Once he leaves the retirement home, he heads to the hospital where his sister is. No more than two people are allowed to visit her unless they are family members, therefore Tadeus waits outside the room with Charles, who is sitting in the hallway. He watches through the mirror as his sister reads to the young woman on the bed.
— How is she? — Charles asks as soon as he sees her come out. He goes over to give her a quick hug and tucks her hair behind her ears.
— She doesn't seem to be responding, but I hope she can hear me — Yenedith says, looking at them both — Even though they say it's difficult to recover from an overdose coma, I'm hopeful she'll wake up. She's done it before.
— I'm sure she can hear you. Maybe the scenes from the book you're reading to her are part of her dreams — Tadeus says, taking her hand and pulling her closer. Charles notices this and takes a step back — Have her parents said anything to you?
— No, it seems they prefer to wait until she wakes up to file a report — Yenedith replies — They don't want their daughter to wake up one day and discover that everyone knows her story before she does.
— It's a sensible decision — Charles comments.
— No, it's just a decision. It makes no sense for her parents to choose to remain silent about the abuse of a daughter who probably won't wake up — Tadeus says — As far as we know, we can't be sure that she herself decided to take drugs with them.
— I hadn't thought of that — Yenedith says — I have no idea about her medical records, but with so many cases, it's likely the abuse itself put her life at risk. Maybe she fainted and deep down she doesn't want to wake up to avoid dealing with so much trauma.
— We just have to wait for her to wake up — Charles says. The driver takes them to the Singer mansion. The siblings go to the dining room for dinner, where Elena and Edwin are waiting for them.
— How was the visit? — Elena asks, not looking at either of them. Tadeus decides not to answer.
— I think it's just a matter of waiting — Yenedith says — I managed to see her mother before she had to leave, and she told me there are no more drugs in her system. So, I think she'll wake up soon.
— That's good news. It never hurts to keep a positive mindset — Elena replies — Come on, I ordered Lucile to cook your favorite meal to cheer you up.
— Thank you so much — the young woman says with a slight smile.
— Speaking of cheering up, how about a trip to Japan, my dear? — Edwin asks. Tadeus immediately becomes alarmed, but says nothing, waiting for his sister's response.
— What? — Yen says.
— You could go with Elena and your grandmother. You could clear your mind and come back when you've seen all the tourist spots — Edwin says.
— That sounds wonderful! — Elena says.
— I've always wanted to travel to Portugal and Japan — the young woman says with an excited smile.
— Let's make it a tour then! — Edwin says — Travel all over Europe and Asia. You'd be free to live and enjoy whatever you want for as long as you want. As long as you come back for the New Year's festivities, of course.
— Are you serious?! — Yenedith asks, her eyes lighting up.
— No way — Tadeus says.
— But if she goes with me and her grandmother, she won't be traveling alone — Elena replies.
— She won't be going anywhere with you — Tadeus states.
—You can't decide for her, son — Edwin says — It's clear she wants to go.
Tadeus gets up from the table and hurries upstairs. Yenedith apologizes for leaving, but follows him. — What are you doing? Acting like a nine year old! — she asks her brother, seeing him stuff his clothes into a couple of suitcases on the bed.
— We're leaving right now!
— You're gonna ruin the only chance we have to really escape — Yenedith argues in a whisper.
— It's not a chance, it's a trap — Tadeus affirms, continuing to pack — He just wants to use you to keep tightening the rope he's put around my neck.
— You yourself told me you already did the job he asked you to do, that we'd be leaving soon — Yenedith says.
— Yes, but it's not as simple as he makes it out to be. Do you really think he's going to let you travel freely through all those countries as if you were his beloved daughter?
— What is that supposed to mean? — Yenedith asks. Tadeus stops to move closer to his sister.
— On my trip to Turkey, I saw women and even girls being used as currency in casinos or clubs that belong to that man. I'm not allowing it.
— But Grandma and Elena will come with me.
— Don't you see? They're all part of his criminal organization. Elena, obviously, as his wife of many years, can't be unaware of that. Even that bodyguard you fancy. Who knows what he's had to do for Edwin.
— So you're the only one who can save us? — Yenedith asks incredulously — Tell me, how do you plan to do it? Because I don't think running away now with the suitcases is going to work. Not after what you've done, with the evidence he has against you.
— Yenedith, none of this is my fault.
— I'm going downstairs. They're probably wondering about us, and I don't want Elena to hear us talking — Yenedith says.
The young woman pauses for a moment at the foot of the stairs to wipe away her tears and continues on to the table — Sorry, I think he still thinks I'm a child — she remarks as soon as she sits down.
— It's normal. He spent a long time taking on a paternal role, and well — Elena says, — it can be hard to accept that his little sister has grown up.
— That's true — Yenedith says, and they continue eating. A few seconds later, Tadeus walks through the dining room toward the front door. He asks one of the drivers to take him to the city.
When they finish dinner, Elena approaches Yenedith to talk about the trip to Japan. They brainstorm a travel itinerary, starting in Portugal, passing through Spain, France, Italy, Poland, and then on to the Asian continent.
— Maybe it will be a year or two, if we spend at least a month in each of these countries — Elena says — You could make a great scrapbook.
— I love the idea — Yenedith says with a smile — Did you and Edwin ever want children?
— No, he said that having more children would be like replacing you.
— That's unfair, isn't it?
— Not that I ever wanted them either — she says — Well, I'll let you get some rest.
<><><><>
Tadeus is having dinner at Gustaph's house, trying to calm his nerves — You've been working with him for a while now, haven't you? — he asks, a little nervous — Do you think he'd hurt her? Has he ever hurt your family?
— I couldn't say for sure — Gustaph replies — You're his son. I don't think he'd want to turn you against himself.
— Maybe it's just a strategy to control me, right? An empty threat — Tadeus says, tears welling in his eyes as he paces back and forth — He wouldn't do something like that to her.
— Calm down — Gustaph says, placing both hands on Tadeus' shoulders and gently stroking the back of his neck — Just stay away from Alexander for now. If he finds the microphones, we don't want him behind your family.
— You're not helping me, Pine — Tadeus says, trying to swallow the urges to cry, but it doesn't work, and he collapses into his friend's embrace. That night, he decided to stay at that house to prevent the Animal's lookouts from following him back to his own place again. Although that wasn't the only reason. The morning sun hits him with a splitting headache, a consequence of the large amount of alcohol he consumed the night before — Damn it! — Tadeus says — Close the curtain.
— What time did you go to sleep last night? It's two in the afternoon, it's time for you to go.
— Leave me alone, I won't make a mess — Tadeus says, turning away from the light.
— Do you think this is a hotel? Go home, boy, I have visitors tonight — Gustaph says and leaves the room.