Time passed, and the darkness outside began to transition into a soft shade of blue, signaling the arrival of a new day. They hadn't parted yet. Helena had her head on Bruno's chest, listening to the comforting sound of his heartbeat. She could feel the gentleness of his fingers stroking her brown hair, and with a sad sigh, she closed her eyes and let her hands roam over his chest.
With a soft, hoarse voice, Helena broke the silence. "I don't want the day to break, Bruno. I want to stay here with you forever."
He kissed the top of her head and caressed her hair. "I do too, Helena."
They remained there in silence, sharing those precious moments as the morning advanced. Finally, the sun began to rise on the horizon, casting its golden rays into the room.
Bruno sighed reluctantly and said, "We need to get up, Helena. The day has begun."
She nodded, still lying in his arms. Reluctant
Helena was back in her apartment in São Paulo, which she shared with her friend Lucia. The weekend in Paraty with Bruno had been incredible, but it ended with them parting ways, leaving her feeling melancholic. She couldn't hold back the tears streaming down her face as she thought about Bruno. She lay on the living room couch, her eyes swollen from crying.Lucia, her longtime friend, sat down beside her and started stroking her hair. “I know you're hurting, Helena. But remember, this decision is the best for both of you.”Helena sobbed and looked at Lucia. “I know, Lucia, but it doesn't make it any easier. I love him so much, and now we're apart.”Lucia sighed and hugged Helena tightly. “Sometimes, making tough decisions is the right thing to do, even if it hurts. You need to give yourself time to heal. And remember, I'm here for you, always.”The two frien
The frenetic pace of life continued for Bruno and Helena after the end of their relationship. Both of them struggled to stay focused on their professional and academic commitments during the day, but the nights were a different story. It was during these quiet moments, when the city lights dimmed, that their absence from each other became almost unbearable.It was at this moment that they missed each other the most. They used to communicate regularly through text messages, sharing their thoughts, successes, and daily challenges. But now, this channel of communication was closed, and the silence that separated them was deafening.Helena was fully dedicated to the final semesters of her law school and her work at the law firm. She tried to perform her best on both fronts, but there were moments when her mind wandered to Bruno. She often picked up her phone, started typing a message, and then deleted it. The words always seemed inadequate, insu
Helena was sitting at her small desk in the apartment she shared with Lucia, focused on her laptop. The screen's glow illuminated her face as she typed messages to Bruno. They had established a routine of exchanging messages about their daily lives, sharing details of their separate lives.She would tell him about the law firm where she worked, the challenges she faced, and how she was progressing in her legal career. Helena also shared her experiences at law school, talking about classes, classmates, and preparations for her upcoming graduation party, which was approaching rapidly.On the other hand, Bruno would detail his life in Paraty, how the family's bicycle shop was doing well, and how he was investing time in creating a new business plan to expand the venture. He also spoke about his mother, Loreta, who had Alzheimer's, and how he was striving to provide her with the best possible care.Despite the distance and t
Helena's big graduation day had finally arrived, a milestone in her educational journey that she had eagerly anticipated. She was radiant, dressed in an elegant red gown that accentuated her natural beauty. Her hair was meticulously arranged in a sophisticated updo, and she wore golden earrings that sparkled with every movement. In front of the mirror, Helena admired herself with a mixture of pride and gratitude for achieving her academic goals.While Helena was immersed in her reflection, a soft knock on her door made her jump slightly. It was Lucia, who was just as excited as she was for the graduation party.“Helena, you look amazing!” exclaimed Lucia, admiring her friend with a warm smile.Helena smiled back, grateful. “Thank you, Lucia. You look stunning too, as always.”The two friends shared a moment of camaraderie before deciding it was time to join the guests. Helena
When Helena stepped out into the garden, her eyes widened in surprise as she saw Bruno standing there, elegantly dressed in a suit. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. “Bruno!” Helena exclaimed, her voice filled with emotion. Bruno smiled warmly as he approached her. “You didn't think I'd miss your graduation party, did you?” Helena was speechless. She opened her arms and rushed into Bruno's embrace, holding him tightly. “I can't believe you're here!” They held each other as if they never wanted to let go. It was a moment filled with emotion, the realization of a desire Helena had kept secret, even from herself. “I couldn't miss this,” Bruno whispered in Helena's ear. “You've achieved something incredible, and I wanted to be here to celebrate with you.” Helena looked into Bruno's eyes, feeling grateful and moved. “You have no idea how mu
Helena had graduated and was now practicing law at a law firm in São Paulo. A year had passed, and her life had taken a path that many would consider successful. She was advancing in her career, spending time with Lucia, and trying to move forward, but there was something that always bothered her, a persistent sense of emptiness that seemed not to go away. She wondered if law was really the path she wanted to pursue. Every day was a struggle to find motivation and passion for what she did.One day, she decided to seek answers to her doubts. She got up from her desk and headed to the office of the senior lawyer at the firm, Eduardo Brandão. He was her boss and someone Helena admired.Eduardo looked up when Helena entered his office, a gentle smile lighting up his face. “What can I do for you, Helena?”She hesitated for a moment before finally asking, “Eduardo, what motivates you to be a law
Helena stood in front of Nilton's Bike, the store that was such an important part of Bruno's life and her own history. She couldn't understand what could have happened to lead Bruno to close the store he loved.Determined to find out what was going on, Helena got into her car and drove towards Bruno's parents' house. She was nervous, but also determined to support Bruno in any difficulty he might be facing. When she arrived at the house, she found Loreta outside, tending to the plants with a warm smile on her face.Loreta looked up and saw Helena. Her smile widened. “Helena!” she exclaimed, as if she had seen an old friend. “What a pleasant surprise to see you.”Helena returned the smile and warmly greeted Loreta. “Hello, Mrs. Matos. How are you?”Nilton appeared right behind Loreta, his face showing a puzzled expression. “Loreta, didn't I tell you we don't have any plans with Helena...”He turned to
At Nilton's Bike, life seemed to be finally falling into place for Helena and Bruno. They worked together, sharing not only their workspace but also the challenges and successes of the store. Helena was full of enthusiasm and excited about her decision to join Bruno in Paraty and give a new direction to her life.One week after her return to Paraty, Helena was in her office, organizing some documents, when one of the employees approached, somewhat hesitantly.“Helena, sorry to bother you, but there's someone here looking for you,” the employee said.Helena looked up from her papers, curious, and replied, “Of course, let her in.”She wasn't prepared for the surprise visit. As the door opened, a familiar voice echoed through the room. “Helena, my daughter.”Helena turned around, and there was her mother, Regina, standing in the doorway with an ex
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