The music began; the overture played with power, and the melody was so lively that little Jonathan couldn't help but move his feet to the rhythm. He was filled with excitement—it was his first time seeing it live on stage. It was the first time for all of them.
The curtain rose, and the play began.
As Daniel had explained to Naomi, there were dialogues, fortunately in their own language. The lyrical parts, however, were in German, but at least they could understand what the story was about.
And then she appeared…
Beautiful, radiant, powerful. Wearing a white period dress, a smile on her lips, and strength in her voice. The first notes left everyone in suspense, and as the first act unfolded, the energy in the theater became
Once again, the game of glances, where they spoke thousands of words without saying a thing. The unspoken body language, the small smiles, the hands casually brushing through hair or resting on arms, the subtle movements, the magical feeling of creating an invisible tension in the air that connected them. Daniel’s blood was starting to boil, yet he still couldn’t take a single step toward her.His expressionless face sent one message, but the fire in his eyes sent another. Deanna didn’t understand—was it because of Beverly? Could her fear be true? That he no longer loved her? She bit her lip, hesitating. Why had he come, then? To show her that his love had died and that now he had another woman by his side, someone more suitable?Hours passed, but there was still no reaction from him. She felt her soul slipping a
“But…”“But what, Crusher?”“You and her…”“Oh, please!” He threw his arms up. “Do you think that if we were together, I’d be telling you all this? Yes, I love her… But not that kind of love… I just want her to be happy, and it looks like her happiness is with you…”Daniel watched him, then looked toward the dressing room doors.“Are you still going to hesitate?”“Are you… letting her go?”“I will never let her go! I’m not with her like everyon
His arms imprisoned her more tightly, he could feel how that daring neckline pressed against his chest; feel the small movements of her body, the electricity repeated itself, the heat repeated itself. If he could, he would embrace her so much as to incorporate her into his own being. His hands grew restless and traveled across her back and bare neck, moving further south until he could perceive the curve where her back ended beneath the countless layers of fabric of her dress. And that movement rewarded him with a stronger and more furious moan.She abandoned his jacket to fully hang from his neck, drawing him closer, as if Daniel wasn't already immersed in her orbit. Her hands slipped through his hair, how she adored running her fingers through those strands sprinkled with white! She couldn't stop the heat growing inside her, she had missed him so much. When lips weren't enough, she used her teeth in small, gentle bites and now it was Daniel's turn to emit sounds of pleasure
He lifted her skirt, and her underwear met the same fate as the buttons. Finally, he took pity on Deanna, and when they came together again after so long, the pleasure was exquisite. Her back arched until it pressed completely against Daniel’s chest. He gripped her hips, setting a short but fierce rhythm.Hearing her voice her pleasure again with such shameless, uninhibited abandon was even better than hearing her sing. Watching her expressions—the way her mouth moved, the intensity in her eyes reflected in the mirror, the sheer depravity of it all—awakened something primal inside him.He tangled his fingers into her pinned-up hair and yanked her head back, exposing her neck. His mouth found its way there, searching until he reached that spot just behind her left ear that always made her moan. And moan she did—loud
Deanna returned from the kitchen with two cups in her hands. While preparing the coffee, her elaborate hairstyle from that night had come undone slightly. The oversized shirt hung loosely on her, and yet, even in that disheveled state, Daniel still found her incredibly beautiful.He intercepted her before she could set the cups down on the small table and pulled her close by the waist."Why do you always look so sexy?" he asked, burying his face in her neck.He had always had these moments with her. Sometimes, he would find her somewhere in the house and wouldn’t be able to resist the urge to hold her, kiss her, or whisper sweet words in her ear. It was the way his large hands wrapped around her and the tenderness in his words that made Deanna call him "my poet." How could she not
He listened to her without fully understanding what she was saying. How Leonard had followed her to Philippa’s house, his panic attack, the details of his relationship with her mother. Then she spoke to him about the loneliness he had lived in, the excuses he made to indulge his desires, and why he really did it. He had been a sad man, cornered by hatred and resentment. But now he was different; now he acted like a father to her."Did you really think I could ever look at a man like him?""I didn’t know what to think... You didn’t deny it either.""No, I didn’t. I was so angry, and I wanted to strip myself of everything we had, so I preferred that you believe it. I know how you are, and I knew it would hurt you. I was so hurt that I wanted you to feel at least a little of the same."
