13| yebba's heartbreak

I S A A K

In a sudden burst of anger, Yulia picked up a vase from the shelf and hurled it against the wall. The glass shattered, and a shard sliced across her palm, blood spilling onto the floor.

She stared at the blood in horror, her hand shaking as she tried to stem the flow.

I rushed to her side, grabbing a towel to press against the wound. "We need to get you to a hospital," I said, my voice urgent "You're bleeding. You need stitches."

"I already know someone who can do the job,"

"You're doing this because you still love her," she said, her voice quivering. "But you know that you'll never be able to be with her. You're trapped. And you don't know what to do."

I felt my breath catch in my throat, and I was speechless. She was right. I was trapped in a situation that I couldn't escape from. But I couldn't tell her the truth. I couldn't put her in danger. I was stuck, and I didn't know what to do.

"If she found out who was responsible for her mother's condition, she'd hate you," she said, a single tear rolling down her cheek. "She'd never forgive you.

"She'd never speak to you again." I couldn't imagine my life without her.

□□□

I reached for my cigar, the silver moonlight glinting off the tip. I put it to my lips and inhaled, the first stroke of smoke filling my lungs. I savored the flavor, letting it linger on my tongue. I exhaled slowly, watching the smoke curl in the air, like a lazy cat stretching out in the sun.

At that moment, everything felt still and quiet. All the chaos and uncertainty of the day faded away, and I felt a sense of calm wash over me.

I sat back in my chair, content to simply enjoy the moment and the taste of my cigar.

The sound of the waves was soothing, and for a moment I felt at peace. But then I heard a voice, soft and feminine, interrupting my moment of bliss. "How does it feel?" the voice asked, drawing closer with each word.

I didn't need to look to know who it was - the only blonde I liked.

I turned to face her, curiosity getting the better of me.

She was standing there, looking as composed as ever, her blonde hair flowing in the sea breeze. "What do you mean?" I asked, my tone cautious.

"How does it feel knowing you have her wrapped around your finger," Diane bit out. I knew what she was trying to do. She was trying to hurt me but all I could see was that it was hurting her as well and that didn't sit well with me. I composed myself. 

"You know I don't love her, so why do you care?"

"You don't love her?" she asked, her voice breaking slightly. I could see the hurt in her eyes, and I felt a pang of guilt. I had never meant to hurt Yulia, but I also knew that I couldn't give her what she wanted.

"It's so easy for you to say, isn't it?" she said, bitterness lacing her words. She poured herself a drink from my bottle of wine, the crimson liquid glinting in the moonlight. It was her favorite. 

"I remembered," I muttered.

"Should I feel special?" she asked, taking a sip of the drink. "That you would remember something as trivial as my favorite drink?"

I didn't respond, instead, I watched her take another gulp of her wine.

"Why are you doing this to her?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why are you so cruel?"

I was taken aback by her question. I could see the hurt in her eyes, and I felt regret instantly. 

I took a step towards her, my heart pounding in my chest.

The sound of pain in her voice cut me like a knife, leaving a scar that I knew would linger. I never wanted to hurt her, but I knew that I had. And I hated myself for it.

I wanted to take away her pain, but I knew that I couldn't. I needed time, and then I would be out of her life forever.

I would spare her the pain of being in love with me. I froze in my spot even though I wanted to wrap my arms around her and never let go.

"One day you'll feel what it's like to see your lover in somebody else's arms."

I finally decided to get to the bottom of this so I asked a question I needed the answer to. "Why does everything I do to her affect you?"

"Because she's a woman in love Isaak! She risked everything for you but you don't get that, do you? You're not human?" She yelled. Her words pierced me like a dagger, and I could feel my anger rising.

I had never felt this way before, and it was as if a volcano was erupting inside of me. "You don't understand what it's like to have the only person you love," I said, my voice booming through the room. "The only woman I trust, to turn her back on me!"

I saw her flinch. I was a mess of emotions, and I couldn't sort them out.

"It's like you're a million miles away, even when you're right in front of me." She was silent, her eyes wide and unblinking. I could see the compassion in her gaze, and it made me feel like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

"How do you expect me to know if you don't tell me anything?"

"Because I can't Diane," I balled up my fists, hitting the wall as I let out a grunt.  In the moment it didn't hurt but I knew later on, I'd be facing the consequences.

In one swift motion, she threw her wine glass against the wall, shattering it into a thousand pieces.

The red liquid splattered across the floor, staining the white carpet. She stormed out of the room, not looking back, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I felt like the air had been sucked out of the room, and I struggled to breathe.

I drowned in my smoke-filled living room amd sunk back in my chair.

Please, wait for me.