Chapter 3

Chapter 3

The automatic gates of the Valença mansion opened with the driver’s remote. Rafael stepped out of the car without waiting for the driver to open the door. His jacket was left on the seat beside him, and his tie was in his hand.

As soon as he entered the hall, he heard hurried footsteps on the stairs.

“Dad?”

He looked up at his son, Daniel, who was coming down while adjusting the watch on his wrist. He was dressed in formal clothes, with his white coat folded over his arm.

“Even on a Saturday?” Rafael asked, removing his own watch and placing it on the marble console table.

“I’m a doctor, Dad. I have to do my shift.”

Rafael let out a soft sigh and crossed his arms.

“Who’s going to be CEO when I die?”

Daniel raised an eyebrow as he descended the last few steps.

“You still have many years ahead. You could have more children.”

Rafael frowned at his son.

“Funny guy.”

His son smiled, stopping in front of him and studying him carefully.

“Where did you come from with your tie in your hand?”

Rafael looked down at the crumpled fabric between his fingers, as if only now realizing he was still holding it.

“A meeting that ran late.”

“On a Friday night?” Daniel tilted his head slightly.

Silence.

Rafael narrowed his eyes.

“Are you keeping tabs on me now?”

“No.” His son shrugged.

Rafael let out an irritated sigh.

“Mind your own business.”

Daniel watched his father for a few seconds. There was something different about him—he seemed irritated and distracted.

“Was it at least good?” Daniel asked with a half-teasing smile.

His father hesitated.

Daniel’s smile widened at the pause.

“So it was.”

Rafael ran a hand over his face, impatient.

“Go to your shift.”

Daniel walked toward the door, but before leaving, he said:

“Be careful, Dad. Sometimes one night is enough to change everything.”

Rafael climbed the stairs slowly. In his bedroom, he took off his shirt, letting it fall to the floor. Her scent was still on his skin—sweet and addictive.

He closed his eyes for a second.

“Just have another one and this feeling will pass.”

He was undoing his belt in front of the mirror when the bedroom door opened.

“Rafael?” Valéria stopped short when she saw his bare chest.

“Who let you in, Valéria?”

She took a step forward, not hiding her gaze.

“Even after all these years, your body is still gorgeous. We could…”

He sighed, interrupting her before she finished.

“We can’t do anything. Say what you want and leave.”

She closed the door behind her calmly, as if she still had any right to that room.

“I don’t need anyone to let me in. This house used to be mine too.”

Rafael put on another shirt, ignoring the comment.

“Used to be.” The emphasis was dry. “Past tense.”

She walked a few steps around the room, her heels clicking on the wooden floor.

“Funny…” she murmured. “You never brought women home when we were married. Always so discreet. So proper.”

“And I still am.”

Valéria crossed her arms, studying him.

“The driver talks too much,” he said, irritated.

“Then fire the driver.”

“You do it, since you still think you run something around here.”

She moved closer, stopping just a few centimeters away.

“I know you, Rafael Valença. When something gets under your skin, you get like this… distant. Irritated and thoughtful.”

He finished buttoning the last button.

“Nothing’s getting under my skin.”

Valéria tilted her head.

“There’s someone.”

Silence.

She smiled without humor.

“Who is she?”

“It’s none of your business.”

“Was it serious?”

He took a deep breath, impatient.

“It was nothing.”

“Then why are you trying so hard to convince yourself of that?”

He ran a hand through his hair, losing control for just a second—the control he always kept impeccable.

“Say what you want, Valéria.”

She took a deep breath, dropping the provocation.

“Daniel.”

“What about him?”

“He’s getting too involved with the hospital. Taking on responsibilities that aren’t his yet.”

“He’s my son. One day he’ll take over everything.”

“He’s a doctor, Rafael. Not you. Not your reflection.”

Rafael narrowed his eyes.

“Are you saying I’m pressuring him?”

“I’m saying you turn everything into business. Even people.”

He fell silent.

“Just don’t destroy your son trying to mold him in your image.”

She walked to the door. Before leaving, she turned one last time.

“And be careful with that woman… whoever she is. Men like you never know how to handle it when they’re not in control.”

He walked to the window.

“Just have another one and this feeling will pass.”

He repeated it mentally, like a mantra.

***

Meanwhile, Daniel arrived at Valença Hospital. Freshly graduated, a general practitioner, in just a few months on the job he was already standing out because of his efforts—not because he was the owner’s son.

He swiped his badge at the electronic reader and walked down the main corridor, mentally organizing the shift’s appointments.

Turning the corner in a hurry, he bumped into someone. He grabbed the woman by the waist to keep her from falling.

“I’m so sorry, Maitê…”

She looked up, surprised and startled by the impact.

“Dr. Daniel…”

They both froze.

Maitê was holding her clipboard against her chest. Her light uniform hugged her slim waist, which he was still holding. He slowly released her.

“Sorry. I was distracted.”

“Me too,” she replied, adjusting the clipboard. “Saturday shifts are usually a war zone.”

Daniel smiled.

“There’s still time to run away.”

She raised an eyebrow.

“And leave the hospital in your hands? Better not.”

He laughed softly. As she walked away down the corridor, Daniel couldn’t help but watch her.

“Maitê?” he called.

She stopped and turned.

“Are you okay?”

She hesitated for half a second.

“I am. Just didn’t sleep much.”

He nodded and kept watching as she headed toward the clinical wing.

“She’s way too beautiful,” the cardiologist said, stopping beside him.

Daniel followed his colleague’s gaze down the corridor.

“Yeah… and it’s not easy.”

The doctor smiled.

“I’ve already noticed your moves, Daniel.”

“None have worked so far.”

“Maybe it’s time to change your focus.”

Daniel crossed his arms and looked at the doctor.

“Not yet. I don’t give up that easily.”

“Sometimes it’s a waste of time. But I admire your persistence. Well, let’s get to work.”

Daniel followed him toward the operating room, smiling to himself along the way. Maitê was enchanting, and he didn’t want to give up—maybe she just hadn’t noticed his intentions yet.