Episode 20

Sabrina was at a loss how to secure the funds needed; her tears flowed in desperate uncertainty of what to do next. Fatigued by her own distress, sleep claimed her amidst her sorrow, and upon waking the following day, she had to visit the resort to present a medical note and collect her month’s pay. Scrounging every last coin, she remained at a loss.

Her paycheck collected and HR matters settled with Camila’s assistance, Sabrina left, traversing the resort's grand corridor of shops. The opulence left her spellbound; while marveling at a display window, she was suddenly rooted to the spot, scarcely believing the sight before her. Blinking to affirm the reality, her body seized in recognition—it was Gabriel, or at least the name he’d once lied with—the man from years ago in the bar, the man who had sexually assaulted her, now hand-in-hand with a blonde child and accompanied by a woman facing away from her.

Sabrina’s heart seemed to freeze, a maelstrom of emotions engulfing her. As Gabriel's eyes locked onto hers, she felt close to fainting, steadying herself, intending to flee from his presence as swiftly as she could.

Gabriel, spotting Sabrina from a distance, grew irate. Seizing the moment his wife entered a shop with their son, he made a beeline toward Sabrina, his face twisted in anger and frustration. Sabrina quickened her pace but he closed in, steering her to a secluded corner down a dim resort corridor.

“What in hell are you doing here? Thinking of extorting me, you wretched woman?” Gabriel hissed, grip tightening on her arm.

Taken aback and slightly frightened by Gabriel’s aggression, Sabrina held her ground.

"I didn’t come looking for you. I had no idea I’d find you here," she managed to reply.

Gabriel’s teeth ground together as he folded his arms, staring intently at her.

"Liar, I know you’re here for me. You'll regret it, so tell me now—what are you doing here?" he demanded, yanking her hair and squeezing her arm tighter.

"Let go or I'll scream," Sabrina warned, her voice shaky.

"Tell me why you're here, dammit," he seethed, pulling out a weapon and pressing it to her stomach.

"I'm not here for you, dammit. I've lost everything; I came to live in this city with a friend of my mother’s. I swear I didn’t know you lived here," Sabrina gasped, fearful of revealing her daughter's existence to this brute.

"If you're lying and I find out, I'll destroy you, your mother, and your friend. I want you gone from Sicily as soon as possible," he growled, again pulling at her hair.

A swirl of sadness and defiance welled up in Sabrina. Meeting his gaze deeply, she answered.

"Do you think you can just send me away? I have a right to be here, Gabriel. I am not the same person you once knew."

Gabriel let out a contemptuous laugh.

"You really believe that, don’t you? Think you can convince me you've changed? Don’t be naïve, Sabrina. If my wife learns about you, I won’t be able to protect you. Leave this island or I'll ruin both you and your mother," he threatened, his temper flaring.

Tears threatened as Sabrina fought to remain composed before Gabriel.

“If you think I came here because of you, you're mistaken. I want no trouble with you or your wife. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have more important affairs to attend to."