Mag-log inThe sun filtered timidly through the hospital windows when Dr. Vitor entered the room, smiling with that calm, steady demeanor that, little by little, I had learned to admire. Miguel was sitting in the armchair next to the bed, with Giulia lying in his lap, her eyes attentive to the story he was whispering. I was leaning against the wall, arms crossed and heart anxious, trying to appear calm.
Dr. Vitor stopped at the foot of the bed, picked up his clipboard, and looked at us with a lig
The warm, golden light of the Madrid late afternoon bathed our living room, creating a dancing reflection on the light wooden floor. I took a deep breath, letting the comforting aroma of the paella my father had insisted on preparing mix with the sweet scent of the flowers Isa had brought. I still sometimes found it hard to believe that this was my life. Our life.I stood at the balcony door, a cup of warm tea in my hands, and simply watched. My heart filled with such a deep peace that it almost hurt. Less than two years ago, my days were a gray fog in São Paulo, an emptiness I thought would never be filled. Now, here I was.In the center of the rug, Serena, with her wide eyes that were a perfect copy of Noah's, took her first wobbly steps. Her tiny hands gripped with surprising strength to Noah's mother's fingers, who was kneeling in front of her."Come, my little star, come to Grandma," she coaxed, in a loving mix of Spanish and Portuguese that made Ser
The sun was saying goodbye on the horizon, painting the sky in golden, pink, and violet hues that reflected on the sea just in front of the mansion. The garden had been transformed into a dreamlike setting: tables delicately decorated with white and lilac flowers, lanterns hanging from tall trees, candles scattered in glass containers that were already beginning to cast a soft light to welcome the night. There was music, there was laughter, there was that celebratory atmosphere that only a wedding can bring.I walked beside Noah, hand in hand, with Serena in her stepmother's arms, Isa, who laughed at the little one being enchanted by the sparkle of the lights. My eyes scanned every detail, as if wanting to forever capture this scene. After everything we had been through — every obstacle, every pain, every distance — being there, married to the man I had always loved, felt like a miracle.The guests were spread across the garden, some near the dance floor se
I never thought my hands could sweat so much. They were clasped together, discreetly hidden behind my back, as I tried to control my breathing. The altar was impeccably decorated, with white and green flowers, the sea in the background serving as the perfect setting, but I couldn't focus on anything other than the fact that, in a few minutes, Giulia would walk toward me.With every breath, my heart seemed to beat louder, as if trying to escape my chest. I looked around and saw familiar faces — friends, family, people who had witnessed pieces of our story — but they were all just blurs against the anxiety consuming me.And then, the soft sound of the music began. Everyone stood up, and I felt my legs almost give way. My heart stopped for an instant, only to race again. Because there she was.Giulia appeared, arm in arm with her father, walking slowly toward me. The white dress looked like it was made of clouds and light. Her smile illuminated everythi
The mansion's room was filled with a different energy that morning. The soft sound of waves crashing on the beach in the distance seemed to keep pace with my racing heart. The breeze coming in through the balcony carried the scent of sea salt mixed with the sweet perfume of the flowers decorating every corner. It was my wedding day.The day I would say "yes" to Noah in front of everyone — but, above all, in front of the life that had always pushed us toward each other.I was sitting in front of the large mirror, while the hairdresser put the finishing touches on my hairstyle. The low, delicate bun left a few strands loose around my face, creating a soft, almost ethereal frame. My makeup was already done — natural, but enough to highlight my eyes, already teary with emotion. I looked at myself and could hardly believe it: that woman in a light white dress, her skin warmed by the morning sun, her heart racing, was me.Isa, sitting near the vanity, smil
I drove the entire way with a good kind of anxiety, the kind that burns in your chest and makes your breath catch every now and then. Giulia looked out the window, distracted, while Serena slept in the back seat, her serene little face reflecting the soft light of the late afternoon. It was the perfect moment to reveal what I had been holding onto for weeks, the secret I had planned with so much care.When the car entered the condominium where her father lived, I noticed the surprise in Giulia's eyes. She turned her face to me, raising an eyebrow, as if wanting to ask why we were there. I smiled sideways, without answering, and just kept driving. We weren't going to her father's house. I had a different destination, and I wanted to see her reaction."Noah…" she called, with that low voice that always undoes me. "What are we doing here?"I squeezed her hand over the gear shift and glanced at her quickly before turning my eyes back to the road."Trus
Serena laughed loudly on the living room rug, her little hands trying to grab the colorful toy I was swinging in front of her. The soft late-afternoon light streamed through the window, painting the room in gold, and for a moment I allowed myself to forget everything — the court, the pain, the ghosts. There, lying on the rug with my daughter, there was only peace."Come on, little one, you can do it," I murmured, laughing when she made a face and nearly toppled over.My heart still marveled at the strength she had to transform me. I, who once thought I would be incapable of being a father, now couldn't imagine life without that toothless smile staring back at me.The sound of the key in the door made me look up. And then, there she was. Giulia.The simple dress, her loose hair falling over her shoulders, and a sparkle in her eyes I hadn't seen in a long time. Something about her was different. Not just beautiful — she had always been that &mda
The studio on the third floor of the gallery was bathed in that soft late-afternoon light, filtering through the large windows and illuminating the walls filled with canvases and brushes. The dense smell of oil paint mixed with the fresh air coming through the open window, creating an atmosphere
ONE YEAR AND TWO MONTHS LATER...Just thinking about that name warms my chest. I don't know if it's the climate, the architecture, or the strange sense of freedom this city seems to promise. But as I crossed the skies and watched the buildings approach through the airplane window, I felt a
Two months.Two months had passed since the transplant. Sixty days that, for many, might seem like simple pages turned on a calendar. But for me, each one carried the weight of an entire lifetime.Giulia's recovery had been a silent miracle. A slow, cautious process, but one that ha
The house was silent. For the first time in weeks, it wasn't a tense silence, full of waiting and fear, but a sweet stillness, the kind that embraces you from the inside. The fireplace crackled softly in the living room, casting warm shadows on the walls. Giulia was sleeping in the room next door







