Let The Years Be

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.