Episode 3

Chapter 3: A New Beginning

Helena opened the apartment door and sighed as she entered. The familiar smell enveloped her immediately, bringing a bittersweet sensation. Her home was still the same, but she was no longer the same woman who had left there the day before. Everything seemed different now, as if a new version of herself was emerging from the ashes of a crumbled life.

She dropped her bag on the sofa and walked to the kitchen, getting a glass of water. Her reflection in the window showed tired eyes, an exhausted body, but a firm expression. She had survived the most devastating day of her life. And that was something.

She decided to take a hot shower, hoping to wash away not only the scent of last night but also the remnants of pain. The water ran down her skin, carrying with it memories she no longer wanted to hold. But it was impossible to stop the thoughts from returning to him. To the years they spent together, to the good times, to the broken promises.

As much as she wanted to move on, there were moments when sadness caught her off guard. Like when she saw his shirt still hanging in the closet, or when she bumped into the coffee maker he loved so much. Small reminders that made her swallow hard and fight back tears.

She took a deep breath and put on comfortable clothes. She needed to occupy her mind. She picked up a book from the shelf and threw herself on the sofa, trying to lose herself in the story. But the words blurred, and she realized her head was still too full. She got up and went to the kitchen to make tea.

Her phone vibrated beside her. A mix of hope and fear made her heart race, but it was just a message from a friend asking how she was. She smiled at the concern, replied briefly, and decided it might be a good idea to go out. She had spent too much time cooped up in that apartment, in the memories it held.

She put on some upbeat music and, gradually, felt a little lighter. She walked to the balcony and looked at the city below, bustling as always. Life went on, regardless of what happened. And she needed to go on too.

She picked up a notebook and started writing. Loose thoughts, confused feelings, everything she couldn't say out loud. It was a start. Small, but significant. Maybe she would never completely forget, maybe there would always be an echo of the past in her life, but that didn't mean she couldn't build something new.

As she finished writing, she realized she wasn't alone. She was surrounded by herself, by her strength, by her ability to start over. And, for now, that was enough.

In the following days, Helena allowed herself to explore new routines. She started frequenting a nearby cafe, where she enjoyed watching people and imagining their stories. She rediscovered the pleasure of cooking just for herself, without rushing, without expectations. Slowly, the pain began to lose its strength, giving way to the hope of a better future. And, even though there were still moments of sadness, she knew she was on the right path.