Aaron
I was exhausted when I returned home. I had finally achieved the goal I had been relentlessly pursuing, and soon, I would give Leonel Baumann the long-awaited great-grandchild. Yet, I didn’t feel the happiness I thought I would.
The circumstances were bitter. All day, I had avoided thinking about coming home and the inevitable encounter with Paolla. I knew she would be waiting for me, as she did every night, with a smile on her face that had become almost ritualistic.
When the door opened, there she was, sitting in the living room, scrolling through her latest high-tech smartphone, wearing that rehearsed smile.
“How was your day at work, dear?” she asked, trying to sound casual.
I replied mechanically that it had been a bus
RebeccaWhen the doorbell rang early in the morning, a jolt of nervousness coursed through my body. Aaron. For some reason, I knew it was him. It was an almost instinctive feeling that made me scold myself for being so foolish. Who could predict a visit like this so early? But opening the door and seeing Aaron there, surprise enveloped me. Even though my thoughts were constantly with him, seeing him there, in the flesh, shook me.Aaron was standing in front of me, with an expression that mixed anxiety and determination. He wore a light blue shirt that highlighted his eyes, and his hair was slightly tousled as if he had run his hands through it many times."Aaron? What are you doing here so early?" I asked, uncertain about how to react to his presence. My heart was pounding, and I felt a lump form in my
PietraI spent the entire weekend with Andressa at the hospital, observing every small improvement and feeling a growing sense of relief. Anton, always surprising, made video calls so that Andressa and I could see Isaque. Every time I saw my brother’s carefree smile, I knew he was in good hands, and it gave me a peace of mind I didn’t expect. Anton kept surprising me in the best ways. Andressa, always sharp and cheerful, brought up Anton. She had been watching everything closely and said with a smile: “He really seems to be in love with you, Pietra. Why don’t you give him a chance?”
AntonWhen Pietra stepped back, giving me space to enter, I could see the nervousness written all over her face. She tried to hide it, offering me a seat, but the hesitation in her voice was unmistakable. I gave her a small smile but didn’t sit. There was a tension in the air, a tangible energy between us, and sitting felt wrong. Staying on my feet, and maintaining that closeness, was what I wanted.The way she looked at me, the way her body reacted—trying but failing to maintain the emotional distance she worked so hard to protect—told me everything.I moved closer slowly, careful not to overwhelm her, but unable to resist the pull. My fingers found her hair, twisting a strand gently between them without thinking.When I said I missed her, I meant it. She didn’t reply
PietraAs Anton carried me in his arms, taking me to my room, the reality of what was about to happen hit me with overwhelming force. My mind was racing, torn between reason and desire, but my heart and my body had already made up their minds. I knew this was sheer madness, that tomorrow I might regret everything, but right now, I didn’t want to run away anymore. With every kiss, every touch, something inside me was breaking. I had been building barriers for so long, trying to protect myself from being hurt again, from trusting someone like Anton, who had always gotten everything he wanted. But now, with him so close, so intense, it seemed impossible to keep resisting. As he gently laid me down on the bed, a part of me whispered that this was nothing more than a game to him, a challenge that would soon lose its appeal once he got what he wanted. But another part—a part I was starting to hear more clearly—said there was something more there. The way he looked at me as if I were mor
AaronDays had passed since my last meeting with Rebecca, but it felt as if time had stood still. I couldn’t stop thinking about her. Being near Paolla had become a silent torture, a façade I maintained purely out of obligation. Rebecca consumed my thoughts, dominating my mind in a way that left me restless and agitated, like a caged lion.Keeping it all bottled up was becoming unbearable. I wanted to confide in Eric, my best friend, but something held me back. It wasn’t shame—perhaps it was fear. Fear of admitting aloud that my world was upside down. I, Aaron, always so controlled, was now at the mercy of emotions I couldn’t understand, let alone control.And then there was Paolla. She had been pressuring me more and more to announce her false pregnancy. The excuses were running out, and I knew I couldn’t delay much longer. Our agreement was tacit, an almost silent alliance between us. We both knew what was at stake. The plan we had devised had materialized in the form of the baby Re
