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CHAPTER 27
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2025-05-20 22:52:44
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CROOKED: In love with my cousin's boyfriend CHAPTER 33
(MAËL 2). (2020, Braga) Remembering was why I asked João to give me some time before meeting him. I demanded patience in waiting to come to my father’s office. I sat on the largest sofa in the waiting area upstairs. I grabbed a beer from my six-pack, opened it, and took a long swig. The offices in the house had finally been rented out, and even if Carlos hadn’t stuck his nose into the space, we would’ve ended up without a place to meet anyway. Remember—I wanted to remember everything, over and over, as if picking at the wound was the best remedy for my pain. I looked around. At night, these offices closed their doors, but thanks to my father’s friendship with Dr. Peñera, I could come in as often as I wanted. The tomb-like silence helped me think about my next steps and, of course, about *her*—about Delu. My rage was so immense, so vile… How could I have let it come to this? I don’t think I’ll ever forget seeing her like that. I… I broke that woman. The Sagres six-pack
CROOKED: In love with my cousin's boyfriend CHAPTER 32
My forehead was pressed against the glass, and I was biting my nails. The scenery outside meant nothing to me. My body had tensed up the moment I got into the car—my palms bore witness as my nails dug into them while I cried. That’s how badly Nikko’s betrayal had wrecked me, and now his cousin Maël was driving me back to Braga. I didn’t want to go home, so I told him to take me anywhere but my parents’ house. We arrived in Braga in less than 45 minutes without exchanging a single word. He was tense, but not nervous. All I wanted was to forget, to sleep, to ease this suffocating anguish. And despite my misery, being near Maël put me on edge, as it always did—this time would be no exception. The silence broke when we pulled into the garage of what looked like a house. I was completely thrown, and the surprise was enough to snap me out of my haze. "Where are we?" "One of my father’s properties. Did you know about this place? Carlos bought it a few years ago," he explained as th
CROOKED: In love with my cousin's boyfriend CHAPTER 31
I walked away from the store quickly, heading back to Nikko’s house to grab my things. The entire time, a young silhouette followed me. "Delu? Delu!" "Has Nikko already left for work?" I asked Maël without stopping. "What are you going to do? Calm down." "Answer me!" Halfway down the sidewalk, with people walking around us, he stopped in front of me, blocking my path. "Don’t yell at me," he demanded. I rolled my eyes and exhaled in annoyance. "If you’re not going to help, if you won’t even answer me, if you’re just going to cover for your dear cousin again, then you’d better leave me alone!" I pushed past him, heading straight for the house we shared. It wasn’t far. In fact, Catalina’s store was very close to the exit of the housing complex. I reached the house quickly, went inside, and started packing. Maël didn’t disappear—he followed me the whole time, now standing in the doorway of Nikko’s room. As I kept moving, I could see him cross his arms, uncross them, cove
CROOKED: In love with my cousin's boyfriend CHAPTER 30
I walked to Cata’s store, enjoying a perfect morning. I had barely slept, but it didn’t matter. The birds were singing, the clouds carried a clear decision in my mind. I was FED UP, sick of being the fool who put up with everything. The only bad thing about thinking I’d been deceived was remembering every moment with Maël (especially my thoughts about him), feeling somehow like a traitor with no right to complain. But the good side of it all was that I wouldn’t demand answers from anyone. I would end it, cut it off at the root. And the blessed shoe store filled that space of sanctified waiting. As expected, the girl was there, opening right at 8:00 in the morning. She couldn’t help being punctual. The question was, did she really expect Nikko to come see her? Well, I’d be her ambassador. "Hi, Bel," I greeted with a mocking tone. I could see the color drain from her hollow cheeks. "Hi, Delu. How are you?" A shaky greeting? Hmm… "I’m just fine, thanks. Done opening up?" I poin
CROOKED: In love with my cousin's boyfriend CHAPTER 29
