Chloe stood at the window, her fingers gripping the edge of the curtain as she watched Nova moving quietly outside. She watched as her friend placed the last of her bags into the trunk of her car.
Nova paused, straightening up and turning back towards the house, her gaze lingering on the grand facade as if committing it to memory. For a brief moment, Chloe thought Nova might change her mind, might come back inside and tell her that it was all a misunderstanding, that they could work things out. But instead, Nova took a deep breath, squared her shoulders, and slipped into the driver’s seat.
The engine purred to life, and Chloe’s heart sank as she watched Nova drive off, the car shrinking into the distance until it disappeared from view. The emptiness that settled over her was crushing, an
