The air in the apartment felt charged, heavy with the tension that had become all too familiar between Savvy and me. I’d barely had time to speak before she took it upon herself to open MY package to take a look at what was inside.

“What’s this?” she asked, practically bouncing on her feet.

I watched as she opened the box wider, revealing the glimmering piece of jewelry nestled inside, and watched as Savvy’s gaze zeroed in on it. The deep green stone, a perfect oval of jade, seemed to catch the light in just the right way, sparkling like a whisper of hope. I could feel a protective instinct rising within me, the need to keep it safe.

“It's called Hope Jade,” I replied, my voice softer than I intended. “It belonged to my father.”

Her fingers twitched with excitement as she leaned in closer. “Can I try it on?” she asked, a pleading look in her eyes.

I hesitated. “Savvy, I really don’t think that’s a good idea. It’s—”

“Please!” she interrupted, her voice almost whiny, the familiar stubbornness creeping in. “Just for a minute?”

I felt the tug-of-war between wanting to indulge her and the protective instinct that flared to life. “No, it’s not just a piece of jewelry. It’s special to me.”

But her persistence only grew stronger. “Come on, Sabrina. Just let me see how it looks! It can’t hurt anything.”

Before I could react, she reached for the box, and I instinctively pulled it back. “Savvy!” I exclaimed, trying to keep my grip on the box. “Stop!”

In the struggle, the box tipped, and the Hope Jade slipped through my fingers. I watched in slow motion as it hit the floor, the sound echoing in the silence like a gunshot. The clasp broke upon impact, and the jade rolled away from us, its shine dulled by the difference with the floor.

Savvy gasped, eyes wide, and the sudden stillness that followed felt suffocating.

“Why would you do that?” she cried, falling to her knees to pick up the broken pieces. “You’re so mean, Sabrina!”

“Me? You were the one trying to take it without asking!” I shot back, fury burning in my chest.

But it was too late. Harvey and Nicolas appeared almost immediately, concern etched across their faces as they rushed to Savvy’s side.

“What happened?” Harvey asked, glancing between us. “Sabrina, what did you do?”

“Nothing! I was just—”

Savvy cut me off, her voice quivering. “She broke it! She doesn’t care about me or my feelings!”

Nicolas knelt down next to Savvy, taking the jade in his hands as if it were something fragile and delicate. “Sabrina,” he said, a disappointed edge creeping into his tone, “this was an inexpensive piece of jewelry. You didn’t need to be so harsh.”

“Not just a piece!” I yelled, the anger bubbling over. “Nor do I care if it is inexpensive jewelry. It was meant to be worn on my wedding day!”

“Exactly, your groom can always get you another one.” Harvey interjected, his brow furrowing in concern for Savvy.

I caught the use of your groom rather than me and Nicolas. I swallowed at that.

“As the elder cousin, you should know better. Just let it go.” Harvey added.

Savvy sniffed, her voice rising as she continued to play the victim. “I can’t believe you would hurt me over something so trivial! You’re just mean, Sabrina! Even to Lovely, my friend!”

That hit me like a punch to the gut. Lovely was one of Savvy’s friends, but I didn’t even know her well enough to have an opinion.

“Savvy,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady, “this isn’t about that—”

“Just apologize,” Nicolas demanded, cutting me off, not even glancing at the small cut on my palm where the broken clasp had sliced through my skin.

“I’m not going to apologize for wanting to keep something that is important to me.” I snapped back as calmly as I could, feeling the heat rush to my cheeks.

“God, Sabrina!” Harvey exclaimed, exasperated. “Why can’t you just be the bigger person for once?”

I felt rage and pain coiling tightly in my chest, a dark storm building, but yet I tried to find the strength to bury it deep within me. Why was I the one who always had to take the high road?

How many times had I played nice when they laughed off the taunts back at school? The ones who called me a puppy for Harvey and Nicolas, or worse, the ones who branded me as a slut for being “so love-struck” with them? The thinness of my frame had made me an easy target. All those times they laughed it off, never realizing how it hurt.

“You don’t get it,” I said, my voice quivering now, the pain clawing at my throat. “You never have. This isn’t just about the jewelry.”

Harvey stepped closer, his eyes softer now, but still firm. “Then what is it? Why are you being so stubborn?”

The truth hung heavy in the air, something I was terrified to say out loud. “Because it’s not just a piece of jewelry. It’s part of my future, of my history. It’s… It's important.”

Was the last thing I could make out. At the end of the sentence I felt deflated and exhausted, unsure what were the right words to say anymore.

The room fell silent, the heaviness of my words sinking in. Savvy wiped her eyes, and Nicolas shifted uncomfortably, while Harvey’s expression softened, realizing he had pushed too far.

