I reached the entrance of the house with short, hesitant steps. I looked toward the living room, afraid. A strange feeling rushed through me. I had never had a father. And realizing it now made me straighten my back and walk like a grown woman.My mother would ask me how it went, pull me to the couch and want to know every detail. I climbed the stairs thinking about how much I missed her. But my father… that still felt so foreign.I reached for my bedroom door, my hand hesitating on the knob, when the door at the end of the hallway opened. And there he was. Wearing nothing but loose, navy-blue shorts. My heart leapt in my chest.Shirtless, a few stray hairs around his nipples, his hair a mess, like someone who’d just rolled out of bed.“Well, Sleeping Beauty finally woke up,” Heitor said, smiling kindly as he opened his arms to hug me.I was still cautious. “Dad?” I asked, as if the word itself betrayed me. He wrapped his arms around me, and in that embrace, I felt the worst emotions:
I walked between the beds, my eyes scanning each face. Until I stopped.There she was—lying down, an oxygen balloon connected to her mask.I looked at the nurse, then at the woman in that bed. The bruises, the marks... I barely recognized her.The savagery was imprinted on my mother's face. I approached with trembling legs.Every trace of her beautiful skin was now scarred with scratches, purple bruises, bite marks."She’s unconscious. When she arrived, she wouldn’t stop calling for her daughter... Sadly, this is the reality, sweetheart," said the nurse, a Black woman with a gentle voice. She touched my shoulder in a delicate gesture, trying to comfort me. But I crumbled into tears."And the baby?" My voice was broken. Five months… I knew his chances weren’t good."He was holding on, but the heartbeat… it’s unstable. It’s heartbreaking… for a father to do this, isn’t it? Sadly..."A knot formed in my throat. I stayed in the ICU for hours.But there were too many patients. Only four nu
I hit the road without thinking of the consequences. Heitor had called me several times. And I... I didn’t have the courage to answer. How could I explain? How could I tell him what happened?What was going on between Mavi and me was fleeting — I knew that. But what I had sworn was eternal, my marriage to Maria Clara, had ended. And in the worst way possible. She hated me. And she had every reason to.After Laura Bocci was prepped in the resident hospital's OR, I analyzed all the exams. She needed an emergency C-section. Otherwise... she wouldn’t make it.When I returned to the room, I saw Heitor. He was there, standing, watching me. I pretended not to see him. I stepped away as the anesthesiologist began the sedation process. I watched everything from a distance, like a body present. A doctor absent.I knew I looked cold. Unapproachable. But inside, I was imploding.Heitor. Of all people.The guy who always trusted me. Who shared the dirtiest thoughts, the guilt, the fears. And me? I
ENGLISH VERSION:My father didn’t bring up the subject during the drive to my apartment. The uncomfortable silence between us felt heavier than any words. When we arrived, he stepped inside, his eyes scanning every corner, though he tried to hide it. I knew what he was thinking. As much as I felt ashamed of the simplicity of that place — and of my life there, among empty walls and cheap furniture — he didn’t say anything. He lived in luxury. I, in nothing. But I didn’t stop. I went to the minibar and began making some sandwiches, trying to distract myself.Then he approached, grabbed the plate with the bread, and looked at me with an expression that left no doubt."Are you going to eat this?" he asked, his eyes fixed on the simple plate, as if he expected more from me.I was starving, and anything seemed enough. I just wanted to eat. I didn’t want to think, didn’t want to feel."Take a shower. I’ll take you out to eat," he said, his voice laden with a frustration that I knew wasn’t en
— Since you’re here, I’m leaving. If anything comes up, let me know. — Heitor entered the room coldly, without even looking at me. He stood still, indifferent, outside the door. I nodded, too tired for more. — Alright.How could I face him after everything? I didn’t even know what he thought. I saw him leave. It was all too much for him — rushing to the road, spending two nights in a hospital, and now heading home, over four hundred kilometers away. I stood up from the chair and followed him.— Rest before you leave, — I asked, watching him turn to me, looking into my eyes... but he didn’t say anything. He was respecting the moment, and I knew that.The police were still in Laura’s room when I returned. She was deeply asleep but could wake up any minute. After talking to Helena and confirming that she would stay at the hospital, I left one of the officers at the door. I took Maria Vitória with me. She needed care.— And my father? — she asked as we reached the exit.— I told him to re
My mother was still weak, but she was already able to sustain her voice with more firmness. Her gaze, although tired, slowly started to shine again. It was like watching someone being reborn from pain, and that calmed me.Alexandre was by her side, discreet, hands in the pockets of his white coat. He observed her with clinical attention, but also with something more. A care that couldn't be taught in books. A care that, I knew, came because of me.— Doctor... thank you. I can never thank you enough for what you’ve done, — my mother said, struggling, with teary eyes.He gave a faint smile, nodding.— Get well, Laura. Recover slowly. There’s no need to thank me... I’m a doctor. And, besides, — he glanced quickly at me — I have great affection for your daughter.My heart faltered. My mouth dried. My throat tightened.I smiled weakly. I had to look away.I knew what would come next. He had warned me. Four days here. Four days without rest, by my side, dealing with everything. It was time
