Episode 5 of "The Mess You Leave Behind" unfolds, its narrative threads weaving through the aftermath of Raquel's harrowing accident. Clutching Viruca's phone like a lifeline, our protagonist gathers her shattered composure and resolutely trudges back to the confines of her school. To her colleagues, she weaves a tale of a simple road mishap, cunningly omitting the specter of a potential stalker. Their concerned voices urge her to take a respite, an offer she gratefully accepts, her path soon intersecting with Mauro's as they embark on a quest for answers at Tere's doorstep.
Tere, a beacon of insight, introduces Raquel to Dario, a tech-savvy genius who delves into the depths of Viruca's digital world. The revelations that unravel are jarring: compromising photos of Iago in a state of undress, messages tinged with blackmail.
Flashbacks transport us to Viruca's turmoil-ridden home, where Iago's presence casts a long shadow. She struggles to expel him, but her resolve falters, ultimately giving in to temptation and sharing an intimate night with the boy. As dawn breaks, Viruca awakens to the harsh reality of her actions, Iago preparing to leave, while a missed call from Tomas goes unnoticed.
In the present, the woods become a canvas for Raquel and Mauro's investigation, leading them to a site where the earth whispers of Viruca's possible fate. The warmth of the water hints at a proximity to the fabled hot spring, adding an eerie layer to their search.
Returning to her classroom, Raquel attempts to shed light on her ordeal, but her words fall on deaf ears, particularly when she invokes the power of literature as her savior. Instead, the children seize upon Iago's cynical jest about pills, unbeknownst to them the truth behind Nerea's surreptitious hand in supplying them to Viruca.
Back at her abode, Raquel's fingers trace the contours of an image on Viruca's phone—a desolate shed, a haunting symbol of their shared past. Memories resurface, vivid snapshots of Viruca and Iago's secret rendezvous, perched precariously over a bridge, the raging waters below a metaphor for the turmoil within. The puzzle pieces of Viruca's life and death begin to align, each discovery a step closer to unraveling the mystery she left behind.
Intriguingly, a retrospective glimpse reveals a poignant coincidence: Raquel and Viruca's mothers, both battling ill health, shared a moment of solace in the hospital's waiting room, each finding comfort in the other's sorrow as they contemplated their respective predicaments. Viruca, determined to unravel the mysteries surrounding her family's financial turmoil and her parents' condition, dials Tomas's number, confronting him head-on. Amidst the tensions, she vows her disengagement from Mauro, yet ultimately finds herself entwined with Tomas in a complex embrace. Attempting a stealthy exit the following dawn, Viruca's efforts to evade Iago's notice prove futile as he rounds the corner, catching her mid-shoe lace-up, her departure thwarted.
In the present narrative, Raquel's detective skills unravel a clue within Viruca's phone—GPS coordinates leading to the serene lake where Viruca spent her final moments before her demise. The tranquil scene transforms into a revelation as Raquel engages in conversation with a local, who fondly recalls Viruca's frequent visits for canoeing excursions, evidence of a cherished pastime.
As the man's attention diverts, Raquel delves into Viruca's bag, hidden beside the canoe, and discovers stacks of notes, their significance a puzzle yet to be solved. Puzzled, she returns home to find her abode transformed into a bustling party scene orchestrated by German, where Iago lurks, his words laced with a thinly veiled threat, warning Raquel to steer clear of his affairs lest she face the consequences.
Navigating through the revelry, Raquel surreptitiously checks Viruca's call log, dialing the last number on the list. Across the crowded room, her gaze locks with German's, his expression betraying a hint of anxiety—a startling realization dawning that he was the one Viruca had been secretly messaging. The stage is set for a deeper unraveling of secrets and truths, as the web of connections and hidden agendas begins to take shape.
