The atmosphere in the house was charged with emotion when Bruno and Helena returned after the vasectomy surgery. Isabel, Antônio, and Emanoel, the couple's children, eagerly awaited in the living room, holding colorful cards with welcoming messages for their father. The expressions of surprise and affection on the children's faces revealed the love they felt for Bruno.“Surprise, daddy!” exclaimed Isabel, smiling broadly.Bruno, visibly moved, admired the cards. Each of them had drawings, messages, and words of love. He hugged the children, feeling deep gratitude for his family. “You guys are wonderful,” murmured Bruno, fighting back tears.Helena, by their side, smiled at the scene. It was evident that the simple gesture of the children had touched Bruno's heart. The concern about the prophecy hanging over the family seemed to have given way to a moment of lightness and happiness.“Come on, everyone, let's let daddy rest for a bit. He needs to recover from the surgery,” suggested Hel
The sun had set in Cuiabá, painting the sky in warm shades of orange and pink as the family gathered to face the difficult moment that lay ahead. Loreta's, Bruno's mother, funeral would take place the next day, and the pain of loss hung in the air.In Nilton's house, where everyone had settled, the atmosphere was laden with emotion. Isabel, Antônio, and Emanoel played together in the backyard, attempting to lighten the heaviness that hung over the family. Helena and Bruno, even amidst the sadness, exchanged knowing glances as they awaited the arrival of the challenging moment.The next day, the funeral was a testimony of love and respect for Loreta. Nilton and Bruno shared stories illustrating the vibrant life she had led before Alzheimer's clouded her mind. Isabel, Antônio, and Emanoel, even without fully understanding the depth of the situation, sensed the heavy atmosphere and stayed close to their parents for comfort.The burial was a silent farewell, each family member placing a f
The international airport of Cuiabá exuded heat, the scorching sun reflecting on the windows as passengers hurriedly moved about. Helena was anxious, her eyes scanning the crowd emerging from the arrival gate. Finally, after years, she was going to reunite with her brother, Marcelo, and their mother, Regina.Isabel, the eldest, looked at her mother with a curious gleam in her eyes. “Mom, what is Grandma Regina like? Dad said she's difficult to handle.”Antônio, the middle child, grimaced. “He said she's like a snake.”Emanoel, the youngest, laughed and agreed, “A snake, exactly.”Helena bent down to their level, her expression gentle and calm. “You know, kids, we can't judge a person without getting to know them. Let's give Grandma Regina a chance.”As she spoke, she spotted the arrivals, and her eyes met Marcelo's, her brother, running towards her with a radiant smile. He was eager to hug her, expressing how much he missed her.“Missed you, sis!” Marcelo said, his eyes shining with j
The kitchen was filled with the enticing aroma of lunch that Helena was preparing while Regina and Marcelo remained in the living room with their children, Isabel, Antônio, and Emanoel. Regina fanned herself with a handkerchief, even with the air conditioning on at the lowest possible temperature. Marcelo, beside her, tried to calm her down.“Cut it out, Mom. You're going to freeze everyone with the air conditioning on full blast,” Marcelo said, attempting to defuse the situation.Regina, with an uncomfortable expression, retorted, “It's impossible; I feel like I'm on fire. Helena could have chosen any place to settle down, and she picks this end of the world.”Marcelo, trying to reassure her, said, “Mom, please, stop it. We're fine, and Helena is treating us very well.”Isabel, the eldest, intervened with her precocious wisdom. “You're wrong, Grandma. The end of the world is Cape Horn in Chile.”Regina, looking at her granddaughter with disdain, replied, “And since when do you, a chi
Helena was busy with household chores in Cuiabá, but at the same time, she kept a watchful eye on her mother Regina's interactions with everyone around. Unfortunately, Marcelo, her brother, had already returned to São Paulo, leaving their mother with Helena.On a sunny day, the kids—Isabel, Antônio, and Emanoel—came home from school, radiating excitement, ready to share their daily experiences with their mother. They rushed inside, as usual, eager to report everything they had learned, but were interrupted by Regina, who scolded them for disrupting the soap opera she was watching.“How dare you come in shouting while I'm watching my soap opera?” Regina complained, annoyed.Isabel, sensing the situation, stepped back and apologized, “Sorry, Grandma.”Regina's dissatisfaction seemed endless. She stood up and raised her hand to strike the girl. The gesture shocked everyone in the room, especially Helena, who entered at that very moment.“Stop!” Helena shouted, interrupting her mother's a
The sun began to bid farewell on the horizon, painting the sky with gentle shades of orange and blue as Helena parked the pickup truck in the garage. She took a deep breath, feeling the tension of the afternoon still lingering, but seeing her children playing in the garden brought a sense of calm.Isabel, Antônio, and Emanoel ran across the lawn, immersed in their games, oblivious to the challenges the adult world could bring. