The house felt… different.
Not empty.
Not yet.
But like it was already starting to miss them.
We all stood by the door.
Too many shoes.
Too many voices trying to overlap at once.
And somehow—
Still not enough noise to cover what this actually was.
Leaving.
Nena was the first to break it, of course.
She crossed her arms, looking straight at me.
"You better not replace me while I'm gone."
I scoffed immediately.
"Please. You're irreplaceable."
She narrowed her eyes.
"That sounded sarcastic."
"It wasn't."
"...It was a little sarcastic."
I smiled.
She pulled me into a quick hug anyway.
Tight.
Familiar.
"I'll call you," she murmured.
"You better."
Liam stepped forward next, hands in his pockets like he didn't know what to do with himself.
"Don't fail your exams," he said.
I raised a brow.
"That's your goodbye?"
He shrugged.
"I believe in tough love."
I rolled my eyes.
"Safe road travel.. whatever."
He nodded once.
That was his version of emotional.
Mark didn't even pretend.
He just pulled me into a hug immediately.
"You'll be fine," he said quietly.
I nodded against his shoulder.
"Yeah."
He paused.
"…Text me. Even if it's nothing."
"I will."
He squeezed once before letting go.
And then—
Ethan.
He was last.
Of course he was.
For a second, we just stood there.
Looking at each other.
Like everything from earlier was sitting right there between us.
Unsaid.
But understood.
He rubbed the back of his neck lightly.
"So… I guess I will see you tomorrow."
"Yeah," I said.
He smiled a little.
Nervous.
Soft.
I didn't think.
Didn't give myself time to overthink.
I just stepped forward—
And hugged him.
Tighter than before.
Not quick this time.
Not rushed.
Just—
Holding on.
For a second longer than I probably should have.
He froze slightly…
Then hugged me back.
Gentle.
Careful.
Like I might disappear if he held too tight.
"I'll think about it," I whispered again.
He let out a small breath.
"I know."
A pause.
"…Don't forget me."
I pulled back just enough to look at him.
"Try not to be forgettable."
That made him laugh softly.
"…Wow."
"Go," I said, stepping back before I changed my mind about everything.
And just like that—
They left.
The door closed.
And the house finally—
Finally—
Felt quiet.
I walked back inside slowly.
And there he was.
Jake.
Already on the couch.
Head down.
Smiling at his phone like a complete idiot.
I stopped in front of him.
"…Who are you texting?"
He didn't even look up.
"Nena."
I narrowed my eyes.
"Already? She just left."
He grinned.
"Attachment issues."
I crossed my arms.
"You're obsessed."
He gasped dramatically, finally looking up.
"Jealous?"
"Of you? Please."
He leaned forward, mocking my tone.
"'Nenaaa don't replace meee'—"
I grabbed the nearest pillow and threw it straight at his face.
"Shut up."
He laughed, catching it.
"Wow. Violent. I like this era."
"Are you okay?"
Luca's voice.
Softer.
I turned.
He was leaning against the wall, watching me carefully.
I nodded. "Yeah."
Lie.
But a lighter one this time.
I walked over and dropped beside him on the couch.
Looked around.
The mansion suddenly felt… bigger.
Quieter.
"…My life is weird," I said.
Jake snorted.
"That's an understatement."
I ignored him.
"I went from normal life to… this." I gestured around. "A mansion. Random chaos. Found out my mom owns a whole company I didn't even know about—"
I adjusted my crooked glasses out of habit.
"—which, by the way, is literally my favorite skincare brand. Do you know how insane that is? I've been using their moisturizer like a fan."
Luca chuckled.
"That's actually hilarious."
"And then," I continued, counting on my fingers, "dad situation—surprise truth. Step-brother unlocked. Ethan leaving for four years—"
I paused.
"…we went on a trip. Nearly died like three times emotionally."
Jake raised a finger.
"Accurate."
I crossed my arms.
"And somehow… my little brother is clingy."
Jake sighed dramatically.
"Yeah. That's a lot."
Then—
He leaned back.
"Oh, by the way," he added casually, "I knew about mom's company."
I turned slowly.
"You… what."
He blinked.
"…What?"
"You knew?"
He snorted.
"Everyone knew."
My eyes narrowed.
"Everyone."
"Yeah. Before we all believed in dad's… situation."
I stared.
"They didn't want you getting used to wealth and turning spoiled," he added, pointing at himself, "like me."
I deadpanned.
"Too late."
He grinned.
My phone buzzed.
I glanced down.
A message.
From Luca.
I slowly turned my head.
He was already looking at me—
Holding his phone—
Eyebrows raised like he'd done something illegal.
I opened it.
And froze.
"If Ethan forgets you, don't worry. I'm available. Applications open. Requirements: must tolerate my face."
…
I looked up.
Luca gave me a small, innocent smile.
I snorted.
A soft laugh slipping out before I could stop it.
"You're actually insane."
"Thank you," he said proudly.
But then—
My smile faded.
Just a little.
Jake noticed immediately.
"You're quiet."
I exhaled.
"I'm okay."
This time—
It wasn't a complete lie.
Just… incomplete.
I leaned back.
"…I used to be so annoyed by you guys."
Jake scoffed.
"Used to?"
I ignored him again.
"But now…"
I looked around.
The empty space.
The silence.
"…you all kind of just… became part of my life."
Jake stood up abruptly.
"Too many emotions. I'm going out."
"Where?" I asked.
"Out."
"Very descriptive."
He waved and left anyway.
Luca stretched.
"I'm going to read before this turns into a therapy session."
"Coward."
"Correct."
He left too.
And then—
She walked in.
Mrs. May.
No—
Mom.
Dressed like a CEO straight out of a magazine.
Elegant.
Effortless.
Dangerous.
She sat beside me.
Gently.
"You don't have to worry about anything," she said softly.
I didn't speak.
She took my hand.
Warm.
Steady.
"For now… focus on your exams. Graduate."
I nodded.
She smiled slightly.
"And when you're done… we'll go out."
I blinked."…Out?"
"A proper girls' day. Dinner. Spa."
That sounded…
Suspiciously nice.
"Can Nena come?" I asked immediately.
She laughed softly."Yes. She can."
I smiled.
Small.
Real.
She squeezed my hand once—
Then stood up and left.
And just like that—
It was quiet again.
But not heavy.
Not empty.
Just…
Different.
I adjusted my glasses.
Leaned back.
And for the first time—
I didn't feel like everything was falling apart.
Just…
Changing.