“I didn’t mean to—” I started, but the moment was broken by my phone ringing again, shattering the tension like glass.

I glanced down and saw my mother’s name flash on the screen. “Excuse me,” I muttered, stepping away from the gathering storm of emotions in the room.

“Mom?” I answered, my heart racing as I felt the need for her familiar presence.

“Sabrina,” she said, her voice warm yet weary. “Have you booked your flight yet? I really want to see you soon.”

I felt my stomach drop, the reminder of the impending visit hitting me. “I’m looking into it, Mom,” I replied, forcing a calmness into my tone. “I promise I’ll arrange something soon.”

Harvey and Nicolas exchanged glances, curiosity in their eyes. “What’s going on?” Nicolas asked, stepping closer, trying to catch a glimpse of my conversation.

“It’s nothing,” I shot back, hoping to keep my mother’s worries private. But their interest only grew, and I felt their presence pressing down on me.

“Are you sure?” Harvey pushed, a hint of concern lacing his tone. “Is something wrong?”

I glanced back at Savvy, who was still sitting on the floor, clutching the broken clasp. The room felt too small, the walls closing in, and I knew I had to keep this together.

“It’s just about my mom. It's not really anything important,” I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt.

They nodded, but the tension in the air remained thick, unresolved. I hung up and turned to them, ready to deflect their questions, but the truth was heavy on my heart. I had so much to sort through, and at that moment, I didn’t know if I could bear it all.

Of course it was Savvy that had to speak. “It didn't sound like nothing, Brina, you even seem flustered.”

I cleared my truth as I said. “There’s this jewelry show tomorrow,” I said, looking between them. “It’s supposed to be really unique. Thought maybe you’d want to come with me?”

Harvey looked up from his phone, his expression unreadable, and I felt a flicker of hope. Nicolas, too, paused what he was doing beside Savvy, his gaze briefly meeting mine. For a second, I could see us together, the three of us laughing and enjoying ourselves, maybe even grabbing a late dinner afterward to talk about all the ridiculous, over-the-top pieces we’d seen.

But then, Harvey’s eyes slid over to Savvy. “Actually… we told Savvy we’d hang out,” he said, almost apologetic. “We’ve been kind of behind on plans with her, you know?”

I felt my stomach drop a little. I tried to keep my voice light, pretending it didn’t matter. “Oh. Right, of course. I get it.”

“Yeah, sorry, Sabrina,” Nicolas added with a slight shrug, giving Savvy a small, affectionate smile. “We can catch the next one, maybe? It’s just… we already promised her.”

I nodded, fighting to keep my disappointment from showing. I didn’t want them to see how much it hurt, how I felt like a kid left out of a game. “No, it’s fine,” I said quickly, plastering a smile on my face. “I totally understand. You guys have fun.”

But the sting was there, sharp and undeniable. I tried to ignore the uncomfortable knot in my stomach as I headed to my bedroom. Lying in bed later, staring at the ceiling, I felt foolish for being so affected. It was just a jewelry show. It wasn’t a big deal, really—so why did it feel like I’d lost something more?

I woke up early that morning, still a little stung from last night.I knew they didn’t care about glitz or designer pieces, but I’d hoped they still cared about me even if it was just a little. Instead, they’d made some excuse about wanting to spend time with Savvy—again. I tried to ignore the feeling it stirred up, that gnawing insecurity that seemed to creep in more and more whenever she was around.

Still, today was going to be different. New York was alive and humming, and I wasn’t going to let last night’s rejection ruin my mood. I left my bedroom and moved toward the kitchen, my bare feet cool against the marble floors of our apartment. I froze as I caught Savvy’s voice drifting from around the corner.

“... she’s so uptight, you know?” I heard her murmur, her tone sweet but sharp-edged.

I edged closer, quietly stepping just near the doorway, enough to overhear but not be seen. She was on the phone.

“She’s so self-important, like she’s the only one who matters,” she continued. “It’s no wonder Harvey and Nic spend so much time with me now.”

Lovely’s voice crackled faintly on the other end of the line, and Savvy giggled, the sound making my skin prickle. I had to take a deep breath, trying to swallow down the growing ache of her words. I’d always felt that Savvy didn’t like me, but I’d never imagined she would be so… cruel about it. The fact that Harvey and Nic didn’t see through her manipulative charm stung even more.

When I finally walked into the room, she ended the call with a smile, her eyes darting toward Harvey and Nic, who were perched on the kitchen stools, watching her with fond amusement. Savvy glanced up at me, her grin widening.

“Oh, Sabrina, you’re just in time!” she chirped, holding out a plate toward me. Nestled on it was a neatly frosted cupcake. “I made these myself.”

I forced a smile, even as something in me recoiled. I didn’t want to indulge her—didn’t want to give her the satisfaction. But Harvey and Nic were watching me expectantly, their expressions so relaxed, so… trusting. Did they not see what I did?

