Episode 4 of Season 1 of "The Stolen Girl" opens with a poignant flashback, transporting us 11 months before Lucia's tragic abduction. The family, immersed in joy at a bustling arcade, remains oblivious to the malevolent eyes that spy on them from afar. Flash forward to the present, where seven harrowing weeks have passed since Lucia's disappearance, and Elisa finds herself in the hot seat during a radio interview. However, the interview's tone shifts abruptly, turning combative as the interviewer relentlessly probes the online backlash directed at Elisa. The public, influenced by Selma's narrative, has laid the blame for Lucia's kidnapping squarely at Elisa's feet.
Meanwhile, Selma returns to Eyton, seeking out the same lady she previously confided in. This time, however, the lady's demeanor is far from welcoming; she's enraged by Selma's article. Selma, undeterred, assures her of her genuine intent to assist Elisa. The lady then reveals a bombshell: Elisa had visited the commune on the fateful day her father perished.
This revelation casts a suspicious light on Elisa's presence at her father's untimely death, prompting Selma to delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding his fall down the stairs. Her investigation leads her to Marcus Turner, a convicted felon known for reckless driving. Selma attempts to bring this to her editor's attention, but he orders her to cease her inquiry into Elisa's affairs. Defiant, Selma messages Elisa directly, inquiring about her acquaintance with Marcus Turner.
Across the Channel in France, the police uncover Milan's escape vehicle, prompting him to send a cautionary text to Elisa. She swiftly contacts him, inquiring about a passport. He directs her to João, one of his associates. Rebecca, desperate and relentless, coerces João into procuring a passport for Lucia. She hands over half the payment upfront, promising the remainder upon retrieval.
At her home, Sinclair keeps Elisa and Fred abreast of the French police's progress, painting a picture of escalating chaos. As whispers turn into formal complaints, the couple finds themselves reported to the children's welfare services. The mounting pressure culminates in a social worker's unannounced visit to assess George's wellbeing. Fred, sensing the writing on the wall, urges a departure, but Elisa digs her heels in, refusing to budge.
Elisa's resolve hardens further after receiving Selma's message about Marcus. Compelled by curiosity and perhaps a hint of nostalgia, she delves into Marcus's cache of letters addressed to her. Selma's subsequent arrival prompts a wall of silence from Elisa, who accuses her visitor of shattering the fragile remnants of her life left intact after Lucia's abduction. Denying any acquaintance with Marcus, Elisa braces herself for Selma's relentless pursuit, sensing that Selma suspects a deeper connection between her and Marcus.
Flashing back to Elisa's visit to Eyton, accompanied by a mysterious man whom Selma believes to be Marcus, she connects dots between their visit and a fatal road accident that transpired on the same day.
Across the Channel in France, Lucia catches Rebeca concealing something in a clandestine closet compartment. That night, Milan, shadowed by the police, storms into their home, demanding more money from Rebeca. Furious at her deception, he provokes a violent confrontation, which Rebeca resolves in self-defense, leaving Milan lifeless. Josie, an unwitting witness, bears silent testament to the dramatic turn of events.
The morning after, Elisa ventures to visit Marcus in prison, her gratitude flowing as she thanks him for shielding her. She unveils the secret of their son, Georgie, revealing that Marcus's sacrifice was fueled by her pregnancy and their illicit affair. Marcus confesses that the victim's wife visited him, yet he kept Elisa's identity concealed.
Meanwhile, Selma's relentless probing into Marcus Turner's past leads her to the widow of the man he killed – none other than Nicolas. As the puzzle pieces snap into place, Selma realizes Nina's resemblance to the police sketch of Rebeca. Without hesitation, she forwards Nina's photograph to Elisa, who confirms that Nina and Rebeca are one and the same.
Upon receiving Nina's photograph from Selma, Elisa promptly displays it to Fred, revealing the startling truth that Nina is none other than Sarah Banks. During their ensuing discussion about France, Elisa comes to the realization that Nina, the widowed spouse of Nicolas, had fled with their daughter. Driven by urgency, she hurriedly dials her colleagues, desperate to secure a seat on the next flight bound for Toulon.
Meanwhile, back in France, Rebecca finds herself in a harrowing predicament as she disposes of Milan's lifeless body into a well. Lucia, witnessing the grim aftermath and Rebecca's desperate attempts to scrub away the telltale traces of blood, stands in shocked silence. The gravity of her deceit finally sets in for Rebecca, causing her emotional defenses to crumble and tears to stream down her face.
At Elisa's residence, Selma pays her a visit, urging her to alert the authorities to their new lead. However, Elisa pleads with Selma, fearing that involving the police would lead to her own arrest. Selma, moved by Elisa's plea, strikes a deal: she agrees to refrain from contacting the police if Elisa accompanies her to France and confesses everything.