PaollaI woke up that Sunday morning wrapped in a wave of happiness that seemed to engulf me. The dinner at the Baumann mansion the previous night had been a success, at least for me. Aaron, on the other hand, was apathetic and listless, but that didn’t bother me in the slightest. I knew he was simply following the plan, and that was all that mattered to me.Our relationship was lukewarm and lifeless, and the lack of an active sex life between us wasn’t a concern anymore. As long as I knew Aaron wasn’t seeing the girl carrying his child, I could sleep peacefully. And thanks to Eric, I was certain of that.It had been a struggle to convince Eric, but he finally relented and hired someone to follow Aaron’s every move. I needed to know every step he took, and the reports I’d received in the past few days were e
AxelLying on the poolside lounger, I felt the sun warming my skin, but my mind was far away, lost in thoughts that had been tormenting me since the night before. I couldn’t stop thinking about Aaron’s expression. It was obvious that my older brother wasn’t happy, even though everyone around him seemed to believe otherwise.Grandpa was simply ecstatic about the idea of a great-grandchild on the way. For the patriarch, this meant the continuation of the lineage and, perhaps, his final mission as the head of the Baumann family. Anton? He was too smitten with Pietra to notice anything wrong with Aaron, blind to everything happening around him. And Anneliese? She was relieved, satisfied that the "dirty work" of providing an heir to the family no longer fell on her shoulders.I, however, was wa
Truth or DareAntonThe empty glass bottle spun again, and this time it landed on Pietra, the most beautiful girl in the entire school, whom I'd been in love with for exactly two years, ever since the first moment my eyes met the brightest, blackest eyes in the world. "Your turn, Pietra!" Priscila said excitedly. "Truth or dare?" Pietra smiled. She always smiles. Her eyes also smile, even when she isn't smiling. "Truth!" Pietra chose. I did not doubt her choice. Pietra would never risk getting a dare because she's always so straight-laced, completely the opposite of me, but that would never be a problem between us. I love her just the way she is. "What are you going to do from now on?" Priscila asked. Some people expressed disappointment, clearly thinking the question was boring. But that question was perfect for me. Pietra is always so reserved about her life outside of school that only this way could I hear from her what her plans are now that we're finishing high school
AxelLying on the poolside lounger, I felt the sun warming my skin, but my mind was far away, lost in thoughts that had been tormenting me since the night before. I couldn’t stop thinking about Aaron’s expression. It was obvious that my older brother wasn’t happy, even though everyone around him seemed to believe otherwise.Grandpa was simply ecstatic about the idea of a great-grandchild on the way. For the patriarch, this meant the continuation of the lineage and, perhaps, his final mission as the head of the Baumann family. Anton? He was too smitten with Pietra to notice anything wrong with Aaron, blind to everything happening around him. And Anneliese? She was relieved, satisfied that the "dirty work" of providing an heir to the family no longer fell on her shoulders.I, however, was wa
PaollaI woke up that Sunday morning wrapped in a wave of happiness that seemed to engulf me. The dinner at the Baumann mansion the previous night had been a success, at least for me. Aaron, on the other hand, was apathetic and listless, but that didn’t bother me in the slightest. I knew he was simply following the plan, and that was all that mattered to me.Our relationship was lukewarm and lifeless, and the lack of an active sex life between us wasn’t a concern anymore. As long as I knew Aaron wasn’t seeing the girl carrying his child, I could sleep peacefully. And thanks to Eric, I was certain of that.It had been a struggle to convince Eric, but he finally relented and hired someone to follow Aaron’s every move. I needed to know every step he took, and the reports I’d received in the past few days were e
AaronDays had passed since my last meeting with Rebecca, but it felt as if time had stood still. I couldn’t stop thinking about her. Being near Paolla had become a silent torture, a façade I maintained purely out of obligation. Rebecca consumed my thoughts, dominating my mind in a way that left me restless and agitated, like a caged lion.Keeping it all bottled up was becoming unbearable. I wanted to confide in Eric, my best friend, but something held me back. It wasn’t shame—perhaps it was fear. Fear of admitting aloud that my world was upside down. I, Aaron, always so controlled, was now at the mercy of emotions I couldn’t understand, let alone control.And then there was Paolla. She had been pressuring me more and more to announce her false pregnancy. The excuses were running out, and I knew I couldn’t delay much longer. Our agreement was tacit, an almost silent alliance between us. We both knew what was at stake. The plan we had devised had materialized in the form of the baby Re
