In the tranquil atmosphere of the kitchen, Helena and Regina were busy organizing some things when Isabel, Helena's eldest daughter, burst into the room, bringing with her unexpected news.“Hi, Mom!” greeted Isabel, going straight to hug Helena. “Dad just arrived,” she announced, her voice laden with surprise.Helena looked up at Isabel, surprised by the news.“Are you sure?” she asked, seeking confirmation.Isabel nodded.“Yes, I am,” she confirmed, with conviction.At that moment, the kitchen door swung open again, revealing the figure of Bruno. His eyes met Isabel's, and a smile formed on his lips.“Oh, came to announce my arrival already, huh?” he joked, approaching to hug his daughter.Isabel reciprocated Bruno's embrace affectionately.“Of course, Dad,” she replied, tenderly.Regina, observing the scene with a disdainful expression, wasted no time in questioning Bruno's presence in the house.“What are you doing here?” she asked, her voice filled with suspicion.Bruno directed h
Helena stepped into the house, still reeling from the confusion that ensued after Bruno's unexpected kiss on the veranda. Her heart throbbed with uncertainty as she tried to process the meaning of that contradictory gesture amidst the divorce request.Before she could calm herself, Marcelo's voice echoed in the living room, causing her to turn in his direction. He seemed surprised to see her there, and Helena struggled to maintain a serene expression.“I thought I heard Bruno's voice,” Marcelo commented, approaching.Helena took a deep breath, trying to organize her thoughts in the presence of her brother.“Bruno came to pick up the kids to spend the weekend with him on the farm,” she explained, her voice sounding a bit firmer than she actually felt.Marcelo nodded, seeming relieved to hear that.“It's good that he's at least spending time with the kids,” he observed, his expression thoughtful.Helena agreed, although her mind was still occupied with unanswered questions about Bruno's
Helena remained in the living room, still stunned by Bruno's revelation of canceling her credit card. Her thoughts were chaotic as she held the living room phone, her fingers white from gripping the device. Marcelo, her brother, stood beside her, watching her with concern.“Are you sure about this, Helena?” Marcelo questioned, his expression mirroring the confusion he felt.Helena nodded slowly, not taking her eyes off the phone.“Yes, Marcelo. The attendant confirmed that Bruno canceled my card,” she replied, her voice laden with disbelief.Before they could continue, Regina, Helena's mother, entered the room, noticing the tense atmosphere.“What's going on here?” Regina asked, frowning as she sensed the heavy atmosphere.Marcelo turned to Regina and briefly explained the situation.“Helen just found out that Bruno canceled her credit card,” he said, with a look of consternation.Helena shot a serious look at Marcelo, silently pleading for him not to say more.“Please, Marcelo, don't
The weekend sun shone over the farm in Poconé, painting the scenery with golden hues as Bruno and his children enjoyed precious time together. Isabel, Antônio, Emanoel, and Dante ran along the riverbank that meandered through the property, their laughter and shouts echoing through the tranquil landscape.Bruno watched his children with a mix of joy and melancholy. That weekend had been wonderful, but behind the facade of fun, his mind couldn't help but think of Helena. The upcoming week would bring crucial decisions, marking the end of his marriage and altering the course of their lives forever.As the little ones played in the water, Bruno let his mind wander to happier memories. He found himself back on his honeymoon with Helena, on the tranquil waters of Paraty, where time seemed to stand still, and the world was just theirs.Suddenly, a thunderous sound broke the serene air. A gunshot echoed through the valley, causing Bruno to abruptly rise from the riverbank. His heart raced as
The sun rose over the farm in Poconé as Bruno and his children prepared to return to Cuiabá after their weekend together. The atmosphere was serene, but there was an underlying tension, especially after the encounter with Graciliano by the riverbank.Isabel, Antônio, and Emanoel helped pack the car while Bruno finalized the preparations for the journey back. The air was filled with a mixture of anticipation and concern as they prepared to leave the farm behind.As they drove back to Cuiabá, Bruno glanced at his children in the back seat, feeling the weight of the conversation he needed to have with them. He knew he couldn't let Helena know about the incident with Graciliano; it would only worry her more and could harm his relationship with the children.“Kids,” Bruno began, his voice sounding calm yet firm.“I have a favor to ask of you.”Isabel turned in her seat, her eyes filled with curiosity.“What favor, Daddy?” she asked, eager to know what it was about.Bruno took a deep breath
Helena finally arrived home after the consultation with the lawyer. Her steps were heavy, laden with the weight of decisions she needed to make as she crossed the threshold of the door and entered the living room.There, she found her mother Regina and her brother Marcelo engrossed on the television, a welcome distraction amidst the turmoil she was facing. Regina looked up as Helena entered, her face expressing concern.“How was it with the lawyer?” she asked, her voice filled with anticipation.Helena sank onto the couch with a tired sigh. “It was... fine,” she replied, running a hand through her tangled hair. “I hired him to represent us in the hearing.”Regina nodded, a glint of determination in her eyes.“I hope he's competent enough to ensure that your ex-husband pays for what he did,” she said, her voice tinged with resentment.Helena looked at her mother, concern reflected in her eyes.“I just want all of this to be over soon,” she confessed, her voice choked with emotion. “I w
