In a city full of mysteries and dark corners, hidden in the bowels of an alley, lies an antique store, veiled by an almost supernatural aura. Old furniture, forgotten jewelry, dusty books, all rest quietly, protecting their secrets. But among all the relics, one object in particular catches the eye of anyone who ventures in. An old clock, with intricate ornaments, whose hands seem to move to the taste of something beyond simple time. Its face gleams with a pale light, attracting glances, singing an ancestral call.
Helena, a sophisticated and embittered woman whose heart carries the weight of unlived years, enters the store by mere chance, or perhaps guided by something deeper. Her curiosity leads her to the watch, and a strange connection is established.
-"Ah, I see your eyes have been captured by this singular treasure," says the shopkeeper, an elderly man with deep, wise eyes, watching her.
-"It is more than just a watch, it measures not only time, but the essence of life." How so?
-What do you mean? Helena asks, fascinated and somewhat restless, looking at the mesmerizing object.
-"It was forged by master clockmakers of a forgotten age, Their mechanics are said to resonate with the beats of the universe, to transcend the veil of time and space," he replies, his voice laden with reverence and warning.
-But beware, for he is also a keeper of lessons and truths that can be both a blessing and a curse.
With a mixture of fear and excitement, drawn by a force she cannot resist, Helena purchases the watch. She leaves the store, feeling the weight of the object and the responsibility it now carries. The air seems heavier, the world a little sharper.
Lady Death, lurking in the shadows, watches the scene with an enigmatic smile. Her function is both justice and punishment, and she sees in Helena's heart the seed of a journey that will transcend mere fate.
In the quiet of her opulent home, Helena studies the clock with growing obsession. As she touches it, glimpses of other lives, other eras seem to dance in her mind. The intricate
vibrates with an ancient wisdom, revealing to her whispers of opportunities and destinies.
One night, amid the echoes of silence, Helena discovers something extraordinary. The clock offers her a window into the past, revealing a unique investment opportunity. She then makes the bold decision to alter the course of her life by investing in a company she knows will be profitable.
-Are you sure about this, madam?" asks her financial adviser, surprised by her sudden certainty.
-"I have never been more certain of anything in my life," she replies with a confidence born of a knowledge that transcends time.
The investment proves to be an extraordinary success, multiplying her wealth colossally. Word of her fortune spreads, and she becomes a coveted figure in high society.
But along with wealth comes an insidious change in her character. Helena begins to exhibit an unyielding arrogance, a harshness that alienates those who love her. Among her servants, a humble and devoted woman named Rosa suffers the worst of her contempt.
-Rosa, how dare you serve such weak tea? Helena scolds, her voice sharp as a dagger.
-You have become as incompetent as you are insignificant!
-"I apologize, madam," Rosa murmurs, tears welling in her eyes.
-"I will do my best to right the wrong.
-Your best? Helena vociferates, her face red with anger.
-Your best is not good enough!
In a flash and a matter of seconds the woman leaves her previously unnoticed porcelain set, now a piece attached to her ambitious and petty heart.
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They stare at each other, and for another fraction the response and reaction to a common act, comes to light
-You're fired! Helena vociferates,
-"Get out of my house, your salary doesn't even cover the loss you've given me, now get out.
Wealth transforms Helena, making her forget humanity and compassion. Her thirst for more makes her insensitive to the suffering of others. She becomes a creature of luxury, consumed by herself.
Meanwhile, Lady Death watches, an inscrutable expression on her pale face. The game is in motion, and the pieces are being positioned. The lesson, still hidden in the shadows of time, begins to unfold.
With a sense of desolation permeating her soul, Helena stands before the mirror of her grand hall, now a reflection of the loneliness that surrounds her. The reality of her own creation weighs on her, an unending torment.
As she looks in the mirror, she swallows dryly, a harsh sound comes out of her mouth, Her grandmother, Rosa, her own flesh and blood, long dead looks at her with contempt in the reflection of the mirror, a ghost lies forgotten now present with contempt.
The victim of her callous cruelty hangs like a shadow over her conscience. Helena remembers her mother, a poor woman abandoned by her husband and fired from her job, unable to support her only daughter, who committed suicide in her bedroom without explanation;
Helene is snatched back in time, recognizes the woman she sent away, as her grandfather, in an alternative version in another reality, in a matter of seconds she is on her mother's side, entering her simple house, face to face with her grandmother hanged without leaving a message or any message, without explanations or apparent reasons.
-What have I done? How could I know? she murmurs to her reflection, her eyes clouded by sadness, tears flow from her eyes, the bitter taste of tears is felt by Helena.
The clock, now mute on its pedestal, seems to judge her with its austere silence.
-"Ah, justice and forgiveness, entwined like dancing lovers," says a soft, almost whispered voice. Helena turns, and the ethereal figure of Lady Death stands before her, piercing eyes and ancient wisdom.
-"You," Helena whispers, terror and understanding mingling.
-"I," confirms Lady Death.
-"I have been here, watching, waiting for the moment to reveal the truth. You have known justice, Helena, but forgiveness...
-"Ah, forgiveness is a gift that must be earned.
Helena falls to her knees, sobbing
-How can I make amends for what I have done? How can I forgive myself?
-"Repentance is the first step," replies Lady Death, extending a spectral hand.
-But action, my dear, is the way.
After years of rethinking her actions and attitudes towards others, Helena with renewed determination, discards her wealth, year after year dedicating herself to honoring the memory of her grandmother and mother. She becomes an advocate for those in need, treating everyone with the compassion she previously lacked.
The clock is returned to the antique store, now with a full understanding of its power and curse. Lady Death smiles, an almost tender gesture.
-"The game is over," she murmurs, disappearing into the shadows. The lesson has been learned. With a sense of peace and acceptance, Helena leaves the past behind and embraces the present, living a life of kindness and empathy. The memory of Rosa and her mother live on in her, a constant reminder of the humanity they all share.