UNDERCOVER LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

PART 5 BRETTONIO

Sylvie went to the dressing room to change when she saw Erin there.

Sylvie: Hey, I'm Sylvie.

Erin: Hey, I'm Erin.

Erin saw the bruises on Sylvie's back.

Erin: (concerned) Hey, Sylvie, can we talk to you for a second?

Sylvie: (slightly surprised) Of course, Erin. What's happening?

Erin: (quietly) I couldn't help but notice those bruises on your back. Are you okay? What happened?

Sylvie: (hesitates, then gives a forced smile) Oh, you? Don't worry about it, Erin. These are just some old leads from cases I worked on when I was undercover.

Erin: (skeptically) Really? They seem pretty recent to me. Are you sure everything is fine?

Sylvie: (pauses, then sighs) Okay, okay. You caught me. They are not from old cases. It's just... things got a little tight during the surgery. But that's part of the business, you know how it is.

Erin: (concerned) Sylvie, you don't have to lie to me. I've known you for a while and I can tell something isn't right. Are you sure there is nothing else going on?

Sylvie: (avoiding eye contact) Erin, really, it's no big deal. Just a rough patch between the case. Let's leave it at that, okay?

Erin: (gently) Sylvie, I'm your friend and I care about you. If something is going on, you can talk to me. You don't have to hide it.

Sylvie: (struggling, her voice shaking) Erin, you're right. Something is happening. But... it's not what you think.

Erin: (gentle tone) Whatever it is, Sylvie, you can trust me. I won't judge you.

Sylvie: (takes a deep breath) It's... it's Jake. My husband. He was... he hurt me. These bruises are not from my job. He was... he was beating me.

Erin: (shocked and saddened) Sylvie, I'm so sorry you're going through this. No one should have to put up with this. Have you talked to anyone about this?

Sylvie: (with teary eyes) No, I didn't. I tried to solve it myself but it just keeps getting worse. I feel trapped, Erin.

Erin: (firmly) Sylvie, you don't have to go through this alone. You deserve better. We'll get you some help, okay? We will find a way to make things right.

Sylvie: (voice breaking) I'm scared, Erin. What if he finds out I told someone? What if things get worse?

Erin: (sympathetically) We'll make sure you're safe, Sylvie. We will talk to someone who knows how to handle such situations. You are no longer alone in this.

Sylvie: (whispering) Thank you, Erin. I've carried this weight for so long... I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't noticed.

Erin: (kindly) You're strong, Sylvie. You have encountered dangerous situations at work and you will also face this one. We're in this together, okay?

Sylvie: (sniffs) Yes, together.

Erin: (firmly) First, first we're going to make sure you're safe and that this stops. Let's go talk to someone who can help now.

Sylvie: (nods) Okay, Erin. Let's do this.

Erin: (placing a comforting hand on Sylvie's shoulder) You're not alone anymore, Sylvie. We will get through this.

Sylvie: Let's leave it at that. We must prepare for the departure of the captured criminals.