— I can't, Thiago — I replied as I pushed him away from me. He got up angrily from the couch and walked towards the door. I remained seated, looking at him. I felt a knot in my throat choking me, and I silently cried after the sound of the door. The sound of the car confirmed his departure, and I felt devastated. The cold attacked my nakedness, and my strength as a woman was defeated. It was so difficult to give in to my instincts, and so easy to heed my conscience, to let the opportunity of my life slip away feeling completely rejected. I know what had happened wasn't right, but the truth was that nothing that was happening was right anymore. Still, I couldn't become just another one of his lovers, especially because, at his request, I had decided to continue with my pregnancy.I got up slowly, completely numb, and turned off the lamp. I picked up my clothes in frustration and headed to the bedroom. I lay down and felt a heavy weight on me. I reached out my arm to the empty space on

The ballroom was incredibly elegant with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, dazzling red carpets, a gleaming stage with massive floral arrangements on either side, and a sea of golden chairs. I had never imagined I could be in a place like this, that I would actually have the opportunity to win the Fotomodel award, a highly coveted accolade among photographers in the country. It was an overwhelmingly pleasant feeling, with butterflies in my stomach. I couldn't tell if it was because I had the most handsome man by my side or due to the anticipation of hearing my name in that beautiful hall.— This is Lisa Miere, a photographer from my agency and winner of the Fotomodel award, — he introduced me to each person. I shook hands with them, feeling very embarrassed, and smiled.Once he had greeted all his partners and friends, we took our seats in the front row, where a spot had already been reserved for us. Sandra and Laura looked at me with anger and envy. He introduced them too, but for most

— Get in quickly, he ordered me with his voice tired from haste, without the desire to tell me what was happening.I got in quickly, looked through the window, but no one was watching us, and we had been harassed enough throughout the night to run now. Thiago started the car and drove rapidly.— We're going to crash! I shouted in desperation. Are you going to tell me what's happening right now? I demanded irritably, as I knew well that I was pregnant, and it annoyed me that he was behaving this way while being unaware of my condition.Once we managed to leave the immense venue, Thiago slowed down the vehicle.— Ungrateful! Realize that you're carrying a pregnant woman on board, and it'll be your fault if I vomit in these luxurious seats! I yelled. Thiago burst into laughter like an idiot, causing my anger to intensify. I glared at him with fury, fully intending to do as I had said, but my conscience stopped me.— Oh, Lisa, you're truly one of a kind, he remarked, still laughing.— Exp

I accept, I answered without fully discerning in my decision. — Deal, Eduardo said, shaking hands with Thiago. I could only stand there with my arms crossed, observing them, but deep down, I had a gut feeling that they were hiding something. — What do I have to give in return? I asked to convince myself that they weren't just fooling me. — Your discipline, commitment, and diligence for both companies, Thiago affirmed. — Perfect, you can count on that. If there's nothing else to disagree on, I'll leave, I said, getting up from the table and shaking hands with both of them. I felt Thiago's hand burning, and when our eyes met, something inside me shattered. It hurt so much that immediately, a lump formed in my throat, the same one I had to control to avoid a situation like the previous night. — Wait a moment, Thiago said. We have a pending meeting, remember. I assumed he was lying to make me stay, and I didn't have the courage to refuse his request. — Sorry, I had forgotten due to t

I realized there was no more time left, that the day had slipped away thinking about the trip, and I hadn't even been able to visit my parents. When it dawned, I knew there was no choice but that the time had come for me to leave. There was a knock on the door.— Thiago — I said nervously when I opened it.— Let me in, we can argue later — he pointed, quickly entering the apartment.— What are you doing here? You know very well that all our photos are on social media and in the newspapers. I went to your office, called you, texted you, and you've just ignored me, you sent everything for me to leave, so what are you doing here? — I said angrily as he sat down.— It's not that simple, Lisa — he stammered without looking at me.IT'S NOT THAT SIMPLE, LISA Three words that exceeded my tolerance.— Yes, it's not that simple, it's easier to get rid of me, to send me away because you simply don't want to face her, to tell her the truth about what's really going on, what you really feel for he