Gabriel spoke first:“Grandma, let us settle in for a bit. We just got back from the wedding, we’re exhausted. And the trip to Brazil was long. Later—after some coffee and that amazing cake only you know how to make—we can talk about altars.”“It’s a pleasure finally meeting you in person,” Ava said, hugging Grandma Adelaide gently. “Gabriel talks about you all the time.”“Ava, where did you learn to speak Portuguese so well?” Luzia asked, genuinely curious.“I always wanted to visit Brazil,” Ava answered. “So I started chatting with Brazilians on exchange platforms and taking online courses. But I still struggle with some words and expressions.”“Mom, I know you’ve missed us, but we really need some rest. We’ll talk tomorrow, I promise,” Gabriel asked softly.“Of course, my son. Your room is spotless—go get some sleep. And don’t mind the simplicity, Ava. This house is simple, but it’s full of love,” Luzia said with a tender smile.Gabriel led Ava down the hallway, still holding her h

Later that night, while Arthur watched the news on the suite’s TV, Zoe appeared with a calm but determined expression. She sat beside him on the bed and intertwined their fingers.“Baby… I need to tell you something. I accepted Thor’s offer. I’m going back to work on Monday.”Arthur switched off the TV instantly. The smile vanished from his face, and his eyes sharpened with tension.“What do you mean? We already talked about this, sweetheart. The plan was for you to leave the company and invest in something of your own. Remember? Since the beginning of our relationship, we agreed we’d make decisions together.”Zoe inhaled slowly.“I know. And it’s not that I changed my mind. But… I still don’t know what I want to invest in. You were the one who said I deserved independence, to build something that’s mine. And until I figure out what that is, I’d rather keep working. I don’t want to stay at home.”Arthur ran a hand along the back of his neck, clearly bothered.“But you don’t need to wo

Sabrina rose to her feet, adjusted her purse, and smiled.“Maybe I did you a favor. Because he’ll always come back to me, he’ll always knock on my door. And I—like I always have—won’t stop him from coming in. While you refused to sleep with him, refused to give him a child, I was the one satisfying him. Especially during your little trip to the United States. I’m the one who gave him the heir he always dreamed of. Honestly, I should applaud you… for accepting such humiliation,” she said, her sarcasm dripping like venom.“And I applaud you for being so starved for affection that you’ve settled for being the other woman.”Zoe’s smile was cold as ice as she lifted her hand and displayed her wedding ring. “Because, even if it was out of convenience, I—the poor, hardworking girl—am the one he chose to carry his last name. I’m Mrs. Ferraz, not you. Good night, sweetheart.”With her chin high, Zoe watched Sabrina leave. Only then did she close her eyes and let the world collapse on her for a

The silence that followed Zoe’s question was so dense it seemed to fill every corner of the room. Her voice—steady and trembling all at once—still echoed in the air:“When were you going to tell me… that you’re going to be a father?”Arthur froze on the spot, car keys hanging loosely between his fingers, as if time itself had stopped.“W–what do you mean… a father?” he asked, brows furrowing, trying to understand whether this was some kind of prank.Zoe kept staring at him, her eyes glistening.“Arthur, I don’t think you understood me.”She repeated it slowly, with more weight.“When were you going to tell me you got Sabrina pregnant?”Her name dropped into the room like a bomb. Arthur went pale—drained of every trace of color.“Zoe, what are you talking about? Is this some kind of joke? Are you pregnant? Is that it? Is this some kind of prank?” he stammered, forcing a nervous smile.“No.”She took a step toward him.“Let me rephrase it, since you want to play stupid.”Her voice sharp

Zoe didn’t move. Tears streamed down her cheeks, her face stained with hurt.“Don’t yell. Don’t make this a scene,” she said, her voice low but lethal. “You had a thousand chances to tell me the truth. A thousand. And you chose silence. And now you want to scream like you’re the victim? If I had cheated, you would never forgive me. You’d probably throw me out of this house—if not worse.”Arthur was barely breathing. His chest rose and fell in frantic, uneven waves. He looked at her one last time—rage, pain, wounded pride burning behind his eyes.Without another word, he stormed out of the bedroom.The door slammed so violently behind him that the hinges trembled.The sound echoed through the mansion like a dry thunderclap cutting through silence.Zoe stayed where she was, standing with a heart split into pieces. She could still hear the echo of the door, but inside, the noise was different—shattered trust, wounded love, and the crushing certainty that nothing would ever be the same.H