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
Helena was busy with household chores in Cuiabá, but at the same time, she kept a watchful eye on her mother Regina's interactions with everyone around. Unfortunately, Marcelo, her brother, had already returned to São Paulo, leaving their mother with Helena.On a sunny day, the kids—Isabel, Antônio, and Emanoel—came home from school, radiating excitement, ready to share their daily experiences with their mother. They rushed inside, as usual, eager to report everything they had learned, but were interrupted by Regina, who scolded them for disrupting the soap opera she was watching.“How dare you come in shouting while I'm watching my soap opera?” Regina complained, annoyed.Isabel, sensing the situation, stepped back and apologized, “Sorry, Grandma.”Regina's dissatisfaction seemed endless. She stood up and raised her hand to strike the girl. The gesture shocked everyone in the room, especially Helena, who entered at that very moment.“Stop!” Helena shouted, interrupting her mother's a
The sun began to bid farewell on the horizon, painting the sky with gentle shades of orange and blue as Helena parked the pickup truck in the garage. She took a deep breath, feeling the tension of the afternoon still lingering, but seeing her children playing in the garden brought a sense of calm.Isabel, Antônio, and Emanoel ran across the lawn, immersed in their games, oblivious to the challenges the adult world could bring. Helena approached slowly, admiring them. As she joined them, she crouched down to their level.“Do you know how special you are?” Helena began, looking into her children's eyes.The curious gazes of the children fixed on their mother, eager for the conversation. Helena continued with a gentle yet firm voice, “I want you to promise me something. Promise me that you will never let anyone treat you as if you are worth less than you truly are.”Surprised by their mother's request, the children nodded in unison. “We promise, Mom,” Isabel replied, while Antônio and Em
The Poconé farm's living room was filled with tension as the Forensic Medical Institute collected Nilton's body from the porch. The police meticulously examined every corner of the property, searching for clues about the sudden death of the family patriarch.Meanwhile, Helena tried to keep calm in the room with the children. Isabel, Antônio, and Emanoel were eager for answers. Isabel, the eldest, innocently asked, “What happened to Grandpa Nilton, Mom?”Helena, careful in choosing her words, replied, “Grandpa Nilton fell and got hurt, my love.”Antônio, the family observer, noticed more than Helena intended to reveal. “But he has a wound on his head, Mom.”Helena, maintaining composure, insisted on the explanation. “It's from the fall, my son. Sometimes, when someone falls, they can get seriously hurt.”Isabel wasn't convinced. “Doesn't look like a fall.”Helena tried to reassure the children. “It's from the fall, dears. Sometimes, these things can seem scary, but Grandpa Nilton is in
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