CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

LIFE, BEFORE AND AFTER.

After talking with Layla, Cloe felt a bit more relieved. She already loved the woman, who she considered her grandmother, but now she loved her even more. She arrived home feeling more upbeat and willing to give her relationship with Túlio another chance. Layla was right and knew him well. She said he was confused and suffering as much as she was. He hadn't changed, gone through so much, and become a member of the gang just to give up now. Everyone goes through difficulties in life. She was stronger now. With Milla's help, who was happy to see how excited she was, she did a major cleaning in her house, went to the market, and bought a piece of meat to roast. She gave Ant a bath, and while the meat cooked, releasing a delicious smell, she chatted with Milla, paying attention to every noise, thinking it might be her beloved returning.

"Where do you think he is?" Milla asked, offering her a glass of wine and peeling potatoes that would be added to the meat in the