Episode 8

I was in the room, crying and thinking about how I am going to escape from here. I can't even communicate with Mrs. Monica or my lawyer since Santino took away my documents and my mobile phone. Although it didn't work in this country, I had planned to buy a SIM card to stay in touch, but now I have nothing.

I was deep in thought when Mrs. Lissette arrived with my Lucero, who jumped into my arms when she saw me. "I missed you too, my princess," were the words that came out of my lips. With tears in her eyes, Santino's mother asked me to tell her the truth. She said, "I want to know the truth." I recounted everything from my childhood until now, without omitting anything. She stood up and looked out of a window, saying that she already knew. She pointed out that my eyes, smile, and way of acting were very different from Anna's. Finally, she promised to help me, but before that, she had something to confess. She began to cough, took out a handkerchief, and left a drop of blood on it. I was scared, but she shook her head in denial and continued saying that she had lung cancer. No one in her family knows about it. She doesn't want to tell them to avoid worrying or making them sad. The only people who know until now are the nanny and me. I bit my lip, about to speak, but she continued talking.

Lissette: When my son died, I fell ill and the doctor diagnosed me with lung cancer. I asked him not to talk about it with my husband and son, but to inform them that I was suffering from depression. In reality, I was slowly dying from that disease. One day, my son revealed to me that he had a grandchild from my son Franco. That gave me hope and the desire to live and fight. It took three years, but I managed to recover. Now you are here with my granddaughter. I know that my remaining days are numbered, but promise me that if things worsen, you will escape with her. I will help you because I don't want you to suffer. I can control my son, but not my husband. Santino is a good person, but he is blinded by hatred towards your sister. I hope he falls in love with you and forgets that resentment.

Anny: I am deeply sorry for everything you have been through and for the years you lost with your granddaughter. Things have been very difficult lately. I have a plan to escape if things get complicated. I won't deny that I liked your son the day I met him, but now I feel resentment towards him for how he has treated me. I don't believe I will fall in love with him. He actually proposed to me, and I accepted, but I won't behave as his wife.

Lissette: I understand. I will talk to him. I believe it's time to discuss my illness with them and ask him to treat you better and search for Anna. Revenge doesn't bring anything because, in the end, that accident happened because it was meant to happen. I believe my son made mistakes too.

Narrator:

Anny and Mrs. Lissette had a long conversation until Santino arrived to announce that dinner was served. Anny didn't want to go, but Santino's mother took her hand and led her and the child downstairs. When they reached the table, everyone sat down to eat. The atmosphere was tense when Santino spoke up to announce his wedding. His father was angry but accepted on the condition that his son knew they had discussed ending Anna's (Anny's) life in private. His mother took the floor and revealed the truth about her illness. Anny remained silent, and Mr. Gianfranco cried, but he still felt more hatred towards Anny. He believed that it was her fault his wife got sick and suffered the death of their son and the silent illness.

Santino remained silent, tears streaming down his face as his hatred for Anny grew stronger. She asked for permission and left the table, unable to bear the gaze of both men upon her. When they were alone, Santino's mother pleaded with him to be a good husband to Anny, to try and make her fall in love, as she was a good girl. Santino promised his mother, but this promise was false, as an idea occurred to him. He would pretend to love Anny, only to make her pay for what she had done to his brother. It would be easier to make her fall in love with him, just as she had done with his brother, and then destroy her. He was mistaken, but who could rescue him from this? Both he and his father exchanged looks, each understanding or misinterpreting what his mother had said. Lissette felt exhausted and went to rest, with Santino helping her.

Meanwhile, in another place,

Anna, unaware of what was happening, was on a luxury yacht, showcasing her body with her current lover. She didn't care about what had happened to her sister or daughter. Poor Anny would have to pay for all the evil she had done.

Anny:

I locked myself in the room with my little one, who fell asleep next to me on the bed. I can't say "my bed" because it's not mine. I understand what's happening to Lucero's grandmother, but Santino wants to marry Anna, and from now on, I'll have to be whoever he wants Anna to be, but only for them. Once my plan succeeds, I will sue him for forcing me to assume an identity that doesn't belong to me and fight for my daughter. I currently have custody, but I have to be smart, gain their trust, and when I can, contact my lawyer and Mrs. Monica to inform them of the situation. Anny, you will get through this because you are strong; I just have to fight.

Santino:

Finding out that my mother has cancer was very tough, and even more so was her request for me to fall in love with Anna. I will do it, but only to achieve my revenge. I believe it will be easy to make her fall in love with me. Starting tomorrow, I will be kind to her, conquer her, and once we are married and she loves me, I will take Lucero away from her. I will request a divorce and leave her with nothing. Her vineyard will be the price she pays for what she has done. I will make her suffer.