Beverly was the first to feel the effects.Leonard had put her in a taxi, and she had driven a few blocks away. But then, she had asked the driver to turn back and wait a few meters from the parking lot.She had watched as Reed and Marcus left, crossing the street arm in arm like two drunken fools. Somehow, she knew Daniel was still inside, and Leonard had left without Deanna. And there they were, holding hands again, walking to his car, getting in, and driving away together.That same night, earlier, in her desperation to keep him from pushing her away, she had promised him it would be the last time, that she would leave his life and the company for good. Nothing had gone as expected. Now she stood alone, surrounded by people, without Daniel and without the Diva in sight. She knew exact
They had been woken up by the relentless buzzing of messages flooding Deanna’s phone. It was already around nine. She was so comfortable sleeping on him that the persistent sound annoyed her—she didn’t want to move. Finally, she stretched out her hand and grabbed the device. An endless stream of notifications: Leonard, Leonard, Leonard, Leonard."Hey, Deanna, are you awake?""You must still be sleeping.""What happened last night with that idiot?""Why aren’t you answering?""If he did anything to you, I swear I’ll kil
Susan waited for them in Leonard's car. It was Ethan's last year of high school, and he was about to start college. When they saw her standing there, they were surprised.“Auntie, how are you?“ Naomi greeted her.“Hello, kids...”“What are you doing here?” Ethan asked.“I came to pick you up because Daniel and Deanna are at the hospital. Your sisters are about to be born.”Naomi screamed uncontrollably! She practically dragged everyone to the car.“Calm down, Naomi, there's still time. Don't get nervous,” Susan tried to calm her down.“My sisters are coming! I want to get there!”For some reason, of the three siblings, she was the most anxious. She was finally going to have sisters. Yes, they would be a few years older, but she wouldn't be alone. Throughout the pregnancy, she had spent a small fortune on little dresses, hair ribbons, tiny shoes, and everything else in duplicate. She was overwhelmed with excitement.Ethan, on the other hand, didn't quite know how to feel. He was happy
The day had arrived; the day everyone had been waiting for. Her obstetrician had warned her that multiple pregnancies often resulted in delivery before 37 weeks; that if it happened, she shouldn't panic, even if the girls were born a little premature, as this was to be expected.And Deanna felt it, like a premonition, that morning. Something inside her was telling her, her body was screaming at her. But she told Daniel to take the children to school as usual and go to work, that she felt fine and it was probably just another discomfort. She stayed in bed; she had a strange, uncomfortable feeling in her chest.During those last few weeks, she rarely got out of bed, it was very difficult for her, and her husband insisted that she stay calm, that he would take care of everything and that she should rest. She took advantage of the time to finish reading that pile of books she always left half-read, and that's what she was doing when she felt moisture wetting the sheets.She found a large
“I want to show you something,“ Daniel said, taking her by the hand.“What is it?”“It's a surprise, come on...”Deanna stood up, she was in the final stretch, she could feel it. With some difficulty, she let her husband take her by the hand to the door of what would be their daughters' room.“You mustn't look,” he warned her.Deanna covered her eyes with both hands, and he made sure she wasn't peeking. He opened the door and, with one hand on her back, guided her inside.“Okay, you can look now.”In the center of the room, between the two cribs, Daniel had placed a low table. On it, a lamp spun on its base, emitting colored lights, and for each light, the shape of a firefly was reflected on the ceiling, walls, and furniture. It looked like a starry sky.“God... It's beautiful,” Deanna said with a smile.And he looked proud of his achievement, of his little gift.“Explain something to me...” she said.“What?”“Where did you come from? How do you do such beautiful things with that seri
Camila entered Daniel's house as she always did: as if it were her own. Deanna was a little surprised to see her. Although the relationship between the two women had improved greatly, Camila was still a little embarrassed about the things she had done and didn't know exactly how to make amends.So when Daniel called her to ask her to talk to his wife and help her, she was happy and glad to be able to do something for her. She arrived with lots of bags, lots of things for the girls. She wasn't very demonstrative, but she was as anxious as she was with any of her grandchildren for the twins to arrive. Anxious like any grandmother.“Dear, how are you?”“Hi, Camila, I'm fine... What are you doing here?”Camila put the bags on the floor.“I came to bring some gifts for my granddaughters,” she said, sitting down across from Deanna, ”and to talk to you.”Deanna looked at her a little confused. Talk about what? She waited for Camila to start. She just sighed and had another burst of sincerity
