Alaska, United States...

The fireplace in the living room was burning wood in an effort to warm the space as much as possible, for the cold was severe, and the sound of the howling wind outside was increasingly gaining strength in a terrifying buzz. The television stayed on at low volume on the evening news, broadcasting live the biggest snowstorm of the last twenty years.

Reporter - Ten deaths have been confirmed, mostly on the roads with car and truck spills...

A baby's feeble cry echoes from the bedroom.

Allan - Honey, please!

He lifts the baby into his arms, trying to soothe her with a bottle of warm milk. His eyes showed pure terror and his worry was evident. His cell phone starts to ring.

Allan 📱- Hello! Who is this? What? Yes, I'm her husband.

He exclaimed anxiously, as his eyes welled up with tears, the phone slipping from his hand and shattering on the floor. In desperation, he brings his hand to his head and begins pacing back and forth with his daughter in his arms.

Allan - No, no, no!

He moves towards the window overlooking the street, where all the cars were covered in snow, and the intense blizzard left them stranded, unable to go anywhere. Suddenly, the lights went out, plunging the whole neighborhood into darkness.

Allan - No, this can't be happening!

He kneels on the living room floor near the fireplace and starts crying uncontrollably, joining his daughter Judy's cries. Allan wakes up from the nightmare drenched in sweat and breathing heavily, sits up in bed and turns his face toward the nightstand, noting that it is 5:00 in the morning.

He sighs and lowers his head, closing his eyes; it was yet another night of troubled sleep filled with anguishing nightmares about the day his wife died. Sara had passed away a few years back, due to an accident in the mountains during a fierce snowstorm.

Sara was an elementary school teacher, and on that day, she had been on a field trip with her students in the mountains, sacrificing her own life to save them.

Allan Bradley, 30 years old, father to 4-year-old Judy. He worked as a coastguard rescuing lives, but that was what frustrated him the most, having saved so many lives and yet unable to save his own wife.

He gets up and heads to the kitchen to prepare breakfast, frying some scrambled eggs and making hot chocolate, pouring it into two mugs.

Judy - Daddy?

He looks over.

Allan - Hey sweetheart, you're awake?

Judy - I had a nightmare, daddy!

The little girl stood in the middle of the kitchen rubbing her eyes and with a tear-stained face. Allan takes off his apron and lifts his daughter onto the counter, wiping away her tears with fingers that were already moistening her rosy cheeks due to the cold day's low temperature.

Allan - What happened?

Judy - I dreamed I was alone at home!

Allan - But you're not alone at home!

The little girl lowers her head, looking at her hands.

Allan - Do you want to tell me something, honey?

Judy - I... I miss you, daddy!

Allan - I know I'm not always with you, child! But...

He falls silent.

Judy - Grandma says you work a lot, that's why!

Allan - Yeah... I...

He closes his eyes and inhales deeply, then exhales once again.

Allan - I think I need a vacation!

He picks her up off the counter and places her on the floor.

Allan - Go take a shower and get dressed, you've got school today!

Judy - Today is my ballet presentation, daddy!

Allan - Huh?

The girl stays quiet and makes a sad face then leaves the kitchen and heads down the hall to her room.

Allan - Dang it!

He punches the rustic wooden table in frustration for another oversight, walks to the living room, and picks up Judy's backpack, unzips it, and finds the invitation to the ballet presentation.

Allan - Honey?

The girl doesn't respond, so he decides to go to her.

Allan - Honey, I'll do everything I can to make it!

Judy was sitting on the floor playing with dolls on her room's soft rug.

Judy - Grandma is going too!

Allan - We'll watch your presentation!

With her father's confirmation, the little girl gets excited and stands up, hugging his legs tightly.

Allan - Now let's get ready!

Judy - Yes!

She exclaims, dashing off to the bathroom. Allan gives her a quick bath with warm water and helps her into her clothes, puts on her boots, coat, gloves, and beanie.

Judy - My scarf!

He opens a drawer in the dresser and pulls one out.

Allan - How about this one today?

Judy - No, the pink one with polka dots!

Allan - You really like that one, huh? (laughs)

Judy - Grandma gave it to me!

His phone starts to ring.

Allan - Go have your breakfast; it's on the table!

The girl runs out of the room and sits down at her chair for her hot chocolate and homemade cookies, grabs the remote, and turns on the animated cartoon while she eats.

Allan 📱- Hello, Mom!

Beth 📱- Good morning, son! I wanted to remind you about Judy's ballet presentation; I'd forgotten to tell you.

Allan 📱- Yeah, I found out just in time!

As he talks on the phone, Allan prepares another snack and places it in his daughter's lunch box for her to take to school.

Beth 📱- You're going, aren't you, son? It's later this afternoon!

Allan 📱- Of course, I'll do everything I can to be there in time for the whole performance.

Beth 📱- Please, son! Don't miss it.

Allan 📱- I will be there, Mom!

Beth 📱- Also, don't forget the main thing, next week is her birthday.

Allan 📱- Never! Bye, Mom! I'm running a bit late.

He ends the call and looks at his daughter.

Judy - Why is it always Grandma who picks me up from school?

