ASHES OF OBSESSION

Elena's POV The divorce papers were still sitting on my kitchen table. I hadn’t moved them. Hadn’t touched them. Hadn’t even signed them yet. They sat there, untouched, like a wound that refused to close. No matter how many times I told myself I was done, that I’d walked away, that I was free, the sight of them still made my stomach knot. Because signing them meant it was real. It meant I had to accept that the years I spent with Damien amounted to nothing but a name change, a shared bank account, and a pile of regrets. I wrapped my arms around myself, rubbing my hands up and down my forearms, as if I could chase away the cold seeping into my bones. The apartment was quiet. Too quiet. The kind of silence that felt oppressive, pressing down on my chest like a weight I couldn’t shake. I used to love silence. Now, it just reminded me of how empty this place felt. The walls were bare, the furniture minimal, just the basics I needed to get by. A couch. A bed. A small dining table. No personal touches. No framed pictures or decorations. Nothing that made it feel like home. Because it wasn’t. It was just a place I existed in. I exhaled slowly and turned away from the table, moving toward the kitchen counter. My fingers traced over the cool granite as I stared blankly at the half empty wine bottle sitting there from last night. I wasn’t even sure why I had opened it. I didn’t drink much not really. But last night, the loneliness had been too loud, and the wine had dulled it just enough to let me sleep. I was still in my sleeping clothes, an oversized sweatshirt and leggings, my hair piled into a messy bun. I had no plans to leave the apartment today. No reason to. Until the knock came. Sharp. Insistent. I froze. No one ever knocked on my door. A second later, a voice followed. “Elena, I swear to God, if you don’t open this door, I will kick it down.” Maya. I sighed, rubbing my forehead. I should have known she wouldn’t let me hide forever. Dragging myself to the door, I unlocked it and swung it open. Maya stood there with a paper bag in one hand and a determined expression on her face. She looked me up and down, arching a brow. “Jesus. When was the last time you left this apartment?” I leaned against the doorframe. “I went to the store yesterday.” “That doesn’t count.” She shoved past me, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. “You look like you haven’t seen the sun in weeks.” I shut the door, sighing as I turned to face her. “Dramatic, much?” Maya ignored me, setting the bag down on the counter before turning to me with a pointed look. “We’re going out tonight.” I blinked. “What?” “You heard me.” She crossed her arms. “No excuses, no backing out. You’re coming with me.” I shook my head. “Maya, I don’t think...” “No.” She held up a hand. “I am not letting you rot away in this apartment. You need to get out, have fun, remind yourself that there’s a life beyond these walls.” “I don’t...” “Yes, you do.” Her voice softened, her expression shifting from determined to something gentler. “Elena, I know you’re hurting. But you can’t keep hiding forever.” Her words hit harder than I wanted to admit. I swallowed, looking away. “I don’t think I’m ready.” Maya stepped closer, placing a hand on my arm. “It’s just one night. Just a few drinks, some music. You don’t have to talk to anyone if you don’t want to. Just… come with me.” I hesitated. Everything in me screamed to say no. To stay in the comfort of my apartment, where I could be alone with my thoughts. But maybe that was the problem. I was always alone with my thoughts. And they were slowly killing me. I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “Fine. One drink.” Maya’s face lit up. “Yes! Okay, you have to wear something sexy. No arguments.” I groaned. “I take it back.” She laughed, already dragging me toward my bedroom. “Too late Maya stormed into my bedroom like she owned the place. “Alright,” she announced, throwing open my closet. “We’re not leaving until I find you something that doesn’t scream sad, divorced woman.” I sighed from my spot on the bed. “I told you, I don’t need to dress up for one drink.” She ignored me, flipping through hangers with a growing frown. “Elena… please tell me you own something that doesn’t look like it belongs in a corporate office or a monastery.” I hugged my knees. “I like neutral colors.” Maya shot me a look over her shoulder. “You like hiding.” I flinched. She wasn’t wrong. I had spent so long fading into the background, blending into the life that Damien wanted for me. Even now, months after he was gone, I found myself stuck in the habits I had built for him. Quiet. Small. Invisible. Maya pulled out a black dress, holding it up. “This. It’s classy, sexy, but not over the top.” I hesitated. It had been years since I wore something like that. Something that might actually make someone look at me. “I don’t know…” I murmured, running my fingers over the fabric. Maya softened. “El, it’s just for one night. Just for fun. No expectations. Just us.” I exhaled slowly. This wasn’t a big deal. It was just a dress. Just one night. “Fine,” I muttered, snatching it from her hands. Maya beamed. “Hell yes. Now go get changed before you chicken out.” I rolled my eyes but did as I was told, locking myself in the bathroom. As I stared at my reflection, something twisted in my chest. This wasn’t me anymore. But maybe… it could be. For one night. Just for one night. The car ride over was filled with Maya’s chatter. She talked enough for both of us, filling the silence like she always did. I half-listened, staring out the window as the city lights flickered past. Everything outside felt distant, like I was watching someone else’s life play out. My fingers twisted in my lap, tugging at the hem of the black dress. It felt foreign on my skin, like I was pretending to be someone I wasn’t. Maybe that was the point. Maya glanced at me from the driver’s seat. “You okay?” I nodded, offering a small smile. “Yeah.” She didn’t press. Just reached over, squeezing my hand before turning back to the road. A few minutes later, we pulled up in front of the bar, a dimly lit place tucked between taller buildings, neon signs buzzing faintly above the entrance. Music drifted out whenever the door swung open, a low, steady thrum of bass and voices. I swallowed. Maya cut the engine and turned to me. “Ready?” I wasn’t. But I nodded anyway.