Bruno pedaled skillfully through the streets of Parati, with Helena on the back, the wind caressing their faces as they headed towards the city center. The sun shone in the sky, creating a perfect backdrop for this special moment.When they arrived in front of Nilton's Bike, Bruno gently stopped the bicycle and helped Helena dismount. Their eyes met, a mixture of sadness and affection in their gazes.Helena gestured to the parked car and said, "This is where I stay."Bruno pulled her gently by the waist, drawing her closer, and then sealed their lips in a kiss filled with emotion. When they parted, he whispered, "I'll miss you already."Helena smiled, her eyes brimming with tenderness. "I'll miss you too, but I'll be back soon. I have things to sort out, especially regarding the wedding with Leandro and my mother."Bruno nodded, understanding the importance of the journey Helena was about to undertake. He gently caressed her face and offered, "If you need me, Helena, don't hesitate to
Helena entered Eduardo Brandão's office, one of the partners at the law firm, with a sense of apprehension. She knew her situation was far from ideal, and being back at work after the scandal of her canceled marriage to Leandro was uncomfortable. Eduardo was seated behind his desk, wearing a serious expression. He observed Helena for a moment before speaking. "Helena, please, have a seat." Helena settled into one of the chairs in front of Eduardo's desk and nervously waited for him to speak. Eduardo began, choosing his words carefully. "I can imagine your current situation is complicated, Helena. Everyone here knows about your wedding with Leandro, which didn't happen. However, we know it was your choice... So you should have come to the office today on time and dressed appropriately." Helena lowered her gaze, feeling embarrassed about the situation. "I know, Mr. Brandão. I planned to return to work, but things changed. And now, I need the days that would have been our honeymoon."
Helena set the table and invited her friend to join her. The two sat down to dinner. Lucia and Helena were seated at the table, savoring the pasta that Helena had prepared. Lucia couldn't contain her curiosity and asked about the trip to Paraty with Bruno."So, how was it in Paraty with Bruno?" Lucia asked with a mischievous smile.Helena gave a shy smile, her cheeks blushing slightly. "It was good, very good," she admitted, maintaining an air of mystery.Lucia's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait a minute, did you… sleep together?" she asked, almost choking.Helena chuckled playfully. "We made love all night. It was amazing," she confessed, her expression revealing the happiness and passion she felt."Wow, finally!" Lucia clapped excitedly and then eagerly asked for details. Helena shared the details, laughing with her friend and reliving the night she spent with Bruno.After hearing everything, Lucia leaned forward with a more serious look. "And the prophecy? What did Bruno say about t
Bruno was in the kitchen with his parents, enjoying a peaceful morning and having breakfast, when he heard a loud horn outside the house. His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly got up from the table. Helena was there, outside, waiting.He hurried to the door, and upon opening it, his eyes met hers. A huge smile lit up his face as he pulled her into a warm hug, followed by a passionate kiss.With an excited expression, Helena said, “Bruno, I've come to kidnap you for a weekend.”Bruno raised an eyebrow, not quite understanding what she meant.“Kidnap? But I have the store to take care of, Helena. I can't just close it like that.”Nilton, Bruno's father, appeared at the living room door with a smile on his lips. He looked at his son and said, “Bruno, a weekend away from the store won't hurt anyone. Put your worries aside and have some fun with Helena.”Helena smiled at Nilton, thanking him with her eyes, and then turned her attention back to Bruno. “He's right, Bruno. The store will b
Helena and Bruno's lips met in intense, fiery kisses, expressing all the desire that had built up between them. Feeling the need to fully surrender, Bruno gently laid Helena down on the bed without breaking their passionate kisses. The moment grew increasingly intimate and provocative. He decided to remove his own shirt, allowing Helena's hands to explore his sculpted abdomen. Then, he kissed her fervently, fueling the flames of passion between them.Driven by the uncontrollable love they felt for each other, they both undressed completely, surrendering without reservation to the love that enveloped them.With passion-filled eyes, Bruno ran his hands over Helena's body, exploring every curve and every inch of her soft skin. His touches were gentle and filled with desire, eliciting shivers that ran through Helena's body. She responded with fervent kisses, expressing all the love and intensity she felt for him.Their bodies moved in perfect harmony, dancing a unique choreography of plea
Bruno watched attentively as Helena jotted down her decisions in her notebook. It was a unique scene, but he could tell that Helena was approaching it with seriousness and care, which made him appreciate her even more.Helena then asked with a slight smile, "Are you ready for the next rule?"Bruno nodded, curious to know what else she had in mind.She took a deep breath and said, "The next rule is that we won't discuss the gypsy's prophecy. We won't let it control our lives or our decisions."Bruno nodded again, fully agreeing. "I agree, Helena. We won't let that prophecy dictate our choices or haunt us."Helena closed the notebook and set it aside, then approached Bruno and kissed him gently. "This is how we're going to live, Bruno. One day at a time, with love and without fear of what we can't control."Bruno smiled and caressed Helena's face. "That sounds perfect to me, Helena. I'm glad we have these rules to guide us, but above all, I'm happy to be with you."They embraced affecti
Bruno and Helena continued with their lives, each in their city, but the love they shared remained burning, like a flame that couldn't be extinguished.Bruno was back at Nilton's Bike, managing his bicycle shop in Paraty. He still remembered the passionate nights with Helena and the promises they had made to each other. Although he was busy with work, his mind often wandered to Helena.Helena, on the other hand, was back at the law firm in São Paulo. She still remembered the time she spent with Bruno. Amid contracts and legal proceedings, her heart raced every time she thought of Bruno.She was having lunch with Lucia at a restaurant near the office when her phone buzzed with a message from Bruno. Her face instantly lit up with a smile, and she began typing a response while Lucia discussed the upcoming hearing.Lucia looked at Helena's love-struck face and couldn't help but comment, "It looks like the weekend did wonders for you, my friend."Helena nodded, keeping her eyes fixed on Br
Loreta looked into Helena's eyes and said sweetly, "His name is Nilton... Nilton is the love of my life... Or Bruno? Who is Bruno? I think it's Bruno..."Helena approached and held Loreta's hand, trying to calm her. She said affectionately, "Loreta, today is not your graduation ball. Today is a special day for Bruno, your son. He's graduating from college."Loreta looked confused at Helena for a moment and then seemed to come back to reality. Her eyes filled with sadness as she murmured, "My son... my dear Bruno."Helena gently embraced her and said, "Yes, your son is growing up and becoming an incredible man. Let's celebrate this special occasion together."Loreta nodded, looking a bit perplexed, but Helena knew that reality was quickly unraveling in Bruno's mother's mind. She knew she would have to be patient and loving during these difficult moments.***Helena and Loreta descended the stairs together, with Helena gently holding her mother's arm, ensuring she was safe with each ste
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