Allan - Because I'm working, honey. Besides, I drop you off every day, doesn't that count?

The girl smiles, takes another sip of hot chocolate, and returns her attention to the animated cartoon.

Judy - It does!

Allan smiles and kisses the top of his daughter's head, leaves the kitchen, and enters his room to take a shower and get ready, as he senses his day will be busy today.

Allan emerged from his shower and donned cold-weather attire, a heavy coat and a beanie, then prepared a backpack with change of clothes and hygiene products to take to the base where he worked.

Returning to the living room, he placed the backpack on the couch, glanced over, and watched his daughter gazing out the window, hands propped under her chin.

Judy - It stopped snowing!

Allan - It'll start again later, you know that.

He moved to the kitchen, which was combined with the living room, and began heating his mug of hot chocolate.

Allan - Amazing how no matter when I wake up, early or late, I always seem to end up running late.

The little girl didn't hear, so engrossed was she in watching the neighbor across the street shoveling snow from his walkway.

Allan shook his head and smiled, knowing sometimes his daughter was lost in her own world of imagination. The microwave beeped, he took out the mug and began blowing on it, sipping the still-hot chocolate.

Allan - Come on, get your backpack and lunchbox!

The girl hopped down from the window, slung her little backpack over her shoulders, and grabbed her lunchbox. Allan picked up his own backpack and opened the door; Judy dashed to the garage, opened the car door and climbed in.

The father finished his hot chocolate and grabbed a shovel to clear the excess snow to make way for the car, then he got in.

Allan - No, no! Sit in your booster seat.

Judy - But I wanted to sit in the front!

Allan - You can't, you know that. Get back there, now!

She complied, and Allan helped her into her seatbelt. He was about to start the car when his daughter's sudden outburst caught him off guard.

Judy - I really wish I had a mom!

He looked at her through the rearview mirror, her eyes glossy, a blink sending tears spilling unwillingly down her cheeks.

Allan - What did you say, honey?

He kept looking at her in the mirror, but the little girl wiped her face and leaned sadly against the car window.

Judy - All my friends have one; their moms pick them up from school.

He swallowed hard.

Allan - But you have one too, we've talked about this.

Judy - Why did she have to become a star and live in the sky, daddy?

Once more, the question caught him off guard, wrenching forth tears laden with pain. Silence filled the car until Allan started it and reversed, heading towards the school.

Throughout the drive, neither spoke further on the subject. Allan turned on the car's radio to his daughter's favorite song, which brightened her mood. She began singing the lyrics.

Allan - My own little singer!

She smiled and continued, singing with a smile, Allan joined in, singing with his daughter. They arrived at school in good spirits; he walked her to the classroom door.

Teacher - Good morning, princess!

She exclaimed cheerfully, arms outstretched in greeting to Judy, as well as the other students.

Allan - Good morning!

Teacher - Good day! I'd like to talk with you later, Allan.

He frowned, puzzled.

Allan - Can you tell me what it's about, Helen?

Helen - I've been noticing some behavior with her, and...

A pause lingered between them; Allan glanced into the classroom, watching his daughter building a block tower with two classmates.

Allan - Okay, I'll try to leave earlier this week.

She smiled understandingly, and Allan waved goodbye to his daughter.

Allan - Have a good day!

Helen - You too!

He walked back down the long corridor past the classrooms, towards the exit. Helen's gaze lingered until disrupted by another arriving child.

Helen - Hi, good morning... high five!

Child - Hello, Miss Helen!

Helen had been best friends with Sara, Allan's wife, since college and had worked together in the same school until the tragic accident that year that claimed Sara's life. It was clear Helen harbored feelings for Allan, but so far, they were not reciprocated.

Back in the car, Allan rested his face on the steering wheel, pondering his daughter's words.

Allan - She misses having a mother!

He contemplated the idea of dating women and setting up dates, as it had been years since he was in a serious relationship, his social life limited to occasional nights out to destress.

His mind was in turmoil, so he tried to push aside thoughts that led back to the day of the accident, started the car and headed to the coast guard base. Upon arrival, he parked, shouldered his backpack, and entered the base, immediately followed by Michael.

Allan - I know, I'm late.

Michael - Good to know you're aware! (laughs)

They headed to the locker room, where Allan dropped his pack on the long wooden bench and opened his locker to get his orange jumpsuit.

Allan - We have to cover the western sea area today.

Michael - Do you think the couple is still alive? They've been missing for four days.

Allan - They're on a boat, right? It should be easier to find.

Michael - The commander is about to call off the search.

Allan - No, absolutely not!

Michael - Why do you have to be such a maverick?

They both smiled.

Michael - That must be why you're the best on the team, I guess I just need more enthusiasm.

Allan pulled the jumpsuit up halfway and put on a long-sleeved black shirt.

Allan - You know what your problem is?

His friend raised his eyebrows, awaiting the conclusion.

Allan - You're too pessimistic, my friend!

He patted his shoulder and walked towards the door, stopping to look back.

Allan - A little positivity wouldn't hurt! (laughs)

Michael grimaced and followed his friend to the control and map room, looking at the screen that showed an area near an island that hadn't been searched yet.

