When I hung up the phone, the cold evening air hit my face. In the distance, laughter and music could be heard, but for me, that party was over. I felt as if my life had been shattered in two: before and after that slap.
I remained on the steps of the venue, staring blankly until the headlights of a black car illuminated the parking lot. Sorin got out, with his old leather briefcase, the one he only kept for important occasions.
— Aurora, are you okay? he asked, looking at me with concern.
— Not really, but I will be. Did you bring everything?
He nodded and opened the briefcase.
I felt my calm return as I took the thick envelopes from his hands. They contained the documents proving what no one suspected: that apartment, the small shop on the ground floor, and even the country house — all were my son’s inheritance. But not Radu’s. It belonged to Ana, my eldest daughter, who had fought for years with illness while her brother lived his carefree life.
— Sorin, come in with me. We will have witnesses, plenty of them.
— Are you sure, Aurora?
— More sure than ever.
We entered the hall together. The music had stopped, and the guests were still in shock. Ioana was on stage, with red cheeks and a forced smile, trying to appear as if nothing had happened.
When she saw me, she froze.
— Ma’am, I didn’t mean to…
I raised my hand.
— Don’t bother. No need for excuses. Just the truth is needed.
I signaled to Sorin. He took the files out of the briefcase and placed them on the table. The guests approached, curious.
— You see, my dear ones, this apartment that you so beautifully wanted to “reorganize” hasn’t belonged to me for a long time. I transferred it to Ana’s name on the day she came home from the hospital.
Ioana took a step back, pale.
— What?
— As you hear. Everything you coveted is not yours. I just live there. With a symbolic rent.
A murmur swept through the hall. Radu seemed to collapse under the weight of shame.
— Mom, why didn’t you tell me?
— Because I wanted to let you live beautifully, without dividing your world into money and houses. But today I saw how low a person can go for a set of keys.
The silence was so deep that only the sound of the air conditioning could be heard. Ioana began to cry, but her tears no longer impressed anyone.
— I’m leaving, she said, trembling. I can’t stay here.
— No one is stopping you, I replied calmly.
I then felt a strange relief. The pain on my cheek still pulsed, but in my soul, there was peace. Radu approached, tears in his eyes.
— Mom, forgive me. I was blind.
— No, son. You just loved the wrong person. But life will teach you.
Sorin escorted me outside. When we reached the car, I looked back for a moment. That hall, which an hour ago resonated with music and joy, was now just a room full of lessons.
I smiled slightly and said:
— Sometimes, God does not give you justice in silence, but does so in front of everyone.
And for the first time in a long time, I felt I could breathe again.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or to real events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher do not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the events or for how the characters are portrayed and are not liable for any misinterpretations. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed belong to the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
