Episode 14

Believing he was not himself, Daniel instinctively shook his head, attempting to cast away those bizarre thoughts that spun a thousand circles in a minute, always halting at Lucy.

"Hey Daniel, you begin a new chapter in your life, cherish everything with your love," he whispered to himself while buckling up and soon started the car, at which moment Daniel heard a notification sound. Without losing focus on the road, he saw it was an audio message from Lucy. He imagined countless things, but upon realizing it was a conversation between two women, anger surged within him.

"Bloodsucker, everything is expensive at Dayse's store, but I still wanted to support her since she’s my sister. But I never imagined she would treat my wife like this; Lucy is truly too naive, and Dayse, a wolf in sheep's clothing."

With a mind cluttered, Daniel decided not to confront Dayse, not now, not over the phone. He drove madly and soon was home, in that house devoid of human warmth.

He sat on the couch, inadvertently recalling the surprise party decor Lucy had created for him, the photos, beautiful phrases, and how Nancy said she threw it all away.

"Could a reversal of roles be possible now?" he wondered as he tried to make sense of his thoughts and actions. Daniel was saddened by Izabel’s death, that was certain, but no matter how much he tried to fool himself, he couldn't hide it: he missed Lucy.

Since today was Sunday and Daniel had no plans to go out, he ascended the stairs to the couple's old bedroom, and for reasons even he didn't understand, he felt a tightness in his chest and an overwhelming urge to cry. As if his legs had their own will, Daniel walked to the closet and retrieved a crumpled paper from the waste bin, bearing beautiful words written by Lucy.

"She said she loved me, and yet, she left without considering my feelings," he murmured softly as he reread the words, which now seemed to hold meaning, though he wasn't sure what that was.

Ever since marrying Lucy, he had always sought ways to avoid contact, but living under the same roof, sharing the same bed, they still shared many moments together. Now, memories of their passionate nights together flooded in like a wave, leaving Daniel confounded.

"Grandma always said you only appreciate your woman when you lose her," he stated as he collapsed into an armchair in the corner of the room, observing his surroundings.

As he looked around, Daniel noticed Lucy had left everything behind, even the dress she wore at their wedding, which she had been so proud of that she even placed it on a mannequin inside a glass box. At the time, Daniel found it ridiculous and said she was just squandering his money.

"I just want to remember the day we sealed our union," Daniel recalled her words, indicating Lucy had truly loved him, but she simply grew tired and acknowledging this made it hard for him to breathe.

"What's happening to me?"

Trying to grasp his own behavior, Daniel stood and went to his study, grabbed a whisky bottle, and drank with no intention of stopping, desperate to extinguish the odd feeling in his heart—after all, he loved Juliana, he couldn't ask for a divorce. Yet for some reason, Lucy had suddenly requested it, so he must be happy with his beloved, if only he could stop thinking about his ex-wife.

Holding the half-empty whisky bottle and with his mind spinning, Daniel settled onto a black leather couch there and continued drinking, not even the burning liquid could mask the sensation of loss that made his heart race suddenly.

Lost in thoughts, Daniel was startled by the shrill sound of a ringing phone, slightly dizzy, he fumbled the phone from his pocket and answered; it was Beto calling.

"Hello?"

"Hi Daniel, just checking in on how you're doing? And to apologize for disappearing from the funeral yesterday, I'm really sorry, something came up and I had to leave," Beto said, leaving Daniel feeling agitated.

"You talk too much, but deep down you're a good guy," Daniel replied with a slightly choked voice.

"Aren't you going to ask what happened?" Beto asked, smiling.

"I've got enough problems, keep yours to yourself," Daniel responded, trying not to laugh, knowing Beto was somewhat sensitive and could even cry over such words.

"Spit it out, I don't like suspense," Daniel added.

Relieved, Beto took a deep breath and finally erupted,

"Life's really a Russian roulette, yesterday you got divorced and I was proposed to—strange, I know, but it was the most beautiful thing that ever happened to me, it's so good to be alongside the one we love, and I insist you and Lucy be best man and maid of honor at my wedding.

With each word from Beto, Daniel felt himself sinking deeper, drowning in memories with the woman he had spurned.

"That's beautiful indeed, I wish you happiness, I need to hang up now," Daniel ended the call, frankly scared he might start crying.

After the conversation with Beto concluded, Daniel resolved to put an end to this inexplicable heartache and then called Juliana, "love heals everything," he thought as he metaphorically dusted off his clothes.

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