Gustaph sees the news about bodies found in the warehouse on the outskirts of town, among which Edmond Kily and Charles Fount were identified, but nothing about the journalist. He has hired men to stake out the area around Tadeus' workplace, hospitals, and pharmacies in the hope of finding him. Sure enough, he receives a call reporting a man matching Tadeus' description with Alexander Strauss at a pharmacy.
He watches them closely from across the street and can't help but smile when he recognizes Tadeus. He waits for Alexander to walk away before entering the pharmacy from the other side of the block — Yes, I have the prescription here.
— Please wait a moment — says the pharmacist.
— Excuse me, could you tell me what time it is?
— Gustaph? — Tadeus' eyes fill with tears; they hug, smile, and embrace each other again.
— Sir, here's your medicine — says the woman. Tadeus nods, takes it, and pays before walking out the door onto the next street with Gustaph.
— I'm so glad to see you're okay. I thought you were dead, boy!
— I'm recovering. Dirt got into my lungs and stomach, but I'm fine — Tadeus says with a faint smile. He frowns and presses his lips together, trying to hold back the urge to cry.
— I don't know.
Tadeus lets out a gasp of air that brings a flood of tears and sobs. Gustaph hugs him tightly for several seconds until his breathing has calmed enough to speak a few words — Did Edwin die?
— He's still alive, but I haven't seen him. I had to flee the mansion — he places his left hand on Tadeus' shoulder, moving a little closer — I see you're still with that man.
— I understand you're worried about me, but Alexander has taken care of me — Tadeus looks up — Well, it's better if we go our separate ways. Don't worry my father with news about me; let me remain dead.
— Are you sure about what you've decided? — Gustaph asks, recalling how passionately he'd watched them kiss from across the street.
— I have fewer doubts now than I did before — and then, Tadeus watches him walk away. When he looks back toward the corner by the pharmacy, he sees Alexander standing there with his hands in his frontal pockets.
As they approach the house, Alexander reaches into the inside pocket of his jacket to pull out a cigar, grabs the lighter from the car's glove compartment, and starts smoking while driving — I don't think it's a good idea to smoke with the windows up — Tadeus remarks. At that, the driver rolls down all the car windows.
— I'm an idiot! I'm sorry, I shouldn't be smoking with you in the car.
<><><> April <><><>
Gustaph arrives at the Singer mansion with a couple of bodyguards. Lucille opens the door and immediately informs her boss that the senator is at the mansion, which makes Elena a little uneasy, but she maintains her composure.
The senator is led to the room where Edwin is. Elena feeds him the last spoonful of food and stands to her husband's side so he can see the guest. Gustaph notices that Edwin looks thinner, with a tired look, but with a positive attitude upon seeing him, so he gives him a hug — It's been so long since I've seen you, old friend! She tells me you didn't expect me to be alive.
— Too much blood — Gustaph says as he steps forward to shake his hand.
— There's nothing to worry about anymore. For now, I need you to bring Tadeus to me because I want… — he says, taking a deep breath to endure the pain caused by the effort of speaking just a little longer — I need to talk to him.
— You should ask your wife; I imagine you haven't spoken to her.
— I want to have a serious talk with my son, Gustahp. I don't have the energy for your word games — at that moment he turns to his wife — I thought you were keeping me informed of everything.
— I was — Elena stares at Gustaph as if begging him not to say anything.
— I haven't heard a thing from your eldest son since I've been locked up in this house. Your wife made sure to keep me cut off from the outside world as if I were a hostage.
— I had my suspicions about his involvement in your attempted murder. I just wanted to make sure he wouldn't try to help Tadeus escape — Elena says.
— Why haven't you brought him here since I asked about him, Elena? If Yenedith doesn't know her brother's whereabouts, and it's because you didn't want to overwhelm her with everything that happened. Where are you hiding my son?
— Tell him where's the ditch you threw his son into, Elena.
— What? — Edwin looks incredulous, but his anger is steadily rising.
— I don't know. I just told your men to bury him in a vacant lot. I ordered them not to come back after the job.