Nikko left for Lisbon early on the morning of Thursday the 17th. That day, he needed to return to Circo—to the fabulous stage and even the dressing rooms. He needed to occupy his mind with anything other than those damned text messages, the little "gift," or anything remotely related to it. Since my fiancé wouldn’t be back that week, I decided to send the present to Maël via mail. I didn’t want that thing in my room for another minute, and I wasn’t about to go to Castelo with Nikko away. Nope. No, no, no. The days passed normally. Sandra and I celebrated my "post-birthday" in Mafalaia with her family and her boyfriend, having a great time. I loved that place—it was beautiful but a little run-down, attracting all kinds of people without discrimination. I always ran into someone I knew or ended up practicing my English and Spanish with the tourists staying there. I returned the gift a few days after making the decision, and thank God, no major disaster followed. I suspected Maël d
CROOKED: In love with my cousin's boyfriend CHAPTER 28
I was able to return on the 14th. Marcelino and his family took me in for a night after the phone call at the café. I met Gina, his girlfriend (truly a beauty). On the morning of my birthday, Danilo called me from the university to assure me he was doing well. He apologized for not being able to come home to celebrate with me. My parents organized a late breakfast in the living room of our sweet home, playing music I liked and covering the coffee table with all kinds of food and drinks I’ve always loved: chocolates, toast, juices, omelets, and even wine. I danced with Dad in the living room, played cards with Mom, and then my father joined the game too. I talked with them at length, like we hadn’t done in a long time, and even entertained them with a short performance of the main character I was working on for Circo. I left the house with my mother to buy some things for the birthday, planning to celebrate early in the evening. Sandra joined us, and we had what could be called a "gi
CROOKED: In love with my cousin's boyfriend CHAPTER 27
The days passed, and I heard nothing more from Maël. My family and I left for Braga on January 2nd, and life returned to normal by the 5th. The circus people contacted me again, as rehearsals would start soon, and Sandra insisted I visit her to properly show off the ring. Her father and brother congratulated me, though the latter seemed a bit downcast at the news. Poor Sandra’s younger brother—he’d always liked me, but I’d only ever seen (and would only ever see) him as a great friend. Nikko and I stayed in good contact while each of us buried ourselves in our affairs. He told me his uncle Carlos needed him in Lisbon, so he traveled to the capital. The whole Belinda situation was delayed—I was waiting for him to return so we could settle it once and for all. My birthday is mid-January, and I had nothing planned for it. Nikko was taking his time coming back, but among his updates and odd behavior, he promised to wrap up his business before my celebration. His calls were now peppere
CROOKED: In love with my cousin's boyfriend CHAPTER 26
He opened the door. “What’s going on?” “You have more things to apologize for, Maël.” “What are you talking about?” He didn’t let me in, obviously. Not that I had any intention of entering his room—I mean it. “Why did you send that email?” He looked confused. “What email?” I regretted not having my phone with me at that moment. I immediately headed to Nikko’s room, followed by Maël, and grabbed my phone, opening my email inbox. There it was, saved just for this moment. “This!” I shoved the screen in his face. “Don’t you remember?” He took the phone and started examining the photos, his brow furrowed as he focused on the images. Then I let it all out: “What kind of childish nonsense is this, Maël? Have you lost your mind? How could you possibly think I was cheating on Nikko with… with Fran, for God’s sake? That’s ridiculous! I was just dancing, and you saw me arrive with Sandra. That was just a gathering of friends. And by the way, what got into you to treat me li
CROOKED: In love with my cousin's boyfriend CHAPTER 25
The countdown arrived. We all loudly sang the descending minutes until the first hour of the new year was complete, and Nikko—once again setting aside his usual dryness, startling and surprising me with it—gave me a long, very long kiss, welcoming the new year with it. I lost myself, let go, and truly felt! For the first time, I genuinely wanted to be with him. I pictured myself loving him, giving him so much more than I already had. A little later, I slipped away to the front of the house, searching for a quiet spot to try calling Sandra. Her scream made me laugh—she was in shock, just like me. She didn’t say much, but she demanded to see the ring, so I sent her a photo. Danilo stepped outside to offer me another glass of wine. "Little sister," he wrapped me in a hug. He might’ve been the youngest, but he was strong, taller, and a bit more protective. "I haven’t congratulated you properly. Are you happy?" I didn’t answer right away. "Yes," I said, a little calmer. "Just l
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