The sky was still draped in dark shades of the night when Bruno opened the door of the sports equipment store, Nilton's Bike. It was a new day, but for Bruno, it seemed to carry the weight of the choices he had made. He wanted to lose himself in his work, immerse himself in every task that needed to be done, a way to find focus and purpose amidst the confusing emotions that plagued him.He began cleaning the store, organizing shelves, checking stocks, and ensuring everything was perfect for another day of business. The occupation gave him a sense of normalcy, a feeling of control over something in his life that he felt he had lost.Nearly two hours later, his friends and coworkers, Gabriel, Lucas, and Jonathan, arrived at the store. They watched Bruno with looks that denoted concern and curiosity. It was clear that something was happening, something they hadn't been informed about.Lucas was the first to approach, greeting Bruno with a nod. "Hey, Bruno, everything okay?"Bruno averted
On the beach's edge, the gentle breeze and the sound of waves created an atmosphere of tranquility as Gabriel, Lucas, and Jonathan conversed. The concerned glances exchanged between them revealed that Bruno's situation was weighing on their hearts.Jonathan looked at his friends and sighed. "We need to do something about this, guys. I've never seen Bruno so down."Gabriel nodded, agreeing with his friend. "It's true. He's going through a tough time."Lucas nodded, his brows furrowing in agreement. "I agree. He's shutting himself off, and that's not good."Gabriel furrowed his brow, lost in thought. "But what can we do? Bruno clearly said it was his choice not to be with Helena, and she also seems to have accepted it."Jonathan pondered for a moment, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "I get his point, but what he didn't tell Helena is about the prophecy. If she knew about that, I think their decision might have been different."The other two friends turned to him, surprised. Lucas tilted
Helena stared at Bruno's friends, trying to grasp the meaning behind Lucas's words. Her heart raced as questions piled up in her mind. Bruno didn't stay with her because he was going to die? The idea seemed absurd, but there was something in the seriousness of the three guys' eyes that made her question even more. How could Bruno be so sure about this? And what was the meaning behind this prophecy? The questions multiplied, and Helena was determined to uncover the answers.Sensing Helena's discomfort, Lúcia suggested they go to a nearby bar for a more relaxed conversation. The five friends walked to the place in silence, their expressions reflecting the seriousness of the matter at hand. When they arrived, Helena looked at the three guys and finally broke the silence."Okay, can someone explain what's going on? Why are you talking about prophecies and death? This doesn't make any sense."Pedro sighed and turned to Helena, determined to tell the whole story. "Some time ago, we crossed
While Jonathan, Gabriel, and Lucas conversed along the way about lost time and how everything could have been avoided, they turned the corner and came face-to-face with a familiar figure. Bruno stood in front of the store, arms crossed and a serious expression on his face. He watched them approaching, and the friends exchanged nervous glances among themselves.Bruno walked up to them, his gaze fixed on the three with an intensity that conveyed seriousness. "Where were you guys yesterday?" he asked directly.Gabriel tried to deflect, smiling nervously. "Oh, you know how it is, Bruno, we thought it was a holiday..."Lucas chimed in, supporting Gabriel's attempt. "Yeah, exactly! We swore it was a holiday."Jonathan also confirmed, trying to follow the invented story. "That's right, it seemed like a holiday."However, Bruno wasn't willing to accept the excuse. He looked at the three with narrowed eyes, suspicious. "The three of you know very well that yesterday wasn't a holiday. From your
Bruno was lying in his bed, staring at the ceiling as the early morning slowly gave way to dawn. The pale light that began to seep through the cracks in the curtains gently illuminated the room, but his thoughts were immersed in tumultuous darkness. It was Helena's wedding day, the day she was about to unite her destiny with Leandro's.He tried to convince himself that this was best for both of them. Helena deserved happiness, and if that happiness was with Leandro, he should accept it. But his heart seemed to rebel, clenching in his chest like an implacable fist. He closed his eyes tightly as if he could contain the torrent of emotions that threatened to overflow.With a deep sigh, Bruno got out of bed, his legs feeling as heavy as lead. He made his way to the bathroom, letting the shower water fall over him. The hope was that the water could wash away the memories of Helena from his mind. He closed his eyes, tilting his head under the flow of water, but instead of dissipating the me
Moments Before...Helena felt as if the ground had been pulled from under her feet. Marcelo's words echoed in her mind, revealing a reality she hadn't foreseen. The veil covering her face seemed symbolically representative of the veil that had kept her away from the truth for so long. With accelerated breathing, she stared at her mother, seeking confirmation of Marcelo's words in her eyes.Regina avoided Helena's gaze for a moment, but then, realizing she couldn't escape the situation, she sighed and finally confirmed, searching for words to explain herself. "Helena, I wanted... I just thought I was doing what was best for you. I wanted you to have a secure future, to be happy."Her mother's words echoed in the room, but Helena was still struggling to assimilate the impact of what she had heard. She turned to Marcelo, her eyes moist with emotion. "So, is this the truth? Leandro... he's marrying me because of this agreement?"Marcelo nodded solemnly, observing the distress in his siste
Bruno grabbed his bicycle, quickly checking the details as if he wanted to make sure everything was perfect for the upcoming ride. He then turned to Helena, with a gentle smile on his lips. He handed her the helmet, a mixture of anxiety and excitement in his gaze."Ready for the next step?" he asked, his tone filled with enthusiasm.Helena accepted the helmet with an equally infectious smile. "Absolutely. I'm excited."Bruno gestured for her to get on the bicycle, indicating the spot behind the seat. With skill and gentleness, she settled there, holding onto his shoulders lightly. The sensation of the wind against her face, the sun painting the city gold, and the closeness to Bruno created a perfect scene.He began pedaling at a smooth and tranquil pace. The city blurred past them as Bruno effortlessly guided the bicycle. Helena relished the feeling of freedom, closing her eyes for a moment to soak in every sensation. She never thought she would be there, on the back of Bruno's bicycl
Bruno's room was in a gentle silence, with only the faint sound of the couple's peaceful breathing. The first rays of the sun began to infiltrate through the partially open window, casting a golden and soft light upon the bed where Bruno and Helena lay, naked and entwined, as if they had finally found refuge in each other.Bruno, with a loving smile, caressed Helena's sleeping face, gently tracing his fingers along her delicate contours. The touch was like a silent caress, an expression of all the love he felt for her. It was hard to believe that this was real, that after all the obstacles they had faced, they were together again.Helena, with her eyes still heavy with sleep, began to awaken slowly. Her eyelashes lifted, revealing her passionate gaze, which met Bruno's. A smile spread across Helena's lips, an expression of pure happiness."Is this real?" she whispered, as if she were still dreaming.Bruno smiled and gently stroked her hair. "Yes, Helena, it's real. You're here with me
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