Helena found herself in a café near the courthouse, enjoying a moment of relaxation with her friend Lucia. As they sipped their coffee, Helena observed Lucia, a figure who represented everything she could have been if she hadn't followed her heart and gone after Bruno. Lucia was impeccably dressed, wearing designer clothes and exuding an aura of power that Helena couldn't help but secretly envy.Lucia observed Helena with a playful expression, teasing her with her words.“If you keep looking at me like that, I might start to think you find me attractive,” she joked, eliciting a smile from Helena.Helena responded lightly, not letting herself be affected by Lucia's teasing.“Actually, I'm just happy to see you doing so well,” she confessed, appreciating the relaxed moment.Lucia returned Helena's smile, acknowledging the sincerity in her words.“You look amazing too, you know?” she complimented, showing her appreciation for her friend.Helena appreciated Lucia's gesture, but couldn't h
Carlos Madeira's office, a renowned private investigator, was a space where secrets were revealed and mysteries unraveled. On that day, Carlos was immersed in yet another report from one of his cases when the door of his office was abruptly pushed open by Bruno Matos, who tried to dodge the attempts of Carlos's secretary to stop him.Carlos looked up from the document on his desk, surprised by Bruno's sudden entrance.“What's going on here?” he inquired, casting a bewildered look at the secretary and Bruno.The secretary exchanged a worried glance with Carlos before responding.“Mr. Matos didn't want to wait, sir,” she explained, indicating Bruno's impulsive behavior.Bruno, with a frustrated look on his face, tossed a dossier onto Carlos's desk, expressing his irritation.“Once again, your investigation has led nowhere,” he accused, his voice laden with disappointment.Carlos briefly pondered the situation before giving an order to his secretary.“Please, wait outside,” he instructed
“What are you doing here?” Regina questioned, her voice sharp with suspicion.Bruno stared at Regina, his expression showing no signs of weakness.“I came to visit my children, as agreed upon in the divorce proceedings.”Regina pressed her lips together, clearly displeased with the surprise.“You should have given advance notice. That's not how things work.”Bruno crossed his arms over his chest, defending his position.“No specific visitation day was determined in the proceedings. Besides, I live in another state.”Regina huffed, clearly unsatisfied with the explanation.“Even so, that's not proper etiquette,” she retorted.Helena intervened, her voice firm as she addressed the two.“At least he came to see the children, even after months,” she said, shooting a disapproving look at Bruno.Bruno looked at Helena, his eyes meeting hers in a brief moment of understanding.“I had my reasons,” he murmured, his voice softening slightly.Helena looked away, refusing to engage in a deeper ar
Ibirapuera Park seemed tranquil and serene, contrasting with the palpable tension between Helena and Bruno as they sat side by side on a bench. The setting sun on the horizon created a golden aura around them, but the conversation that ensued was far from warm. Helena closed her notebook with a sigh, looking directly at Bruno.“I'm all ears,” she replied, her expression serious.Bruno met Helena's eyes, trying to convey sincerity.“I know I've been absent for all these months, but I'd like to maintain a visitation schedule with the kids. At least once every 15 days, with the weekend for me,” he explained, hoping Helena would consider his proposal.Helena fixed her gaze on Bruno, pondering his words.“The kids won't be traveling with you to Mato Grosso, if that's what you're suggesting,” she said firmly, showing her determination to protect her children.“I know you wouldn't allow that,” Bruno nodded, waiting for Helena's reaction, “but I'd like to know if I could at least travel with
The apartment was imbued with the scent of newness and possibility. Helena was in the living room, watching as the boxes were unloaded by her children, Isabel, Antônio, and Emanoel, as they excitedly organized their new rooms. It was a moment of transition, full of promises and challenges.As Helena familiarized herself with the space, Lucia approached with two glasses of champagne, a warm smile lighting up her face. She handed a glass to Helena before taking a sip of her own.“To new beginnings,” Lucia proposed, raising her glass in a silent toast.Helena smiled, lightly touching her glass to Lucia's.“To new beginnings,” she echoed, feeling a comforting warmth spread through her chest.Lucia watched Helena for a moment before beginning to speak, her curiosity evident in her expression.“So, did Bruno really ask you to move in with him?” she inquired, seeking to better understand the situation.Helena nodded, her eyes reflecting a mixture of resignation and uncertainty.“Yes, he did,
Bruno stood there, in front of Helena's apartment door, a sense of nervousness coursing through his body, as it always did when he rang her doorbell. Years had passed since the divorce, but the anxiety persisted, even though he knew she rarely answered or even showed up when he came to pick up the kids. However, to his surprise, this time the door opened, and there was Helena.Her short blond hair danced lightly around her face, an elegant dress accentuated her curves and thighs, while a pair of high heels highlighted her confident posture. Despite the years that had passed, Helena seemed even more radiant, with a welcoming smile on her lips. Bruno's eyes met hers, and for a moment, he found himself lost in that familiar expression that always captivated him.“Hi,” he murmured, struggling to maintain his composure.“Hi, Bruno. Come in, please,” she invited him, with a warm voice. “Isabel is still getting ready.”B
The sound of the cover band filled the atmosphere with the bar, creating a vibrant and relaxed ambiance. Helena was seated next to Lucia, enjoying her Friday night to unwind and have some fun. The colorful lights danced to the rhythm of the music, while the buzz of conversations filled the air.Lucia looked at Helena with a mischievous smile. “You should go talk to him,” she said, leaning forward. “After all, he sent those drinks to you.”Helena was slightly taken aback by Lucia's suggestion. She hesitated for a moment before responding. “I don't know,” she murmured, glancing at the drinks in front of her.Lucia nudged her gently, encouraging Helena. “Go on, Helena,” she urged. “You've got nothing to lose.”Helena pondered for a moment, feeling a mix of conflicting emotions within her. On one hand, she was curious to see Leandro again, but on the other, she was nervous about revisiting the past.
Helena was in the hallway. Her heart skipped a beat, and her stomach twisted in a mixture of surprise and anxiety. It was as if time had stopped for a moment as she watched Bruno standing there, looking at her with an expression she couldn't quite decipher.Helena felt a shiver run down her spine as their gazes met. It was as if all the memories of the moments they shared, both good and bad, came flooding back all at once. She found herself caught in his gaze, unable to look away.Beside her, Leandro noticed the change in Helena's expression and followed her gaze to Bruno. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, sensing the tension in the air, but then looked at Helena with a gentle smile.“Helen, are you okay?” Leandro asked, his soft voice breaking the tense silence.Helena blinked a few times, trying to regain control of her thoughts. She forced a smile at Leandro, although she knew it wasn't very convincing.“Yes, I'm fine,”
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