Chapter 7

Rafael rested his elbows on the table and laced his fingers together, watching Patrícia intently.

"I know you’re here because you need the job," he began bluntly. "Your grandfather is ill, and the hospital costs are high."

Patrícia felt a tightness in her chest. She hadn’t expected him to know about her situation.

"Yes," she replied cautiously.

Rafael nodded, as if he had already expected that answer.

"I need you to accept a deal with me."

She frowned.

"What kind of deal?"

He took a deep breath before continuing.

"My father, Augusto Avelar, could wake up at any moment. But there’s someone I don’t want anywhere near him. And to make sure of that, I need you to pretend to be… his wife."

The silence that followed was absolute.

Patrícia blinked, thinking she had misunderstood.

"What?" she asked, mouth agape.

Rafael kept his posture firm.

"I know it sounds absurd, but that woman, Estela, cannot return to my father’s life. He was close to death, and I don’t want her taking advantage of the situation. If he wakes up believing he has a wife by his side, maybe that will keep her away."

"But…" Patrícia shook her head, trying to process it. "This is crazy."

"I know," Rafael admitted, leaning slightly forward. "But it’s the only way I’ve found to protect him."

She felt her heart race.

"You want me to pretend to be his wife? What kind of farce would that be?"

"Something simple. You don’t need to pretend to be in love or act inappropriately. I just want that when he wakes up, he sees a trustworthy presence by his side. And above all, that Estela believes he already has someone."

Patrícia was still stunned.

"This… this can’t work. What if he doesn’t believe it? What if I say something wrong?"

"I trust you," Rafael said seriously. "You’ve been the only person by his side. My father will recognize that."

She looked away, her head spinning.

"And if I don’t accept?"

Rafael sighed.

"I won’t force you to do anything. But if you accept, I’ll make sure your grandfather gets the best treatment possible."

Patrícia held her breath.

"Are you… are you trying to buy me?"

"I’m trying to help you while you help me," Rafael corrected. "Think of it as an agreement. You take care of my father and keep Estela away, and I take care of your grandfather."

The weight of that proposal fell on Patrícia like an avalanche. It was risky. Absurd. But it was also her chance to guarantee the best care for her grandfather.

She closed her eyes for a moment, feeling trapped. Then she took a deep breath and looked at Rafael.

"I… I need some time to think."

He nodded.

"I understand. But don’t take too long. My father could wake up at any moment."

Patrícia stood up, her legs shaky, and left the office. Her heart was pounding in her chest.

Could she really accept something like that?

"If I accept… what will you do?" Patrícia asked, stopping at the door and turning to face him.

Rafael didn’t hesitate. His gaze was firm, determined.

"I’ll schedule the wedding."

Her heart skipped a beat.

"Wedding?" she repeated, stunned. "You really want to take this lie that far?"

He stood up and walked toward her calmly, his hands in his pockets.

"It needs to look real, Patrícia. A simple rumor wouldn’t keep Estela away. But if she believes my father is a married man, it’ll be harder for her to try to get close again."

She stared at him, trying to find some hesitation in his expression, but he seemed resolute.

"And if he wakes up and doesn’t believe it?"

"Let’s hope his recovery is slow enough for the story to make sense."

Patrícia let out a nervous laugh.

"This is crazy."

Rafael shrugged.

"Maybe. But it’s the best solution I’ve found."

She bit her lip, the weight of the decision crushing her shoulders.

"I need to think…"

"Take all the time you need," he said, tilting his head slightly. "But know that if you accept, I’ll take care of everything. Including your grandfather."

A shiver ran down Patrícia’s spine.

She left the office without saying anything else, her mind racing.

In the bedroom, Patrícia sighed, twisting her fingers as she watched Mr. Avelar sleeping.

"What a situation…" she murmured to herself.

Her eyes wandered over his face, as if seeing him for the first time. She had already noticed Augusto Avelar’s great beauty, his imposing presence, his strong features, his natural elegance. But beyond appearances, she knew nothing about him. She didn’t know his voice, his gaze, his expressions. He was still a complete stranger.

And yet, soon, she would have to call him her husband.

The thought made her swallow hard. What would happen when he woke up? What if he rejected her? What if he became furious upon discovering that, while he slept, his life had changed drastically?

But on the other hand, there was no choice. Her grandfather needed the treatment, and this was her only chance.

She gently squeezed Mr. Avelar’s hand, feeling guilty for making such a big decision without his consent.

"I’ll have to accept, Mr. Avelar… I’m sorry."

Her eyes closed for a moment as she tried to push the thoughts away. She couldn’t hesitate anymore.

Taking a deep breath, she stood up and walked with steady steps to the living room, where she found Rafael.

He turned when he saw her, waiting for her answer.

"I accept," she said, trying to sound more confident than she actually felt.

A satisfied smile appeared on Rafael’s face.

"Great. I’ll see if it’s possible to get you married as soon as tomorrow."

Patrícia’s heart raced.

"Tomorrow?!"

"The sooner, the better," he said, picking up his phone to start the arrangements.

Patrícia felt her legs weaken, but she didn’t back down. She had already made her decision. And now there was no turning back.

She returned to the hallway, feeling exhaustion weigh heavily on her shoulders. With slow steps, she opened the door to her room and, without thinking, locked it behind her. She was exhausted but needed a moment to herself. She undressed quickly, letting her clothes fall to the floor, and went straight to the bathroom. The hot water from the shower seemed to ease the weight of the day, and she allowed herself a few minutes of silence and calm, trying to release the tension that had built up over the last few hours.

After the shower, she felt renewed, but as she stepped out of the bathroom, the atmosphere felt strange. Something had changed. A faint sound, as if someone were moving around in the next room, made her stop. Without thinking twice, she hurried to open the bedroom door, imagining that Mr. Avelar had finally woken up. Her racing heart pushed her forward, and with a trembling hand, she opened the door to the next room, expecting to see the man who had been unconscious for so long.

However, upon entering the room, she didn’t find Avelar awake, but rather his son, Rafael. He was standing, holding his father’s shirt in his hands, carefully adjusting the collar, as if preparing him to wake up. She stood there, frozen for a moment, her face flushing when she realized she was wearing a teddy bear pajama set—something she normally wore only at home, far from curious eyes.

Rafael looked at her with a discreet smile, an amused glint in his eyes as he saw her there, so embarrassed. Her face burned, but she tried to keep her composure.

"I thought we’d be alone…" she said softly. "It’s already late."

He watched her for a moment, then calmly finished buttoning his father’s shirt and looked at her again.

"I had to bathe him," Rafael replied in a deep but calm voice. "I believe it will be the last time."

Despite herself, a shy smile appeared on her lips, mixed with the discomfort of the situation.

"Maybe it’s better if you rest… I can stay with him now."