Chapter 2

After accepting the job, Rafael asked the butler to show her to her quarters.

Always discreet and efficient, the butler guided Patrícia through the wide corridors of the mansion to a comfortable bedroom located next to Mr. Avelar’s.

“This will be your room, Miss Patrícia. If you need anything, I’ll be at your disposal.” He opened the door, revealing a cozy space with elegant furniture.

She thanked him with a slight nod and went in to change. She put on the immaculate white uniform, feeling the responsibility finally settle in. She took a deep breath and left the room.

When she returned to the patient’s bedroom, she examined every detail carefully. She opened the medical chart beside the bed and began reviewing the medications, administration times, daily care, and routines. Everything had to be followed to the letter.

As she read the previous notes, her gaze returned to the unconscious man in the bed. Mr. Avelar. Even at rest, he exuded an imposing presence. It was almost palpable.

Patrícia stepped closer and gently adjusted the sheets over him. She lightly touched his wrist, feeling the slightly cool skin. It was the beginning of a new phase, and she was determined to prove she was capable.

After organizing everything she needed, Patrícia finally picked up a book she had wanted to read for a long time and sat down in the comfortable armchair beside the bed.

She ran her fingers over the cover before opening it and looked at the sleeping man in front of her. There was something about him that intrigued her—perhaps the authority that remained even in fragility, or the mystery behind his serene expression.

With a small smile, as if she were talking to him, she asked softly, “Do you mind if I read a little?”

She waited for a moment, as if expecting an answer. Her eyes scanned his face, attentive to any movement. The silence was absolute, broken only by the rhythmic sound of his breathing and the faint hum of the machines.

She sighed, settled more comfortably into the chair, and began to read. But no matter how hard she tried to focus on the words, her attention kept drifting back to him.

Patrícia smiled to herself as she looked at the book in her hands. She turned slightly toward the sleeping man and, even knowing he wouldn’t respond, asked lightly, “May I read out loud? I’m starting a romance different from what I’m used to. I hope you don’t mind.”

She adjusted herself in the chair, crossing her legs, and ran her fingers over the pages before continuing.

“The title is In Love with My Son’s Ex. Wow!” she laughed softly. “If you only knew how curious I am to read this… Well, I’ll start.”

She took a deep breath and opened to the first page. But before beginning, her gaze returned to his face. There was something almost ironic about the situation. There she was, about to dive into a forbidden story, while caring for a man who, in another reality, could very well be the protagonist of a romance like that.

Shaking her head to push the thoughts away, Patrícia began to read, her soft voice filling the silent room.

“You will be mine…”

Patrícia sighed.

“Oh God! I wish I could hear that so much… Only in books.”

She lifted her eyes from the book and looked at Mr. Avelar. Given his age, she wondered what kind of man he had been. Had he ever lived a consuming romance like the one in that book? Had someone ever heard that same phrase spoken by him with desire?

She shook her head, laughing at herself.

“I’m going crazy… Better get back to reading.”

Determined to focus on the story, she continued. However, as the couple’s scene grew more intense and explicit, her voice began to falter. The words came out hesitantly, and an unexpected warmth spread through her body. It was as if, somehow, the unconscious patient could hear her, which made her even more embarrassed.

She swallowed hard and quickly closed the book.

“Better stop here…” she murmured, feeling her cheeks burn.

Before she could fully compose herself, she heard a discreet knock at the door. The butler appeared, impeccable as always, and announced, “Miss Patrícia, lunch is served.”

She almost sighed in relief.

“Thank you!” She stood up quickly, as if fleeing that room were the only way to escape the whirlwind of sensations still throbbing in her body.

The butler introduced Patrícia to most of the staff before leaving to speak with the owner’s son. Meanwhile, the employees had lunch, and the conversation inevitably turned to Mr. Avelar.

“Did Mr. Rafael tell you about the accident that left the boss in a coma?” one of the employees asked, casting her a curious look.

Patrícia hesitated for a moment. She swallowed, unsure how much she could trust her coworkers.

“No,” she replied simply.

There was a brief silence before another voice added, “It was a car accident, two years ago.”

The words hung in the air, stirring even more curiosity in Patrícia. She looked around, realizing that everyone seemed to know more than they were willing to say. What exactly had happened?

Patrícia frowned, intrigued by the way the employees spoke about the accident. It was as if there was something between the lines, something no one mentioned openly.

“Two years is a long time…” she commented, looking at the faces around her. “Didn’t the doctors ever suggest that he might wake up?”

The employees exchanged glances, and one of the cooks sighed before answering, “At first, yes. But as time went by, hope faded. Today, only Mr. Rafael still believes in it.”

Patrícia felt a tightness in her chest when she heard that. She remembered the tender way Rafael had held his father’s hand earlier, the hope in his eyes. He truly believed that Mr. Avelar could still return.

Before she could ask more questions, the butler returned to the kitchen. He cast a discreet look at the employees, and the conversation dissipated instantly.

“Patrícia, are you finished?”

“Yes.”

“Come with me.”

She stood immediately, feeling the weight of everything she had just heard. Something told her that this job would bring more challenges than she had imagined.

Patrícia followed the butler through the mansion’s corridors. Two years in a coma… it was far too long, and with each passing day, the chances of recovery diminished. Still, something inside her told her that Mr. Avelar was still there, trapped somewhere between darkness and reality.

The butler stopped in front of the patient’s room and opened the door, allowing her to enter.

“Mr. Rafael asked that you keep an eye on any changes in his father’s condition. If you notice anything unusual, inform me immediately.”

Patrícia nodded and entered the room in silence. She approached the bed and observed the man lying there. Now, more calmly, she analyzed every detail: the strong features, the slightly graying hair, and the unshaven beard.

With a sigh, she sat down in the armchair beside the bed.

“Hello, Mr. Avelar… I think we’re going to spend a lot of time together,” she said, her voice soft.

She felt a little foolish talking to someone who couldn’t answer her, but for some reason, she continued.

“I don’t know if you can hear me, but your son believes you’ll wake up. And, well… I want to believe that too.”

Silence settled over the room, broken only by the sound of the machines. Patrícia adjusted herself in the chair and picked up her book again, but before opening it, she cast one more look at the sleeping man.

“I’ll keep an eye on you… and I promise to take good care of you.”

And with that, she began reading, unaware that, for the first time in a very long while, Mr. Avelar’s fingers moved slightly over the sheet.