Chapter 32Lying in Gabriel’s arms, Jussara felt the comforting warmth of his body against hers. His steady breathing seemed to calm her, but her mind was restless. She gently caressed the arm resting around her waist, lost in thought.“How lucky I am…” she thought. Ever since she arrived at that house, Dona Amélia had treated her with genuine, almost maternal affection. It was a feeling Jussara had not experienced in a long time. After losing her parents, she believed she would never feel that kind of warmth again. Now, every gesture from her future mother-in-law, every tender look, filled a void she hadn’t even realized still existed.But like a passing cloud, an uncomfortable thought crossed her mind. Marcos. It was the second time she had seen him in the same place, and this time, inside Gabriel’s company. She shifted slightly in bed, trying to ignore the unease it brought. “Does he work there? And if so… does Gabriel know him?”She sighed, staring at the dark ceiling of the bedro

Chapter 34Dona Amélia knocked softly on the door and, upon hearing Gabriel’s consent, entered gracefully, adjusting her purse on her arm.“Are you all right, my love?”Gabriel lifted his eyes from the papers, surprised.“Mom? I wasn’t expecting to see you here. I’m great, thank you.”She walked toward him, studying him with her experienced gaze.“You know, it’s a good thing I came.”“What do you mean?”“Leave it to me, my dear. I’ll handle it.”He raised an eyebrow but did not press the matter.“All right.”“Have you had lunch yet? You look a bit worn out.”Gabriel sighed and rubbed his face.“I’m a little tired. I haven’t eaten yet.”“Then there are two of us. Let’s go somewhere nearby, I’m starving.”He smiled and stood up.“Of course, Mom. As you wish.”Dona Amélia gave him a warm smile.“Always so polite. I’m very proud. Completely different from how you were after the accident, but I understand you—it was all very hard for you, my dear.”Gabriel paused for a moment, looking at h

Chapter 36Gabriel quickly typed on his phone, sending a message to Jussara:Gabriel:"Hi, love. Where are you?"Her reply came shortly after:Jussara:"I went to the salon to get a haircut and do my nails. I didn’t tell your mother because she had gone out."Gabriel smiled, imagining her taking care of herself, and replied:Gabriel:"That’s fine. Enjoy your day. I just wanted to let you know that we were invited to an opera."Jussara:"An opera? Wow, how fancy! When?"Gabriel:"Friday night. My mother wants us to go together. Is that okay for you?"Jussara:"Of course! Perfect. I love you!"Gabriel:"I love you too. See you later."He put his phone away, satisfied, and began thinking about what Friday night with Jussara would be like.Gabriel called his secretary through the intercom."Could you ask Marcos to come to my office, please?" he requested, his voice calm but firm.A short while later, the secretary returned."Mr. Gabriel, Marcos left the company a little while ago. It seem

Chapter 38In the living room, the fireplace crackled softly. Gabriel and Jussara were sitting side by side on the couch, while Dona Amélia had already retired to rest. Shortly after, the cook discreetly entered with an elegantly arranged cart, bringing two types of fondue: cheese and chocolate, accompanied by fruits, bread, and other carefully arranged sides."I hope you enjoy it, Mr. Gabriel. I prepared it with great care," the cook said before leaving.Gabriel smiled and thanked her with a nod. As soon as they were alone, he turned to Jussara and gently held her hand."I thought the evening deserved something special," he said, looking into her eyes. "You inspire me to do things like this, to always want to spoil you."Jussara smiled, a light blush coloring her cheeks."You already do so much for me, Gabriel. I don’t even know how to thank you for being so… loving."Gabriel let out a low laugh and picked up a piece of bread, dipping it into the cheese fondue before offering it to J

Chapter 40In the kitchen, Jussara and Dona Amélia laughed heartily at one of the funny stories the head chef had told about a culinary disaster in his youth."And he still had the nerve to serve the completely burnt cake!" Dona Amélia exclaimed, wiping away a tear from laughing so hard."I wouldn’t have survived that!" Jussara said, holding back her laughter as she imagined the scene.Back in the bedroom, Gabriel turned off the shower and wrapped a towel around his waist, water slowly running down his broad shoulders and muscular chest. He ran a hand through his wet hair, getting ready to put on something more comfortable when he heard the door open.Jussara walked into the room and stopped at the entrance, her eyes fixed on him. For a moment, time seemed to slow down. The sight of Gabriel, his body still damp and his muscles defined under the soft bedroom light, sent a wave of heat through her."Is everything okay?" Gabriel asked, noticing her intense gaze as he dried his neck with