LizandraEven though inside I am devastated by what I just discovered about Heitor, I could never let other people be affected by my mistakes. The only one to blame for the current situation is myself, for accepting Luciano's offer when I could have tried to find another way out of the situation when my aunt kicked me out of her house.A little late for regrets, but it's always good to remember where our wrong choices led us, like now."You can't do this!" I protested."I can forget everything I heard here if you also forget anything that happened when you were in my apartment..."He's blackmailing me, but I don't care. Better to leave everything as it is. I just want distance from that pervert."I won't report you, but you can't involve Heloísa and Heitor in this story either," I tried to negotiate sensibly. "Let's forget everything that happened.""You're not foolish, after all," Luciano said, looking at everyone in the room before going to the door and leaving without saying anythi
HeitorI saw the exact moment Lizandra left the party and figured she must have endured it for a long time, considering everything that happened that night. I sighed resignedly and took another sip of my drink.The day had started wonderfully, but the party turned disastrous, all because of lies and omissions from all parties involved. Once again, I confirmed that I'm right not to believe in love and that all relationships are based on interests, be they financial or not. There's always something one wants in exchange for the so-called love.It wasn't even midnight when the last guests left, and once again, I admired Grandpa's stamina. Despite having less than half his age, I felt extremely tired. When Grandpa announced that he would retire for the night, I readily accepted the task of accompanying the cleaning crews to finish their work before having the possibility to conclude that tumultuous day on my own."Do you not think you've had enough to drink, Heitor?"I silently agreed wit
LizandraAfter a long sleepless night, when morning came, I felt ready for anything. I re-evaluated everything that happened in my life, not just what happened in the last few months, but my life as a whole, and I came to the conclusion that love was not meant for me.My mother abandoned me, my aunt never treated me with love, and my first and last boyfriend cheated on me with my cousin, whom I always considered a sister. Still, I insisted on believing that a man like Heitor Alves de Bragança could fall in love with me, a simple girl, with no social skills, no money, no family. How foolish I was.The conversation with Heloísa had been important to me. I realized that even she, a beautiful, intelligent, and extremely rich woman, can be disappointed in love, and
HeitorIt was challenging to focus on work when my greatest desire was to talk to Lizandra and clarify things between us. She couldn't just leave me without even a conversation. Without giving me the chance to express my point of view and show that things weren't exactly as Heloísa said. But three days had passed since she had been completely avoiding me, and it was making me nervous.I couldn't bear another day with this uncertainty, unable to work properly, constantly thinking of a way to convince Lizandra to give me a second chance. We both need to talk, and it can't be postponed any longer.I checked the time on the computer and saw that it wasn't the end of the workday yet."Ah, I'm the boss here... I ca
LizandraI threw my bag onto the bed with more force than necessary and went straight to the bathroom. I turned on the sink, washed my face, and looked at myself in the mirror. I had dark circles under my eyes, and it didn't take a psychic to notice that I was extremely tired as well.I spent the last few days searching for a job, but I couldn't find anything. I tried in shops, cafes, and any place where there might be a vacancy. But my search didn't end when I got home. After showering and having something to eat, I sat in front of the computer and searched for available positions on the internet, but I still didn't get any responses. According to the various people I talked to, it wouldn't be easy to find a job since I don't have qualifications or experience.I couldn't rely on my experience at my aunt's inn because it would be a huge risk. There's always the chance that the employer might try to contact Aunt Lucrécia, and she could claim not to know me or even harm me by speaking i
HeitorI looked at the closed door and the shadow moving underneath it, trying to restrain myself from ruining everything. Any word could end all my chances of getting back together with Lisandra, and I don't want that to happen. I want her."We need this conversation, Liz," I tried to argue sensibly.I had waited all night for Lisandra to join us. First, I waited for her in the dining room, but she didn't show up. Then, I joined Grandpa, Jaime, and Cristina in the TV room. I watched a reality show with them! But Lisandra didn't show up there either, frustrating my plans to try to convince her to clarify things between us.It was well past midnight when I managed to convince the guys to turn in, and I tried to do the same. Of course, I couldn't fall asleep. My bed felt like it had thorns, and I spent the night tossing and turning until I gave up on sleeping and decided to try talking to Lizandra. Perhaps, if I insisted enough, she might agree to talk to me. I realized I was right to t
CatarinaThings have been getting more complicated every day since Heloísa overheard my conversation with Heitor and found out about my relationship with Bernardo. It's too much to handle at once, and I feel totally confused and torn between what I want and what is right.My parents still didn't know the whole story, but surely this wouldn't last forever, I know that. Mr. Vicente hadn't visited them yet, but it's just a matter of time until he does, and it will be at that moment that the whole story will be revealed, and I could never handle the disappointment they will feel. And it's not just the chance of Mr. Vicente exposing everything. I also have to deal with the fact that Heloísa knows everything and is very upset with me.That's why I decided to talk to Heitor again.
HeitorWhen I turned my back on Catarina and entered my office, my only intention was to grab my briefcase. I needed to leave that office, and the fact that I had a scheduled meeting was quite providential at that moment. Besides not being able to accomplish anything throughout the morning, I was now also very angry with Catarina after realizing, through the monitor of the cameras installed in my office, that she was simply eavesdropping on my conversation with Heloísa.How can she be so vile like that? I took my time leaving the room because I didn't feel capable of acting in a civilized manner, so I let Heloísa leave first. Only when I felt calmer did I join the two, who were already having a heated discussion.With my briefcase in hand, I nearly bumped into Catarina, who
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