In the morning, they sit down to breakfast at the table for two on the small balcony off the master bedroom. — Did you sleep well? I was so tired, I fell asleep like a log.
— I'm worried about you — Alexander says — That's why I want you to come with me to Greece. Who knows what else those people who threatened you might be capable of.
The sound of that man's moans of pleasure flashes through his mind at that moment, along with a phrase he said: "Are you crying? Does it hurt?" before laughing. Tadeus reacts — Do you think it's better for me to go and leave Yenedith behind?
— I didn't say that, but they clearly want something from you.
— Please, I told you I'd think about it. Is that okay? — Tadeus says.
Alexander nods, but this makes him uneasy. He keeps his face down to the food but raises his gaze to observe Tadeus' expression — What happened to your neck? I hadn't noticed.
— Nothing.
Alexander stands up next to Tadeus and gently pushes his head back while pulling the neck of his pyjamas aside with his other hand to get a better look — Did they hit you and you didn't tell me?!
– It's nothing.
— That's a bite mark — Tadeus tilts his head to the side and pushes Alexander's hands — Is that why you were wearing that turtleneck yesterday?
Tadeus tries to continue eating, but Alexander rips open the front of his nightgown, causing the buttons to pop off. When he sees the bite marks on Tadeus' chest, he walks back into the room with his hand over his mouth, trying to hide his distress.
— All those damn days of silent treatment, and at the first chance you go and sleep with someone else — Alexander says.
— No — Tadeus says, holding back his tears.
Alexander looks down at the floor and decides to go to the bathroom. Tadeus joins him in the shower a few minutes later and hugs him, resting his cheek on the back of his neck; he caresses his chest, his collarbone, and his shoulders.
That same morning, Tadeus takes a taxi to the clinic. Yenedith is asleep at the edge of her grandmother's stretcher. — Wake up! — Tadeus shakes her. She sits up and immediately feels a sharp pain in her neck — You'd better go home; I'll stay with her.
— Okay — she says, still half-asleep.
— Have you had breakfast yet? — he asks. His sister shakes her head.
Tadeus takes some cash out of his wallet and gives it to her so she can get something to eat.
Yenedith is a little surprised to see Elena stepping out of the elevator — Hi. How's your grandmother doing? — the woman asks.
— She hasn't woken up yet. What are you doing here?
— I figured you'd be here, so I wanted to bring you something to eat.
— Well, I'm heading home now.
— You look pretty tired. Why don't you come to the mansion and relax a bit at the sauna?
— Did they build a sauna at the mansion? — asks Yenedith, to which Elena smiles enthusiastically. When they arrive at the mansion, Edwin greets them with a hug — Thank you so much for what you've done for my grandmother. We really appreciate it.
— The one you need to thank is your brother. He's gone to great lengths to get results for me.
— Is he still talking to Mr. Strauss? — asks Yenedith, trying to get more information — I heard he had to sabotage him somehow, right?
— Yes, you could say that. Your brother had to recover something for me — says Edwin — Now he just has to help me with other business matters.
— And what if the police arrest him?
— That won't happen — says Elena — We're very careful. That's why it's important that we stick together, as a family.
Yenedith isn't entirely convinced by this whole "family" thing, but she's becoming increasingly certain that the relationship between Alexander and Tadeus isn't as distant as her brother would have her believe. In fact, while she's getting a relaxing massage and mud treatment with Elena, she can't help but think about how charismatic Alexander is. She even begins to doubt that it's an evil same person, but her brother's constant travels and the issue with the sex workers convince her that her brother is more immersed in that world than he'd like to admit.
— So? — Elena asks — What do you think about another trip?
— I want to go, but only once my grandmother recovers.
Elena smiles at this statement and nods to hide her displeasure.
At the clinic, Tadeus decides to read something to his grandmother to stimulate her brain through listening, as the doctor suggested. Daisy begins to move her eyes as she hears him speak and slowly opens her mouth. — Grandma, I'm here — Tadeus tells her, holding her hand.
Margarita mumbles a few words without opening her eyes yet. Tadeo goes to get the doctor, and by the time he returns with him, she is blinking, her gaze fixed on the ceiling.
The doctor examines her eyes and performs some tests with his flashlight to check her light perception and the health of her corneas. It's strange for Tadeus to see a different color in his grandmother's eyes — How is she, doctor?
— She probably can't see anything yet, but her new eyes seem to be reacting to light, which indicates she's starting to heal properly.
— Did you hear that, Grandma? You're going to get your sight back — Tadeus says excitedly — When will she be able to come home?
— She needs to stay under observation for three weeks in case of infection or transplant rejection.
— How likely is that?
— One in three patients, but it can be prevented more reliably if she receives the proper medication and necessary care. For now, it's best to keep her eyes moist with drops, which will help prevent infections.
— Thank you very much for the information — Tadeus nods. The doctor nods and leaves — How are you feeling?
— I don't know, I'm confused — says her grandmother — Was I in surgery?
— So you don't remember coming to the clinic?
— The last thing I remember is Elena's visit.
— Don't worry, Grandma. We're here with you until you recover. Yenedith was with you all night.
Just then, someone knocks on the door. Tadeus goes over to open it and is surprised to see Alexander standing there with a bouquet of white roses.
—Come in — says Tadeus — Thank you for being here.
—You are awake, Mrs. Daisy! — says Alexander, approaching her stretcher — I brought you some flowers.
— Thank you so much, dear — says the woman. Tadeus approaches the stretcher again alongside Alexander, but he steps aside.
— Have you eaten anything? I hope they're treating you well — says Alexander.
— Her lunch will be here soon.
— Well, I was just passing by — Alexander doesn't even bother to look at him.
— I'm feeling a little tired. Why don't you go have some lunch, Tadeus? — says Daisy — You've been here all morning.
Tadeus watches Alexander leave and decides to follow him — I'll be right back.
— Alexander! Wait, I'm coming with you — Tadeus catches up to him. They arrive at a restaurant, but Alexander only says a few words when he orders something to eat — This is a beautiful place. Have you been here before? — the silence sets — I know you have good taste in food, so I guess this place is pretty good.
Alexander looks out the window and takes a sip of water — I don't know what you expect me to say.
— I want you to tell me the truth — Alexander sees Tadeus lean back in his seat with a gesture he can't decipher, a gesture that in a way offends him. — Where were you?
— I was at home. After I received the box, I went back home.
— Your sister asked me about you a couple of days ago, when you were supposed to be back from your trip, so you weren't with her while your grandmother was in surgery. I didn't hear from you until last night when your sister answered the phone for you. It's becoming a very annoying habit of yours not to answer me.
— I was really shaken up. I thought my grandmother had been mutilated. What are you insinuating? — Tadeus tries to erase the memories that are suffocating him — Do you think I lied about the box?
— No — Alexander maintains the gaze for some seconds, then turns his face back to the window.