The moment I had been avoiding — or maybe secretly hoping for — finally arrived. I returned to the city. I returned to the hospital. I presented a decent divorce proposal to Maria Clara, trying at least to preserve the dignity that was left between us.But talking to Heitor... that seemed more and more impossible.He had traveled for a conference. Ana Liz, as far as I could tell, knew nothing. The days were passing too quickly. The routine swallowed me whole. I was away for days, and when I returned, it felt as if nothing had changed — work piled up, patients came and went, and I barely had time to breathe between surgeries.I hadn't heard much from Maria Vitória since her mother's discharge. Maybe she was avoiding me. Maybe for my own good. And me... I didn’t know what I really wanted anymore.Fifteen days. Fifteen days without a word.I wanted news from her. But if nothing was coming from there... why should I chase after it? I didn’t want to suffocate her. I didn’t want to seem dep
Sleep left me as soon as Alexandre hung up. Knowing that my father was drowning in problems troubled me even more. I didn’t want a drug-addicted father. I wanted that father from the farm — the same one who got into the car without thinking twice, who, even with an expired driver’s license, drove miles just to take me back to my mother.I just wanted a perfect life. At least that.I let the tears fall, soaking my pillow. How had he gotten into that situation? He was handsome, strong, rich — everything other men aspired to be — and, moreover, intelligent. The image of him being kind and dedicated to his patients, on the days we spent in the countryside, came to my mind. And, along with it, the fear of losing him.In the morning, I spoke with my mother, without going into too much detail.“You’re not going after that man, are you, Mavi?” — she asked in a suspicious tone. “He’s married, right?”I nodded to the last question... and maybe to the first one too.“We can’t stay here, mom. At
The digital clock on the meeting room wall read 8:07 AM when Maria Vitória pushed the door open, a folder of reports under one arm and a coffee cup in the other. Her hair tied in a practical bun, a white coat over a navy blue dress. The room was full — nurses, managers, two representatives from the newly opened public wing."Good morning, everyone," she smiled, sitting at the head of the table. "Let’s try to wrap things up before nine. I have to drop off Alana at school by ten."Everyone smiled. Dr. Xavier was known for being firm, objective, and... absolutely passionate about her children. But her husband? Everyone knew she would drop everything, without hesitation, if he called her suddenly.As she reviewed patient care charts and expansion plans for the public wing, her phone vibrated discreetly on the table. A picture appeared: Alexandre, with messy hair, jacket thrown over his shoulder, and a half-smirk, standing in front of the university.His message:"The class today was a dis
"Of course it is! And if it isn't..." I slid my hand between us, inside the robe. The gesture undid the knot with an almost symbolic ease — reckless, different, strange. "I want everything. For you to be my wife, for us to have children, grandchildren... pets, whatever you want. I want to d..."Mavi put her finger to my lips, firmly."Don't you dare say that. I accept being your wife. I'm already your wife. I want to be the mother of your children, your grandchildren... but never talk about dying, Alexandre. Never."I nodded, silent, and led her to the backseat. She lay there, looking at me as if the world were just the two of us."I accept being yours... anywhere," she whispered.I looked at her body, magnificent, natural, in a way that was only hers."You are incredibly perfect... and you can be the mother of my children."She pulled me by the collar of my shirt, urgently."Fuck me first, praise me later," she said quickly, hungrily.I laughed, moving closer to her mouth."You look
After Maria Clara’s arrest, things finally began to settle down. She was transferred to a prison almost immediately. No one explained why, but Dr. Caroline told me—her expression more serious than usual—that Maria Clara had been classified as extremely dangerous, even to other inmates.I was trying to get back to my life: studies, internship. My mother returned to her work. Aunt Lena came to spend the weekend with us, but I knew it wasn’t just a visit. At night, she disappeared, as always. And this time, I didn’t follow.My father was surprisingly focused during those days. He shared the hospital’s management with Alexandre, and they even hired a temporary surgeon to cover some shifts. He seemed determined to keep everything running, as if trying to prove something—maybe to himself.That night, I stepped outside and found them there: my father and Alexandre, sitting under the amber light, drinking whiskey and discussing hospital expenses.I approached slowly. I knew that, between them
