Victor crossed the ballroom in long strides, his sharp gaze sweeping across the crowd as he searched for Laura.He changed direction and headed toward the side corridor, finding her near the restroom entrance.“You took your time...” he said, leaning casually against the wall with a playful half-smile. “I was starting to think you’d gotten yourself into trouble.”He tilted his head, studying her more closely.“What’s with that look?”Laura adjusted her hair, trying to regain her composure, forcing a lightness she couldn’t even convince herself of.“Nothing happened,” she replied far too quickly. “I’m fine.”She walked past him.As if determined to prove her own point, a waiter happened to pass by at that exact moment. Laura reached out, grabbed a glass, and drained it in one swallow.She was already reaching for another when Victor gently caught her wrist—firm enough to stop her, careful enough not to hurt her.“Hey.”His tone remained calm, but left no room for argument.“That’s enou

Alex turned the moment he heard that unmistakable voice and felt the familiar touch on his arm. The smile appeared before he even saw her face.“Mom...” he said, pulling her into a tight embrace. “You said you wouldn’t be here for another week. How was the flight?”Savana returned the hug with equal warmth. Then she cupped her son’s face in both hands, as if she needed to reassure herself that he was really standing there.“The flight was fine, and I wanted to surprise you,” she replied with a smile. “And did you really think I would miss Frederico and Olga’s diamond anniversary? Celebrations like this are rare these days.”Alex let out a soft laugh and shook his head.“You always manage to surprise me,” he said, leaning down to kiss her cheek affectionately. “Welcome home. I love you, my queen.”Then, naturally, he turned and extended a hand toward Isis. His gaze had changed.It was steadier.More certain.“Mom... this is Isis,” he said without hesitation. “The woman I’m going to spe

Laura held Liam’s gaze for several seconds.The wineglass slipped from her fingers first.Then the bottle.The sound of shattering glass echoed through the garden.Her legs gave out.Laura dropped to her knees, and the sobs came all at once—loud, broken, completely uncontrolled.It was the kind of crying that didn’t ask for silence.It asked for help.Liam didn’t think.He crouched in front of her and pulled her into a firm, protective embrace, just as he had when she was a teenager and the world had seemed far too big.“Don’t do this to yourself, Laura...” he said, his voice thick with emotion.“I always taught you never to settle for less than you deserve.”She cried against his chest, her shoulders shaking violently.“If this is happening...” he continued, closing his eyes for a moment, “...then I’m to blame.”He swallowed hard.“Forgive me, sis. I failed you.”His voice broke.“I failed as your brother... and I failed trying to be the father figure you needed.”Laura gripped his s

Olivia took a deep breath before answering, trying to keep her voice steady.“I’m just worried about my sister-in-law, Dad,” she said. “She’s been going out too much, drinking too much...” Her gaze drifted away for a moment. “And today was a hard day. I’m afraid she might do something reckless.”Fabrício let out a heavy sigh.“She needs to settle things with that young man,” he commented. “The problem is, he’s married... and he has a daughter.”Olivia frowned slightly.“Edgar isn’t married to that woman,” she clarified. “They were separated. They were only living under the same roof because of Luna.” She paused. “I still don’t understand why he introduced her as his wife.”Fabrício shook his head, visibly bothered.“Unfinished business always ends badly.”---Some time later, Victor and Barbara stood beside the car in front of the mansion.The atmosphere was heavy. Suffocating.Barbara was crying uncontrollably.Her face was swollen, streaks of smeared makeup running down her cheeks.

Liam didn’t answer.He didn’t even look at her.Instead, he took two decisive steps toward Charles and grabbed him by the collar hard enough to leave him stunned.“Stay away from my wife,” he said, his voice low, cold, completely devoid of emotion. “This isn’t a warning. It’s an order.”Charles tried to speak, but Liam leaned in just enough for only him to hear.“Felipe didn’t kill your father...” he continued, his voice turning even colder. “...but I’m not him.”Then he released him without warning.Charles lost his balance and fell into the pool with a loud splash, water spraying in every direction.Liam didn’t even glance at him.He immediately turned toward Olivia, grabbed her arm firmly, and said:“Let’s go.”---The moment the bedroom door closed, the air seemed to thin.Liam didn’t pace.He stood perfectly still, as though he were holding himself back from exploding.The fists clenched at his sides revealed how futile that effort truly was.“You are forbidden from saying as muc