The shock hit Bruno like a blow. He had barely emerged from an intense argument with Helena when he now found himself facing a revelation that would forever change the dynamics of his life.“Excuse me, ma'am, there must be some mistake. I don't have a child other than with my wife...” Bruno began, but was interrupted by Rosaria.“I know it's hard to believe, Bruno, but Dante is your son. He's always wanted to meet you, and I thought now would be the right time for that.” Rosaria's voice carried a mix of determination and sadness.Dante remained silent, observing Bruno with curious and hopeful eyes. Bruno, still incredulous, stared at the boy, searching for resemblances that could confirm the connection Rosaria claimed existed.The tension in the air was palpable when Bruno finally addressed Dante. “Do you know why you're here, Dante? Why does your grandmother believe we're father and son?”Dante nodded timidly, appearing nervous. “My mom always told me about my dad, but I never met yo
The guest room was illuminated by the gentle golden glow of the lamp as Helena adjusted the sheets and pillows. Her heart raced, and tension hung in the air. The possibility of Dante being Bruno's son loomed like a shadow, leaving Helena uneasy. It was when Bruno entered the room, interrupting her thoughts.“I imagine you're wondering if I knew about Dante,” Bruno said, breaking the silence.Helena turned to face Bruno, her eyes serious. “Did you know?”Bruno shook his head. “No, Helena, I swear I didn't know. I found out today at the gate when Rosária and Dante arrived.”Bruno's response didn't completely ease the tension on Helena's shoulders. “So, we need to do a DNA test to confirm paternity,” Helena stated, seeking clarity in the situation.Bruno nodded. “Alright, we can do the test. But, Helena, I feel like Dante is my son. Not just because of the prophecy, but there's something about him that feels familiar.”Helena crossed her arms, looking at Bruno seriously. “We can't rely s
Helena was sitting in the home office in Cuiabá, focused on her daily tasks, when her attention was captured by an email that had just arrived. It was a message from the children's school, confirming a meeting with the principal for that afternoon. However, Helena didn't recall scheduling such an appointment.Intrigued, she picked up the phone and dialed the school's number. After a few rings, the receptionist answered, and Helena identified herself as Helena Matos. The employee politely asked how she could assist.“I received an email confirming a meeting with the principal this afternoon, but I believe it's a mistake,” explained Helena.The receptionist requested a moment and, after a brief wait, confirmed that the meeting was scheduled, and it had been requested by Bruno Matos, Helena's husband. Surprised, Helena inquired about the reason for the meeting. The receptionist explained that Bruno had requested the meeting to discuss matters.Thanking for the information, Helena hung up
Helena and Bruno were sitting in the silence of the room, the DNA test envelope open on the bed. Helena held in her hands the paper that confirmed Dante was indeed Bruno's son.“What does the result say?” Bruno inquired, visibly nervous.Helena took a deep breath before speaking, her eyes meeting Bruno's. “Dante is your son, Bruno.”The expression on Bruno's face was a mix of surprise, relief, and, at the same time, sorrow. “I'm sorry, Helena. I'm sorry for all of this.”Bruno looked at Helena with a mix of relief and sadness. He had prepared himself to accept any result, but now, with the confirmation, complicated feelings filled his heart.Helena, in turn, faced Bruno with a serious expression. “Don't be sorry, Bruno. I doubted and questioned too. Now, what matters is what we'll do from here.”“Yeah, it looks like the gypsy was right...” Bruno murmured, with a serious expression.The conversation gave way to a reflective pause until Helena decided to confront what she considered the
The tension settled in the Matos household, among the walls that witnessed joys and now faced challenges. Isabel, Emanoel, Antônio, and Dante, the children of Helena and Bruno, attended school together, but the differences in Dante's behavior became increasingly evident.While Isabel, Emanoel, and Antônio maintained exemplary academic performance, Dante was a constant cause for concern. Helena, in her tireless quest for understanding, made frequent visits to the school, trying to explain that the loss of Dante's biological mother might be causing these behavioral deviations.However, meetings with the teachers and the principal brought no good news. Dante continued to cause problems, getting involved in inappropriate situations. One day, after another call from the school, Helena decided it was time to have a serious conversation with Bruno. She was busy finishing washing the dishes while Bruno, focused, analyzed the crop quotations from the farm.Helena, determined, dried her hands a
The air in the room had grown heavy with the increasing tension between Helena and Bruno. Helena, still reeling from Bruno's sudden decision, looked him straight in the eyes, trying to find a way to make him understand.“You can't just make this decision unilaterally, Bruno,” said Helena, her voice trembling slightly. “Dante is part of this family, and I have a role to play in his life too.”Bruno remained unwavering in his stance, his expression serious and determined. “Dante is my son, Helena. I decide what's best for him. And it's better for him to come live with me on the farm.”Helena felt a wave of frustration and despair. “It's not just about what you want, Bruno. It's about what's best for Dante. He's adjusting here, with his siblings, with me. You'll completely destabilize him if you take him away from here so suddenly.”Bruno sighed, appearing impatient. “Don't give me this sentimental talk, Helena. Dante is my son, and I know what's best for him. You said you wanted me to t
Helena and Bruno walked back to the farm headquarters in silence, each immersed in their own thoughts. The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink as they approached the main house.Upon reaching the porch of the headquarters, Helena took a deep breath before turning to Bruno. She knew she needed to address the issue of Dante again.“Bruno,” Helena began, her voice cautious. “I... need to take Dante back to stay with his siblings. I don't think it's fair for him to stay here on the farm.”Bruno nodded, understanding Helena's concerns. However, before he could respond, Dante approached them, his face determined.“I don't want to leave, Mom,” Dante said, his voice firm and resolute. “I want to stay here with Dad.”Helena and Bruno exchanged surprised looks, not expecting Dante's sudden determination.“Dante...” Helena started, her voice uncertain. “Are you sure about this? Don't you think it would be better to be with your siblings in Cuiabá?”Dante shook
The distant roar of thunder echoed across the vast fields of the farm as Helena departed, leaving behind a cloud of tension and uncertainty. Bruno stood at the entrance of the farmhouse, watching her vanish into the distance, a tightness of worry in his chest. As the thunderclaps ripped through the sky, heralding the imminent arrival of the storm, Bruno felt a cold shiver run down his spine. He knew Helena was leaving at a bad time, but the idea of letting her go in those weather conditions filled him with anxiety. Without wasting time, Bruno rushed inside the house and reached for the phone in the living room. His fingers trembled slightly as he dialed Helena's number, desperately wishing she would pick up. He needed to talk to her, to convince her to come back before the storm unleashed its fury. As he anxiously waited for the call to connect, Dante appeared at the door, looking curiously at Bruno. Their eyes met, filled with silent concern. “What's going on, Dad?” Dante asked, n
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