Chapter 10 10
POV Katherine
A week had passed since Elliot started coming to the house every day.
Monday through Friday.
Five hours a day.
Five hours of focus, intelligent questions, occasional awkward silences, and those subtle brushes we both pretended not to notice.
Andrew called sometimes. Very occasionally.
"Everything okay?"
"Yes."
"Take care of yourself."
And then he'd hang up.
I didn’t complain. In fact, I wasn’t sure whether I missed his presence or his absence more. What I did know was that Elliot had become an unexpected constant. A steady presence. Impeccably punctual, polite, sharp.
And I… needed clothes.
I’d tried to ignore it, but I couldn’t keep receiving him in the same beige dress, the same blue silk blouse I’d already worn twice, or those cotton skirts that looked like they’d been pulled from a forgotten wardrobe.
So that afternoon, after organizing the notes for the next day, I decided to go out.
I grabbed my purse, closed the door with a sigh, and drove to the nearest mall.
It had been so long since I’d been anywhere like that. I couldn’t even remember the last time I’d gone shopping.
I walked into a store without thinking too much—I didn’t want to wander endlessly either. I browsed the racks with an attention that bordered on obsessive. I needed simple clothes, yes, but also elegant ones—something that would make me feel different from what I’d been.
I’d already chosen three outfits; maybe two more pieces would do. It wasn’t like I could splurge. I turned my head and spotted a familiar figure on the other side of the store.
She was wearing a long dress, her hair tied back in a thick braid that I immediately recognized.
I walked closer.
“Lucía?”
She turned, a garment still in her hands. Her expression when she saw me wasn’t what I expected. No smile. No ‘Katherine!’ Just a cold, still look—as if she didn’t recognize me or, worse, as if she recognized me perfectly.
“Hi,” I tried again, with an awkward smile. “It’s me. Katherine.”
“Yes. I know.”
“Aren’t you going to say hi?”
Lucía set the dress back on the rack with deliberate calm.
“And did you say hi to me when I tried? When I called you for weeks and you couldn’t even bother to answer? When I went to your house three times—three, Katherine—and you shut the door in my face like I was a stranger?”
All those memories came rushing back at once.
“Lucía… I… I didn’t know how to talk to anyone. I wasn’t okay.”
“And does that justify treating me like I was a threat? Like I wasn’t just trying to help you? I tried, Katherine. I tried to help you.”
“I know,” I murmured, a lump tightening in my throat. “I was cruel. I failed you.”
She looked at me for a few more seconds, and her expression slowly softened. I took a step closer, unable to hold back the tears.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I really am. I felt so alone, so lost. I didn’t know how to let you see me like that. I didn’t want you to see me… broken.”
Lucía didn’t say anything at first. Then, with a sigh, she wrapped her arms around me and hugged me tightly.
“I was really angry at you.”
“You had every right.”
“And still… I’m glad to see you well. Or better.”
“I don’t know if I’m well… but at least I’m standing.”
We pulled apart. She gave me a small, nostalgic smile.
“I always knew you were strong. You were just asleep.”
“Thank you for not hating me.”
“I’m not that saintly to forgive easily, but I’m good enough to try.”
“We should make up for lost time,” I said before I could stop myself. Feeling bolder now that I was outside, I had to take the chance.
Lucía studied me for a moment, then nodded.
“I’m going out with some friends tonight. The usual ones—Marta and Celeste. There’s a new place nearby. If you want to come, you’re more than welcome.”
“Really?”
“Why not?”
“I want to,” I said, with more enthusiasm than I remembered having. “It would do me good to feel… like myself again.”
Lucía smiled, amused.
“Then come with me to the fitting rooms. I’ll help you pick something.”
She winked and tugged at my wrist, like in the old days.
God. It felt so good to see her again.
We ended up in a large fitting room. She had me try on a black dress—fitted and elegant—with a neckline that wasn’t vulgar but was daring. Then a white blouse with pleated trousers that made me look like a freshly promoted executive. And finally, a leather skirt with a beige chiffon blouse.
“That one,” Lucía said, arms crossed. “Don’t overthink it. That’s your look for tonight.”
“Are you sure? Isn’t it too much?”
“You’re still young! And it’s girls’ night—perfect for a reunion. Don’t make me say it twice. It’s about time you remembered what it’s like to look good. And feel good.”
I paid quickly, stashed the bags in the car—except for the outfit I was wearing—and checked my reflection in the rearview mirror before heading back.
I looked like someone else.
Lucía was waiting for me with her phone in hand.
“The girls are already at the bar. Let’s go.”
“Can I leave my things?”
“Of course. You’re with us now.”
We walked together to the mall parking lot, then got into her car.
“You look amazing.”
“You think so? I still feel like it’s too much.”
“I’m serious. You look sexy!”
Her words made me smile, even if she was probably just trying to make me feel better. It worked.
As she drove, she put on the music we used to listen to years ago. I laughed, still a little incredulous that she hadn’t changed her playlist.
Lucía took my hand for a moment.
“We missed you, you know?”
“I missed you too.”
Much more than I wanted to admit.
And even though I didn’t know how the night would go, or what Marta or Celeste would say, or if I’d feel out of place, something inside me settled.
Like a forgotten piece finally finding where it belonged.
I’d forgotten what it was like to feel alive—and tonight, I thought, I might just get a small taste of it.