HeitorI left the hospital room with a sense of accomplishment. I did exactly what I needed to do to protect my family from opportunists who only wished to make easy money. I wish I could do the same for my mother and prevent her from falling into the hands of men willing to do anything just to enjoy her money. However, Marla prefers to live away from everyone and do whatever she pleases, even paying men to stay by her side.But I could take care of Grandpa and Heloísa, and I wouldn't let that girl with that angelic face deceive them. They are my responsibility, and they need to accept the truth. Entering that room and coming face to face with the same girl I met in Gostoso confirmed what I had been sensing since the moment my grandfather showed interest in helping a stranger, someone he had just met.Everything became clear to me in that instant. The lonely and sad girl on the beach was nothing more than a ruse to attract the attention of the first passerby. Unfortunately, that someo
HeitorI went down the stairs, mentally preparing myself to face the family breakfast. I could never have imagined that I would face the morning meal this way, all thanks to a stranger who entered our lives just to disrupt the relationship between us.I remembered the previous night and how I left Catarina's apartment upset after telling her about my discovery, and she surprised me by doing the same thing my family had done shortly before."I agree with Heloísa and Father Jaime," Catarina said, leaving me dumbfounded. "You know I believe a lot in destiny, and this seems like his trickery."I stood up immediately, incredulous, with blood boiling in my veins.
LizandraNight fell, bringing fear with it. A lot of fear. However, it couldn't be any different. I'm now in a big city, surrounded by people I don't know who pass by me as if I were invisible, each in their little world, while I have no idea what to do now. There isn't much to do.I had been discharged from the hospital that morning and hurried to leave before Mr. Vicente or even his granddaughter came to visit me and, faced with my situation, tried once again to convince me to accept the help they were offering. Something I couldn't do at all, after all, Mr. Vicente's grandson made it very clear that I shouldn't try to get close to them.Despite his rudeness, I find the way he's trying to protect those he loves entirely understandable. I'm not the person he believes, but H
LizandraAll the nervousness from a sleepless night, hidden among some lush trees in a park, was now taking its toll. I took advantage of the daylight to try to rest a bit and sat on a sidewalk. To avoid drawing attention, I chose a spot with fewer people passing by, only a few parked cars.But sooner than I expected, I felt tears falling into my lap, uncontrollably. I wished not to cry at this moment, but apparently, I'm not that strong. Sleep, hunger, and fatigue brought desperation. It was impossible to contain it now.I cried... I cried and kept crying softly. To think that just a few days ago, I was sitting on the beach crying because of Samuel's betrayal, something that now seems so small compared to everything I've been going through since that day.
LizandraWhen Heloísa said that in the bathroom, I would find everything I needed, she wasn't kidding. The cabinets were full of towels and various hygiene products, all from unknown brands to me. I figured they must be "rich people" products, as the staff and I used to refer to the things of the guests at my aunt's inn.I managed to take off the dress I was wearing with great difficulty, as using only one arm is not easy at all. Taking a shower and putting on a robe wasn't either, but I managed. Now the question remained about what clothes I would wear because the only things I owned, which had already been donated by Heloísa, were also stolen from me.The only option was to stay in the robe, at least until I could wash the clothes I wore when leaving the hosp
LizandraLife in the Bragança house is very different from what I'm used to, especially because whenever I wasn't at school, I was helping Aunt Lucrécia at the inn, in one way or another. In the beginning, it was simpler tasks that didn't require physical effort, which later turned into a heavier cleaning service.As I always worked at the inn, I felt that I was somehow repaying everything Aunt Lucrécia did for me, quite different from the current moment, where I felt uncomfortable just resting while others attended to all my needs.I tried to offer help in some way when I went to the kitchen, but the employees there looked at me with genuine horror and firmly dismissed my offer, leaving me with little choice. I ended up returning to my room.A few minutes later, Heloísa entered the room with a playful smile."I imagine you're bored staying in the room all the time, aren't you?"I figured she already knew about my visit to the kitchen to offer help."I wouldn't say I'm bored," I tried
HeitorAfter three days without going to my own home, because I opposed the "stay" of my family's new guest, I concluded that I couldn't leave my home because of a scammer. The saying that those who are bothered should leave can also apply to the other party. I decided to go back home and bother sweet Lily a lot, not doing what I've done so far, leaving her free to deceive everyone by pretending to be someone she's not. On the contrary, I intend to make her stay at my house as difficult as possible, so that she gives up her sinister plans, leaves, and leaves us in peace. All those resolutions were strongly shaken when I entered the Bragança mansion, and the first person I saw was Lizandra coming down the stairs absentmindedly, unaware of my presence. I could then analyze her freely. She descended the steps slowly, her distraction being some paintings hanging on the wall beside her. And for some crazy reason, I got stuck watching that girl do something as simple as descending a stairc
LizandraI walked hurriedly towards the side balcony of the house, needing air because the atmosphere had become suffocating for me since I encountered Heitor when I was descending the stairs. He affects me in a very inconvenient way; I need to accept that fact. At the same time, I also detest him.I'm weaker than I thought. I couldn't even endure a dinner, even a simple one by the family's standards. How would I bear being on the streets? Crying all day long? Thinking about that comforts me about accepting the Bragança's help because being in that house is much better than being a person on the streets; that's quite clear. So, I need to be less fragile and get better as soon as possible so that I can somehow repay everything they are doing for me and show the insufferable Heitor that I am not a scammer, as he believes I am.
