A week had passed since that intense dawn between Zoe and Arthur, yet she had not reached out to him. As much as something inside her screamed for his presence, her pride and the open wounds still spoke louder. Zoe felt torn. The longing came in waves, especially when her hands instinctively touched her still-subtle belly, reminding her of the child she carried.Even after asking him to give her space, Arthur had not gone a single day without sending a message. Always respectful, affectionate—sometimes just wishing her a good workday or saying how eager he was to meet the baby. It only broke Zoe’s heart more, because every word showed how hard he was trying.Zoe was buried in reports in Thor’s company office. Work had become her escape valve so she wouldn’t lose her mind to her own feelings.The office phone rang.“Zoe, there’s a woman here at reception asking to speak with you,” the receptionist said.“Who is it?” Zoe asked, frowning.“She said her name is Sabrina.”Zoe’s blood went

Arthur felt the world come to a halt.The image before him was as unexpected as it was painfully desired.Zoe was there.Her eyes were wet with tears, her expression fragile, her hands trembling slightly as she held the handle of the suitcase beside her. Her hair fell in disheveled waves over her shoulders, betraying her exhaustion. Her breathing was shallow, as if she needed to draw courage from the air itself just to be there.No words were spoken at first.She simply looked at him.Tears began to slide slowly down Zoe’s cheeks, and Arthur, faced with that sight, felt the ground vanish beneath him. He blinked slowly, as if trying to be sure it was real. His heart pounded so loudly it seemed to echo through the entire room. His hands tightened around the arms of the wheelchair. He could barely breathe.“Zoe…” he murmured, his voice breaking, his gaze locked on her.She took a step forward. Still silent.And then, in a choked, almost inaudible voice, she replied,“Arthur…”Her body tr

The next evening, São Paulo was wrapped in a cool, gentle breeze that danced through the trees of the upscale neighborhood where the imposing Ferraz mansion stood. The sky was clear, dotted with shy stars. Inside the car, Arthur drove attentively, even though his eyes occasionally drifted to the woman beside him—Zoe.She kept her hands folded over her belly, an unconscious gesture of protection. Though still small, the curve was already visible beneath her loose dress. Zoe stared out the window, watching the city lights pass like flashes from a movie reel. It felt strange to think that in less than twenty-four hours, her life had shifted once again.“Nervous?” he asked, breaking the silence.“A little,” she admitted, without taking her eyes off the window. “Your parents don’t even know I’m coming, do they?”“No. I thought it was better to keep it a surprise. They only know I’m having dinner with them.”Zoe looked at him, slightly worried.“And what if it’s a bad surprise?”Arthur smil

Zoe let a tear slip down in silence and, unable to contain the emotion, leaned in to embrace her. They stayed that way, holding each other, wrapped in the night breeze.On the other side of the house, in Otto’s office, father and son sat in leather armchairs. The bottle of whiskey between them was merely decorative, since Arthur was no longer drinking.Otto watched him in silence, a discreet smile on his face.“So… she came back home,” Otto said, with a tone of hopeful surprise.“She did,” Arthur confirmed, staring at the empty glass in his hands. “And now I carry the weight of not being allowed to make a single mistake. Not even a millimeter, Dad.”“You already made mistakes, Arthur. What defines a man is what he does with them. And so far, you’ve been worthy of the second chance you were given.”Arthur lifted his eyes.“I’m trying. More than ever. After the accident… I felt like nothing. A burden. The man who lost the woman he loved, who betrayed her, who ended up stuck in a wheelch

In the early hours of Tuesday morning, something different happened. With tenderness and restrained desire, Arthur knew exactly how to approach her. And Zoe gave in. They made love—for the second time since getting back together. It was intense, quiet, full of feeling. Afterward, they fell asleep. But Arthur couldn’t sleep for long.Dawn was breaking. Zoe slept deeply. The sheet covered her body only to the waist, revealing her bare back. She lay on her side, her loose hair spread across the pillow. Arthur, seated in his wheelchair beside the bed, watched her in silence. His eyes traced every line of her, and he let his thoughts wander.It isn’t easy… but it’s worth every second. When will you forgive me? When will you be able to say “I love you”? I miss that.Carefully, he moved closer to the bed, adjusting the orthopedic cushions so he could lie on his side. He propped himself on one elbow, resting his head on his hand, while with the other he began to gently caress her back. His fi