Bruno's parents' house in Cuiabá was a quiet refuge amidst the bustle of the city. It was a spacious building, surrounded by a well-maintained garden, where palm trees stood out under the scorching sun of Mato Grosso. The sound of local birds filled the air as Helena and her children, Isabel, Antônio, and Emanoel, entered through the front door.Helena instructed the children to go take a shower, allowing them to rest after the journey, while she took charge of preparing lunch herself. The kitchen was spacious and well-lit, with a window overlooking the backyard where some fruit trees grew, providing refreshing shade.The golden sun peeked through the window, creating dancing shadows on the kitchen walls. As the pan heated on the stove, she found herself immersed in her thoughts, replaying the argument she had had with Bruno. Those harsh words echoed in her mind. She felt hurt and misunderstood, as if her decision to follow her heart and prioritize the safety of her children was inter
The night fell gently and serenely in the spacious house in Cuiabá. Stars shimmered in the night sky, and the city's silence enveloped the residence, creating an atmosphere of calm and tranquility. Helena walked through the house, which now seemed so large with its six bedrooms, two suites, a spacious living room, and an equally vast dining room. The kitchen was the size of her mother's apartment in São Paulo, and the house was full of bathrooms to accommodate all family members.After putting Isabel, Antônio, and Emanoel to sleep, each in their room as they wished, Helena wandered through the house, lost in her thoughts. The house was exactly the kind of residence she had imagined sharing with Bruno one day. She couldn't help but smile faintly as she thought of her husband and how he had chosen to stay on the farm, a factor that made her own decision to leave even more painful.Bruno had clearly shown his desire to remain in Mato Grosso, and Helena knew they were on an irreversible p
The morning sun rays began to seep through the curtains, casting a gentle glow on Helena and Bruno, who were lying in bed after the night of love they had shared. The atmosphere was serene, and both seemed enveloped by a sense of calm and renewal. Helena took a deep breath and broke the silence that filled the room with a soft sigh.“The children really love the house and the farm. They're truly enjoying it. They love being able to sleep in separate rooms. And for them, they'd stay here,” she said, her gaze meeting Bruno's.Bruno looked at Helena with a hopeful gleam in his eyes. “They said that?” He asked.Helena nodded and then continued, choosing her words carefully. “Yes. They are also happy to be near their grandparents. Nilton and Loreta mean a lot to them. I didn't want to deprive them of that.”Bruno agreed, understanding his wife's concerns. “We can make it work. The kids don't need to stay at the farm all the time. We can arrange for them to spend time there, but also keep t
Life in Paraty, in the eyes of Helena and Bruno, was returning to its familiar rhythm. Bruno was determined to fulfill his promise to his father and, between bike rides, tried to find a buyer for Nilton's Bike shop. Meanwhile, Helena was busy taking care of their children, Isabel, Antônio, and Emanoel, and managing the preparations for their move to Cuiabá.In addition to these responsibilities, Helena kept her commitment to her legal practice, albeit on a quieter scale compared to her days in São Paulo. One of her clients, an elderly lady involved in a property dispute, fully trusted Helena to fight for her interests. “I never imagined we'd have to go through all of this,” Helena thought.As they navigated this whirlwind of tasks, Helena continued her quest to find a doctor to perform a vasectomy on Bruno. After several searches and recommendations from local friends, Helena found Dr. Ricardo Delgado, a respected doctor in the Paraty region.It was a sunny day when Helena scheduled t
The atmosphere in the house was charged with emotion when Bruno and Helena returned after the vasectomy surgery. Isabel, Antônio, and Emanoel, the couple's children, eagerly awaited in the living room, holding colorful cards with welcoming messages for their father. The expressions of surprise and affection on the children's faces revealed the love they felt for Bruno.“Surprise, daddy!” exclaimed Isabel, smiling broadly.Bruno, visibly moved, admired the cards. Each of them had drawings, messages, and words of love. He hugged the children, feeling deep gratitude for his family. “You guys are wonderful,” murmured Bruno, fighting back tears.Helena, by their side, smiled at the scene. It was evident that the simple gesture of the children had touched Bruno's heart. The concern about the prophecy hanging over the family seemed to have given way to a moment of lightness and happiness.“Come on, everyone, let's let daddy rest for a bit. He needs to recover from the surgery,” suggested Hel
The sun had set in Cuiabá, painting the sky in warm shades of orange and pink as the family gathered to face the difficult moment that lay ahead. Loreta's, Bruno's mother, funeral would take place the next day, and the pain of loss hung in the air.In Nilton's house, where everyone had settled, the atmosphere was laden with emotion. Isabel, Antônio, and Emanoel played together in the backyard, attempting to lighten the heaviness that hung over the family. Helena and Bruno, even amidst the sadness, exchanged knowing glances as they awaited the arrival of the challenging moment.The next day, the funeral was a testimony of love and respect for Loreta. Nilton and Bruno shared stories illustrating the vibrant life she had led before Alzheimer's clouded her mind. Isabel, Antônio, and Emanoel, even without fully understanding the depth of the situation, sensed the heavy atmosphere and stayed close to their parents for comfort.The burial was a silent farewell, each family member placing a f
The international airport of Cuiabá exuded heat, the scorching sun reflecting on the windows as passengers hurriedly moved about. Helena was anxious, her eyes scanning the crowd emerging from the arrival gate. Finally, after years, she was going to reunite with her brother, Marcelo, and their mother, Regina.Isabel, the eldest, looked at her mother with a curious gleam in her eyes. “Mom, what is Grandma Regina like? Dad said she's difficult to handle.”Antônio, the middle child, grimaced. “He said she's like a snake.”Emanoel, the youngest, laughed and agreed, “A snake, exactly.”Helena bent down to their level, her expression gentle and calm. “You know, kids, we can't judge a person without getting to know them. Let's give Grandma Regina a chance.”As she spoke, she spotted the arrivals, and her eyes met Marcelo's, her brother, running towards her with a radiant smile. He was eager to hug her, expressing how much he missed her.“Missed you, sis!” Marcelo said, his eyes shining with j
The kitchen was filled with the enticing aroma of lunch that Helena was preparing while Regina and Marcelo remained in the living room with their children, Isabel, Antônio, and Emanoel. Regina fanned herself with a handkerchief, even with the air conditioning on at the lowest possible temperature. Marcelo, beside her, tried to calm her down.“Cut it out, Mom. You're going to freeze everyone with the air conditioning on full blast,” Marcelo said, attempting to defuse the situation.Regina, with an uncomfortable expression, retorted, “It's impossible; I feel like I'm on fire. Helena could have chosen any place to settle down, and she picks this end of the world.”Marcelo, trying to reassure her, said, “Mom, please, stop it. We're fine, and Helena is treating us very well.”Isabel, the eldest, intervened with her precocious wisdom. “You're wrong, Grandma. The end of the world is Cape Horn in Chile.”Regina, looking at her granddaughter with disdain, replied, “And since when do you, a chi