Nica, the protagonist of The Tearsmith, cannot get her fairytale ending until she confronts her past. Caterina Ferioli plays Nica.
After Nica loses her parents in a car crash at a young age, she is sent to Sunnycreek Home, an orphanage where emotions and dreams have no place.
The caretaker, Margaret, physically and mentally abuses the children to enforce obedience and respect, with Nica often bearing the brunt of her punishments.
Nica has a habit of befriending animals. She is kind and good, but she is not liked by Margaret. Due to the fear instilled by Margaret, Nica always wears bandages on her fingers.
Due to Nica’s fear of the dark, Margaret frequently locks Nica in the cellar at night as a form of punishment. Like the other children at the orphanage, Nica begins to believe that Margaret has broken her.
Nica’s dream of a happy ending
Despite losing her parents, Nica always hoped for a fairytale ending. In her teens, she is finally adopted by Anna and Norman.
She gets a family and makes friends at school, but she feels like she does not fit in with her friends and family because she is still haunted by her past at the orphanage, which leads to panic attacks.
Additionally, Rigel’s presence prevents Nica from fully enjoying her new life. Although Rigel is adopted with her, Nica does not like him much.
Rigel provokes her at every chance he gets, leading her to think of him as the villain in her fairytale. However, Nica cannot help but still be attracted to him.
Eventually, she realizes that Rigel is not as bad as she thinks he is; he has always loved her and been there for her.
Nica also discovers that she has feelings for him. Nica wants to be with him, but Rigel keeps pushing her away, afraid of ruining her happiness.
Only when he saves her from Lionel does Nica manage to convince him that he only thinks of himself as a villain because he was made to believe that.
Rigel finally agrees to be with Nica. However, Lionel tries to kill Nica and Rigel, resulting in Rigel falling into a coma while trying to save her.
Margaret refuses to let Nica see Rigel in the hospital. This results in Nica, who had been afraid to stand up to Margaret, to testify against her in court.
Recounting her past experiences of abuse is not easy for Nica, especially with Margaret’s lawyer trying to intimidate her.
However, Nica does not back down, now that she has a supportive family. Her testimony impresses everyone.
Nica then takes off her bandages and confesses her love to Rigel, which leads to him waking up. Nica goes on to marry him and have a daughter with him, finally achieving her fairytale ending.
Also Read: The Tearsmith summary and ending explained