Listen to Sad Forever by Lauv.

Chloe was leaving my house today, she had made up her mind. I didn't want her to feel like a burden, she could stay as long as she wanted but she insisted on leaving. It was her choice, and I didn't intend to talk her out of it, I lost that right and her trust the day I betrayed her to help my best friend. I knew it was a dumb idea from the beginning, at first I hadn't wanted to be a part of it but his mother was insistent.

I owed it to Chloe to be there for her, she deserved so much more and none of us could give her that. If she wanted to be far away, it was fine with me. She had gone through a lot for the past months, and she needed a break from all the toxicity we brought into her life. I took a glance at the time on my golden wristwatch. Chloe should be on her way now, I wanted to help her and bring her belongings but she refused. I don't blame her. I'd helped hurt her and I was still surprised she had not cut me off from her life.

Tristan was a mess, he'd relapsed again and won't listen to anyone. I texted him thirty minutes ago that Chloe was coming over to get her things but he didn't reply. I texted him again not to do anything stupid since he'd rejected my call. He had to let her go, that was the best thing he could do for her right now.

I slowed down when I saw a familiar face on the street passing out papers. I pulled into a parking spot to where Chloe's best friend, Belvina, stood. She looked like a sassy fifteen-year-old passing out invitation cards for people to come to her party.

I hesitated coming out of the car to talk to her, I wasn't sure about telling her about Chloe's whereabouts. It was up to Chloe to let her know. She had begged me not to tell anyone where she was. I noticed her eyes were on my car, thank God for the tinted windows. A shirtless guy with curly hair stood next to her.

I decided it was best to reveal myself since they were already staring. I grabbed my sunglasses and put them on, I didn't want my eyes to give away the truth. For the fleet moment, I'd known Chloe's best friend, she could be deadly when you messed with someone she loved. I recalled when she'd threatened to put Tristan's head on a spike after Chloe locked herself up in her room because of him. I still remembered how she'd looked at me that day but said nothing.

I opened the door to my car with a soft click. The moment I stepped out the sun began to roast my exposed skin, I missed the air conditioner in my car immediately. Damn, it was burning outside.

I approached them with slow steps, the look on her face was already making me regret my decision. For a small person, she looked intimidating. She started walking toward me before I could reach them. The sun was making out with her brown skin, her skin was glowing under the bright sun as if someone dipped her in gold before she left her house. I basked in her beauty for a few seconds.

"Hey," I said offering a small smile.

The moment she started talking, I realized it was a bad idea to step out of the car. I tried to convince her I never meant to hurt Chloe but she wasn't buying any of it. She looked as if she was ready to murder me if the guy with her hadn't pulled her away. I should have known Belvina would act hostile toward me

I turned around and walked back to my car. I leaned back on the leather seat and sighed heavily. My whole body ached and I felt lightheaded. I was functioning on two hours of sleep. It'd been hard lately to get any sleep, it felt unsettling closing my eyes when Tristan was in a vulnerable state and Chloe needed me. The company was crumbling and it was up to me to fix it. I wanted to stay strong for everyone, to be the anchor for everyone. I had a lot on my shoulders and I couldn't risk letting my issues get in the way.

I checked my phone if Tristan had texted back but saw nothing. I started the car, I wish I could take a break. A vacation in Hawaii sounded perfect, but the fate of the company was in my hands right now. Tristan didn't care if the company goes bankrupt in his absence. He didn't care about anything anymore since Chloe left. Maybe when things returned to how they used to be, we could all go on vacation. I increased my speed, not liking the new feeling forming in my guts. I hope he didn't do anything stupid, he might try to stop her.

There was a black SUV parked outside the building as I pulled into the driveway. I recognized the car as one of his Family's customized cars, the name Sanchester was engraved boldly on the plate number.

I slowly pulled myself out of the car and walked to the front door. I pressed the doorbell and stood back, waiting for someone to invite me in. Tristan's sister, Nora, opened the door with a bright smile.

"Hi, Adrian." She opened the door wider for me to enter, still supporting her broad grin upon her freckled face.

"Hey, Nora. What's up?"

"You know, same old same old."

I smiled at her and walked in. Tristan had sent Morris away a week ago and said he wanted to be alone. We were all worried, with Morris leaving no one, was around to keep an eye on Tristan. No one to make sure he didn't do anything stupid. When I got the call from Morris, I rushed over to his place, it was a mess. He had broken some stuff in the house even his only favorite paintings of Fiona left. I met him in Chloe's room passed out and drunk, his knuckles were bruised and bleeding. I had convinced Morris to stay but warned him to keep some distance from him for a short time and he agreed.

"Adrian!" Mrs. Sanchester came to give me a warm hug. "How are you, honey?" She asked, beaming at me, the smile didn't reach her face. She was starting to look older than her age. Her eyes looked puffy and I noticed she had no makeup on, I couldn't remember the last time I saw her without makeup. She even wore makeup at her husband's funeral.

"I'm fine, where is he?"

"I just forced him to take a bath but he won't eat anything, he keeps asking for more alcohol." She said and fought the tears that forced their way to her eyes. I knew how much seeing him like this broke her heart.

