Chapter 41They had fallen asleep soon after reaching their peak together, exhausted and satisfied. When the alarm clock rang, marking seven thirty in the morning, Augusto woke up first, blinking a few times before realizing the time.“Damn…” he muttered, getting up quickly.He put on his underwear and walked to the closet, grabbing a suit and starting to get dressed swiftly. Patrícia, still stretching in bed, watched him with a lazy smile on her lips.“We’re going to be a little late, darling,” he warned as he buttoned his shirt.She sat up in bed, rubbing her still-sleepy eyes.“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to make you late.”Augusto stopped what he was doing and came closer, holding her face gently.“Don’t say that. There’s no one to blame here. Everyone knows I’m newly married and that we’re on our honeymoon. No one will find it strange if we arrive a bit late.”He winked at her and went back to put on his jacket.Patrícia smiled, her heart warmed by his light and affectionate way. Sh

Chapter 43Rafael didn’t return to his office. With his mind in turmoil, he stepped into the elevator and went straight down to the parking garage, unaware that Letícia, his secretary, was discreetly following him.When he unlocked the car doors, she appeared behind him.“Are you okay?” she asked, concern in her eyes.He turned around, surprised, but relaxed when he saw her.“Yes, Letícia. I just need to get out for a bit. Would you like to come with me?”“I can?”“Of course. I’m inviting you.”She smiled and got into the car, a little nervous. It was the first time she had shared such an intimate space with her boss.Minutes later, Rafael parked in front of one of the most famous cafés in downtown São Paulo. He got out and hurried to open the door for Letícia, extending his hand like a true gentleman.As he helped her out, his eyes involuntarily traveled down her legs, accentuated by the skirt that had ridden up slightly when she sat. He swallowed hard. His tie seemed tighter than be

Chapter 45Augusto was exhausted, yet his body still vibrated with the day’s adrenaline. He couldn’t relax. Sitting on the sofa in the spacious living room with the lights off, he let himself be carried by the silence and the silvery light of the full moon pouring in through the enormous windows.In the crystal glass, the ice clinked as he slowly swirled the whisky between his fingers. The strong drink burned gently down his throat, but it wasn’t enough to quiet his mind. He pulled his phone from his pocket and typed a brief message to Rafael:“Everything’s fine here. Take care of things there. Love, Dad.”Meanwhile, back in Brazil, Rafael was enjoying the late evening with Letícia. After the movie, he had taken his secretary straight to the mansion. They arrived late. The doors were locked, but that didn’t stop them.Between muffled laughter and urgent kisses, Rafael fumbled in his pocket for the key while Letícia tried to hold back her smiles. They managed to open the door and stumb

Chapter 47Lorenzo kindly pulled out the chair for her, helping her settle at the small, charming café table overlooking the park. He ordered two espressos in flawless Italian, and while they waited, he kept his eyes on her with sincere but respectful interest.“You know, Patrícia… you can tell when someone speaks about another person with passion,” he commented, resting his elbow on the table. “Your husband is a lucky man.”She looked at him, surprised, blinking a few times at the direct statement.“You’re very much in love with him. How long have you been married?”She smiled serenely, almost shyly, before answering.“It’ll be a month.”“And what’s his name?”“Augusto. Augusto Avelar.”Lorenzo’s eyes widened, nearly knocking over the small glass of sparkling water the waiter had just served.“Oh my God! You’re kidding?!” he exclaimed, lowering his voice as he realized his reaction. “You’re the wife of the most famous magnate in Brazil?”She nodded with a restrained smile while Loren

Chapter 49The driver dropped them off very close to Via Condotti, one of the most elegant and iconic streets in Rome. As soon as she stepped out of the car, Patrícia was enveloped by the aura of the Eternal City: the sound of motorcycles passing by, the aroma of espresso in the air, and ancient façades contrasting with luxurious shop windows.“Ready to make Rome tremble with your beauty?” Augusto said, removing his sunglasses and casting her a charming look.“I don’t know about Rome, but you maybe,” she replied with a mischievous smile.Their first stop was a renowned boutique. Patrícia fell in love with a red dress that reminded her of Italian cinema divas. When she saw the price, she hesitated. But Augusto, already familiar with that kind of hesitation from her, stepped closer and whispered,“Don’t think about the price. Think about the romantic dinner we’ll have with you wearing this.”She couldn’t resist and went straight to the fitting room. When she came out, he applauded discr