A heavy silence enveloped the entire villa. The music that faintly echoed from the bar suddenly stopped, as if it too had been frightened. The footsteps of the bravest men could be heard heavily on the stairs, while the women left below wrung their hands, making anxious gestures.
In front of the door, everyone stopped. From inside came sobs, then suddenly a wail that made everyone’s skin crawl. The groom’s friend raised his hand and knocked loudly.
— Open up! Is everything alright?
No one answered. Only Maria’s crying, weak and heartbreaking. With a sudden determination, they pushed the door. The lock, probably hastily drawn, gave way.
What they saw inside left them breathless. Maria was collapsed on the floor, still dressed in her wedding gown, her face drenched in tears. Around her, white rose petals had been scattered, mixed with shards of glass.
Andrei stood in a corner, leaning against the wall, one hand to his temple and his gaze lost. On the nightstand, an old photograph, with burnt edges, lay twisted. No one had brought it there.
— God forbid… — murmured a woman, making the sign of the cross, as is customary when we feel that something unseen and evil is approaching.
In that oppressive silence, a whimper was heard again. It did not come from Maria. Everyone froze. Their gazes turned towards the massive, ancient wooden wardrobe left there by the villa’s former owners.
One of the men, bolder, approached and reached for the handle. Everyone held their breath. The door creaked long, like a wail.
Inside, on the dark floor, stood an old chest. The rusty locks were forced, as if someone had opened them from the inside. And from the chest, like a cold winter breeze, a heavy smell of mold and burnt incense spread.
Maria, barely lifted from the floor, began to tremble and repeat through her sobs:
— I told you… I felt something… it wasn’t just my imagination…
Andrei, still pale, found his voice:
— This isn’t the first time I’ve heard that crying… I used to hear it at my parents’ house, on festive nights…
An older woman, who had come to the wedding on the groom’s side, stepped forward and spoke gravely:
— This is no coincidence. In your lineage, there are old stories… About the curse that falls upon the groom when he vows love under the full moon.
The attendees looked at each other in horror. Outside, the wind had suddenly risen, making the curtains flutter like the wings of a black bird. A candle went out, leaving the room in a strange half-shadow.
And then, from the chest, a whispered voice, that of a child, was heard:
— You shouldn’t have gotten married…
Maria burst into tears again, and Andrei fell to his knees, finally understanding what it means to bear the sins of the lineage.
A priest was urgently called that night, and the villa has remained deserted since then. Locals say that even today, if you pass by it at midnight, you can hear Maria’s sobs and the child’s voice warning.
For some, it’s just a legend; for others, it’s proof that the past never forgives, and curses, once spoken, always find their way to the living.
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 events or for how 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.
