Episode 5

The sun hadn't even risen when Julia woke up.

Not that she had managed to sleep.

She tossed and turned all night, staring at the ceiling as if she expected some magical force to appear and say that it was all a nightmare.

But it wasn't.

The contract was signed.

And Edward Salvatore would come to pick her up at eight o'clock sharp.

She got up slowly, as if each step were a silent goodbye to the life she would leave behind. She took a shower in silence, tied her hair in a loose ponytail, put on the only pair of jeans without rips and a plain black t-shirt.

No makeup. No heels.

She wasn't going to dress up for that man.

It was this or nothing.

She made coffee—more to keep up the routine than out of hunger—and went to her grandfather's room, who was already awake, sitting on the bed, with an open book in his lap and tired eyes.

"You look strange today," he commented, frowning. "Did something happen?"

Julia forced a smile. She sat down next to him and held his hand.

"I got help, grandpa. For you."

"Help? What do you mean?"

"A man... appeared. He said he would pay for everything. The hospital, the exams, the medicine."

Ernesto looked at her for long seconds. His eyes were cloudy, but they still saw the essential.

"And what does he want in return?"

Silence.

Julia looked away. Took a deep breath.

"For me to marry him."

The old man was quiet. Very quiet.

"But it's only for a short time," she added quickly. "It's just a contract. Nothing real. Afterwards, I'll be back. With money. With everything. You're going to be okay, grandpa. You're going to live a lot more years, you'll see?"

Ernesto squeezed her hand with surprising strength.

"Julia... I'd rather die than see you sell yourself."

"It's not selling!" she retorted, with tears welling up in her eyes. "It's just... it's the only way. I tried everything. Everything, grandpa. And no one helps. Only him."

The old man sighed. And even sick, he smiled tenderly.

"You are my girl. I raised you to be free. Strong. But I also know how big your heart is. Too big."

She bit her lip, trying to hold back the tears.

"Forgive me..."

"Only if you promise me one thing," he said, raising his trembling finger. "That even if you enter this hell... don't let it extinguish you. You were born with fire, remember?"

She nodded. Crying for real now.

"I promise."

Outside, the roar of a black car engine echoed through the narrow street.

The car was there. He had come.

Julia got up, hugged her grandfather tightly and whispered:

"I'll be back. I swear I'll be back."

She grabbed her old backpack, took a deep breath and walked out the door with a broken heart.

On the other side of the sidewalk, Edward waited for her, leaning against his luxury car, wearing a black suit and an indecipherable expression.

She crossed the street like someone going to war.

"Ready?" he asked, without emotion.

"No. But let's get this over with. Before I change my mind."

He opened the door for her.