Obsession's Edge: Alaska

That night, Ivy wandered aimlessly under the pouring rain. Her body was drenched, clothes clinging tightly to her skin, while her tangled hair stuck to her face. Her steps were unsteady, as if the weight of the world rested on her shoulders. The cold air bit into her skin, but the pain in her heart was far more excruciating than the freezing night.

Home? The thought crossed her mind for a fleeting second before she pushed it away. That house, the Jade family's home where she had grown up, now felt like hell. Luna, that vile woman, was surely playing her innocent act, twisting the truth to win the family's sympathy. Ivy couldn't bear to see her. Not tonight. Not ever again.

Her trembling hand reached for her phone from her pocket. She knew there was only one person she could turn to right now. Agata. Her best friend, the one place where she always felt accepted for who she was. But even pressing Agata's name on the screen felt like an impossible task. Her breath was ragged, her mind in turmoil, and her fingers shook violently.

She stopped under a large tree, using its branches for what little shelter they could provide from the relentless downpour. In a hoarse voice, she murmured to herself, "Calm down, Ivy. Don't be weak. You're not a coward."

But the words felt empty, even to herself. Ivy closed her eyes, trying to steady her breath. Yet every inhale only brought back images of Luna and Darren. Their laughter, their whispers, their betrayal, all of it stabbed into her chest like a thousand knives.

Her phone was slick in her grip, nearly slipping from her wet fingers. With the last of her strength, she pressed the call button, hoping Agata's voice could be her lifeline in this endless night.

The phone vibrated, the soft ringing barely audible against the relentless rain. Ivy bit her lip, trying to hold back the sobs threatening to break free.

"Oh, Ivy! The soon-to-be happiest bride! What's up? Calling me this late, don't tell me you just want to rub in your happiness again, huh?" Agata's cheerful voice came through the speaker, her usual teasing tone oblivious to the fact that Ivy's world had crumbled just hours ago.

Ivy tried to speak, but all that came out was a faint whisper, "Ta..." Her voice was raw, barely audible. Her breathing hitched, and no matter how hard she tried to sound strong, her voice betrayed her.

Silence. Then, Agata's tone shifted in an instant, from playful to alarmed. "Ivy? What's wrong? Hey, talk to me!" she demanded, her concern sharp and immediate.

Ivy squeezed her eyes shut, swallowing the sob building in her throat. But the harder she tried to hold it in, the louder her cries became. Agata heard everything. The air between them turned heavy with tension.

"Ivy, answer me!" Agata's voice rose, almost panicked. "Where are you? What happened?!"

Ivy struggled to take a deep breath. But the quivering words that left her lips only made her sound even more fragile. "Pick me up... at X Street," she whispered, barely audible. Before Agata could respond, Ivy ended the call.

Her phone slipped from her grasp, falling onto the wet pavement. Her sobs broke free once more. Her heart felt shattered, her body trembling violently. The rain poured mercilessly, but even the cold couldn't compare to the unbearable pain gripping her chest.

On the other end of the call, Agata didn't hesitate. She grabbed her car keys and rushed out the door. Worry consumed her thoughts. She knew something terrible had happened. Something very, very bad. And it involved Ivy.

Her car sped through the nearly deserted streets, its engine roaring beneath the pounding rain. Her eyes scanned every corner, every sidewalk, searching desperately for Ivy. Each second stretched unbearably, the tension in her chest tightening.

Then, under the dim streetlights, she finally saw her.

Ivy stood by the sidewalk, soaked to the bone, her hair a tangled mess. Her face was pale, almost lifeless.

Agata slammed on the brakes, the tires screeching against the wet road. Without thinking, she ran toward her friend. "Ivy!" she called, gripping Ivy's arms firmly. "What happened to you? Say something!"

But Ivy only sobbed, her body trembling uncontrollably. No words escaped her lips, only the sound of her broken cries. And that sound—it shattered Agata's heart.

Without hesitation, Agata pulled Ivy into a tight embrace, holding her as if keeping her from falling deeper into the abyss of despair. "It's okay, Vy... I'm here. You don't have to talk now if you're not ready. I just need you to be safe," she whispered softly, though her mind swirled with unanswered questions.

But when she offered to take Ivy home, Ivy shook her head weakly. "I... I don't want to go home, Ta," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Agata nodded slowly, looking at Ivy with understanding. "Alright. Then come with me. We'll go to my apartment. You'll be safe there," she said firmly, gripping Ivy's hand tightly. Without giving her a choice, Agata helped Ivy up and guided her to the car.

The drive was filled with silence. Ivy stared blankly out the window, while Agata stole worried glances at her, biting back the urge to force her to talk. But every quiet sniffle from Ivy felt like a dagger to her heart.

---

Inside Agata's apartment, the atmosphere was heavy with quiet sorrow. Ivy sat on the couch, a towel wrapped around her damp hair. Her hands trembled as she dried the ends of her hair, but her empty gaze remained fixed on the floor, as if nothing else in the world mattered anymore.

From the kitchen, Agata watched her, arms crossed. She tried to be patient, but seeing her best friend so broken ignited a deep rage within her. Finally, she stepped closer, sitting across from Ivy with a serious expression.

"Ivy," Agata called, her voice calm but firm. "You need to talk. Now."

Ivy didn't respond, only lifting her head slightly, her swollen, exhausted eyes meeting Agata's. Her lips quivered as if trying to form words, but they remained trapped in her throat.

Agata leaned in, her gaze sharp. "I'm serious, Vy. Don't make me guess. Tell me what happened."

Finally, with a heavy breath, Ivy parted her lips. "Darren... he..." Her voice was weak, barely a whisper. Tears welled up again, but she fought to hold them back.

"What about Darren?" Agata pressed, her voice hardening. When Ivy remained silent, Agata leaned back against the couch and scoffed. "He betrayed you, didn't he?" she said bitterly. "Didn't I tell you a million times? That man was no good, Ivy. But you were stubborn. You always said I was being too judgmental."

Agata's sharp words stung. Ivy looked at her, eyes filled with fresh pain, lips pressed tightly together. Deep down, she knew Agata was right. But hearing it now only made the wound in her heart throb harder.

"Ta..." Ivy whispered, her voice shaking. "I don't need a lecture right now."

But Agata didn't stop. "You know I'm right, Ivy! Darren is a bastard, and deep down, you knew it too. But you blinded yourself because of love. And now, look at what he's done to you."

"Can't you just comfort me? What kind of friend are you?" Ivy muttered hoarsely, her lips pursed, but her eyes showed nothing but deep disappointment.

Agata looked at her with a mix of gentleness and determination. A small smile appeared on her lips, not one of mockery, but of unwavering belief. She knew Ivy wasn't a weak girl who would let one betrayal destroy her.

"Vy," Agata said, her voice low but firm. "Listen carefully. A bastard like him isn't worth a single tear from you." She patted Ivy's shoulder, trying to pass on her strength. "Now clean yourself up. I'm taking you somewhere where none of this will matter."

Ivy lifted her head, curiosity flickering through her exhausted eyes. "Where?" she asked weakly.

Agata's smile widened, her eyes gleaming with certainty. "Somewhere that will remind you of who you really are."

And for the first time since her world fell apart, Ivy felt a tiny spark of hope flicker inside her.