Episode 4

"Uh... ah, yes. Okay, my darling, time to sleep"I said as I adjusted the blankets.

That night, like never before, we slept soundly. Who would have thought that the presence of that strange man would bring us long, peaceful nights... full of dreams?

The morning light filtered through the curtains and the soft murmur of the wind woke me up.

"Good morning, Mommy!"said my girl with a cheerful voice.

"Good morning, my darling. You're finally up."

"Yesss! Right... And Alan? Did he leave?" "she asked, enthusiastically sitting up to look at the bed in the back."

"No, my darling. He's still there. Well, it's awful when he wakes up like this. We have to clean his wounds and then have breakfast. Do you want to watch a movie today?"

"Yesss! With popcorn! It's already eleven, Mommy, hurry, hurry!"

"Okay. Go get changed and brush your teeth"I said with a smile.

A while later...

"Mommy, are you going to do the laundry? I have classes on Monday"she reminded me from the hallway.

"Yes, and pass me my cell phone, please."

"Mommy...? Is my daddy coming to see me today?"her voice lowered.

"I don't know, my darling. Do you want me to ask him?"

"No, Mommy... it's okay"she said softly, with sadness.

Just then, something moved in the bed.

"Look, Alan is moving."

"Wooww! He's going to wake up! I hope so."

"No, my darling. He's probably having a nightmare."

"Watch him until I make breakfast."

"Oki doki, Mommy!"

It was Saturday, cleaning day. While I cooked something simple, I started the washing machine and tidied up the kitchen. My girl, always so alert, helped me collect the dirty clothes and make the beds. We swept, we mopped... and finally, we sat down to have breakfast in the room next to Alan, who was still asleep but seemed to breathe better.

"Mommy, do you think Alan is bad?"my girl asked, breaking the silence.

"Mmm... I don't know. It seems like he is."

"Will he hurt us when he wakes up?"

"Maybe... like maybe not. Who knows, my darling? Better tell me, do you have homework to do?"

"Nope. The teacher didn't give any homework."

"Well... I'll see if I believe you"I replied, giving her a suspicious look.

She laughed, and then, in a softer tone, asked:

"Maybe someday you'll fall in love again, Mommy? And find someone who loves both of us?"

It took me by surprise. I stopped for a second and answered her honestly:

"I don't know, my darling. There aren't many people who love just one woman and stay forever without cheating on her. But if someone ever comes into our lives and proves me wrong... I swear I won't look at anyone else. I will love him as much"or more"than I once loved your daddy."

"I know, Mommy. You're the best. You have so much love to give... I hope someone comes along and we are his world and no one else. And that he defends us like this!:"Yeah, let's see who bothers my women? Who dares to intimidate them?"Hahaha!"

"You're crazy, my darling"I laughed with her.

"Yes, Mommy. We're crazy, jjj. Let's go watch the movie!"

"If you want, yes."

"A cartoon... how about a princess one? Or those villains who fall in love. Yes, yes! Better the one about the fairy who falls in love with the ugly fairy."

"Okay, find the movie. Meanwhile, I'll leave this in the kitchen."

"Mommyyy! You're taking too long! Come, look what I did."

"What happened? I was seeing if the washing machine was finished."

"Look, Mommy. Do you like it? I put the cushions near Alan's bed so we can all be together. So he can watch the movie with us too."

"Oh, right. Wait for me here, I'll be right back."

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