The Wellness Retreat

The pool at the Serenity Wellness Center was exactly as advertised—still, blue, and unnervingly empty. Maya sat on the edge, her legs submerged in water that felt chemically balanced rather than natural. She'd paid three thousand dollars for this week-long transformation, which included daily vitamin infusions, sound baths, and promises of reinventing herself by Friday.

"You're holding tension in your palms," the wellness coach had told her that morning, pressing his thumbs into her hands during the mandatory opening ceremony. "Your body remembers what your mind tries to forget."

What her body remembered was David's text message two weeks ago: *I think we need to take a break. Not from each other, but from everything.* They'd been together seven years. He'd suggested this retreat. He'd booked himself into a different one in Costa Rica.

The woman from the next cabana approached—a striking woman with silver hair and an expensive watch. "You're Maya, aren't you? David's... friend?"

The word landed like a stone. "Ex-girlfriend, actually. Although apparently we're on a break."

"Oh." The woman's expression didn't change. "I'm Elena. His sister. He told me you'd be here."

Maya's chest tightened. "Did he also tell you why we're on a break?"

"He said something about finding yourself." Elena sat beside her, dipping her feet into the water. "Though knowing David, he probably meant himself."

They sat in silence for a moment. The sun reflected off the pool's surface, creating dancing patterns of light on Elena's expensive resort wear.

"He's been seeing someone," Elena said casually. "For about six months. I suppose you could call it his vitamin D deficiency solution."

Maya laughed—a sharp, surprised sound. "That's terrible."

"I'm terrible at inappropriate times." Elena nudged her shoulder. "But David's also terrible, so perhaps it runs in the family."

By the end of the week, Maya hadn't reinvented herself. But she'd gained an ally in Elena, a clarity about David that felt like finally surfacing after holding her breath too long underwater. Some vitamins are supplements; others are the poison that finally makes you well enough to leave.