a little more time.

Later that afternoon, I finally left the bedroom and headed to the kitchen, craving something warm. Soup, maybe. Something genuine, not thrown together for show.

As I opened the fridge and began chopping vegetables, I heard it—a soft shuffle behind me.

I turned slowly.

Sabrina stood there, pale pink cardigan, hair braided neatly. Innocent, helpless little sister image in full effect.

“I didn’t know you were up,” she said, voice sweet, leaning against the counter. “I thought you were still sick… or maybe pretending?”

I ignored her, chopping steadily.

“I mean,” she continued with a fake laugh, “did you really go to the hospital? Or were you just faking it because I was there, stealing the spotlight?”

I set down the knife, eyes locking on hers. “I’m not like you.”

Her expression hardened. “What does that mean?”

“You crave attention,” I said evenly. “Always play the victim.”

“Oh please,” she scoffed, voice sharp. “You’re jealous. How does it feel… knowing both Nathan and Gabriel love me now? Your boyfriend, your best friend—they’re mine. And you? You’re nothing.”

I flinched slightly, just enough for her to notice and smirk.

“Really, you should leave this apartment,” she said. “You don’t belong here anymore.”

I turned back to the pot, stirring slowly, ignoring her.

“Still pretending you’re above it all, huh?” she mocked. “Fine, I’ll help cook. The boys will love it.”

I spun toward her. “No, Sabrina. I don’t need help.”

“I’ll make something anyway,” she said cheerfully, grabbing a knife. “Let’s see which they like better—yours or mine.”

She moved closer, chopping quickly and sloppily, clearly on purpose. I stepped aside, letting her continue.

Then—

“Ahhh!” Sabrina yelped, dropping the knife. Blood spread across her fingertip.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I muttered under my breath.

But it was too late.

“Nathan! Gabriel!” she screamed. “Help! Oh no—I cut myself! Elena didn’t even try!”

Within seconds, loud footsteps pounded the hallway.

The brothers burst in, alert and panicked.

Nathan lunged to Sabrina’s side. “What happened? Are you okay?”

“She didn’t care!” Sabrina sniffled, clutching his arm. “I was bleeding, and she just stood there!”

I froze, ladle still in hand.

“You didn’t help her?” Gabriel barked. “What is wrong with you?”

Sabrina held Nathan’s arm like a lifeline.

“I was trying,” she whispered, “but she… pushed me away.”

“I didn’t touch you,” I said softly, but no one was listening.

“I didn’t touch you,” I said quietly, but no one listened.

They were too busy hovering over Sabrina, who cradled her hand like it had been severed and not barely nicked. Her performance was flawless—wide teary eyes, a quivering lip, trembling shoulders. Every gesture perfectly calculated.

“You should’ve stopped her!” Nathan snapped at me. “She’s still recovering! Why did you let her near the kitchen?”

“I told her no,” I murmured. “She didn’t listen to me. Why are you blaming me?”

Gabriel’s glare could’ve sliced me in half. “You should’ve insisted. You know she’s not well. You’re supposed to be the responsible one.”

“And what about you?” I muttered under my breath. “I’m not well either.”

But again, no one heard me. Or maybe they chose not to.

“Next time, just cook for everyone yourself,” Nathan said sharply. “Sabrina shouldn’t be lifting a finger in her condition. Have some care for her! You guys are best friends, and we’re family here.”

Family? I wanted to vomit at the thought. I started, but the words withered before they reached them. What would be the sense of explaining when they wouldn’t listen to me at all?

“She shouldn’t have to want anything. Just take care of it,” Gabriel cut in. “You’re the one who’s fine now, right? So act like it. Cook for us! We want to eat something decent.”

They took Sabrina—still sniffling—into her room. Nathan had his arm around her like she was made of glass. Gabriel followed, saying something about getting her some ice.

And once again, they left me.

Alone. I stood by the stove, the soup long gone cold. I reheated it without thinking, added some salt, cracked an egg into the pot. My body moved automatically, stirring, ladling, pouring the food into a bowl with practiced care.

But this time… I didn’t cook for everyone. Why would I? They didn’t even want me with them in Finland. They don’t deserve me, not even once, so everything I do now is for myself.

Just for me.

I sat down at the table and began to eat.

The broth was warm, the taste soft on my tongue—comforting. It didn’t fix anything, but at least it was mine.

Halfway through the bowl, footsteps stormed into the kitchen.

Nathan and Gabriel.

“There you are,” Nathan said, glancing at the table. “Where’s our food?”

Gabriel followed with a frown. “Isn’t it done yet? What did you even make?”

I didn’t look up. “Nothing. This is just for me.”

Nathan blinked. “You only made food for yourself? Didn’t you hear me say you should cook for us, and also Sabrina? Where is it now?”

“I’m not your cook,” I said simply, spooning another bite into my mouth. “I didn’t even agree.”

Silence. Then the scoff.

“This is because of Sabrina again, isn’t it?” Gabriel snapped. “God, Elena, when are you going to let this go?”

I didn’t answer.

“She’s sick. She’s hurt,” Nathan added. “Why do you have to be so bitter all the time? What, you think we’re supposed to just abandon her so you can get attention?”

Still, I kept eating.

Bite after bite, the silence growing louder around me.

“You’re so damn selfish,” Gabriel growled. “Seriously. Everything’s always about you, huh? You think the world owes you something just because you were here first?”

I stared at the bowl. My hands trembled slightly. But not from fear.

Just fatigue.

“She didn’t ask to get hurt,” Nathan added. “You’ve been nothing but cold since she got back. She’s trying, and you just… sulk. You’re jealous. Admit it.”

