Facing the two worried guys, she spoke with a calm she did not quite feel. "They're just photos. We can take more, can't we?"
"The fire did a thorough job, so we'll have to make new memories. It's about time we went on a trip again, anyway."
Andrew, trying to make the best of the situation, was met with Stephen's eager agreement.
"Yeah, and we can bring Helen along this time. She's always wanted to travel."
Chloe could not help but laugh a little at Stephen's words.
Andrew and Stephen took her chuckle as a sign of agreement and let out a collective sigh of relief.
Just as they were about to head back inside, they stopped short at the sight of several boxes in the living room—boxes that were not there when they left that morning.
"What's all this?" they asked together.
Chloe gave the boxes a quick look. "Oh, I quit my job. I'm thinking of trying something new."
She had liked her job before, had she not?
The same doubt crept into both of their minds.
Chloe was acting off, and it left Andrew and Stephen feeling a bit rattled.
Stephen parted his lips, about to dive into a sea of questions, but the sudden jingle of a ringtone cut through the quiet.
Andrew picked up the phone, and Helen's voice came through, panicked and lost.
"Andrew, the power's out at my place, and I'm freaking out! What should I do?"
Stephen, who was right there, heard her and his face changed. He jumped in before Andrew could respond.
"Helen, don't worry, I'm on my way."
Andrew's forehead creased with worry, a rare sight on his usually calm and collected face.
Worried sick about Helen, Andrew and Stephen grabbed their keys and bolted out the door together.
Chloe, on the other hand, was the picture of calm throughout. Once they were gone, she dialed up Natalie.
She had grown up in Natalie's care, and Natalie had been nothing but kind, treating her like her own daughter.
Since she was leaving, it was only right to say a heartfelt goodbye.
When Natalie heard Chloe was heading back to tie the knot, her voice was tinged with sadness and shock. "Chloe, do Andrew and Stephen know you're going back to get married?"
Chloe hesitated before replying, "They're in the dark, Aunt Natalie. Please keep it under wraps for me too. I just can't deal with any more drama."
The line went quiet for a beat.
Natalie let out a heavy sigh. "Yeah, I get it. You've been their gem since day one. It's clear as day those two fell hard for you, always stuck like glue. I really thought you'd end up with one of them. What a shame..."
Chloe chuckled softly. "There's nothing to be sorry about. We just weren't meant to be."
Natalie listened, and without pushing the issue, she said softly, "Chloe, I always knew you'd head back home eventually. I just didn't think it'd happen this fast. I've been by your side since you were a tiny tot. Before you take off, swing by and see me, okay? Once you're back in Kingston City, who knows when we'll get another chance to catch up..."
With a playful grin, Chloe replied, "Of course, I'll come by. I've got some presents for you, and I'm not ready to say goodbye just yet."
Natalie chatted a bit more before ending the call.
The moment the line went dead, Chloe's phone buzzed again.
It was her company's director.
"Hey Chloe, your design snagged an award for us! The trophy just came in, and since you've moved on, I've sent your intern, Helen, to drop it off at your place."
Before Chloe could even respond, the doorbell chimed.
She hung up, swung the door open, and there was Helen, trophy in hand, smiling on her doorstep.
