The safe house was a small, nondescript cottage tucked away in a quiet corner of the city. Inside, the atmosphere was tense. Rick is still trying to talk to Mia, who insists she wants to be left alone in one of the rooms. The baby, having finally been fed and soothed, lay sleeping on a couch nearby. Carol could hear what was going on, but she didn't interfere.

Rick, unable to bear the silence any longer, took a deep breath and faced Mia, his voice tentative. "Mia, we need to talk."

Mia stood ...