It was complicated for him, I knew. And I decided to respect it.I left the room, avoiding my mother's gaze in the living room. Alexandre did the same, although he left his jacket on the back of the chair."Good afternoon, I'll hold this here," he said, as if that could erase what had just happened.I went straight to my room. I opened my suitcase, letting the tears flow silently. I grabbed any thin pants—I needed to cover what hurt more inside than out."What happened?" my mother asked, as if she didn't know."Nothing... I'm just going to take off my shorts," I replied, trying to sound indifferent.She grabbed my hand tightly, making me stop."Mavi, look at me. What's happening? I can't allow this. Daughter, that man drags you into a room, you two argue over a piece of clothing... what is he, your owner, by any chance?"I denied it. He wasn't. But I also didn't want any more friction between us."It's not because of him... the men were watching," I lied, trying to protect everyone, e
It was a Thursday.Another surgery done. I removed my gloves, cap, and gown. Washed my hands in silence. Toward the end of the procedure, I’d heard Heitor’s voice echoing down the corridor. I could recognize that tone from far away. He was greeting staff, charming as always — which meant, of course, that he wanted something.I stayed where I was, focused on the post-op routine. The nurses were getting the patient ready for transfer. I was walking toward the exit when I felt him at my side.Silence.Not even a hello. Just synchronized steps. He walked into the room with me like he belonged there. I picked up the clipboard and slowly began filling out the surgical notes."Did you two talk?" he asked, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.I inhaled deeply, pen still between my fingers."There’s nothing to talk about, Heitor. I’m a man. Your daughter is a woman. And honestly, I don’t recall anyone interrogating you about who you sleep with. Do you?"He remained silent, tugging a
The days passed, little by little.My mother was recovering, while I... standing still, restless, stared at the curriculum of the college my father had enrolled me in. The entrance exam I took couldn't even be compared to a mini-test from my old college. It was too easy. Except for the internships and the monograph I and II, there were still curricular components that I had already completed.On the first day of the internship, I felt like a pre-med student — if that term even exists. It was as if I were playing doctor. The classmates asked basic questions, elementary stuff, and the professor handed me the paperwork as if he already knew something. He said that Fortaleza Vital Hospital had opened new internship positions. Somehow... I had the impression he knew. He knew where I came from. He knew who my father was. It was the kind of disguised privilege I had never needed.As soon as I left the class, I was approached by a tall, red-haired, beautiful professor. I was used to chasing a
After the conversation with Heitor, I stayed away from Maria Vitória for good.I didn’t run into her in the building’s hallways, nor in the elevator, but I knew the color and model of her car. I knew the route she took to and from college.The days passed as they always do when you don’t want to face them—too fast. Frighteningly fast.Laura’s recovery was smooth. Silent. Clinical. I did my part as a doctor. As a friend, too. But as a man... I failed. I failed with Maria Clara and, now, looking out the window, I realize I failed with Maria Vitória too.I keep failing.Maria Vitória was there. Enrolled. Studying. Living her life. She didn’t look for me, nor did she avoid me—she simply existed on the margins. Discreet, as if she had learned to be invisible within her own home. Within my life.I saw her a few times, from a distance. Walking with her backpack slung over one shoulder, her badge crooked on her chest, headphones in. Determined eyes, furrowed brow. A familiar figure in a paral
"No, daughter, he hasn’t been here! After your aunt left, no one else showed up," my mom called from the kitchen.My heart rate sped up even more. I looked at Alexandre, terrified. He seemed slow, dazed. I closed the door, staring at him."Do you think he could...? I’ll call Ana Liz. He might be at home, right?"I was shaking. I knew his condition. Alexandre had already told me: hospitalizations, relapses..."He was furious earlier. With you. But..." Alexandre scratched his neck, as if he couldn't even put into words what he was thinking.I stepped inside, and he followed. I grabbed my bag, took out my phone, and dialed Ana Liz."No, Vihh... Your father is in the hospital. He might not even come back today..." she replied. "Do you want to come stay with me?"It wasn’t the right time. My head was pounding. And from the look on Alexandre’s face, I only saw the worst. He began calling a list of contacts, one by one. With each negative answer, fear grew inside me like a monster."I’ll sta
Maria Vitória seemed calm. And she was. Beautiful. Her loose hair flew with the wind that entered through the window, and the red lipstick on her lips accentuated the contour of her mouth even more.“Do you think so?” I asked, watching her turn to me with a light smile, as if she knew she was beautiful. And she was. Beautiful, perfectly beautiful.“You can’t make money just any way, Mavi. Especially not where I come from.”She laughed. That light, mocking laugh that disarmed me. I didn’t know if I should look at the road or at her. That mouth...“You talk as if you came from the Stone Age,” she teased, still smiling. “I know it’s easier to make money these days, but the competition is much greater.”I nodded, smiling as well. I missed this. These loose, intelligent conversations with that provocative air only she knew how to have.“Yeah, you’re right. But back in my day, there wasn’t internet like today, with all these tools.” I tried to argue, but the truth was, to reach someone like
Alexandre's hands held my waist, forcing me to make each movement, me facing forward, exposed in that car seat, in endless darkness, while he moved me firmly. "That's what you like, isn't it? Making me lose my mind." I opened my mouth trying to argue, but he was fucking me hard."Of course you like it!" He answered behind me, when I came he didn't take long to do the same. "Satisfied?" I asked trying to get myself together, even with the front window open, the back windows were sweaty. "Not yet! But for now, I need to take you home." "To mine, please." He sat in the front seat looking at me, with little pleasure. "Fuck!" he muttered, adjusting his pants with a hoarse sigh. "I'm going to stay with you until I'm satisfied." I imagined that I was dirty, and that made me shiver with discomfort. I crossed my arms, irritated. "No way. My mother must be worried about me. And, of course, my father..." "I'll deal with your father. He's going to be mad at me, but it'll pass," he said, sitting
We sat on the couch. He kissed me—mouth, neck. That stubble scraping against my skin didn't do anything nice, but I tried. I had to try. I couldn't stop at the first one. I had to skip the blocks.His hand reached my panties, still dry. I knew it. He was forcing it. Even with wine, with that sensual music in the background, he was going down to my legs, scratching my pussy with his teeth, with his tongue...I had shaved for this.And it was a failure."Beautiful... you're so fucking hot... uh-ru!" he said, already putting on the condom.Pound, pound, pound.When he came, it felt like he had gone to Mars. I stayed there. Stretched out on a double bed.Wondering what the hell I had done to deserve this.And as if nothing else mattered, he gave me a sloppy kiss. It tasted like crap. The worst part was that it was mine.I thought it was disgusting.He put on his shorts and went out the door as if he were going to get a beer from the kitchen.I was left alone, standing there, naked, in the
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