PietraAs Anton carried me in his arms, taking me to my room, the reality of what was about to happen hit me with overwhelming force. My mind was racing, torn between reason and desire, but my heart and my body had already made up their minds. I knew this was sheer madness, that tomorrow I might regret everything, but right now, I didn’t want to run away anymore. With every kiss, every touch, something inside me was breaking. I had been building barriers for so long, trying to protect myself from being hurt again, from trusting someone like Anton, who had always gotten everything he wanted. But now, with him so close, so intense, it seemed impossible to keep resisting. As he gently laid me down on the bed, a part of me whispered that this was nothing more than a game to him, a challenge that would soon lose its appeal once he got what he wanted. But another part—a part I was starting to hear more clearly—said there was something more there. The way he looked at me as if I were mor
AntonWhen Pietra stepped back, giving me space to enter, I could see the nervousness written all over her face. She tried to hide it, offering me a seat, but the hesitation in her voice was unmistakable. I gave her a small smile but didn’t sit. There was a tension in the air, a tangible energy between us, and sitting felt wrong. Staying on my feet, and maintaining that closeness, was what I wanted.The way she looked at me, the way her body reacted—trying but failing to maintain the emotional distance she worked so hard to protect—told me everything.I moved closer slowly, careful not to overwhelm her, but unable to resist the pull. My fingers found her hair, twisting a strand gently between them without thinking.When I said I missed her, I meant it. She didn’t reply
PietraI spent the entire weekend with Andressa at the hospital, observing every small improvement and feeling a growing sense of relief. Anton, always surprising, made video calls so that Andressa and I could see Isaque. Every time I saw my brother’s carefree smile, I knew he was in good hands, and it gave me a peace of mind I didn’t expect. Anton kept surprising me in the best ways. Andressa, always sharp and cheerful, brought up Anton. She had been watching everything closely and said with a smile: “He really seems to be in love with you, Pietra. Why don’t you give him a chance?”
RebeccaWhen the doorbell rang early in the morning, a jolt of nervousness coursed through my body. Aaron. For some reason, I knew it was him. It was an almost instinctive feeling that made me scold myself for being so foolish. Who could predict a visit like this so early? But opening the door and seeing Aaron there, surprise enveloped me. Even though my thoughts were constantly with him, seeing him there, in the flesh, shook me.Aaron was standing in front of me, with an expression that mixed anxiety and determination. He wore a light blue shirt that highlighted his eyes, and his hair was slightly tousled as if he had run his hands through it many times."Aaron? What are you doing here so early?" I asked, uncertain about how to react to his presence. My heart was pounding, and I felt a lump form in my
AaronI was exhausted when I returned home. I had finally achieved the goal I had been relentlessly pursuing, and soon, I would give Leonel Baumann the long-awaited great-grandchild. Yet, I didn’t feel the happiness I thought I would.The circumstances were bitter. All day, I had avoided thinking about coming home and the inevitable encounter with Paolla. I knew she would be waiting for me, as she did every night, with a smile on her face that had become almost ritualistic.When the door opened, there she was, sitting in the living room, scrolling through her latest high-tech smartphone, wearing that rehearsed smile.“How was your day at work, dear?” she asked, trying to sound casual.I replied mechanically that it had been a bus
AaronThe morning at the office followed its usual course as I tried to focus on an important report, but my mind kept wandering to troubling thoughts. The weight of lies and expectations was becoming unbearable.Suddenly, I heard a growing murmur, followed by firm footsteps approaching. I looked up and saw Leonel, my grandfather, standing in the doorway. A wave of tension washed over me. He never personally visited anyone's office; it was always people who went to his office—referred to in the halls as the "emperor's room."“Aaron, we need to talk,” he said, stepping in and closing the door behind him.His voice, though firm, carried a tone of seriousness that heightened my alertness.“Of course, Grandpa. Please, have a se