Ivy gathered everything that reminded her of Elliot, the photographs, the letters, the little gifts he had given her, and tossed them into a box.
Without hesitation, she carried it to the backyard. The match in her hand flickered before she dropped it into the pile, watching as the flames consumed the remnants of their past.
She stood there in silence. There was no sadness, no regret, but an acceptance. As the last embers faded, she crouched down, scooping up the cooled ashes and dumping them into the bin. It was over.
Returning to her room, she washed her hands, the cold water grounding her. When she lifted her gaze to the mirror, she saw a different version of herself—lighter, freer. She exhaled deeply, letting the moment settle within her.
Grabbing a towel, she dabbed her face dry before tossing it onto the chair. As she sank onto her bed, she reached for her phone, the screen lighting up with unread messages.