Episode 15

Otavio: You care about her, don't you, Adam?

Adam: Of course not! It's my duty to look after Sara. I got her into this mess and now she is my responsibility!

Otavio: Put your pride aside and listen to your heart, Adam. You're falling for her, and if you don't realize it soon, you'll mess it up.

Adam: That's nonsense, Otavio!

Otavio finally falls silent and I resume pacing back and forth.

Otavio: As they say, there's a first time for everything, and here I am witnessing an Adam I've never seen before. He's denying his feelings, even to himself. If the situation weren't so serious, I might find it funny.

Josiane: Sara's been doing nothing but cry. I helped her in the bath and saw the bite mark bleeding on her skin and the swollen face with the imprint of Alan’s cowardly hand. These marks are nothing compared to the pain decorating her face and the tangible fear and despair in her tears. After changing her clothes, Katy opens the door, Adam rushes straight to Sara, tells her he’s approaching, and picks her up in his arms. She rests her head on his shoulder and I see him clench his fists tightly. Adam takes her to the car and they leave for the police station with Otavio. Katy and I try to support each other. I knew this party was a bad idea and I feel awful for not having been there for Sara. Adam doesn't allow anyone into the main house during these parties; I thought she would be safe in her room.

Katy: Do you think she'll recover from this?

Josiane: I'm hoping so, Katy.

I go upstairs and order them to clean Adam's room floor and change the bedding. I see the bloodstain on the outside wall and can hardly believe all this. I stay with Katy in the living room waiting for Sara to come back.

Adam: We enter the police station, Sara is assisted by women and is given care. Throughout her deposition, listening to her recount everything she went through since Alan first harassed her, I get a knot in my throat, a sickening feeling like I’ve never had before. It's as if at that moment, I lose the control I always had over my emotions. We go through all the procedures and I contact my lawyers. We leave the police station, and on the way back, Sara sleeps on my chest. Despite how this closeness unsettles me, all I want to do is help her through this nightmare, even though I don't understand why. We reach the estate and I don’t wake her, carrying her in my arms and Otavio opens the doors for us. Josiane and Katy are in the living room waiting for news; Otavio talks with them and I go upstairs with Sara. I lay her down on the bed and as I'm about to release her, she hugs me in her sleep. I lie down with her hugging me, wait until her sleep is deep, and then I distance myself. During the night, she has a nightmare and I wake to her screaming and crying; I soothe Sara and this time, I don't push her away. I try to sleep again but I can’t.

Sara, what are you doing to my mind...

Sara: I wake up lying on top of Adam, feel his breath on my face, and his hand on my back. I'm not sure if he's asleep, I remember Alan and I start crying softly, not to wake Adam up.

Adam: Sara wakes up, I couldn't sleep, she cries softly and I'm overcome with a feeling of helplessness. I have no idea how to help her.

It's going to be all right, Sara.

Sara: Adam's voice is gentle, his hand moves without delicacy over my back. I stay like this for a while, then get up and attend to my hygiene.

Adam: Breakfast is ready.

Sara: I'm not hungry.

Adam: Even if you're not hungry, you need to eat, Sara.

Sara shakes her head and lies down in a fetal position on the bed. I go downstairs, Josiane and Katy ask a million questions, and I simply tell them that Sara isn't well and they need to get her to eat.

Josiane, I know Sara used to call Lize from your phone, I need the number.

Josiane: I'm sorry about all this, Adam, here's the number.

Adam doesn't answer me and leaves. Could it be that the brute is actually in love? If he's known all along, why did he do nothing? I'll take breakfast to Sara with Katy, not saying anything about Lize, she doesn't need any more worries. Adam checks in on Sara all the time, his look is one of pure concern.

Adam: I'll meet Lize at the door; she hits me repeatedly in the chest in a rage.

If you don't calm down, I won't let you in, Lize.

Lize: All of this is your fault! How could you throw a party and neglect her? How did you miss that filthy pig of a friend harassing her? You are the worst kind of worm, and I am disgusted by you. When this contract is over, I will never let you near her again!

Adam: Second room on the right, Lize.

Lize: All of this, Adam, is on you, Alan isn't the only monster here!

I go up the stairs and my heart aches seeing Sara so vulnerable, she's bruised.

Sara: I smell Lize's perfume, could that be her?

Lize: Sara...

Sara: Lize...

Lize approaches and hugs me, the longing was so great that we stay like this for a long time.

Lize: I'm so sorry, Sara, I should have been the one living this hell.

Sara: Don't be, I made this choice. Does Adam know you're here?

Lize: He was the one who called me, I wanted to kill him, Sara.

Sara: He saved me, Lize, he believed in me and protected me. I hid the truth, all of this could have been avoided if I had told about what happened the first time. Alan alone is to blame for what he did.

I say this and can't help but cry. I tell everything to Lize, beg her not to tell our father and introduce her to Josiane and Katy. I manage to eat a little at lunch and even get distracted by Lize. She says goodbye at the end of the day, and I start feeling bad again.

Adam: Sara, Lize mentioned you like soup. I brought you some soup.

Sara: I don't want it, Adam, thank you.

I hear the spoon clang against the bowl and Adam seems to be blowing on the soup.

Adam: Just have a little, Sara. I cooled it and am bringing it to your mouth.

Sara opens her mouth and eats, I continue until she finishes the soup. I tell her I’ll take the dishes to the kitchen and go downstairs trying to control the frustration I feel for acting this way, I throw the plate in the sink with anger, and it breaks. Damn!

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