Chapter 5 - The Weight of the Bucket
Elena slowly raised her head.
Her eyes were red-rimmed, but the shaking in her fingers had stopped.
She looked at Julian, then down at the blue rag floating in the grey bucket.
"The stain won't come out easily," Elena said softly.
Julian bent down, unbuttoning his grey suit jacket.
Without a word, he knelt directly onto the soapy, wine-stained marble floor.
The expensive fabric of his trousers soaked up the dark liquid instantly.
He did not seem to care.
His large, calloused hand reached out and took the cold blue rag from her grip.
He tossed it into the bucket, creating a small splash of grey foam.
"We aren't cleaning this floor anymore," he murmured.
The little girl stepped closer, setting her plastic teacup on the floor next to Julian’s knee.
"Is the man in the suit going to wash his pants now?" she asked.
Julian looked at the child, a faint crack appearing in his hardened expression.
"No," Julian whispered to the girl. "I'm throwing them away."
Across the hall, the woman in red stood paralyzed, watching the three of them on the floor.
May you like
Her red gown looked gaudy, out of place against the cold, quiet stone.
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