Helena felt a knot form in her stomach as she left the children in the room and returned to the living room, where Marcelo and Regina awaited her with worried expressions. She tried to smile to reassure them, but the pallor of her face betrayed her true agitation. Regina wasted no time in questioning her.“What happened, Helena?” she asked, her voice laden with concern. “Are you okay?”Helena took a deep breath, trying to remain calm under the growing pressure. “It was just a fainting spell,” she replied, forcing a smile. “I'll grab something to eat in the kitchen, maybe it'll help.”As she walked away toward the kitchen, Helena felt Marcelo's eyes on her. He followed her quietly, knowing that something else was bothering his sister.“You're terrible at lying, Helena,” Marcelo said when they were alone in the kitchen, his voice serious.Helena filled a glass with water, trying to ignore Marcelo's accusation. “Why do you say that?” she replied, avoiding his gaze.Marcelo approached, hi
Upon hearing this, Bruno was visibly surprised. His eyes widened, and his expression reflected disbelief. He turned to Helena, seeking confirmation.“ São Paulo?” he murmured, unable to conceal his surprise.Helena nodded, maintaining a steady gaze.“Yes, Bruno. It's the best for me and the children,” she replied, her voice firm and resolute.Bruno, visibly bewildered, poured out his words urgently.“Helena, why didn't you mention anything about moving with the children to São Paulo?” he questioned, his voice laden with perplexity and hurt.Helena met Bruno's gaze and responded calmly, though her voice carried a slight tone of hurt.“Just as you also failed to inform me about several things,” she retorted, her determination evident in her words.She had no intention of engaging in a confrontation at that moment, but she was determined to assert her position.The judge, observing the exchange between the former couple, decided to intervene. He turned his attention to Bruno's lawyer, se
The scorching noon sun beat against Helena's car windshield as she drove along the winding roads of Poconé towards the family farm. Every mile traveled felt like an echo of the burden she carried in her heart, a mixture of longing and melancholy that only intensified with the proximity of the place she had avoided since Bruno's departure. Helena took a deep breath as she observed the vastness of the landscape around the farm. Poconé's blazing sun reflected off the dirt roads, creating a golden atmosphere over the rural scenery. Every piece of that place evoked deep memories, some comforting, others painful. As she parked the car in front of the farmhouse, a bittersweet sensation enveloped her. This was the last thing Helena wanted to do after Bruno's loss, but Dante's summons had made it clear that there was something important to face there. Exiting the car, Helena felt a lump forming in her throat. It was as if Bruno's presence were imprinted in that place, every corner, every sh
The years had left their marks on Bruno and Helena's lives, but they had also strengthened them. On that quiet afternoon, the serenity of the backyard of their home in the upscale neighborhood of São Paulo was interrupted only by the gentle sound of chess pieces moving across the board. Portraits adorned the walls, telling the story of the family that resided there. Dante, Bruno's eldest son, smiled alongside his wife Maria and little Nilton, the grandson who filled the house with joy and laughter. Isabel, the couple's daughter, was represented beside Caleb, her husband, still childless but radiant as ever. Antônio, one of Helena's twins, proudly displayed his family, alongside Melissa and their two daughters, Sofia and Lena, whose laughter echoed through the memories of that house. Meanwhile, Emanoel, the tireless traveler, had his portraits scattered throughout the world's most remote places, testimonies of his adventures as a backpacker. At the center of it all, framed in a promi
Isabel, Antônio, and Emanoel were gathered in a corner of Ibirapuera Park, where they had improvised a small altar for their parents' wedding, Bruno and Helena. They were all anxious, waiting for their parents to appear after the conversation they were having somewhere in the park. Antônio looked at Isabel with a concerned expression. “Are you sure this plan is going to work?” he asked, his voice filled with uncertainty. Isabel held her brother's gaze confidently. “Of course it will, Antônio. Trust me,” she replied, determined. “You managed to get Leandro out of the way, didn't you?” Emanoel intervened, adding his support. “Yes, Antônio had a little help from me in that. Leandro should be far away by now, maybe even in Paris at this moment,” he said, trying to calm his brother's concerns. Melissa, Antônio's wife, watched the scene with interest. “Look, here comes Bruno,” she announced, drawing the siblings' attention. The three children turned to see Bruno approaching, his somber
