“Manuela”

The moment Patrício felt pressured and opened his mouth to assure me that Flávio hadn't done anything wrong, I was certain that whatever was happening, she hadn't betrayed me and that his intention, however misguided, was to protect me.

As the boys recounted everything that was happening and repeated over and over again that Flávio was afraid I would leave him, I understood what he felt. I could understand his fear, but I didn't understand why he didn't trust that my love was strong e