LizandraThe journey to Amsterdam was something magical and special. Besides having the opportunity to be by my mother's side and learn more about her life and stories, which I had been deprived of for many years, I was also with Heitor, experiencing even more glorious days. We had various family outings, but we also had our alone moments, with romantic dinners and nights filled with love and, of course, intimacy. I also got to know Heitor better now that it was just the two of us in a place completely different from what we're used to. I learned a lot about Dutch culture and was surprised by Heitor's knowledge of some of the local customs.Unlike me, Heitor had already taken several international trips and wasn't easily surprised, which, at times, became quite amusing and entertained us.O
LizandraThe return to Rio de Janeiro felt like coming home. Despite spending my entire life in Gostoso, it never felt like a true home to me, unlike the Bragança mansion, which became home in the short time I've been living with them. It's all quite strange, considering it's not a house but a huge luxurious mansion, and the Braganças are very rich. Given my simple life, I shouldn't have adapted so quickly to all of this.But feelings can't be controlled, and despite all the differences among us, I genuinely like them all. Even Heitor had managed to carve a spot in my heart, even after being a jerk for some time. And that became the topic of the first family dinner after returning home."I need to thank all of you for welcoming my Lizandra and providing a home and so much love for h
HeitorThe days in Gostoso had passed quickly, and on Ash Wednesday, we were packed and ready to return to Rio, excited after those wonderful days. At least, that's what I thought until I went to Lizandra's room and realized she was still packing, and she even seemed a bit sad."Everyone is ready. We'll be leaving soon," I commented, offering to help her with the task. "Need help packing your bags?""In fact, I..." Lizandra didn't finish what she intended to say, and I felt my heart tighten. A strange mix of warmth and cold took over my body.Seeing her hesitancy to continue speaking, I quickly remembered the night when I felt she was hiding something from me.
HeitorTo everyone's joy, Lourdes Heeren was discharged from the hospital the next day, but with several medical recommendations to follow. Faced with this condition, Lizandra fully agreed with her stepfather to withhold from Lourdes the news that Lucrécia had been arrested for involvement in an international human trafficking ring, to prevent her from ending up back in the hospital.We decided to stay in Gostoso until after the Carnival holiday so that Lizandra could have more time with her mother and they could take the opportunity to get to know each other better.However, to avoid any contact between Lizandra Juliana, and Samuel, something I suspect must not be easy given the lies that the cousin lived for years, I suggested to Dann Heeren that they stay at the same hotel where
LizandraI looked at the woman lying on the hospital bed, not knowing what to do or say when they left us alone. Despite appearing quite debilitated among the white sheets, she remained extremely beautiful, and her smile added a different sparkle to her face."My dear daughter," Lourdes said, breaking the silence. "I'm so happy you came to see me.""I... I'm sorry," was the most I could say.Despite my awkwardness, Lourdes continued to smile and extended her arms in a silent request for a hug, which I accepted, even though I wasn't prepared for it. However, as I felt my mother's arms around me for the first time in so many years, emotion took over my entire being, and I felt that it would overflow through my eyes, as tears were about to roll down my face.
HeitorThe distance between São Miguel do Gostoso and Natal is only a hundred and fifteen kilometers, but the time we spent getting to the state capital was extremely distressing for Lizandra, and it was noticeable to all of us in the car with her.We left Gostoso at seven in the morning because Lizandra wanted to get to where her mother was as quickly as possible. If it were up to her, she would have done it the night before, as soon as she received the news from Bernardo. However, Dann Heeren informed her that the hospital did not allow visits outside normal hours and that it would be pointless to hit the road at night just to be in Natal.Despite my grandfather's insistence, Heloísa managed to convince him to stay at the hotel with Cristina and Leonardo, while my sister and Berna
LizandraFaced with the veiled threat made by Heitor, Juliana widened her eyes with genuine horror, and at that moment, she broke into compulsive sobbing, pleading with me repeatedly to forgive her. Meanwhile, Samuel hugged her protectively, his gaze also seeming to plead the same from me. It became clear to me at that moment that he truly cared for Juliana, but it didn't bother me, and I concluded that I didn't feel anything for Samuel anymore."Please don't send me to prison, please... please..." Juliana repeated in tears, hands clasped together. "I'm pregnant!"I had no intention of filing any kind of lawsuit against my aunt and Juliana. However, I didn't try to calm her down because she needed to feel at least a little fear to understand how serious what she did was. Now, however, upon hearing her revelation, I felt obligated to soften things."Calm down, Juliana," I said empathetically. "I don't intend to send anyone to prison."Juliana visibly sighed in relief, but her crying to
HeitorWhen Bernardo and Heloísa returned to Grandpa's suite, we all decided to go down for breakfast. It was already past nine in the morning, and there was no point in continuing to talk about Luciano's deceit, now that Lizandra seemed to be calmer."How about a dune buggy ride?" I suggested with enthusiasm. "Since we're here, we might as well enjoy the beauty of the place.""I love the idea!" Heloísa exclaimed."I'm not young enough for these adventures," Grandpa remarked. "I'll wait for my old friends right here at the hotel. But you should enjoy our little vacation.""I have a commitment, so I can't join you either," Bernardo explained. He didn't need to specify who the commitment was with; we all knew it was related to the formalities of the contract with the Heerens. I was pleased that he didn't mention the couple's name, as it's still a delicate topic for Lizandra, precisely when I'm trying to help her forget these issues for a few hours."And you, Lily?" I asked, noticing she
HeloísaWhen Bernardo looked up from his phone and stared at me with an expression of disbelief, I concluded that he still knew nothing about my crush. Catarina didn't tell him, and he found out at this exact moment, precisely when we were together in Grandpa's suite. I was even more surprised when he called me for a conversation, something I have no desire to do at the moment."Can we go to the suite?" Bernardo asked already in the hallway.I didn't want to talk to Bernardo right now, but as I couldn't avoid it, nothing more sensible than doing it in the privacy of my hotel suite, which is right next to Grandpa's room."I had no idea, Heloísa," was the first thing Bernardo said when we entered my suite. "We've always been