Anna was beginning to wonder how Henry knew where Sarah's captivity was, when she remembered that Adonis was his ally in that house. She finished making the pasta, set the table for five, and went to her room to shower and change.
At dinner time, Anna was deep in thought and didn't even notice that everyone was complimenting her on the delicious meal. Even Ian was excited and ate a lot. They chatted among themselves, and Kate didn't allow her grief to enter the subject, so as not to give a bitter taste to the meal that Anna had made with dedication.
Adam noticed that his beloved wife's thoughts were far away, and yet he was so aroused that he found it hard to stop himself from grabbing her by the arm and taking her to his bed at that moment. Despite everything she'd said about making a deal or pleasuring herself, he knew she wouldn't be able to resist for long. He would wait for her to finish that drama, and then he would make a deal with her. After fucking her for a whole night, to prove to her that he didn't need a deal to have her. But he would need a deal to convince her to fulfill a dream she'd been carrying around ever since she ran away from him.
After saying goodbye, they each went to their own rooms. Anna stopped by Ian's room to kiss him goodnight. She covered him and stared into those blue eyes, which gazed at her adoringly.
"You're beautiful, Mom."
Anna smiled.
"Thank you, my son."
Ian frowned.
"Uncle Adam will find out, Mom. And he's going to kill you."
Anna was surprised.
"What are you talking about, Ian?"
"He's going to kill you, and Uncle Max is going to do to you what he did to Genevieve."
Anna was livid.
"What did your father do to Genevieve? She's dead, Ian! Stop making up stories!"
Ian stared at her hurt.
"Are you leaving early tomorrow again?"
"Yes. I'm going. Do you need anything?"
"I want to buy some of those sandals that light up..."
Anna stared at him in surprise and thought that Ian had decided that day that he planned to break everything she knew about her own son.
"You really are very different, my son. You never allowed me to put one of those sandals on your feet. Not even when you couldn't speak yet!"
"Don't be silly, Mom. It's not for me. It's for the sister of the boy who died."
"Why is that now?"
"Because the day we were at the pool, he told me he wanted to buy it. It was the dream of his brother, who had also died. And he went to war because he wanted to buy it, and I think he deserves it."
"Yes, my son. That's very fair."
"You and Dad should worry about these things and not expect the children to take care of important business!" He said angrily.
Anna didn't realize that Ian had called Adam his father.
"Ian... because... there are too many details for adults to worry about. I'm proud that you're sensitive enough to notice these little things."
"He'll be happy."
"He?"
"Uncle Adam. We're going to do a good thing, aren't we, Mom?"
Anna breathed a sigh of relief. For a moment, she thought her son was hallucinating and talking to the dead.
"Adam is very happy that you're helping, my son. We'll buy it, yes. Tomorrow, after the video call to your brothers, we'll buy the sandal, and a present for her mommy, too. What do you think?"
"Thanks, Mom." He said, opening his mouth sleepily, and Anna stayed with him until she was completely asleep. Then she went to her room and lay down in anguish. Her body yearned for Adam.
She couldn't fall asleep until she admitted to herself that she wanted both brothers. Although she also admitted that the scales weighed more heavily on Max's side, her desire and love for Adam were real and would not be erased from her heart. And her desires were just as dark as those they felt for their Camilles.
...
Anna arrived early that day to talk to Sarah, and was not surprised to find her father in the kitchen, drinking coffee standing up, while she chatted, throwing her charm at the employees, who smiled like idiotic teenagers.
Adonis entered with her, but this time three more men came with him. When she hugged and greeted her father, they decided that the time had come for the final confrontation with Sarah. And unlike the other times, Anna didn't bring her anything to eat.
She went down the steps, knowing that this was the last time she would enter the place. Adam didn't come down, staying behind to guard the door. The three men entered and began their work, making two small brick walls side by side with the materials they had brought to the place the day they first came. Sarah watched them suspiciously. Anna stopped in front of her and looked at her resignedly.
"So, Sarah... Answer me one thing... Why did you bewitch Leon into seeing you as if you were my mother at the age when she died, every time he looked at you?"
"Where's my food? I'm hungry. What about that hot brunette? Have you fucked him yet?"
"Answer my question, and I'll let you die a quick death." Anna lied, and Sarah realized it.
"Who's to say, Anna, that she's not helping me? We were great friends in the past."
Anna lowered her eyes.
"Yes. She would help her family's murderer. That makes all the sense in the world, Sarah." Anna said and looked away. "She's all yours." Anna said to her father, who had stayed behind.
As soon as he stood in front of Sarah for the first time, Anna saw her turn livid with dread. Her fear was almost palpable, and Anna resented it, because that reaction was what she had wanted to see all along.
"It's been a long time since we've spoken, hasn't it, Sarah?" Anna's father said with an affable smile. "The last time I saw you, you weren't so... worn out. I guess life hasn't treated you very well, has it?"
"What are you doing here?"