Helena was sitting at her small desk in the apartment she shared with Lucia, focused on her laptop. The screen's glow illuminated her face as she typed messages to Bruno. They had established a routine of exchanging messages about their daily lives, sharing details of their separate lives.
She would tell him about the law firm where she worked, the challenges she faced, and how she was progressing in her legal career. Helena also shared her experiences at law school, talking about classes, classmates, and preparations for her upcoming graduation party, which was approaching rapidly.
On the other hand, Bruno would detail his life in Paraty, how the family's bicycle shop was doing well, and how he was investing time in creating a new business plan to expand the venture. He also spoke about his mother, Loreta, who had Alzheimer's, and how he was striving to provide her with the best possible care.
Despite the distance and t
Helena's big graduation day had finally arrived, a milestone in her educational journey that she had eagerly anticipated. She was radiant, dressed in an elegant red gown that accentuated her natural beauty. Her hair was meticulously arranged in a sophisticated updo, and she wore golden earrings that sparkled with every movement. In front of the mirror, Helena admired herself with a mixture of pride and gratitude for achieving her academic goals.While Helena was immersed in her reflection, a soft knock on her door made her jump slightly. It was Lucia, who was just as excited as she was for the graduation party.“Helena, you look amazing!” exclaimed Lucia, admiring her friend with a warm smile.Helena smiled back, grateful. “Thank you, Lucia. You look stunning too, as always.”The two friends shared a moment of camaraderie before deciding it was time to join the guests. Helena
When Helena stepped out into the garden, her eyes widened in surprise as she saw Bruno standing there, elegantly dressed in a suit. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. “Bruno!” Helena exclaimed, her voice filled with emotion. Bruno smiled warmly as he approached her. “You didn't think I'd miss your graduation party, did you?” Helena was speechless. She opened her arms and rushed into Bruno's embrace, holding him tightly. “I can't believe you're here!” They held each other as if they never wanted to let go. It was a moment filled with emotion, the realization of a desire Helena had kept secret, even from herself. “I couldn't miss this,” Bruno whispered in Helena's ear. “You've achieved something incredible, and I wanted to be here to celebrate with you.” Helena looked into Bruno's eyes, feeling grateful and moved. “You have no idea how mu
Helena had graduated and was now practicing law at a law firm in São Paulo. A year had passed, and her life had taken a path that many would consider successful. She was advancing in her career, spending time with Lucia, and trying to move forward, but there was something that always bothered her, a persistent sense of emptiness that seemed not to go away. She wondered if law was really the path she wanted to pursue. Every day was a struggle to find motivation and passion for what she did.One day, she decided to seek answers to her doubts. She got up from her desk and headed to the office of the senior lawyer at the firm, Eduardo Brandão. He was her boss and someone Helena admired.Eduardo looked up when Helena entered his office, a gentle smile lighting up his face. “What can I do for you, Helena?”She hesitated for a moment before finally asking, “Eduardo, what motivates you to be a law
Helena stood in front of Nilton's Bike, the store that was such an important part of Bruno's life and her own history. She couldn't understand what could have happened to lead Bruno to close the store he loved.Determined to find out what was going on, Helena got into her car and drove towards Bruno's parents' house. She was nervous, but also determined to support Bruno in any difficulty he might be facing. When she arrived at the house, she found Loreta outside, tending to the plants with a warm smile on her face.Loreta looked up and saw Helena. Her smile widened. “Helena!” she exclaimed, as if she had seen an old friend. “What a pleasant surprise to see you.”Helena returned the smile and warmly greeted Loreta. “Hello, Mrs. Matos. How are you?”Nilton appeared right behind Loreta, his face showing a puzzled expression. “Loreta, didn't I tell you we don't have any plans with Helena...”He turned to
At Nilton's Bike, life seemed to be finally falling into place for Helena and Bruno. They worked together, sharing not only their workspace but also the challenges and successes of the store. Helena was full of enthusiasm and excited about her decision to join Bruno in Paraty and give a new direction to her life.One week after her return to Paraty, Helena was in her office, organizing some documents, when one of the employees approached, somewhat hesitantly.“Helena, sorry to bother you, but there's someone here looking for you,” the employee said.Helena looked up from her papers, curious, and replied, “Of course, let her in.”She wasn't prepared for the surprise visit. As the door opened, a familiar voice echoed through the room. “Helena, my daughter.”Helena turned around, and there was her mother, Regina, standing in the doorway with an ex
Days passed quickly as Bruno and Helena rushed through the preparations for their wedding. They had opted for something simpler and more intimate, just a ceremony at the courthouse. Helena didn't want to spend too much money on a glamorous party, and they both agreed that the most important thing was the commitment they were making to each other.Helena picked up her phone and called her brother, Marcelo. She had something important to ask him. When Marcelo answered, Helena smiled and greeted him warmly before getting to the point."Hi, Marcelo! How are you?""Hi, Helena! I'm well, thank you. How are the wedding preparations going?"Helena sighed lightly before responding. "It's about the wedding that I wanted to talk to you. I would like to know if you'd be willing to be one of the witnesses at our courthouse wedding."Marcelo was silent for a moment before replying, "Of course,
Bruno was in shock, sitting at one of the tables at Sítio Santo Antônio, next to his mother, Loreta. The surrounding scene was a joyful wedding celebration, with laughter, lively music, and guests having a great time. However, Bruno could hardly focus on the festivities. His mother's words still echoed in his mind, leaving him bewildered.Loreta looked at her son, a deep sadness in her eyes, as he struggled to formulate a coherent question. Finally, Bruno managed to gather his words and asked, his voice trembling, “Mom, are you absolutely certain about what you're saying?”Loreta seemed hesitant, as if she were struggling to understand Bruno's question. She finally replied, “Certainties, my son? What do you want to know?”Bruno took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. “Mom, you said I'm twenty-four years old, not twenty-five, because my birth certificate was altered. Are you s
After their wedding, Bruno and Helena decided not to have a traditional honeymoon. With the shop and Loreta's health, Bruno's mother, requiring care, they opted for a peaceful weekend in Paraty, enjoying everything the charming town had to offer.The morning after the wedding, the sun illuminated the room where Bruno and Helena slept. The gentle morning light caressed Helena's face, causing her to wake up with a smile. She turned in bed and found Bruno still deeply asleep, with tousled hair and one arm outstretched towards her. Helena watched him for a moment, reminiscing about the previous day, filled with emotions and surprises.She decided to get up carefully so as not to wake him. After all, this was their first morning as husband and wife, and she wanted to do something special. Helena headed to the kitchen of the house, located in a small seaside village where they had rented a house for the weekend. She started preparing breakfast, kn