The Sweetest Oblivion

Elena feels guilty for being insensitive after Nico leaves. To calm down, she turns on the television and convinces one of Nico’s guards to play cards with her. Nico interrupts them, furious at the guard for overstepping his position. He then informs Elena that he punished Ryan, but didn’t kill him. While Nico writes emails, Elena researches vases for the wedding reception. She asks Nico’s opinion and he pulls her into his lap while they examine options together. Elena wants to kiss him.

On the way home, Elena admires Nico’s driving. Feeling aroused, she asks Nico to show her how fast the car goes. She feels exhilarated by the speed and wishes Nico reciprocated her feelings. Back at home, he instructs her to go to her room while he works on his cars.

Elena wakes up to Nico cooking breakfast. Elena worries aloud about attending Nico’s church; she fears his family will be upset that they’re living together before the wedding. He assures her they’re not going to church and she doesn’t have to worry about the Russos. She’s his now and he’ll keep her safe. He tells her to get ready so they can go to a car show.

Elena enjoys the show. She’s especially impressed by Nico’s knowledge of cars. He admits working on cars kept him “out of trouble” when he was a kid (245); Elena catches herself imagining his difficult childhood. Sitting near him for a drink, she realizes how much she cares about him.

On the drive back, Elena and Nico drive through another mafia family’s streets. Elena is scared but Nico insists he’ll protect her.

Elena and Nico stop at Nico’s office. Elena naps while Nico works. When she wakes up, Nico is nowhere around. She then runs into Sebastian Perez, Oscar’s brother. Sebastian reveals that Oscar really liked Elena but that she’s better off without him because Oscar was violent to women. Nico appears, and Sebastian confronts him for killing Oscar. Shocked, Elena demands that Nico explain. He admits he killed Oscar because he wanted Elena.

Elena texts Tony about the marriage contract with Oscar; she’s furious at him for supporting the arrangement given Oscar’s violence. Tony swears he didn’t know.

“Nico”

On the drive home, Nico stews over his encounter with Sebastian. He’s angry Sebastian talked to Elena. He reminds himself that Elena is his now and he can control her. They arrive home and he can’t keep his eyes off her.

“Elena”

Elena retreats to her room. While showering, she considers going to see Nico. She acts on her impulse and knocks on his door.

Nico lets Elena into his room. Without talking, they start undressing and touching each other. Before they have sex however, Nico demands that she remove the plastic ring. She feels guilty, but obliges. Then they engage in oral and unprotected penetrative sex. After they orgasm, Nico demands that Elena say he is the only person who can have sex with her.

Elena lies awake next to Nico thinking about their encounter. She reminds herself she can’t fall in love with him. She sneaks out of bed, puts her plastic ring back on, and leaves.

“Nico”

Nico wakes up feeling angry and hateful about Elena’s ring and the person who gifted it to her. While getting ready, he replays their night together. He runs into Luca, who reminds him Isabel is coming over. Nico doesn’t care if she and Elena meet.

Remembering her night with Nico, Elena feels aroused again. She takes a shower and wonders how Nico feels about what happened. When she gets out, she runs into Isabel. Isabel is shocked by her presence but Elena stands her ground, insulting Isabel.

Alone, Elena realizes that Isabel and Nico have had sex. She gets ready and runs into Luca and Isabel making out in the other room. Furious that Isabel is trying to hurt her, she texts Benito for a ride. She leaves a note for Nico and heads back to her parents.

Celia pressures Elena to eat when she returns to the house. Anxious and irritable, Elena joins Adriana in her room instead. Elena asks her to be her maid of honor, and the two talk about falling in love. Elena shares the real story about what happened six months prior. She was so frustrated with Salvatore and her life that she’d spend all her time staring at the musical carousel on her dresser. Desperate to get away, she went out in search of a real carousel to feel better. This is when she met and became involved with her ex-lover, who worked as a security guard at the mall with the carousel.

Angry voices interrupt their conversation. Downstairs, they find the Russos drawing guns on their family.

Nico and his men came over to find Elena, convinced she was running away and breaking the contract. Salvatore demands that Elena go to her room but Nico demands that she get in his car. Elena isn’t sure what’s right but chooses to go with Nico. Back at home, Nico makes Elena go to her room without letting her explain what happened. She learns through Luca that Isabel trashed her note.

Later, Elena finds Nico in the garage. She explains what happened and apologizes for leaving him. He makes her promise to always carry her phone and never leave the house without telling him. She realizes how safe she feels with him.