Heartbreak in October Air

Lake

The early October morning was colder than it should’ve been. A sharp chill rode the wind, cutting through Ivy’s hoodie as she hauled her suitcase toward the retreat’s exit gates. The sun hadn’t even risen yet. Mist coiled around the pine trees, soft and haunting, like it knew what was happening.

She didn’t look back.

Her chest felt like it had caved in. Her eyes were dry now—she’d cried enough in the cabin last night to fill the damn lake. Every ...