One Year Later - Spain
"Maria?"
Allison pushed the kitchen door open just a crack. She hadn't come for breakfast; she had come for the sound-a burst of laughter, sharp and careless, echoing against the hand-painted tiles. A strange sound.
Maria looked up, her face brightening in a way that made the kitchen feel instantly warmer. "Ali! You're awake. You must be hungry, dear. I've made your favorite breakfast."
But Allison wasn't looking at the food. Her eyes were fixed on the girl at the table.
The girl was Allison's age, but that was where the similarities ended. Wild, dark curls framed a face that defied the villa's sterile perfection. Her eyes were sharp, scanning the silver cutlery and heavy drapes with a look of bored curiosity.
They stared at each other in a silence so thick the only sound was the wind humming against the glass.
Maria cleared her throat, shattering the quiet. "Ali, this is my daughter, Anna. She arrived late last night. Say hello, Anna."
Anna stood, her chair scraping loudly against the tile. "Hi. I like the food here. What's your name?"
"Allison," she whispered. "Do you want to come with me?"
Maria stepped between them, her hands raised. "I don't think that's a good idea. Anna, you know better. I'm warning you-don't bring your profanity into this house."
Anna tilted her head, a slow smirk pulling at her lips. "...Mama."
"It's okay, Maria," Allison interrupted. "We'll just be upstairs."
Once inside the bedroom, Anna stopped. Her eyes scanned the silk rugs and gilded mirrors before she flopped back onto the bed to test the springs. Behind them, the deadbolt clicked-a sharp, lonely echo.
"Oh... Cool," Anna said, her smile turning crooked. "Reminds me of our leaking roof back home. Not anymore, of course." She propped herself up on her elbows. "I heard you were lonely. Sad. My mama loves you a lot more than she loves me, you know? She's been gone so long... but I'm used to it."
"You're making me sad, Anna. I'm sure your mother loves you more than me."
Anna chuckled, the sound hollow against the high ceilings. "Hey, it's okay. No hate, just love. I'm here now to be your buddy."
"Buddy?"
"Yeah," Anna grinned, her eyes flashing. "Your bodyguard."
Allison let out a dry laugh. "Makes sense. They've been keeping me locked in here like I'm going to run away."
Anna shrugged. "Sounds like a fairy tale. But I'm different, Allison. The moment I heard about you... I felt bad for you. I'm here with you-not against you."
Allison tilted her head, meeting Anna's eyes with a sudden realization.
"I like that look in your eyes!" Anna said, sitting up. "So... tell me about your boyfriend."
Allison shook her head quickly. "No way. He's not my boyfriend."
"Not from what I heard, you two ran off, built your own little house, sounds like a couple ready to get married."
"What? No! We were just playing."
"A misunderstanding, then," Anna said, drifting toward the window to watch the guards at the gate. "But what do you expect? In a family like yours, 'protection' always comes at a cost."
Allison looked down at her hands. "It's not protection. It's suffocation."
Anna turned back, dangling the bait. "Not unless you make them believe you've moved on. Be the daughter they want you to be."
"How?"
"Make it a game." Anna whispered. "If you treat it like a chore, you'll fail. Treat it like a joke, and they'll believe the lie."
That night, the bedroom became a stage. Under Anna's direction, Allison practiced her smiles and her nods until her jaw ached.
By morning, Allison was ready. As she reached the stairs, her laughter vanished. She smoothed her expression into a mask of perfect, hollow peace and stepped into the spotlight.
The rustle of the morning newspaper stopped as she descended. Lauren held her breath; Alex froze. Allison didn't stomp or sulk. She glided into the room with the casual ease of someone who had finally found contentment.
She slid into her seat. The silence was thick and fragile.
"Good morning, Mom. Dad."
Her parents exchanged a wary, puzzled look. The air in the villa felt charged, as if they were waiting for the "real" Allison to scream. Instead, she offered a small, practiced tilt of her head.
"I'm tired of the kitchen," she said, her voice smooth and light. "Can we eat out today? At my favorite restaurant... with Anna?"