Allan - I've got it!

The guards in the room looked at him, puzzled.

Allan - On the double, I want my team ready in five.

Afterwards, he geared up with the rescue team and they boarded a helicopter for another day of searching for the missing couple.

In the airport, a girl around twenty-three hurriedly dragged her suitcase toward the exit, signaling for a taxi when a man grabbed her arm fiercely and pulled.

Luiza - Let go, you're hurting me, Ryan!

Ryan - What do you think I am, to be treated like a nobody?

She struggled to free herself, but Ryan continued to tighten his grip on her arm.

Luiza - Let go, it's hurting!

She screamed and onlookers began gazing over in confusion. Ryan tried to smooth things over, flashing a sympathetic smile at the people around them. He opened the taxi door and Luiza got in with teary eyes.

The taxi driver popped the trunk and helped Ryan with the luggage. The ride to the hotel was silent. However, Luiza's melancholic gaze betrayed her disappointment.

Luiza Padilha, 23 years old, was a Brazilian librarian who had been living in New York for two years. She had a troubled relationship with Ryan Smith, a wealthy and successful American businessman involved in the commodity export sector.

Upon arriving at their hotel room, Ryan stopped in the middle of the room and watched as Luiza opened her suitcase and pulled out a small bag of medications.

Ryan - What's wrong?

She didn't answer.

Ryan - I'm trying here, Luiza!

Luiza - Why did you come after me? We were through!

Ryan - And who says I agree to you breaking up with me?

She sat on the bed and held her head in her hands, sobbing.

Luiza - This is all a nightmare, I can't take it anymore!

She cried out loudly.

Ryan - You need to understand once and for all, you're mine and I love you!

Luiza - You don't love anyone! You're an ambitious, damn mobster.

Ryan - Shut up, Luiza!

He moved closer, attempting to touch her, but Luiza pushed him away and retreated into the bathroom with her medicine bag.

Ryan - Open this door, girl, or I'll break it down!

She sat on the toilet lid.

Luiza - I HATE YOU!

He began to kick the door forcefully, frightening her, but she stayed firm, not opening it, only resting her head and covering her ears with her hands, trying to disconnect from the situation, and thinking pleasant thoughts.

Ryan eventually gave up, punched the door, and left the room, heading to the hotel bar. He sat at a stool near the counter, deep in thought with an angry expression.

Bartender - A drink, sir?

Ryan - Double whiskey!

The bartender served him swiftly, but one dose didn't ease his sorrows, so he requested a whole bottle.

Ryan - That bitch, who does she think she is to reject me like this?

Bartender - Sir?

He rolled his eyes at the young man wiping down the counter.

Ryan - I wasn't talking to you, you meddler!

Bartender - My apologies, sir!

Ryan - Just do your job and keep quiet!

He filled his glass again, and the alcohol began to dominate his senses.

...

Meanwhile, in the bathroom, Luiza had removed her hands from her ears and stood up from the toilet, approaching the large mirror. She gazed at her weary reflection and screamed loudly.

Luiza - I can't take it anymore! I hate this man with all my might.

She washed her face and dried it with a towel, smearing both her cheeks and the towel with black from her eyeliner. She rinsed again, washing away all the makeup residue.

She took a migraine pill from the medicine bag without water, her head nearly bursting with pain.

Afterward, she took a hot shower and returned to the room wrapped in a towel. She leaned on the balcony railing, admiring the snowy street, when a smile appeared on her lips.

It was her first time in Alaska, a place she'd always wanted to see since living in Brazil. The cool air brushed her face, causing shivers due to the low temperature.

Luiza - How beautiful!

Curious, she took out her phone to capture her elated first impressions. On one hand, her dream came true, but at the same time, it became a nightmare. Ryan's presence was the last thing she desired at that moment.

Her love for him turned to hatred the instant he raised his hand and hurt her. For Luiza, it was unforgivable and there was no turning back. The question that haunted her was, "How do I rid myself of this monster?"

She knew it wasn't simple, and she feared what Ryan might do. She had recently uncovered the dirty dealings he had with the mafia, which only fueled her anger further.

Remembering the day she walked into his office and overheard him ordering two killings confirmed her worst fears about the real Ryan. He was never the man he presented himself to be, and this abusive love had become her worst nightmare.

Luiza took a deep breath and dropped the robe, put on warm winter clothes, and lay in bed trying to sleep and awaken free from the migraine. Sadly, she wrapped herself tightly in the comforter and hugged the pillow, smelling the sweet perfume on the pillowcase.

Luiza - One day at a time!

That phrase suddenly popped into her head.

Luiza - I have to end this relationship for good, he doesn't own me! He's not my owner!

As she repeated the words, silent tears flowed onto the pillow. Luiza stared at the door knob, half expecting it to turn at any moment, with Ryan entering sporting his customary deceitful smile, asking for forgiveness.

She reached out and noticed another bruise from the violent grip he'd used at the airport. It was deep purple and sore, the pressure still noticeable.

Focusing on the door knob made Luiza sleepy, her eyes blurred and she fell into a heavy sleep, finally resting despite the frantic thoughts that had tormented her over the past months.