"He'll be fine," I assured her. "Where is Morris?"

"I just asked him to take Nana home, she is not feeling too well. He won't speak to her or me." She said and blinked the tears away.

"We'll get through this like we always do," I said with a soft smile.

"He hates me, I did this to him. He never wanted to go through with this, I thought I was helping him." She sobbed. She couldn't stop the tears anymore, they poured down her fragile face and dripped off her chin to the floor.

"No, it's no one's fault."

"Yes, it's all Chloe's fault. All Tristan wanted was company, he didn't do anything to her." Nora said from behind me. "Only God knows where she is hiding. She's making us look bad while her family takes our money like..."

"Nora, shut up," I cut in.

Her eyes grew wide at the tone of my voice, she opened her mouth to say something but I beat her to it. "We don't get to blame her for anything that's happening," I said, trying my best not to raise my voice. No matter how hard I tried, they could all see my anger. I was always good at maintaining my composure.

Nora looked surprised, I had always been sweet and nice to her but right now I couldn't help it.

"Where is Tristan?" I asked them, regaining my composure.

"He should be in that room," his mother replied.

"Thanks," I said and headed for the stairs.

I went straight to Chloe's old room, the door was slightly open. I knocked before opening the door. Tristan was standing in front of the glass wall, staring at the pool.

"Hey," I whispered, coming to stand next to him. His stubble was replaced with a beard and his hair looked fuller and unkempt, it was like he found a reason to stop living and not care about anything anymore.

"Where is she going?" He asked, facing me.

"She didn't say." I paused, taking in his new appearance. I thought about what to say next, I had to make him understand that he couldn't go after her.

"You have to let her go, she deserves a little peace and happiness. We need to give her that, Tristan."

"I want to, I wish it was that easy." He sighed and turned away from me, he ran his fingers through his hair. The surface of his eyes appeared glossy as if he had been crying.

"You didn't do anything stupid when she came, right?"

"No, I just watched. She couldn't even spend a minute or at least say goodbye. I know I don't deserve it but it still hurts."

"Things will get better."

He scoffed at my statement. "I feel dead inside. I have lost everything, I destroy everything I touch. I hate the feeling, Adrian, I fucking hate it so much."

"Hey, listen to me." I grabbed his arm and forced him to look at me. "I'll always be here for you, good or bad. You need to get help and prove to Chloe you can be a better man, she might come back." His blue eyes looked empty as they stared at me.

"No, man, I have lost her forever." He looked like he was about to break down.

I moved closer and hugged him, he needed it.

"I'm better off alone," he broke down. "She is never coming back, Adrian." He couldn't hold back the tears any longer.

"Let it all out, bro," I whispered.

He'd been holding back and numbing the pain with alcohol and pills. I held him as he cried. I knew he was hurting, and I wish I could take that pain away. His body shook in my embrace as his sobs found their escape. Tristan's grip was hard, he missed her. I can't remember the last time I cried like this, I was used to holding in all the pain even if it suffocated me.

I allowed him to take his time. Next, I needed to check on Chloe and know how she was doing.

☆

I left Tristan's place late in the night. I spoke to Chloe on the phone during my ride back to my house. She told me she found a hotel where she would crash until she found a nice apartment and a job.

I could hear her best friend singing in the background, her voice was angelic I must admit because at first, I thought it was playing from the tv or some device. I thought that until Chloe apologized for her friend's loud singing. I was glad she opened up to her friend. I needed to give her space to heal and be happy.

I paused at the front of my house, I was all alone again. I didn't want to stay in the empty house and allow the memories to haunt me. I couldn't allow the memories of Karen back into my head. I wished Chloe never left, her presence meant a lot to me. It helped me not to think about that bitch and it was nice to have someone to talk to. I couldn't go in there, I would be reminded of all our time together and how it all turned out to be a lie. Maybe I deserved it, I never had luck in relationships anyway. Karen wasn't the first person I proposed to that ended badly. The girl before Karen, everything went downhill as well. I should be used to it by now, relationships weren't for me. I have promised myself never to commit to anyone romantically no matter what. No one was going to change that, they were all the same, and the whole 'you'll find the perfect girl and soulmate' was crap. All my past relationships ended very badly. I didn't want to go down that path again, I won't give any girl the opportunity to fuck me up again.

Maybe I was doing it all wrong, I shouldn't be settling for love or commitment. There was more to life than getting married and starting a family, I had been too caught up in having a family because I missed mine. I thought that starting a family would fill that void but it always backfired. I spent all my Christmas, New Year, and Thanksgiving holidays with the Sanchesters or sometimes by myself in a big house with useless Christmas decorations.

I turned the car around and drove away, I didn't want to think about her or how stupid I was for falling hard for her lies. She was so sweet and seemed to like everything I liked, it was as if I found that someone I related with on so many levels. Now I just wondered if she did some research on me before we met. Everything was a lie. I was fucking gullible. I wish I could turn my heart into steel. My fingers clenched around the wheels, I drove to a strip club. This was going to be my new home when I was not glued to work. I had access to hot girls and there were no strings attached. I went straight to V.I.P and ordered a bottle of champagne and three strippers. At least I don't get to spend the night alone.