“Sabrina, come on,” Nic said, urging me with a smirk. “Don’t be rude. You’ve been… distant lately. It’s not a big deal to try one, right?”

The remark stung, and before I could respond, Harvey chimed in.

“Yeah, you should at least taste it. Savvy went to the trouble of making these for us.” His tone was casual, but his gaze held a subtle challenge. They weren’t asking—they were demanding, their eyes silently accusing me of looking down on her.

I bit back a sigh, knowing that no answer I gave would satisfy them. So, reluctantly, I reached out, taking one of the small cupcakes. I took a hesitant nibble, hoping a small taste would be enough to make them happy.

As soon as the flavor hit my tongue, alarm shot through me. Almond. I could taste it immediately, that distinct, slightly bitter taste. My heart skipped a beat as I looked up, trying to keep my voice steady.

“Savvy, what’s in this?” I asked, desperately trying to hide my panic.

She blinked, looking slightly taken aback. “Oh, just a touch of almond extract,” she replied breezily. “For flavor.”

The fear rose in my throat, thick and suffocating. “I—I’m I’m,” I managed to choke out, tossing the cupcake aside as the reaction began to set in.

Harvey scowled, his expression darkening. “What’s wrong with you, Sabrina? Savvy put effort into these, and you’re just… throwing it on the ground?”

I could barely hear him. My throat was starting to feel tight, my breathing more labored. I didn’t have time to argue, didn’t have time to explain. I turned away, shakily grabbing my phone, dialing 911 as I felt my hands trembling.

Through the haze of my panic, I could hear Savvy’s voice in the background, a faint thread of feigned concern winding through her tone. “Why is she acting like that? Was my cupcake really that bad? Is she usually this dramatic?”

“No, Sav, your cupcake is amazing, Sabrina is just….” Nicolas trailed off with gritted teeth.

Harvey’s low, exasperated murmur reached me. “It’s Sabrina. You know how she is.”

The operator picked up, and I managed to tell them my address and explain my reaction, though my words felt thick and heavy. I could feel my vision swimming as the reaction took hold. But I couldn’t forget the last thing I’d overheard: the dismissive indifference in their voices as they spoke about me, as though I were just an inconvenience in the middle of their perfect morning.

I stumbled to the living room and dropped onto the couch, waiting for the help I knew was coming. The irony of it was almost laughable. Here I was, fighting for air in my own home, the place that was supposed to be safe—a place I had built with them, where I should feel loved, protected.

Harvey and Nic finally came over, their expressions more annoyed than concerned. Nic knelt beside me, his hand resting on my shoulder as though to keep me still. “Jesus Christ, Brina, why do you have to be so fucking dramatic about everything?” he said, his tone irritated rather than reassuring.

I glanced at him, my breath hitching painfully. I couldn’t believe it—couldn’t believe any of it. These were the two people I’d given everything to, the two people I trusted most. And in my moment of vulnerability, they stood there, indifferent.

Savvy watched from the doorway, her expression unreadable, but her lips were curled into a subtle, satisfied smile.

The taste of almond lingered bitterly in my mouth as I gasped for air, trying to fight off the rapid swelling in my throat. “I’m… aller-,” I managed to choke out, pointing to the cupcake on the floor. I’d tossed it aside in panic, but Harvey and Nicolas seemed oblivious to the severity of my reaction.

Nicolas folded his arms, his expression both irritated and perplexed. “Sabrina, what is wrong with you lately? This is so unlike you. You’re acting… unreasonable.”

“Unrecognizable, even,” Harvey added with a disapproving frown.

I stared at them in disbelief, my vision beginning to blur. Between gasps, I forced the words out, desperation making my voice tremble. “It… it had almond in it. You both know… I’m allergic. Remember how you used to… protect me?”

Silence filled the room as the reality of my words began to sink in. Harvey’s face shifted, a flicker of recognition in his eyes. Nicolas looked down, a faint blush creeping across his cheeks.

“We’re sorry,” Nicolas muttered, though his tone was stiff, as though he was embarrassed to admit they’d overstepped. “But… you should know Savvy put a lot of effort into making those cupcakes. She didn’t know.”

“Yeah,” Harvey chimed in, glancing over at Savvy, who was standing a few feet away, looking wounded and on the verge of tears. “She tried her best. The least you could’ve done was appreciate that, Sabrina.”

The pang of betrayal stung more deeply than the allergic reaction itself. But there was no use in arguing. They were already looking past me, moving toward Savvy, murmuring reassurances and offering comforting smiles.

The doorbell rang, and I turned as two paramedics stepped inside. Harvey gave me a quick, dismissive glance, then turned back to Savvy, his arm around her shoulder, comforting her as if she were the one suffering.

