Brianna felt like laughing and put a piece of bread in her mouth. What a fool Dester was! There was no chance of her getting into his bed. She'd kill herself first.
"When are you going?" She said with her mouth full, to disguise her amusement.
"Don't get too excited yet." He said tasting her, who noticed his debauchery. "Henry will take care of keeping you in line. And you can be sure that from what I know of him, he'll be creative enough to make you want, and even beg, for my punishments to get rid of him. And don't think you'll get a day off. He's staying here while I'm away. My wife has decided that she wants the house to herself until I return."
Brianna remained silent. Henry wouldn't touch her. She was sure of it. That's why he was so happy. Henry had managed to fool one of the most dangerous men in the world. Even his grandfather feared him. He could imagine what it meant for Henry to be able to outwit the man everyone considered lethal, who murdered his family, using Dester's inability to think on his feet. He really was dominated by the desires of his own penis. Brianna congratulated Henry on his genius in thought and turned her attention back to her coffee.
Dester said goodbye to her and left with Henry. Brianna had a feeling that something was going to happen, but she couldn't determine whether it was good or bad.
...
After the two men left, Brianna went down to the lake. The men were keeping watch, as normal. She sat down and stood there, trying not to think about anything. And trying not to show the anxiety she was feeling. She looked at the trees on the other side of the lake, and then she saw the green-eyed girl again. But this time, the girl was accompanied, and she recognized the person who was with her, and a solitary tear ran down her cheek. She saw Sarah, looking at the child with an air of contempt. And behind them, a young woman appeared. She appeared to be a little older than thirteen, and from a distance, Brianna saw the lilac light shining in the corners of the girl's eyes as she took the little girl's hand. She was happy and sad at the same time, because this time it wasn't just an illusion. She was seeing the future. She was happy because she knew she would be happy with Henry, and they would be parents to a beautiful little girl with blue eyes and hair like no other. And her sadness was knowing that she wouldn't raise her daughter until she was an adult. She saw something else. Her mother, Kellen, appeared with a baby in her arms. She removed the boy's hood, and even from a distance, Brianna saw blue eyes that matched Henry's. She didn't know how to take comfort in that. She didn't know if that comforted her. She would be carrying the child of her love when she died. Her thoughts flew away after that vision. She decided that she would invite Sarah to her house and do everything she could to be her friend, so that perhaps she wouldn't hurt her daughter when she could no longer defend her.
Brianna got up and decided to go back to the house. She liked helping the women make lunch, and especially learning the dishes of the Scottish woman who worked there. The woman spoke so passionately about her land that Brianna felt like a Scot with the same love she had for her country and decided that her children would be Scottish. One day she would get to know that country and build a history there.
When Brianna entered the house, Henry was in the kitchen, sitting at the table drinking coffee, and there was no one else there. She frowned. That was unusual.
"Where have they all gone?"
"They're fleeing Dester's wrath."
"What do you mean?"
"Dester has already left for Búzios."
Brianna approached him, sat down in front of him and looked at him questioningly.
"Does that mean..."
"You'd better hurry up and pack your suitcase. Today is the day of your freedom."
Brianna wanted, but was unable, to believe those words.
"I..."
"All right, if you don't want to take anything to remind you of your captivity. I can understand that."
Brianna thought for a moment.
"I'll just take one of my suitcases with personal belongings." She said, getting up and running to her room, where she had been for all that time. Months.
She opened the cupboard to get her suitcase and saw the pillow, which she put away. She removed the pillowcase and stuffed it into her suitcase. Then she threw her hairbrush and her belongings on top.
Brianna was satisfied that fate had chosen for her. She would be alone, but she would carry Henry's memories with her forever. And also his scent on that pillowcase.
Brianna left the room and returned to the kitchen with her suitcase. Henry was still standing in the same place, with a vacant look on his face.
"I'm ready."
Henry seemed to come out of a trance.
"Then let's go." He said, and approached, picking up his suitcase and heading out the kitchen door.
There was a car there, and he put the suitcase in the back seat and opened the door for Brianna to get in. She got in quickly, still not believing that this was really happening.
Henry got into the driver's seat and started the car. Brianna observed the same landscape as when she entered the property. Everything was the same, except for the absence of armed men.
The large gate was open and they drove through it. As soon as they found themselves outside the estate, Henry increased his speed considerably, as if the devil himself was behind him.
Brianna was delighted to see the houses. This time, she didn't find them as dirty and miserable as when she first arrived. She learned that nothing is more precious than freedom and the right to come and go, things she had been denied ever since she arrived there.
As soon as they left the small town, the landscape became even more pleasant. They passed several beaches. Brianna took a deep breath.
"What happened?" Henry asked, without taking his eyes off the traffic.
"I haven't visited any beaches in this country. I haven't been anywhere. I've just seen it, like now. This city is beautiful and this country is wonderful, and I'm sorry to have to leave without seeing any of its sights or beaches... But I prefer my freedom." She said sincerely.