As much as I was worried about Maria Vitória, even knowing she was represented by highly competent lawyers, there was a deeper unease gnawing at me.Maria Clara was still out there.There were checkpoints on the roads. Increased surveillance at the bus station.All access points were being monitored.But nothing. No trace of her.When I was informed that Maria Vitória had claimed self-defense, the case flipped completely.The eyes of Justice shifted.So did public attention.She was no longer seen as a reckless criminal—but as someone who had survived.From that moment on, I stopped worrying about her, at least from a legal standpoint.Caroline had prepared her masterfully. Even more so with the investigation now open against Marcelo for the brutal attack on Laura.He was officially a fugitive. A dangerous man.And Maria Vitória… a victim.But my own torment had not ended.When we reviewed the building’s security footage, I felt my blood run cold.Maria Clara was clearly seen entering
My heartbeat was erratic.Marcelo and I pulled the trigger almost at the same time — his finger pressing down on mine, trying to force me to shoot.But the bullet… it wasn’t meant for me.When his body trembled beneath mine, a lump rose in my throat.His hand weakened over mine.“Maria Vitória… Maria…” I heard Alexandre behind me, voice choked, arms trying to pull me away.But it was too late. Far too late.I pulled the trigger again.Once. Twice. Three. Four times.On the fifth, the gun jammed.It wouldn’t fire anymore.Still, I stayed there. Shaking.I didn’t want to see my mother afraid anymore. Always scared.I didn’t want to change cities again.I didn’t want to live in fear.“Maria Vitória?” his voice echoed in my ear.The sound of the door opening hit me like a distant wave. But I didn’t turn around.I was frozen. In shock.Silently confessing everything I had done.“Give me that!” Alexandre tried to pull the gun from my hand.“No!” I shouted, gripping it fiercely.“I won’t let
It had been a wonderful night. We didn’t make love like we did the other times—this time there was no rush, no urgency—because we knew it wasn’t the last time anymore. We intertwined our bodies in a slow, delicious act with no set end.I fell asleep with Maria Vitória in my arms as she talked about the harsh cuts her new advisor had made to her thesis. I told her she should publish the research after her defense—with my review.Seeing her eyes shine in the darkness of the room gave me a certainty: we were starting over. I didn’t know how long it would last, but I wanted it to be good while it did.She left early. She had an internship. And even though it was hard to let her leave the bed, she was... admirably responsible as she reached the door.The morning light crept shyly through the curtains. The sun hadn’t warmed enough to take the chill from my chest. I sat on the edge of the bed, shirtless, phone in hand.Mavi’s message still glowed on the screen:“He called me. Said he’s going
I spent another night at Alexandre’s apartment. Maybe my mother had gotten used to the idea. I arrived in the morning, and she was still asleep in her room. I entered quietly, changed my clothes, and packed my bag.My phone started ringing.When I saw the name on the screen, I hesitated.It was my father.The day before, he had only sent a brief message:"Tell Alexandre to answer me. It’s urgent."Nothing more.It was as if he knew I was with Alexandre — though I wasn’t. Not yet.I stared at the screen for a few seconds before I answered. But I didn’t say anything."Maria? Are you listening?" he asked from the other end.I didn’t know how to respond. Maybe I had been too harsh in our last conversation."I’m here," I replied, seriously."I’m stepping away. Tell Alexandre to go back to the hospital. I can’t continue leading anymore. I took out a loan, there’s money in the account. He should take over the management. Do whatever you want with that mess..."His voice was firm, but hollow.
Maria Vitória didn’t return to my apartment.It was getting dark when Heitor's car left the building. I waited for her, but I didn’t want to suffocate her. That outcome was between two people: father and daughter.On Monday, it was strange not following my routine. After the gym, I stayed home, bored. No reading flowed. No thoughts made sense. And she... didn’t show up either.On Tuesday, nothing changed.On Wednesday, Heitor called me several times. I ignored all of them. Later, I saw Maria Vitória arriving with her mother. She still seemed shaken. When she lifted her eyes toward my window, I hesitated: was she avoiding me or did she want to talk?Had she decided to distance herself from me?It seemed like it.I started evaluating job offers I had been receiving... but none of them made sense. None had her in them.It was night when the doorbell rang.I looked through the peephole. Seeing her there, I opened the door in a hurry. My heart raced as if I were a nervous kid, about to be
I didn’t know what to say, but I knew that without Alexandre at the hospital, everything would soon collapse.“What are you planning to do? You can’t just…” I tried to say, but he shook his head, still shirtless, wearing only shorts, and turned his back to me, heading toward the kitchen.“I’ve turned down countless job offers. I never left the hospital out of respect for your father. Besides, I can afford to stay away for a while. Years dealing with blood, saving the lives of strangers… Deep down, maybe Maria Clara is right: I don’t have a life beyond an operating room.”Just hearing her name made the discomfort return. I wished he wouldn’t refer to his ex-wife, but I’d never have the courage to say that.“I understand. I won’t take up any more of your time. Either way, this conversation has to happen,” I said, watching as he placed the empty glass on the white island counter.“Hey, wait…” he rushed toward me, grabbing me by the waist. I looked into his eyes, trying to read his reason