— You damn insufferable bitch! — He gets out of bed and starts beating her until he can no longer bear his own physical pain. Gustaph steps in while Edwin keeps yelling, — You're going to kill me! You want me to have a stroke! — Edwin opens a drawer in his nightstand, pulls out a gun, and starts shooting at the ceiling — He better not be dead, you stupid bitch! He better show up!
<><><><><>
Alexander can't stop thinking about that video. Some of the times he remembers Tadeus talking to the senator, he seemed uneasy. What did he mean by letting him stay dead? And what doubts was he referring to? For now, he knows there's someone who can't find out that Tadeus is still alive.
— 'Boy,' and he calls him 'No, sir, yes, sir' as if it were some kind of role-playing game — Alexander takes some from his glass of liquor.
— He's probably just being respectful to his elders — says Claire.
— I heard that Gustaph forbade Tadeus from continuing to treat me as if he were his owner.
— Do you think he still has power over him?
— Why else would he have planted the microphones? It's Pine who's trying to find something to bring me down — Alexander downs his drink and continues — Though, that man can't be working alone. I can't wait to put a bullet in his head. Let that bastard give me just one reason, and I'll shoot him in broad daylight right in the middle of the square.
— You've shot other people for less than that.
— It's too risky.
— The footage just came in where we were able to identify Tadeus at the airport and at a hotel in the capital. He flew back exactly four hours later.
— Dinner is ready, sir — says Robert after knocking on the door.
— Thanks, Robert, I'm coming — he looks back at his phone's camera — Send the photos.
— I took the initiative to investigate deeper, so I'll be there in a week.
— All right — When he leaves his office, Tadeus is already seated at the table with a happier expression.
— I remembered I have a follow-up appointment in a couple of days. After that, I need you to take me to my apartment to pick up a few things — Tadeus says.
— Okay — It bothers him a little that he's so excited to meet that man, but he doesn't want to risk Tadeus' health just because of suspicions.
— How about we go somewhere? We could go on vacation.
— I'm working on a project that will be released to the public soon; I don't think it's a good idea to travel for a while.
— That's great news… I understand — Tadeus nods, forcing a smile as best he can; he looks down to hide the collapse of his expression and continues eating. After dinner, Alexander goes out to the garden to smoke — You're tense. You've been smoking more often these past few weeks.
— And what about you? You won't meet my eyes.
— I miss my sister… I hadn't even seen my grandmother in weeks before the kidnapping.
— You say you don't know the reason, but I can't stop thinking… — He exhales smoke through his nose — Who ordered you to plant microphones in my house, Tadeus?
— What…?
— Don't you dare to lie!
— I don't know.
The constant visits, the trips, and the bodyguard he hired for his sister; it all seems like surveillance tactics — You're fine, you laugh and chatter as usual until one day you see him and start crying in the every morning — Alexander takes a step toward him when he notices the glint in his eyes, but he steps back just as quickly — Talk to me! What did you do for Gustaph trying to kill you?
— That's not what happened.
— But he tried to bury you alive, honey. Why are you still trying to defend him? — The doorbell rings. Tadeus tries to go inside, but Alexander stops him — Did he tell you something about them or threaten you?
Alexander manages to get a little closer — I thought I'd lost you. I should have told you the truth about my life, been honest with you from the start. Then you'd have the confidence to tell me the truth and avoid… — He slides his hand under Tadeus' shirt and caresses his surgical scar.
— Excuse me, sir, you've received a package — says Robert from the living room.
— Thanks, leave it on the table — he looks back at him — There's someone else, isn't there? He can't know you're alive.
— It's just that I shouldn't be with you, — Tadeus says, almost in a whisper, due to the tightness in his throat. When he takes a deep breath, his tears slide down to his chin, where they're absorbed by kisses that travel up to his cheek and give way to an embrace. Those doubts that are fading away are about choosing him. Alexander understood this.
— You have me, too — Alexander mutters in his ear, which breaks through the barrier of tears Tadeus had been holding back — Take a deep breath, come… Sit down.
— I'm going to lie down; I feel tired.
— I'll ask Robert to make you a herbal tea. Please stay awake and wait for me. I'd like us to talk.
Tadeus nods and goes upstairs.