That night, I ran into them in the hotel lobby.
Four of them, carrying shopping bags. A new silk scarf around Olivia’s neck.
Lucas froze when he saw me walk in, unharmed.
“Where were you all afternoon?”
“Just walked around.”
I pressed the elevator button.
Nathan walked over. Blocked the door.
“Chloe. You don’t even bother pretending anymore?”
“Whatever.”
I looked at him. No ripple in my eyes.
“Move. I’m going up to rest.”
My coldness stung him. His face turned ugly.
He stepped aside.
“Fine. Let’s see how long you last.”
He turned to Finn and the others.
“If she doesn’t want to be with us, she can figure out her own ticket home.”
“Finn, don’t book hers for tomorrow night.”
Lucas piled on.
“Yeah. Eight p.m. flight tomorrow. If you can’t buy a ticket, stay on the island.”
Olivia tugged Nathan’s sleeve.
“Nathan, don’t. What if Chloe can’t get a ticket?”
“She’s so capable. Let her figure it out.”
The elevator doors slid shut, cutting off their raised voices.
I leaned against the wall. Checked my phone.
Tomorrow at eight p.m., there was no flight home.
They’d probably booked the morning after.
They Lied about the time to watch me panic and come begging.
I opened the app. Bought a direct flight for tomorrow at two p.m.
Not only was I not flying with them, I was leaving early.
The work in Paris couldn’t wait.
This vacation was over.
The last morning, I woke up early.
Packed everything. Double-checked. Sat by the window and emailed the HR in Paris.
Confirmed remote onboarding next Monday. Flying to France in two weeks.
Then I took my suitcase downstairs. Checked out.
Passing the hotel restaurant, the four of them were at breakfast.
Olivia had a plate of pastries. Nathan was peeling shrimp for her.
Finn and Lucas across, laughing.
The picture was perfect. Like they were the family.
I didn’t walk over. Went straight to the front desk. Returned my key card.
In the taxi to the airport, a message came in.
From Nathan.
[Meet in the lobby at six tonight for the airport. Don’t expect us to wait.]
I looked at the screen. Left the group.
[You have left the group “Five of Us.”]
Then I blocked Nathan, Finn, Lucas, and Olivia.
WhatsApp. Phone numbers. Social media. Every way they could reach me.
I leaned back in the seat. Let out a long breath.
—
Four hours later, the plane landed.
I took a cab back to the apartment I’d shared with Nathan for three years.
Opened the door.
Olivia’s slippers from last time by the entrance.
Her wool blanket on the couch. For when she got cold.
Her snacks on the coffee table. The steam eye mask Nathan bought her.
Her traces were everywhere.
Mine were almost nothing.
I went to the bedroom. Pulled out a large suitcase.
A few seasonal clothes. Two bottles of skincare.
The jewelry box I used to treasure. The first necklace Nathan gave me.
I took it out. The silver chain had tarnished.
Just like us. Rotten for a long time.
I just couldn’t throw it away.
I dropped it in the trash.
From the study drawer, I took out the pre-printed documents.
A breakup agreement.
Now, I’d updated my address. This was no longer my home.
I laid both documents neatly on the dining table.
Put the house key and the access card—the one that once meant “family”—on top.
At the door, I looked back once.
Three years of my youth. Ten years of feelings.
A joke, in the end.
The lock clicked.
I walked into the elevator without looking back.
No tears. No screaming.
When disappointment adds up, leaving is silent.
By the time they notice, I’m already far away.