I went with the paramedics in silence, my throat closing tighter with each second, both from the reaction and the ache of betrayal. By the time we reached the hospital, I felt as though I’d left more than just that cupcake on the floor. A part of me—the part that had once trusted Harvey and Nicolas more than anyone in the world—was crumbling away.

---

I spent the next few days in recovery, alone in my hospital bed, replaying the events over and over. I was exhausted from hoping that one day they’d see me again—the real me, the Sabrina they’d once protected, cared about, and maybe even loved. But as each hour passed, the feeling that something had irrevocably changed between us solidified. I couldn’t stay somewhere that left me feeling so unseen.

As soon as I was discharged, I packed my things, each item a reminder of moments that now felt tainted. It wasn’t just the apartment—it was my father’s house, the place I’d inherited and tried to fill with new memories, with love. Now it felt empty, like a hollow shell.

As I walked through each room, packing up fragments of my life, the walls seemed to close in, the familiar spaces now thick with silence. My fingers brushed the edge of the kitchen counter where I’d once sat with Harvey and Nicolas, laughing until we cried over burnt pancakes that neither of us wanted to admit were our fault. I remembered us dancing in the dim light of the living room, spinning wildly to an old jazz record of my father’s, their laughter mixing with mine.

Now, the countertop felt cold under my hand, the laughter replaced by a hollow quiet that echoed back every step. I reached for a framed photo of my father, his warm smile meeting mine, and the ache in my chest deepened. This house had been his dream, every corner of it filled with pieces of him—the worn armchair by the window, the shelf he’d built himself in the study, the smell of his cologne still lingering in his closet.

As I sealed up the last box, I looked around one final time, trying to feel the love I’d once put into these walls, hoping I’d feel the warmth that had carried me through countless nights. But all I saw were empty spaces where memories once lived. It was as though the house itself had already let go, waiting for someone who could see past the echoes and turn it into a home again.

I handed the keys over to my father’s old colleague that afternoon, his hand lingering on mine as he looked at me with a knowing sadness. "I'll take good care of it, Sabrina. Your father… he'd be proud.”

I nodded, swallowing hard. “I know you will. Thank you.” And as I turned away, the weight of the house finally lifted, leaving nothing but a quiet acceptance in its place.

---

Weeks later, I was sitting at my favorite coffee shop, that familiar buzz of excitement and nervousness swirling in my stomach as I glanced at the door. Harvey and Nicolas had reached out, asking if I’d meet them for coffee. A small spark of hope lit up inside me, despite everything. Maybe… maybe this was the start of something new. Maybe they’d realized what they’d lost, what I’d been trying to hold onto all these years.

I looked down at the steaming cup of coffee in front of me, tracing the rim with my finger, just as the two of them slid into the booth across from me.

“Sabrina,” Harvey started, his gaze level but distant. “Thanks for coming.”

Nicolas nodded, though his expression seemed more curious than apologetic. “So, we heard you sold the house.”

I felt a little flutter in my chest as I nodded, wondering if they’d bring up the real reason I’d left—the hurt and the distance that had been growing between us. But instead, Harvey raised an eyebrow, his voice carrying a hint of exasperation.

“Don’t you think that was… extreme?” he asked, watching me carefully. “I mean, over a minor incident with a cupcake?”

I blinked, the words sinking in like a slap. “Minor?” I echoed, trying to keep my tone even. “It wasn’t just about the allergy—it was about you two not… seeing me. You were too focused on Savvy to even notice.”

Nicolas tilted his head, frowning thoughtfully. “We didn’t think it was that serious, Sabrina. Maybe you’ve been feeling down lately? You know, stressed? We thought a trip might help.”

I forced myself to swallow back my frustration, looking away from the worry in their faces that somehow still wasn’t really for me. “I… appreciate the thought.”

Harvey’s eyes lit up. “We could all go together, just us… and, you know, maybe Savvy could come too? We don’t want to leave her out.”

“Yeah,” Nicolas agreed, flashing a grin. “If it’d make Savvy happy, why not? Maybe Lovely could tag along too. They’re so close, after all.”

For a moment, the words tangled in my throat, the sharp reminder of how distant we’d grown echoing between us. But then, a strange calm settled over me.

“Actually, I bought a camper van,” I replied, my voice steady. “It’s perfect for a road trip.”

Harvey and Nicolas exchanged glances, and to my surprise, their eyes lit up with enthusiasm.

“That sounds amazing!” Nicolas said, leaning forward. “Savvy would love it. We could get some supplies, make it a whole adventure.”

I smiled, but this time, it was for me. Let them have their trip, their perfect little setup. I’d already made my choice.

As they started planning, eagerly discussing how much fun Savvy would have, I felt a weight lift.