LOGINChapter 56Two long and exhausting weeks had passed. Rafael still used the wheelchair when the fatigue hit hard after walking with the walker or with someone’s support. But he tried his best, each step was a small victory, yet extremely important.He wanted to regain control over his own life and, above all, over his body. Every day he played more with his children: Théo and Luna laughed loudly when he picked them up, and Clara talked every day about her life in the orphanage, the cold nights, the games she invented with the other children, the fear of never being adopted.Until the day he and his mother showed up. His adopted daughter was now a great light in his life, and the twins felt like a new beginning, a fresh start to everything.But something that had happened in the past week bothered him deeply: he had grown distant from Maitê. He still hugged her, still treated her well, they still slept in the same bed every night.But the affection had faded. The heated kisses, the touc
Chapter 55Later, Rafael was in the living room, looking out the window at night when Daniel arrived from the hospital."Good evening, family," Daniel announced as he entered the living room.Maitê, sitting on the couch with a book on her lap, looked up and smiled."Good evening, Daniel."Rafael turned his wheelchair, facing his son."I need to talk to you, son. In the office."Daniel nodded immediately, without asking why."Of course, let’s go."Rafael stopped the chair in front of the desk, looking directly at his son."I’m doing everything I can. The massages, the physiotherapy, the doctors trying to help me remember… and I can’t. Today I saw my face. It’s unrecognizable."Daniel sat in the armchair, listening carefully. His father lightly touched the main scar with his fingertips."There’s a line that cuts across almost my entire face. Smaller ones crossing my forehead, my cheek… my right eye has a strange shadow. I stood in front of the mirror and thought: ‘Is that really me?’"D
Chapter 54After breakfast and talking to Clara before she left for school, she made excited gestures about her day and gave him a loud kiss on the cheek before heading out.Rafael stayed in the living room for quite a while with the twins. He held each of them carefully, smiling without even realizing it.After some time, his arms started to feel heavy. He kissed both of their foreheads and called Lúcia to take them for their morning nap."I think I’m going to rest a bit," he said to Maitê, who was watching everything from the armchair nearby."Do you want help lying down?""No, I can manage.""Alright, but call me if it’s too much for you.""Deal."He maneuvered the chair and went to the adapted bedroom. He stopped beside the bed, took off his dress shirt, and walked into the closet.He grabbed a simple gray T-shirt. On his way back, he passed by the full-length mirror on the wall. He stopped and took a deep breath.He put on the T-shirt and turned toward the mirror.His face… was n
Chapter 53Maitê nestled against his chest after what had happened. Rafael’s heart beat steadily beneath her ear, a sound she had dreamed of hearing for so many nights alone.She sighed happily, deeply and slowly. She had been without him for almost a year; being in his arms like that felt like a dream come true.She slowly lifted her face, tracing the line of his collarbone with her finger."Do you want me to spend the night in bed with you?" she asked softly, her voice husky from recent pleasure.He chuckled quietly."It would be strange for me if you left after what just happened. With you here, sleeping naked beside me, I can touch you whenever I want."She laughed too and lifted her head to look into his brown eyes. Even if he didn’t remember, they still looked at her as if she were the only thing in the world."I love you so much," she said, not expecting a reply.Rafael remained silent for a few seconds. His good hand slid up her back, running gently along her spine. He cared d
Chapter 52Rafael entered the living room pushing the chair. The children were no longer there; Lúcia and Sofia had probably taken them for a bath. Maitê was talking to Mara near the window. When she saw him come in, Mara immediately straightened up."Excuse me," she said, and left, leaving the two alone.Maitê approached quickly, noticing the discomfort on his face."Don’t your arms hurt?" she asked, moving behind the chair to help."Yes, the right one… but I think it’s because it was in a cast and I went a long time without using it. Physical therapy is helping."She stopped beside him, carefully touching his right shoulder."After your bath I can massage you with oil to help loosen the muscles and tendons. It will relieve it a lot."His mind wandered instantly. He imagined her wearing little, maybe a thin tank top and short shorts. Her hands full of oil, fingers running along his back, slowly down his thighs, then up again… It would be such a pleasant touch to receive. If he weren’
Chapter 51The day of discharge arrived faster than anyone expected. On the morning of his release, Maitê helped Rafael put on a simple dress shirt and comfortable slacks, clothes Mara had sent from the mansion."It feels like I’m getting out of prison," he murmured.Maitê smiled, adjusting the collar of his shirt."It’s just the beginning of your freedom. At home it’ll be different. There’s space, the kids, more people."He turned his face toward her, holding her hand over the arm of the chair."There’s you."She leaned in and kissed his forehead."There’s me. Always."Daniel came in with the paperwork signed."Everything’s ready. Let’s take you home, Dad."Rafael nodded, taking a deep breath."Let’s go."Daniel pushed the wheelchair. In the lobby, some of the nurses who had taken care of him came over to say goodbye. One of them, the one who had caught them in the act weeks earlier, winked at Maitê."Take good care of him, okay? He deserves it."Maitê laughed softly."You can count
Chapter 40The next day, the cowboy returned. He wore his hat tilted and a confident smile. He sat at the same VIP table. When Maitê went up on stage, he threw bills again, this time half of what he had left the night before. The money fell scattered. She danced with the same impenetrable mask, but
Chapter 39Two days later, Maitê called Dafne to the kitchen as soon as the babies fell asleep. She poured two cups of tea and sat at the table, her hands gripping the warm porcelain.“I need your help to find another nanny,” she said softly. “I got a side job. Night shift, three times a week. It’l
Chapter 38On Wednesday, the detective drove to Maitê’s last known address. He knocked on a few neighboring doors. Most of the answers were vague, but two confirmed the obvious:"She left not long ago. I saw the bags being loaded into a big black car. There was a friend helping, blonde, talkative.
Chapter 37On Tuesday, at 9:45 a.m., the private jet took off from the executive runway at Congonhas Airport. Maitê sat by the window, her face turned toward the glass, watching São Paulo shrink below.She sighed sadly, a long and silent sigh. She wished everything had been different. She wished th







