/Zlata/
The sight of the sea was mesmerizing. Vast, pure, and boundless, it beckoned to her, stretching out its wave-arms, longing to embrace and warm her. The sound of the surf—gentle and serene—reminded her of one of her favorite Debussy symphonies. One of the first she had learned to play. How long ago that seemed.
Zlata could hardly recall the last time she had sat at a piano to play. The last time her delicate fingers had brushed the smooth surface of the keys, weaving something akin to magic. Yes, for Stelmach, classical music was something enchanted and boundless. Something so incredible and fairytale-like that each time she sat at her beloved instrument, she felt transported to another reality.
Closing her eyes, Zlata would focus on her playing. Her hands lightly danced over the keys as she listened to every note the piano sang. The music flowed softly, smoothly, at times streaming like a river, at others cascading down like a waterfall, breaking into a cry.
Music had always helped her unwind, dive deep into herself, release the emotions pent up inside, and find an island of peace. It also brought true joy to her soul—and to those fortunate enough to hear her play.
Stelmach had never pursued music professionally, but she diligently and meticulously studied each composition she loved. In much the same way, she enjoyed writing poetry. Searching for the perfect rhyme, choosing words that painted vivid pictures and radiated warmth, words that could touch the strings of the soul.
For Stelmach, words, like actions, held immense power. She took every spoken word as a vow. Once given, there was no turning back. Say it, do it—if you can’t keep your promise, then don’t make empty promises. That’s what her father taught her, and her stepfather, and life itself.
Speaking of life, it had taught her many lessons. Time and again, it showed her what it was capable of when she tested fate’s limits or asked for too much. Perhaps even for things she hadn’t earned.
Fate had never been kind to Stelmach, always demanding a steep price for its gifts. And the fleeting moments of happiness she had known with Lucas were no exception. The romance that had ignited so quickly, blossoming into a full-fledged love story, ended just as abruptly. Zlata had fallen deeply for Burkut, diving headfirst into the whirlwind. She lived for their happiness, breathed their love, and reveled in his presence. Until a villain entered their fairytale and shattered the spell. The magic was gone.
At the memory of him, her hands trembled, and a lone tear rolled down her cheek. A sharp pain pierced her heart, making it race. Zlata opened her eyes and gazed once more at the endless blue sea, which offered the peace she so craved. Then she took a few steps forward, dipping her feet into the cool summer water.
She closed her eyes again, picturing the cherished face before her. Her body shuddered as if struck by a current, and she bit her lip. Taking a deep breath to steady herself, she searched her memory for a moment in her life when she had been endlessly happy.
Yes, she kept on living, working, trying to dream and breathe without Lucas, but it was no use. Despite everything, the universe kept pulling her back to him. Time and again, life rubbed her nose in it, pointing out the mistake that had cost her both her heart and her love.
Stelmach knew she had acted foolishly, childishly even, and she didn’t deny it. Over time, she had come to acknowledge her cowardice and her own betrayal.
Fear had always haunted Zlata, controlling her and dictating the rules of the game. And she, weak and vulnerable, always submitted to it. Even on the day she learned of Lucas’s betrayal, she didn’t get angry—she got scared. The fear of being humiliated and rejected gripped her soul, driving her to the edge of madness. She didn’t know how to tame that pain or silence the despair that followed the revelation of his infidelity. And then came the urge for revenge.
With a heavy heart, Stelmach recalled how she had drugged Lucas, stolen his dossier, and fled. She still remembered that evening, that night, replaying the scenes in her mind. And each time, she blamed herself for her cowardice and weakness.
After escaping Burkut’s house, Zlata wandered the city for hours, clutching the papers in her hands. Her soul was tearing itself apart, her throat tight with pain and resentment. She trembled like a leaf in the wind, wanting only one thing—to fall and dissolve into the abyss.
Stelmach roamed the streets, barely able to move her legs. She lost track of time and grew exhausted from dragging her suitcase behind her. So, when she reached one of the bridges over the river, she angrily threw it into the water. Without regret or sorrow, she cast it into the current, hoping to rid herself of the weight of the past.
By the time Stelmach reached Gordienko’s apartment, her eyes stung with tears, and her voice was hoarse from constant sobbing. Hesitantly pressing the doorbell, Zlata froze on the threshold. When the door opened, she collapsed into her friend’s arms, breaking down in tears.
That night marked the end of her love story, splitting her life into “before” and “after.” “Before” was Lucas and their little world; “after” was only emptiness, pain, and loneliness.
And though many days had passed since then, Stelmach still remembered the tenderness of his lips and the softness of his touch. The warmth and comfort she felt with him remained locked in her heart, sealed away from anyone else with ten impenetrable locks.
Zlata no longer sought love, no longer dreamed of it, and didn’t even wish to start a relationship with anyone else. She didn’t want to feel foreign hands on her, to melt under another man’s kisses, and certainly didn’t desire to fall for someone new. No, there was no room in her heart for others. Her heart loved only one man and belonged to him alone. No matter what.
Breathing in the cool sea breeze deeply, Stelmach took a few more steps forward, wading into the water up to her knees. The hem of her skirt touched the surface, getting wet. But Zlata didn’t care. Clothes could be dried or replaced, but life, sadly, couldn’t be changed.
Salty tears streamed down her cheeks, her chin, falling and dissolving into the sea foam. Lowering her hands, Stelmach brushed them over the water, continuing to walk forward. Within moments, she was nearly submerged, feeling the water envelop her body.
With each step, her heart quickened, pumping blood through her veins at lightning speed. Her pulse raced, and a flush rose to her cheeks. Yet she didn’t stop, continuing to wade deeper into the water. Even when a jolt like electricity shot through her body, Zlata didn’t retreat or falter. Taking a deep breath, she submerged herself completely.
For a few seconds, her mind fought against the inevitable, grasping for a lifeline to escape the watery trap. But as her lungs filled with water and the saltiness of the sea irritated her throat, the voice of reason faded, sinking into the dark depths of the unknown.
Zlata relaxed, spreading her arms wide, letting herself go. Her body no longer resisted, cradled by the waves that caressed her and granted a sense of lightness and freedom.