Episode 5

The next morning, everything returned to normal. Alice woke up early and went back to being just a servant. During breakfast, while she was serving, Camilla spilled milk on her, swearing it was an accident, even though nothing she did was ever an accident. A few minutes later, as soon as Michael left the table, Camilla threw everything on the floor and made it clear that Alice would clean it up, no one else. Isadora smiled with satisfaction, and the two of them left.

The entire day went on like this, Camilla looking for ways to torment Alice, payback for Enzo having ignored her the night before.

Night had finally fallen, settling into an almost suffocating silence in the small room of the Moretti mansion. Alice was sitting on the cold floor, meticulously cleaning one of the few lamps that illuminated her small world. Her agile fingers worked tirelessly, but her mind was far away, lost in thoughts of freedom.

Suddenly, the door opened, and the light from Enzo's flashlight cut through the near darkness of the room. He entered with firm steps, carefully closing the door behind him.

“You really should learn to rest, Alice,” he commented with a half-tired smile, crouching beside her.

Alice smiled back but didn't stop what she was doing. “And you should learn not to risk coming here.”

Enzo shrugged, sitting down beside her. “I heard Camilla was on your case all day.”

“Nothing she hasn't done before.”

She laughed softly, a rare sound that made Enzo feel a little lighter. He knew her life was a constant burden, and moments like these were all he could offer.

“I brought something for you.” He pulled out a sandwich wrapped in a clean cloth and held it out to her.

Alice accepted it with a grateful look. “Thank you.”

For a few moments, they both remained silent, each lost in their own thoughts; the last thing Alice wanted was to talk about the previous night's episode. She broke the sandwich in half and offered a piece to Enzo, who accepted without protest.

“Ali, about yesterday… I wanted to apologize.”

“We don't need to talk about that. Anyway, I've been practicing what you taught me,” Alice commented suddenly.

“Really?” He raised an eyebrow, amused. “I want to see your progress.”

Alice stood up, excited, and gestured for him to stand up too. “Let's go, then.”

Enzo laughed but obeyed, taking a defensive stance. “Alright, show me what you've got.”

Alice lunged with a quick strike, but Enzo dodged it easily. She tried again, this time aiming a punch at his abdomen, which he caught, holding her fist firmly.

“Good, but predictable,” he said, gently twisting her arm and immobilizing her.

Alice huffed but didn't give up. With an agile twist, she managed to break free and aimed a kick at his ribs. Enzo laughed as he blocked the blow.

“You're getting better,” he admitted.

“Better enough to escape?” Alice asked, the seriousness in her voice catching Enzo by surprise.

He relaxed his stance, letting out a sigh.

“Alice…”

“Don't tell me it's impossible.” She crossed her arms, facing him. “Even if you don't help me, I'll try.”

Enzo averted his gaze, running a hand through his brown hair. He wanted to help her, more than anything. But the thought of losing her to the world—or worse, to the dangers that awaited out there—was almost unbearable.

“It's not that I don't want to help you, Alice. It's just that the world out there isn't what you imagine. And Michael… He won't let this go easily. Running away shouldn't be an option.”

“He's already taken everything from me.” Her voice trembled, and she lowered her eyes. “What more can he take from me?”

Enzo took a step forward, placing a firm, comforting hand on her shoulder. “He won't take you from me. As long as I'm here, I'll do whatever I can to protect you.”

Alice looked up, meeting Enzo's brown eyes. “Then help me escape.”

Enzo stared at her lips. Alice gently pulled away from his touch, sensing the situation, and before he could answer, they both heard a muffled noise coming from downstairs. Enzo frowned, his senses immediately on alert.

“What was that?” Alice asked, her voice low.

Enzo put a finger to his lips, signaling for silence. He walked to the door and pressed his ear against it, trying to catch something. The silence was broken by heavy footsteps and muffled voices, something he didn't expect to hear at that time of night.

“Stay here. Don't leave for any reason,” he whispered, turning to Alice.

“What's happening?” She gripped his arm, her eyes filled with worry.

“I don't know, but I'm going to find out.”

Before Alice could protest, he opened the door and disappeared into the darkness of the hallway.

Alice was alone again, her heart beating fast. She knew something was wrong. The Moretti mansion, with all its secrets, was never completely silent, but there was something different that night. Something that made the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.

And something told her that, this time, the danger wasn't coming from inside the mansion.

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