Episode 5 of "The Snow Girl" unravels the shroud of secrecy surrounding the kidnappers, confirming Miren's intuition: Iris Molina and her husband, Santiago, are the perpetrators. Our journey rewinds to the fateful day of the parade, where Iris's world shatters upon learning from Ana that motherhood is forever denied to her. Santiago endeavors to soothe her, promising to exhaust every avenue for hope.
Amidst the revelry, their eyes lock onto the Martins' arrival. Iris's gaze inadvertently settles on Amaya, a solitary tear-streaked figure. Instinctively, she reaches out, her fingers intertwining with the child's. Santiago searches frantically for Amaya's parents, while Iris, initially intending to reunite her with her family, finds herself consumed by a primal urge. Something profound stirs within her, and without hesitation, she decides to claim Amaya as her own. Santiago hesitates, sensing the gravity of their actions, but Iris's desperation prevails.
Throwing a yellow coat as a hasty distraction, they slip away, undetected save for a curious glance from Torres, their neighbor, who witnesses the fleeting interaction between Iris and Amaya. As Ana and Alvaro frantically call for their daughter, Iris silences Amaya's cries, her determination to become a mother unwavering.
The couple retreats to their secluded abode nestled in the rural fringes of Malaga, where Santiago's conscience still whispers of the right thing to do—return Amaya. Yet, Iris's heart is set on forging a family bond, deaf to Santiago's pleas not to tear Amaya from her mother's embrace. He relents, and Iris finds herself a mother, albeit not in the way Amaya envisions.
The initial days are fraught with resistance as Amaya rejects Iris's every overture, yearning solely for her mother's arms. When Raul, the bank's relationship manager, arrives to inform Santiago of his mortgage arrears, Iris clutches Amaya tightly, her sobs muffled against her chest. Raul, oblivious to the undercurrents, dismisses the scene and departs.
Santiago endeavors to make Amaya's new surroundings as welcoming as possible, but the child remains inconsolable, her anxiety spiking when glimpses of her mother flash across the television screen. The tears flow freely once more, painting a poignant picture of a heart torn between two worlds.
Iris struggled valiantly, yet failed to penetrate Amaya's guarded walls. Santiago, with a gentle touch, counseled her to ease off, mindful of the confinement they had inadvertently imposed upon Amaya, isolating her from the world beyond. Iris, faced with a moral crossroads, chose the lesser evil, and as time unfolded, Amaya gracefully adapted to her new domicile and her assumed persona, Julia.
Santiago watched the situation unfold with a watchful eye, yet found solace in Iris' rejuvenated happiness. Dreams of revisiting France, where their love story began, lingered, yet Santiago's financial resources had been depleted. Iris' heart swelled with tenderness upon witnessing Miren's interview with Ana, prompting her to dispatch the first recording, a decision Santiago reluctantly acquiesced to, despite his disapproval. He dutifully carried out her wishes, posting the recording with a heavy heart.
Amaya, yearning to glimpse the vastness beyond her confined walls, met with resistance from Iris, who feared the world's ills lurking in the shadows. On the cusp of Amaya's twelfth birthday, the family's tranquility was shattered by Raul's arrival. Iris, panicked by his presence, swiftly ushered Amaya indoors, their hasty movements not escaping Raul's notice. Despite this, Santiago extended a courteous invitation, mirroring their previous encounter. However, as Raul departed, Iris, consumed by fear that he would expose them, took a fateful step, ending his life with a single shot.
The aftermath left Santiago reeling, consumed by guilt and sorrow. The police investigation, though deftly navigated by Raul, left an indelible mark.
Years later, in 2019, Iris, faced with the looming threat of eviction, resolved to send another video to Ana. Her erratic behavior elicited concern from Amaya, who questioned Santiago if Iris had lost her mind, only to be reassured and tasked with caring for her.
Santiago, weighed down by the weight of his actions, found himself torn between confession and silence, ultimately choosing the former. But fate had other plans, as a speeding car struck him down, ending his life abruptly. Iris, shattered, found solace in Amaya's tender care.
Santiago's life insurance became their salvation, safeguarding their home and restoring a semblance of joy to Iris' life. She vowed to Amaya that they would remain together forever, their bond unbreakable. As a final gesture, Iris dispatched the second recording, a poignant farewell to Amaya's parents, while nestled in bed beside her, promising never to abandon her.