Deanna's pregnancy began to complicate even the most routine and simple tasks. Her back was killing her, her legs were swollen, and bending over was no longer an option. Even something as simple as putting on a pair of shoes was now a thing of the past. Daniel watched her with concern; although the first few months had gone smoothly, her belly was growing rapidly.She had always been a petite woman with a small waist and a fragile appearance. A single pregnancy was one thing, but a double pregnancy was another, and although she endured it with difficulty, the pain and discomfort sometimes put her in a terrible mood. She began to feel useless and frustrated.The situation was not easy. Every day seemed to bring a new challenge with her pregnancy, and the complications were not limited to the physical aspects. The feeling of helplessness and frustration that overwhelmed her was mixed with the fear that grew along with her daughters. At times, she felt like she didn't know what to do.Da
For his part, Leonard was suddenly facing another aspect he didn't know. His years of marriage had never given him what he now shared with Susan; his countless affairs with young women had not shown him this strange side of himself, which could overwhelm him as much as it enchanted him.After getting engaged, even though they lived separately, Susan and Leonard began to spend more time together, to experience living as a couple. He wasn't used to that kind of intimacy, to the simple, ordinary moments shared on a daily basis. Dear Leonard, in his 50s, was learning new things.Getting married without love, spending years with someone he didn't love and who didn't love him, meant an emotional distance more than a physical one. Because even though they lived under the same roof, for him it was the same as being alone. He didn't participate in anything, he didn't care about anything, and he escaped from that cold place whenever he could, until finally, he stopped escaping and simply disapp
By the time Deanna returned, Daniel and the children had already come back. Meeting Frank had given her a feeling of well-being despite the past. She entered smiling.“Where were you?“ her husband asked her.“I went out for a drink with a friend... It was nice, I hadn't done that in a long time,” she replied happily.For Deanna, it was perfectly normal, but for Daniel, not so much.“What friend?”“Frank. Remember?” she said, sitting down next to him.“The guy from college? The one who cheated on you?”Something in his tone bothered Deanna.“Yes, that one...”“And why?”“He called me this morning, he wanted to talk... He's getting married next month.”“The messages last night were from him. You said you didn't know the number.” And again, that hint of mistrust crept into his voice.“And I didn't know it.”Deanna had honed her patience and temperament. She knew that tone and those mannerisms of Daniel's, and that's why she had put so much of herself into learning to calm him down, to le
Deanna and Jonathan's relationship had returned to normal, the only thing that had changed was that the boy now called her “Mom.” It sounded a little strange to her, but at the same time it made her happy to hear it. She just had to get used to it.“Mom, I'm hungry,” said the little boy. They were sitting in the living room reading a book.Now that he was a little older, he was interested in other things besides stories. So Deanna brought him one of her books about music to answer his questions as best she could.“Dad's making dinner. Are you very hungry?”“Yes, my tummy is rumbling,” he replied, and she laughed heartily.“Well, read a little more and I'll go steal something from the kitchen.”But she stopped at the door when she saw Daniel. She leaned against the frame and looked at him.With his back to her, wearing his apron, he was skillfully wielding a knife. She had become so accustomed to these moments they shared together that now he was the one who turned on the radio to list
“But of course it's nonsense!” Camila exclaimed indignantly, rushing out into the courtyard.Susan held her breath and Amanda just watched her. She knew what Harry's mother was like: very traditional, very attached to customs, and relentless. She knew how resistant she had been to Deanna and how difficult it was to please her.“Mom...“ Susan tried.“It's nonsense, Amanda. Ridiculous!” she said, raising her arms.Susan's face tensed, and she looked at her as if to warn her.“What? Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked her daughter, then looked Amanda in the eyes.“Didn't you just give him a son? Doesn't Emma call you Mom? What rights don't you have? Of course you have all of them! For God's sake!”She sat down next to her and touched Ryan's little hand as it slipped out from under the blanket.“You gave my son the chance to love and have a family. You were there for him when none of us could be, and you supported him and made him feel safe. I don't even want to think about wh