Episode 17

After dinner, Bianca and Otavio retired to their bedroom, while Ellen went to hers.

Otavio dressed down to just a pair of sweatpants, foregoing a shirt, and laid on the bed. Bianca slipped into the bathroom to put on a pink baby doll set adorned with lace.

Upon seeing her, Otavio was filled with desire. He took a deep breath, running his hand through his hair as she lay beside him at a distance, embarrassed about sleeping next to him. Although Bianca tried to convince him otherwise, he wouldn’t hear of it.

"You must be kidding me, Bianca. What’s with the outfit? It’s hard to stay beside you dressed like that."

Bianca was accustomed to wearing such outfits to bed and didn't mean to provoke Otavio. Blushing deeply, she was mortified.

"I'm sorry, Otavio. I'll change. I don't really understand what's wrong with the clothes, I only know the color because people tell me and I remember the details to recall the shade."

As she started to get up, Otavio held her back, embracing her and drawing her into his arms. Her cheeks turned an even brighter red as he soothed her by stroking her hair. She tried to pull away, but he gripped her tighter, comforting her with his caresses.

"Don't even think about changing. You look wonderful as you are. But Bianca, I need to ask you something—how did you fall and end up like this?"

"I don't remember anything about that day—hitting my head caused me to lose my memory of the accident. All I know is what my sister told me. We were home alone; I was on the balcony, while she was in the living room and saw me lose my balance and fall from afar. Since then, I lost my memory and my sight. What I don't understand is how I fell—I've always been so careful and the balcony railing was high."

"Do you believe your sister’s version of events?"

"Yes, Otavio. My sister has never been patient with me, but I'm sure she would never harm me."

"Bianca, your sister left you to die; she knew the consequences of her actions, so yes, she would hurt you."

"Otavio, as cruel as she was, I can't believe she'd harm me. But... my father was skeptical about Laura's story at the time. Nevertheless, she insisted that it went exactly as she said, and so he dropped the matter."

Otavio fell silent, contemplative. Despite his youth, Otavio had witnessed many things, and something told him Bianca's fall was no accident.

Otavio: "I see. And you never wanted surgery?"

Bianca: "I did, but the chance of dying on the operating table was high back then. So, my parents decided against surgery, and that's how it's been. Truthfully, I'd love to regain my sight."

"If it's up to me, you will, Bianca. We’ll look for a specialist this week to explore the possibilities. Did you have many friends? Did you go out often?"

"Thank you, Otavio. Well, my parents were very protective. I couldn’t go out much or have many friends. In fact, I only had one friend from school—Alice. She was tough and always defended me against malicious comments. But after I finished school, her parents moved her abroad for college, and since then, I haven't been in touch with anyone. I always found my parents' protectiveness strange because it was different with my sister. She always had the freedom to go out, make new friends, while I was always kept at home in a bubble."

"That does sound odd. Bianca, I need to ask you something and tell you something."

Bianca: "Ask away."

Otavio: "How many men have you been with?"

Otavio didn't really want to hear the answer; he couldn't bear the thought of others having touched Bianca. She quickly sat up on the bed, thoroughly embarrassed and flushed.

Bianca: "That's none of your business, Otavio."

Otavio: "Either you tell me willingly, or I'll find out the hard way. I have my ways of extracting information, but I’m not sure you’d enjoy them."

Otavio didn't intend any harm, yet wanted to intimidate her so she would confess what he already suspected. Overcome with embarrassment, Bianca was more afraid Otavio would really do something to her.