It was late afternoon and the city was bustling. Eduardo drove aimlessly through the streets of Leblon, trying to escape boring meetings, the constantly vibrating cell phone, and Sophia's constant presence, who was becoming more "wife" than lover.
He stopped in front of a bookstore and, without knowing why, went inside.
Inside, soft music was playing. Strings. Piano. And then, the same violin.
That melody.
The same one he had heard weeks ago.
Immediately, he felt his stomach turn. It wasn't just the beauty of the music. It was the memory it awakened.
Elisa. Smiling. Taking care of him in silence. Making soup. Organizing the closet without being noticed. Waiting for him at dinners he never attended.
Her eyes downcast, but her heart always whole.
Her image exploded in his mind.
Why now?
Why couldn't he get her out of his head?
Why that music, always that one?
Clara Vianna... the clerk said, noticing his expression. Brazilian composer. She's making waves in Europe. She'll be playing at the Municipal Theater next month.
Eduardo swallowed hard.
Clara Vianna.
The same one from the conservatory.
That music... was following him.
Or was it Elisa who was haunting him, even in her absence?
He shook his head and left without buying anything.
------
That same night, Elisa arrived in Rio from Vienna, coming straight home from the airport. It was past midnight.
Tired, emotionally devastated, and still with a heart wounded by the news about Sophia, all she wanted was to take a shower and sleep.
She climbed the penthouse stairs in silence, dragging her suitcase.
She noticed the house was dark.
She suspected Eduardo might be sleeping.
But as she approached his room, the partially open door revealed a scene that paralyzed her.
Clothes on the floor.
High-heel shoe.
His shirt.
Her dress.
The lamp light on.
And there they were: Sophia lying naked beside Eduardo, who was in a deep sleep, unconscious. Both covered only by sheets. She embraced him as if they were a couple.
Elisa couldn't breathe for a second.
An invisible blow pierced her through and through.
Her heart raced, accelerated.
She didn't scream.
She didn't cry.
She didn't move at all.
She just turned around, swallowing her tears, as she always had, and quietly left the house.
She took a taxi and went straight to Cecília's house.
During the ride, she said nothing.
She just died inside.
------
He was with her. Sleeping with her. And he didn't even notice my return... Elisa said, hours later, sitting on her friend's couch with a cup of tea between her hands.
Are you sure he was conscious?
He was naked. So was she. Clothes on the floor. The light on. Elisa choked back tears. ...And even if it hadn't been real... he allowed it to happen. He created the space for it. The rest is just details.
Cecília looked at her with pity and anger.
So that's it, right? For God's sake, Elisa. He never deserved a woman like you.
I know. But I think... only now have I accepted it.
And what will you do?
She stared at nothing for a few seconds.
I'm going to ask for a divorce.
------
When Eduardo woke up, sunlight was already coming through the curtains. His head hurt. His body felt heavy.
He looked to the side and saw Sophia lying there, smiling sleepily.
Good morning, love.
What...
You slept like a rock. I felt bad about leaving. Everything's fine... she said, caressing his chest.
He looked around, confused. Clothes thrown about. Her scent on the sheets. The absence of any memory.
What happened last night?
You were tired. We lay down. You pulled me close... and it was natural. Like it always was between us.
He got up abruptly, grabbing his pants from the floor.
Did we... have sex?
You don't remember?
No! And that worries me, Sophia. I would never do that like this. I didn't even drink last night.
She stood up, covering herself with the sheet.
Are you suggesting I took advantage of you?
I..., he hesitated. I don't know what to think.
She pretended to be offended.
Eduardo, you disappoint me. I thought we had rekindled something real.
He ran his hands across his face.
Guilt. Confusion. Self-loathing.
I need some time.
He left the room without saying anything more.
------
That night, he decided to stop by Cecília's house, as if it were just a casual visit. He wanted to know if Elisa had already returned. He wanted to see her. Try to understand if she knew anything.
Cecília opened the door. Serious.
What do you want, Eduardo?
Is Elisa here?
She hesitated.
Have you no shame?
I... just wanted to know if she returned safely from her trip.
She returned. And found you with the other woman in the bedroom.
Eduardo froze.
She saw?
She saw. And she didn't make a scene. She just cried. Just died a little. Like she always dies with you.
He looked away.
I didn't know she had returned...
And even if you knew... would you have done anything differently?
Silence.
He couldn't answer.
And upstairs, Elisa heard everything.
But she no longer expected anything.
Not apologies.
Not love.
Just the end.