While this is central to the mystery of the novel, Alicia's silence is a complex psychological response to trauma, guilt, and a need for self-preservation, though the true reason is revealed only in the story's shocking conclusion.

No, the novel is entirely fictional, though it draws inspiration from Greek mythology, particularly the story of Alcestis, and incorporates realistic elements of psychotherapy and criminal psychology.

The novel's unique narrative structure, combined with its exploration of psychotherapy and the unreliable narrator technique, creates a sophisticated psychological puzzle that subverts reader expectations and delivers an unprecedented twist ending.