Episode 10

Antonella removes her dress and steps into the bathtub, filling it with warm water until it reaches the brim.

Once completely undressed, she immerses herself in the tub. Her appearance is different now, devoid of the sparkle in her eyes and any smile. Her face bears no expression; dark clouds have overshadowed her heart. That flower has withered; she's slowly dying, and no one seems to notice.

Antonella remains submerged in the tub for a while, holding her breath underwater. She stays like that for a few seconds, and memories of joyful times spent with her mother flood her mind. Memories of her childhood, when her mother used to carry her.

She quickly emerges from the water, gasping for air. She rests her head against the bathtub, gazing at the ceiling. Sadness takes over her face as she recalls her mother and the happy moments they shared, which all vanished the day she died.

Since then, a part of her was buried with her mother, and now her father and boyfriend have completed the burying process.

Antonella showers and wraps herself in a towel, proceeding to search for clothes in the wardrobe. Just then, she receives a phone call.

She grabs her phone and sees it's her friend Teresa. Before answering, she practices her voice, trying to sound normal.

📱Hello?

📱Hey Antonella, it's me...

📱Oh, Teresa, how are you? Everything okay?

📱Yeah, everything's fine. Sorry for not calling you yesterday; things were really hectic at work.

📱No worries, I know you've been really busy lately...

📱Hey, I was wondering if you have some free time today. I want to invite you for coffee. What do you say?

📱Hmm, I... I don't think I can, Teresa. It's just that...

📱Wait! Are you okay? Your voice sounds strange; it doesn't feel like I'm talking to my friend.

No matter how much Antonella tries to disguise her voice, she can't hold back her sobbing. Teresa knows her too well; she can tell if something's wrong just by the way she speaks.

📱N-no, I'm fine, don't worry...

Antonella's voice starts to tremble, and Teresa notices.

📱Antonella, don't lie to me. I know something's not right with you, and I demand that you tell me now! I won't leave you alone until you do... Now, speak.

Antonella's tears begin to flow, and Teresa can hear her sobbing on the phone.

📱Why are you crying, Antonella? Tell me what's happening. Actually, I want to see you right now!

📱Teresa, it hurts...

📱What hurts, Antonella!? You're scaring me; tell me what's going on!

📱Meet me at our usual café, okay?

📱Fine, but don't take too long. I'm really worried about you.

Antonella hangs up the phone, tears in her eyes, and sits on her bed. She hadn't confided in her friend because she didn't want her to worry, especially with all the other obligations Teresa has.

Antonella's heart yearns to escape her chest, unable to bear the immense pain accumulated within. She didn't want to cry anymore, but her anguish is overwhelming.

She wipes away her tears and finally starts picking out her outfit. She chooses comfortable pants, a simple blouse, and white sneakers. She leaves her hair loose and tops it off with a black cap so no one can see her face.

She grabs her phone from the bed and rushes downstairs to hail a taxi. But before she can leave, she finds Zoraya sitting on Harry's lap in the living room.

"Well, well... Where are you rushing off to?" Zoraya asks while still on top of Harry.

Upon seeing Harry with Zoraya in such a way, Antonella trembles. Her body freezes for a moment.

"Antonella... I..." Harry has the audacity to address Antonella after what he did to her. It seems they only wish to further hurt her by making their love visible right in front of her, and under the same roof, only a day later.

In that moment, Antonella comprehends that Harry doesn't love her, and he never did as he claimed. His eyes reflect cynicism and a lack of courage to tell her straight to her face that he doesn't want her.

"As you can see, Antonella, Harry and I are together... Aren't you happy for us?"

—Antonella, I truly feel sorry that you're going through this, but I realized that it's not you I love, but Zoraya... I'm sincerely sorry, I've had my eyes on her for a long time, I just didn't want to hurt you...

Antonella stood there like a statue, letting those words pierce deep into her heart like double-edged daggers...

It wasn't just the words, but also the person saying them. Wasn't everything supposed to be perfect? What did she do wrong? Antonella's mind was about to explode, tormented voices reaching her...

"Aren't you going to say anything?" Harry asks as he stands up, pushing Zoraya away. "Will you forgive me? I only followed my heart, you should follow yours and find someone who truly loves you."

Antonella remained silent, contemplating... If my heart is shattered, which piece should I follow? What if my heart chooses to keep loving you? What should I do?

"Antonella... Are you alright?"

Harry keeps asking Antonella, but she still doesn't respond. She didn't want to shed a single tear in front of both of them, she held herself back... She didn't want to show her vulnerability.

"I'm fine... And if you're asking if I forgive you... Well, my answer is no! I don't forgive you. It will hurt you just like it hurt me, I swear..."

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