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!"

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.

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.