One morning, Rúbia was surprised by her own son, who seems to have touched her heart. She herself was surprised by the emotion she felt when she noticed the child moving, in her own womb, in response to the caresses she made instinctively. It was something different, a feeling that came from the inside out.For the first time, after everything she had been through, she began to feel a love unlike any she had ever experienced. Very intense and unique. Providing that beautiful mother with a deep desire to protect herself, because of what was inside her. Giving her a personal reason to live and a chance to feel happiness in life. Later, when she was alone with her housekeeper and confidant, having a snack in the kitchen, as usual, in the early hours of the morning, she said:“Before this,” he comments, stroking his own belly, “I had never felt anything so intense. Now, it's as if I communicate with him and it's as if he came to transform me..." confesses Rúbia, moved and adds "your words

Weeks later...“Each human being is nothing more than the result of the equation involving joys and sadness...” the old housekeeper thinks to herself as she hears that beautiful woman lament once again:“I can't escape myself, this is my structure, this is my being... reality hits me...When I look from my terrace, as soon as I wake up in the morning, I see some peasant women, with a simple life, walking hand in hand with their respective husbands and accompanied by one or more sons and daughters...I can see in their behavior that they chose them because they love them and the children are the fruits of this relationship. As I discreetly watch them from behind the curtains of my castle-like place.I start to question myself why I was born and the choices I made. What is the value of my position and appearance, envied by everyone around me?By the irony of chance... a natural part of life... which is reproduction, am I incapable or, perhaps, unworthy of having?” It reflects the unhapp

Days later...A woman walking her dog in the central square meets another woman who was sitting on one of the wooden benches:“Hello, how are you, Marta!?”“Hi... good afternoon, Lídia... Alright... I was even going to stop by the market you work at today, at the end of the afternoon, to do a little shopping... for my sister...”"Which one? The one who is pregnant?” Marta asks, as she knows that her friend has more than one sister.“Yes, the ‘buchudinha’ really... She's very lazy...” reveals Lídia.“Is it fear of leaving the house?” Marta asks, lowering her voice."Like this? Fear of what?" Lídia questions, showing surprise.“Several pregnant women even try to avoid passing where Mrs. Rúbia passes.... I think this is an exaggeration, but there are people spreading the word that it could be bad luck, so many don't want to risk it.... There haven't been any cases of abortion here for a long time ..., but the fear is very great, one of them told me!” Marta says, making an expression of t

First session, first week...When sitting on a chair facing the couch, he organizes himself, placing a folder on his lap, which contains the initial information obtained via telephone. He takes a small recorder and the usual notepad out of his pocket to begin.Now on the exquisite red velvet divan, with legs that resemble a lion's paws, made of carved wood, which appear to be twisted and with golden details, is Rúbia. She runs her hand over the velvet and remembers her mother, who sat on it while being listened to by a man, who also visited her quite frequently. And they spent hours talking alone when her father was traveling and much less time when her father was at home.“Beautiful furniture!” Praise him.“It was imported from Europe, precisely from Portugal, as was all the furniture here. I confess that this baroque style, typical of a noble European residence, is not really my style, but it reminds me of my parents and... my childhood...” he reveals, with a certain nostalgia.The

The doctor finds her point of view relevant, so, without delay, he writes it down in his notebook, already with several enigmatic details about the patient.“Even though you are sure that everything is being recorded, when you check carefully every moment, do you still take notes?” She asks, confused.“These are observations and not your report. The observations have to do with your expression and posture... things that the voice recorder cannot capture... You can continue, ma'am...” he signals.“I understand... Well..., faced with this situation... very tense by the way... out of nowhere, I start looking reprehensibly at the horrified mothers. They are all crowded around me and..., it's as if I... demanded... without words... just with my gaze..., that they face 'my children' without prejudice...I behave as if I were proud with my monsters in my arms...” thoughtfully, she pauses again as if she were analyzing herself.“It is common for human beings..., after reluctance and, finally,