Days turned into weeks, and Alicia's strength came back bit by bit. Her face had fully healed. The pain was almost gone. And now, she stood outside the hospital, ready to leave. Her discharge papers were signed, and they headed straight to the airport. The fresh Miami sun greeted them as they stepped out of the airport hours later.
Captain Smith's black car pulled up in front of a cream-painted house with tall trees lining both sides. It was a huge building that had few people living in it. Alicia stared at the building in silence, her thoughts still on everything that had happened and everything that might come next. There was this level of uncertainty that kicked in.
The housekeeper was already waiting. She carried their bags in as Alicia stood quietly beside Captain Smith. She wasn't saying much these days, just observing, adjusting, and learning how to live in her new skin.
Tim came out from the kitchen, apron tied around his waist and a spoon still in his hand. He had been preparing lunch when he heard them pull up. But the moment he saw Alicia, the spoon nearly fell from his hand.
"Wel… welcome," he stuttered, blinking more than usual.
Captain Smith turned to the maid. "Her room is ready, right?"
"Yes, sir," she nodded.
"Good. She'll be staying with us for now."
Tim kept sneaking glances at Alicia as she followed the housekeeper inside. He tried not to stare, but something about her, something beyond just her beauty, made it hard to look away.
Lunch was quiet. Alicia sat at the table, carefully placing vegetables on her plate, some grains, and a few chicken wings. She chewed slowly, her mind somewhere else, she needed to eat to stay alive, as her appetite had long gone. Tim couldn't keep his eyes off her. He didn't know what it was, her calmness, the way she eats, her face, or her captivating face, or how she carried herself like someone who had lived through too much and survived anyway.
Captain Smith didn't say much either. The rest of the lunch was peaceful. She didn't eat much, even though the food tasted nice.
Later in the afternoon, Alicia walked around the garden behind the house. The breeze brushed against her skin softly. Everything felt new, every scent, every sound, even the way her body moved. She found herself wondering what Maya was doing at that exact moment. Was she still asking about her? Did she still remember her voice, her hugs, her bedtime stories?
*********
Amaya stood at Alicia's grave. She wore a black dress and dark sunglasses that covered most of her face. But anyone who looked close enough would see her lips making some movement..
She knelt by the stone, running her fingers over Alicia's name, like doing that would bring her back to life.
"I'm here again," she whispered.
Her voice shook. "Things have gotten worse. Becky… your sister… and Lucas, of all people. I saw the pictures, Alicia. I saw everything."
A tear slipped down her cheek.
"I don't know if you're watching or resting or somewhere peaceful, but if you are… please. Scatter that wedding, shake something. Because Lucas doesn't deserve to smile right now, and not even for years to come."
She gave a small, tearful laugh. "I know it sounds crazy, asking a dead woman for help. But I just needed to talk to you. I miss you so much."
She placed a single white flower on the grave and stood, wiping her face. Then she slowly walked away, using her palm to wipe off the tears that were beginning to come out faster than expected..
**************************
Later that evening, Captain Smith called Alicia into his study. The room smelled faintly of old books and paper. Maps were pinned on one side of the wall, and a globe sat on the table beside an old compass.
"Sit," he said, pointing to the armchair.
She obeyed, folding her hands on her lap, an old habit she still has with her.
"I've been a sailor for thirty-two years," he started. "My parents wanted me to be a doctor. A nice and more professional job. But I would've been miserable."
Alicia listened; her head moved slightly.
"Do you know why I helped you?" he asked.
She shook her head. "No."
"It was more guilt than kindness," he said. "You reminded me of my wife."
Alicia blinked, but she didn't interrupt.
"I met her by chance. Love at first sight, if there's such a thing. Everything was perfect, except for one thing. I didn't want children, never did. My work was my world. I thought it was enough."
He stood and walked slowly toward the window and opened it for the sun to have a feast on the books on the shelf..
"But Sonia wanted a family. We tried for years. Nothing. We were both healthy still, nothing came."
His voice dropped.
"Then, after thirteen years, she got pregnant. She was over the moon. I tried to be supportive, even though I wasn't excited; kids don't excite me. My job still came first."
He paused for a long time.
"One day, I was scheduled to go offshore. She begged me not to go, said she felt strange. I thought it was one of her tricks to keep me home. I left."
He swallowed hard.
"When I returned, they told me she had collapsed in our room. There was no one around. The maids were off duty. By the time they found her, it was too late."
He looked at Alicia, and for the first time, his eyes looked heavier, like he was about to cry, but he didn't.
"I've carried that regret for years."
She stood slowly and walked over to him. She wasn't good at comforting people. She hardly ever had anyone comfort her. But this moment was different.
She reached out and gave him a soft, gentle hug.
They stood like that for a second.
"I lost my family too," she said quietly. "Years ago, since then, I've been alone. I went on that boat cruise to clear my head… I was tired. I didn't want to live anymore."
He looked at her, surprised.
"It was a suicide trip," she added, voice steady. "In a way."
Silence followed.
"But I survived. And now, I want to live. Not just survive. I have a degree in business management. I know I can do more. I don't want to be pitiful again. I want to be powerful."
Captain Smith studied her for a moment. Then he smiled.
"I don't know why, but I feel like my wife gave me a second chance through you. Maybe she's watching. And this is her way of fixing things."
He walked back to his desk and pulled open a drawer.
"Apart from being a sailor, I own a lot of businesses. More than I can count. Tim's a great cook, he is a fantastic chef, has his restaurants, but he doesn't want anything to do with the rest. He's not interested."
He leaned over and looked her straight in the eye.
"What's your name?"
Alicia opened her mouth, about to say the name she's carried all her life. But something stopped her.
"Daniella," she said instead.
He nodded slowly.
"Daniella," he repeated. "I will make you powerful."