Episode 5

Witnessing such a disrespectful gesture, Lucy could only offer a bitter smile before grasping her purse and swiftly exiting the room. It was undeniable that her love for Daniel had not vanished, yet now it was laced with hate. He had caused her too much pain; forgiveness was not on the horizon. Nevertheless, it mattered little, Daniel was not in pursuit of absolution.

Tears silently tracing her cheeks, Lucy entered the guest room, washed her face in the bathroom, then emerged with a counterfeit smile. Her resolve was to shed no more tears, as she realized her anguish served only to fuel Daniel's malevolence.

Descending the staircase, she strode promptly toward the main entrance. At that moment, Daniel descended as well, unexpectedly uttering, "Not waiting around for me to leave this time? Oh, let me guess, you're eager to share the news with someone else, right?" His words dripped with disdain.

Occasionally, Lucy departed to places unknown to Daniel, stirring his suspicion that she harbored another affair. In his mind, if true, it would grant him an excuse to press for divorce without playing the antagonist.

Oblivious to her former love's words, Lucy slammed the door behind her, took to her car, and drove through the Gonçalves estate gates, leaving a perplexed Daniel behind. Dismissing the incident, Daniel had a busy day ahead—too busy for distractions. He too left in his car, speeding past Lucy's vehicle.

Mutters of self-dialogue filled Lucy's drive as she contemplated her grandfather Leonardo's manipulations. Though eighty years old and domineering, his convincing ways could potentially sway her from proceeding with the divorce.

Fifty minutes later, Lucy arrived in town, headed straight for the mall, and settled for a simple pocket watch that would please traditionalist Leonardo. She also browsed Dayse's clothing store, seeking a dress for a special night.

Upon encountering Lucy, Dayse inquired with a hint of concern, often more for the payment side of things rather than camaraderie. Busy admiring a stunning black dress with silver accents, Lucy reassured her, "I'll cover the payment this time. By the way, I'd like to invite you and your family to dinner at my home, but we’ll iron out the details later," leaving Dayse to contemplate the unexpected invitation and the implications about the state of Lucy's marriage.

Having purchased the dress, Lucy left Dayse mulling over the day's events.

...

By early evening, Lucy returned home to find Daniel lounging on the sofa. He scrutinized her appearance, noting with disdain, "You find the means for a $200,000 dress but wander about in filth?" His revulsion was evident as he observed her white pants stained with an unidentifiable dark substance.

Recalling her day at the orphanage, where she had spent her hours playing with the children, Lucy dismissed Daniel's critique, took a shower, and returned refreshed, now on a quest for food given her depleted energy.

Finding the kitchen devoid of staff or prepared food, Lucy confronted Daniel, "Where are the kitchen staff, Ana, Nancy? Where is everyone in this house?"

Daniel, barely acknowledging her presence, coldly responded that he had dismissed all the staff in preparation for the house's closure post-divorce, underlining his disdain for their countryside life—a life he consigned her to not for peace but to conceal his 'rustic' wife from the world.