Jealous.

That word again.

The word they always used to shut me down.

I put my spoon down slowly.

“I’m not jealous,” I whispered. “I’m just… done.”

But they didn’t hear it. Or maybe they did and just didn’t care.

Suddenly, Gabriel slammed his palm on the table, making the spoon rattle. I flinched.

“You know what?” he snapped. “You really are nothing compared to her.”

Then, without warning, he grabbed my bowl and threw it against the wall.

The ceramic shattered. The soup dripped down like blood.

I stared at the mess.

Nathan didn’t stop him.

Neither of them did.

“Useless,” Gabriel muttered, shaking his head. “You’re just… useless.”

The words echoed in the air, thick and heavy.

They left the room again, their footsteps fading down the hallway.

I stood there, staring at the broken bowl. The mess they didn’t even try to clean.

And strangely…

I didn’t cry.

Not this time.

Not anymore.

Because I was past that.

By morning, most of my bags were packed. Boxes lined the wall beside my bed—neatly labeled and taped. Clothes, documents, photos I hadn’t burned yet. I folded the last few shirts with quiet precision, not because I cared, but because there was something strangely peaceful about moving in silence.

They all thought I was just packing for the wedding.

No one asked when I’d return. No one even asked if I would return.

That silence confirmed everything.

I moved to the corner of my closet where I kept a small velvet-lined case. My jewelry collection. Trinkets from birthdays, old gifts from relatives, little mementos I had held onto.

I opened the box to check on it. The necklace.

A diamond pendant set in platinum, delicately wrapped in an antique design. It had belonged to my grandmother. Passed down to my mother. And then to me. I was supposed to wear it on my wedding day—whenever that day came.

But when I opened the case, it was gone.

The necklace was gone.

I froze.

I searched the drawers, the shelves, the small lockbox I’d tucked beneath my bed. I tore through my bag. Nothing.

Heart thudding, I marched straight into the living room. Nathan was there, lounging on the couch with his phone in hand.

“Nathan,” I said sharply, “where’s my diamond necklace?”

He barely glanced up. “Oh. That.”

“What do you mean, ‘that’?”

“I gave it to Sabrina,” he said casually. “She’s gonna wear it on our Finland trip. Looks good on her.”

My heart stopped. “You what?”

He finally looked at me, annoyed by the tone of my voice. “She liked it. And it suited her. I figured, why not? You weren’t wearing it.”

I stepped closer, fists clenched. “It’s not just some accessory. That necklace is a family heirloom. It belonged to my mother’s family. It was given to me. It’s mine.”

Nathan shrugged. “Sabrina’s family too. Why are you being like that? And she was just borrowing it.”

“No, she’s not,” I hissed. “She was never family. I made her part of our lives. I begged my parents to take her in. I gave her a home. And what did she do? She took everything.”

His expression darkened. “You’re being rude, Elena. I can’t believe you were really jealous of her like she said.”

“I’m being honest,” I spat. “I regret ever bringing her into my life, and I am not jealous! Never! She’s nothing but a bitch!”

And then it happened.

Slap.

My head whipped to the side. A sharp sting burned across my cheek.

I blinked, stunned. Nathan’s hand still hung in the air between us.

“She’s your sister, not by blood, and also your best friend," he snapped. “She is also like us. Don’t ever talk about her like that again.”

Before I could respond, Sabrina walked out of her room in a silk robe, barefoot, and playing innocent like she always did.

“What’s going on?” she asked sweetly, looking between us. “Why are you shouting?”

I pointed at her chest. “Where is the necklace?”

Sabrina glanced down like she’d forgotten she was even wearing it. The diamond glinted at her collarbone.

“Oh… this?” she said, touching it lightly. “I just borrowed it. I didn’t think you’d mind. Nathan said it was okay. And I mean, I’m part of the family too, right?”

“Take it off,” I snapped. “Now.”

Her expression faltered. “Elena—”

“Take. It. Off.”

I stepped toward her. She backed away, clutching the necklace.

“What’s wrong with you?” she said, voice rising. “Why are you acting like this? I just wanted to feel pretty. I love this necklace—”

I reached out to snatch it, but she yanked it back. We struggled. She fought harder than I expected, and the delicate chain snapped.

The diamond pendant clattered to the floor, rolling under the coffee table.

“You ruined it!” I screamed.

“It’s not a big deal,” she said breathlessly. “It’s just a necklace!”

“You had no right to wear it!”

Nathan rushed to Sabrina’s side, placing himself between us. “Back off!”

Gabriel came out from the hallway, immediately rushing to Sabrina. “Are you okay?”

“She’s lost her mind!” Sabrina cried, sniffling as usual. “She’s so… so mean. I didn’t mean to break it…”

“She attacked me,” she added as an afterthought. “I think she pushed me.”

“You’re unbelievable,” I whispered, numb.

Gabriel turned to me, his eyes sharp. “What’s wrong with you? She didn’t mean to break it. You’re always looking for a fight!”

Then Nathan shoved me back lightly, but enough to make me stumble.

“Just stop already,” he muttered, grabbing Sabrina’s hand and leading her back toward her room.

And once again… they left me.

Alone.

I stood in the middle of the living room, breath ragged, eyes on the shattered necklace chain on the floor. I knelt, silently, and picked up each broken piece of the pendant with trembling fingers.

That was it.

That was the last line they crossed.

I walked straight to my room, pulled out my phone, and dialed the landlady.

“Hello?” she answered sleepily.

“It’s Elena,” I said flatly. “I want to sell the apartment.”

“Sell?” she repeated. “Right away?”

“Yes,” I said. “List it. Put it on the market.”