Helena was sitting in the back seat of the black car, sent by her daughter Isabel to take her to her wedding with Leandro at the registry office. However, her surprise was immense when she realized that the driver was none other than her ex-husband, Bruno. A mixture of shock and indignation took hold of her as Bruno drove through the streets of São Paulo. Her heart began to beat faster as she tried to process the situation. What was he doing there? And why on earth was he driving the car? She stared at Bruno seriously, unable to understand what he was up to. “What on earth do you think you're doing here?” she asked, her voice overflowing with disbelief. Bruno briefly turned his face to look at Helena, displaying an enigmatic smile. “I've already said I'm doing something grand,” he replied, with a confident tone. Helena's eyes narrowed with disdain at Bruno's response. She couldn't believe he was actually kidnapping her on the day of her wedding to Leandro. “So, your 'something gr
Helena was standing in front of the mirror in her room, observing herself with a mixture of anxiety and resignation in her gaze. The light blue dress she had chosen for her registry office wedding with Leandro seemed heavier than she had imagined. She smoothed the folds of the flared fabric as she tried to convince herself that she was making the right choice. The door to the room opened gently, and Emanoel entered, wearing an expression of admiration on his face. His eyes, so much like those of his father, Bruno, conveyed a mix of pride and tenderness as he watched his mother. “You look beautiful, Mom,” Emanoel said, his voice laden with sincerity. Helena lifted her gaze to meet her son's eyes, feeling touched by his words. “Thank you, my dear,” she replied, her voice choked with emotion. “It means a lot to me to hear that from you.” Emanoel smiled, his expression radiant. “I'm glad to be a part of this moment with you,” he said, his voice brimming with joy. “And about Paris... i
Helena was lying on her bed, her gaze fixed on the ceiling as a flood of thoughts swirled through her mind. She hadn't been able to sleep all night, consumed by the anguish and sadness that Leandro's news had brought. Selling the apartment and planning a sudden move to Paris, without even consulting Helena, was a betrayal that cut deep. Her feelings were a whirlwind of anger, disappointment, and confusion. How could Leandro do something like this to her, especially on the eve of their wedding? Helena felt lost, unsure of how to deal with this sudden turn in her life. It was then that Isabel, her daughter, entered the room, interrupting her thoughts. Helena tried to force a smile when she saw her, but she knew she couldn't hide her agony so easily. Isabel looked at Helena with evident concern in her eyes, asking if her mother was sick. “Are you sick, Mom?” Isabel asked, her voice filled with concern. Helena looked at Isabel and forced a smile. “No, sweetheart, I'm fine,” she replie
Helena walked through the bustling streets of São Paulo, lost in her thoughts as she searched for the perfect dress for her courthouse wedding. Although it wasn't a traditional ceremony, Helena wanted to find something special to mark the significant moment in her life. However, she was determined to avoid white, a color associated with purity and youth, something she had left behind long ago. After all, at fifty years old, Helena was no longer a young innocent, but a mature woman who knew what she wanted. Entering the tenth store on that busy street, Helena felt a mixture of hope and anxiety. She rummaged through the racks in search of the perfect dress, examining every detail carefully while trying to visualize how she would feel in each model. Finally, she found a light blue, flared, and elegant dress. As she looked at herself in the mirror, Helena imagined wearing that dress at her wedding, feeling confident and beautiful. However, her thoughts were interrupted when a young man
Helena was engrossed in her work, meticulously reviewing the details of an important case from the office, when her children, Emanoel and Isabel, walked through the door, radiating contagious energy. She lifted her eyes from the computer and greeted them with a warm smile, feeling her heart warmed by their presence. “Good to see you both!” exclaimed Helena, rising from her chair and going to meet her children. “I missed you.” Emanoel, with his warm embrace, almost lifted Helena off the ground, expressing his affection exuberantly. “Mom, we missed you yesterday!” he said with a smile. “Especially to finish eating the party food.” Helena laughed, feeling light-hearted with her son's contagious energy. “I wish I could have stayed longer,” she confessed. “But Leandro thought it's best for us to come back early to rest.” “Leandro also mentioned that you would be taking care of the wedding papers today,” she added, her tone filled with anticipation. Helena nodded, a look of agreement
The morning began to sketch its first rays of sunshine over Bruno's farm, enveloping it in a gentle luminosity. In the quiet kitchen, Bruno moved with the familiarity of one who masters the environment, preparing breakfast before his children awakened to face the new day. As Bruno finished brewing the coffee, the soft sound of footsteps approaching caught his attention. In an instant, his daughter Isabel appeared in the kitchen doorway, her presence radiating a youthful and infectious energy. Isabel regarded Bruno with a radiant smile, revealing the joy of seeing him again. “I've been missing the smell of your coffee so much,” she confessed, expressing her appreciation for the morning routine with her father. Bruno returned Isabel's smile, feeling grateful to share that moment with his daughter. He poured a mug of coffee for Isabel, his skilled hands performing the gesture with inherent tenderness. “I've been missing serving coffee to my daughter,” Bruno admitted, his eyes shinin