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
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