Helena turns around, finding Leandro, the owner of the voice and apparently also the owner of the bouquet in his hands. He approaches, and Helena notices that her ex-fiancé is also holding a box of Swiss chocolates, her favorites."A bit awkward..." whispers Lúcia. She clears her throat and continues, "Um... I'll head to the station because... well, I should.""What are you doing here, Leandro?" Helena asks, serious, completely ignoring Lúcia's departure."I'm here doing exactly what I said in the card," Leandro replies, getting closer, which automatically makes Helena take two steps back. He stops and continues, "Helena, I want to apologize for the things I said... I didn't mean them.""Well, you said it was what you felt in your heart," Helena recalls, narrowing her eyes. "So I don't understand why I should forgive you... You were right.""No, Helena, I wasn't," denies Leandro, shaking his head. He tries to approach again as he explains, "I was nervous about the wedding. I said thos
Regina closes the apartment door, beaming with joy. She could even jump for joy with the happiness filling her heart. Her plan was working. She could already envision herself strolling through Parque Ibirapuera once again. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice her son Marcelo's presence, who had just entered the room, adjusting his jacket."What are you up to, Dona Regina?" Marcelo asks, raising an eyebrow."Oh, you scared me, boy!" Regina exclaims, turning toward her son. She looks at him, annoyed, as she says, "Is that how you talk to your mother?""Well, it's pretty obvious from your face that you're plotting something," Marcelo replies, pointing at his mother's face. "And that wicked smile confirms it's about Leandro and Helena. You know, Dona Regina, any normal mother, upon seeing her daughter left at the altar, wouldn't want to see the guy again, not even painted in gold. But you... you practically threw our daughter back into the arms of the guy who, in case yo
"Helena, please, give me a chance to make things right. I've realized my mistakes and I'm ready to change. Let me prove that I still love you." said Leandro sincerely.Helena hesitates; she is still torn between her feelings for Leandro and what happened between her and Bruno."Leandro, I don't know... I moved on, and I'm not sure going back would be the right choice," replied Helena.The rain starts pouring heavily, making the streets shimmer with water. As she tries to protect herself and the package from the heavy drops, Leandro continues speaking:"Then at least let me drive you home. We can talk on the way, and you can decide what's best for both of us."Helena considers the offer for a moment, contemplating her options. The rain intensifies, making it clear that walking home would be uncomfortable, to say the least."Fine, Leandro." Helena reluctantly agrees. "But it doesn't mean anything has changed between us. It's just a ride home. I don't want to talk about anything."They w
Bruno was hunched over a computer, his fingers typing intensely on the keyboard. The monitor's light cast a soft glow on his features, highlighting the furrowed brow and determination in his eyes. Ever since Helena had left, Bruno had been completely immersed in his work, a fact that caught the attention of his friends. It was unlike him; typically, after parting ways with a girl, Bruno would quickly get involved with someone new. But this time, things were different.Two customers, oblivious to Bruno's apparent disinterest, chatted at the counter, eagerly waiting for his attention. He seemed lost in a world of reservation databases and schedules, paying no mind to the enthusiastic tourist leaning over the counter, her fiery red hair falling forward as she tried to catch his eye.As she leaned in with flirty gestures, Bruno's focus remained steadfast on the screen. It was as if he had built an impenetrable fortress around him, a bubble deflecting all external distractions, including t
Six days later, fate played with Bruno once again. He received the same package back, now more irritated than before. He tore open the wrapping with frustration, and his irritation grew even more when he realized it hadn't even been opened. That deeply bothered him. Why on earth was Helena sending back something he had clearly sent to her?His patience reached its limit, and he decided it was time to clarify this situation once and for all. Without wasting any more time, Bruno left the store and went straight to the post office. There, Joana greeted him once again, her face lighting up with a smile upon seeing him.As soon as she noticed the package in his hands, Joana commented playfully, "Oh, back again? I was sure I had sent this package."Bruno snorted, containing his frustration. "Yeah, seems like it's stubborn."Joana chuckled softly and agreed. "Seems like it. Do you want me to send it again?"Bruno just nodded impatiently. "Yes, please, resend it."Joana made a playful face as
Title: "Motherly Concerns and Rekindled Bonds: A Scene of Rediscovery"Regina's footsteps echoed softly down the hallway as she exited her room, the corridor's gentle light casting a comforting glow. An unusual scene caught her attention: her daughter, Helena, moving through the house with determination. Drawers were being opened, curtains raised, and Helena's brows were furrowed in concentration. Intrigued, Regina observed her daughter's actions for a moment before finally approaching."Helena, dear," Regina spoke, her tone tinged with curiosity, "what exactly are you doing?"Startled, Helena turned to face her mother, a touch of surprise in her eyes. She took a deep breath and sighed. "Mom, did you see a package I brought home from work a few weeks ago?"Regina furrowed her brow, her expression a mix of confusion and concern. "A package? I don't remember seeing any package. Why?"Helena's frustration was evident as she spoke, her voice tinged with a hint of exasperation. "I just can
Leandro held a box of chocolates while Helena narrowed her eyes, surprised because Leandro had arrived early.Leandro smiled slightly, somewhat nervous, and extended the box of chocolates to her. "I brought this for you."She looked at the box and then at him, a smile playing on her lips. "Ah, this way you'll end up making me gain weight."Leandro laughed, his eyes meeting hers. "Well, even if you gain weight, I'll love you just the same."His response made her genuinely laugh, and Helena relaxed a bit more. Then, he leaned in to kiss her on the mouth. However, she slightly turned her head at the last moment, causing his lips to brush against her cheek. Leandro seemed frustrated with the unreciprocated gesture."Always so difficult, Helena," he joked, but there was a hint of disappointment in his voice.She smiled, a bit embarrassed. "I'm just keeping you grounded."At that moment, Marcelo, sitting on the couch and observing the scene, decided to join the conversation. "At least this
Helena and Leandro stepped off the bustling sidewalk and entered the car, a sense of anticipation in the air. The streets of São Paulo were bustling, cars rushed by, and pedestrians hurried along the sidewalks. Helena looked at Leandro, a nervous smile playing on her lips as he adjusted his seatbelt."Ready to hit the pedals?" Leandro asked with evident enthusiasm in his voice.Helena nodded, albeit a bit uncertain. "Yes."The car's engine purred softly as they pulled onto the road. Helena watched the urban landscape pass by the window, skyscrapers and colorful buildings interspersed with trees and urban parks. The day was clear, with a vibrant blue sky, and the city's hustle and bustle seemed distant from the tranquility she sought.After driving through the busy streets for a while, they finally arrived at the specialized cycling store. The exterior was adorned with bicycles of different styles and colors, and the atmosphere was filled with energy and excitement. Leandro parked the
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