Spring was in full swing, and colorful flowers were blossoming throughout the city of Paraty. The sun was shining, illuminating Helena's path as she strolled through the tranquil streets of the town, her hair gently dancing in the breeze. She was pregnant with twins and was heading to meet her brother, Marcelo, who had traveled from São Paulo to visit her. The news of the pregnancy had already spread among the family, but Helena was eager to share all the details with her brother.Marcelo was waiting at the cozy café that Bruno and Helena used to frequent together since they found out about the twins. He was visibly excited about seeing his sister and spending time with her in her new life in Paraty.When Helena entered the café and saw her brother, her face lit up with joy. She rushed to embrace him, and the two hugged tightly as if they were reuniting after years, even though they had seen each other just a few months ago when Isabel was born.“Marcelo, how I've missed you!” Helena
When they arrived at the hospital, Helena was quickly attended to by the healthcare team. She was seven months pregnant, and the doctors needed to do everything in their power to prevent a premature birth.At the hospital, Helena was closely monitored. Doctors administered medications to reduce contractions and ensure that the babies stayed in the womb for as long as possible. Helena was worried, but Bruno was by her side the entire time, holding her hand and offering words of encouragement.Hours passed slowly, and finally, the contractions subsided. Helena sighed with relief, knowing that the babies had a better chance of continuing to develop in the womb for some more time.While Helena lay in the hospital bed, Bruno approached her, holding Isabel in his arms. The little one watched her mother with curiosity in her innocent eyes.“We're okay, aren't we, Mom?” Bruno said, gently stroking Helena's hair.Helena smiled and caressed Bruno
Helena and Bruno were in the hospital, and the tension in the air was palpable. Antônio and Emanoel, their twins, had come into the world prematurely and were now fighting for their lives in the incubator. It was an anguishing situation for any parent, and Helena and Bruno were facing the challenge with courage and determination.The neonatal ICU room was a bustling environment, with nurses and doctors caring for premature infants. Helena and Bruno approached the twins' incubator, anxiously watching their little, fragile faces through the glass.Bruno was exhausted, not only from lack of sleep but also from constant worry. He had decided to stay at home with Isabel to ensure she received the attention and care she needed.Helena stood by Bruno's side, her gaze fixed on the twins. She held Bruno's hand firmly, silently sharing their mutual support as they awaited news about the babies' condition.Dr. Pereira, the obstetrician who had performed the emergency cesarean section, approached
Helena and Bruno's life was in constant motion. With three children, Isabel, Antônio, and Emanoel, the house was always filled with laughter, play, and challenges. But the greatest difficulty they faced didn't come from the children but from Alzheimer's disease, which was increasingly affecting Loreta, Bruno's mother.Isabel was already seven years old and growing fast. She was a loving older sister and always looked after the twins, who had just over a year's difference between them. Helena and Bruno had a strong partnership when it came to taking care of the children, and this included caring for Loreta.The family's routine was hectic. Helena worked part-time as a lawyer, while Bruno managed Nilton's Bike, the family store. During the hours they weren't working, they devoted themselves fully to the children and the household. However, the biggest challenge was dealing with Loreta, who became more and more confused and disoriented.One day, while Helena and Bruno were in the living
The soft light of late afternoon flooded Bruno's parents' cozy kitchen, where everyone sat around the table. Loreta played with her grandchildren, Isabel, Antônio, and Emanoel, in the adjacent living room, providing a momentary relief for the family.In the kitchen, Helena, Bruno, and Nilton gathered around the table. It was time to discuss what had happened earlier when Loreta left home in a state of confusion. They exchanged silent glances, knowing it was time to address a topic that had been avoided for years. Helena, curious and determined, took the initiative.“I was thinking, Mr. Matos, about this farm Loreta talks about so much when she's confused. You've mentioned that she is the daughter of a rancher, right?”Nilton sighed deeply, looking at Helena's concerned face. It was a subject that rarely came up, but now it seemed inevitable.Nilton nodded, his gaze wandering into the past. “Yes, Helena. When Loreta and I met, she was the heir to a large farm in Mato Grosso. At that ti
The routine at Helena's house was always full of action, especially when it involved helping the three children – Isabel, Antônio, and Emanoel - with their homework. That afternoon, they were sitting at the kitchen table, books, and notebooks scattered as they tried to unravel the mysteries of math and science. Loreta was in the living room, engrossed in her favorite soap opera.Antônio, the oldest of the twins, cast a tired look at his mother and murmured, “Math is boring.”Helena laughed. “But math is fascinating, Antônio! It can be challenging at times, but it's like solving puzzles.”Isabel, with her childlike frankness, grumbled, “I think science is worse.”Emanoel joined the conversation, “School is boring. Can't we just play all day?”Helena frowned, jokingly, “Is there a rebellion against school happening here? You know education is important, don't you?”The three children laughed and continued their lessons as Helena encouraged their love for learning.Meanwhile, the sound o
After Gustavo Nery, the lawyer responsible for the Siqueira family's estate, left, the room fell into a momentary silence. The atmosphere was filled with tension and uncertainty. Helena sat down once again and looked at Nilton and Bruno.“Do you know if Loreta has her guardianship formalized? Any documents that prove Nilton is her legal guardian?” Helena asked while her eyes rested on Nilton.Nilton seemed confused by the question. He shook his head negatively. “No, we've never needed that. Loreta has always taken care of herself.”Helena took a deep breath and looked at Nilton with understanding. “I understand, but the situation has changed now. Loreta is not in a condition to make decisions for herself. It would be much easier and safer if we had this formal documentation. After all, we are dealing with the Siqueira family's estate, and Loreta's legal representative must be in compliance.”Nilton seemed to realize the importance of the situation but was uncertain about how to procee
On a peaceful evening, Bruno and Helena's family gathered in the dining room for a joyful dinner. The table was set with a variety of delicious dishes, and the sound of animated conversations filled the air. Isabel, Antônio, and Emanoel shared their daily stories with their grandmother Loreta, who smiled and laughed along with them. It was a scene of warmth and familial joy.Bruno rose as the landline phone in the room began to ring. Helena watched as he walked over to the phone and answered it. His face grew serious as he spoke to the person on the other end of the line. Helena noticed the change in his expression and knew that something important was happening.Excusing himself from the table, Bruno headed to the living room to take the call. When he heard the voice of the lawyer on the other end, a look of surprise came over his face. He hadn't expected a call at that moment.“Gustavo Nery, the lawyer responsible for the estate, what's this about? Is everything okay?” Bruno inquire
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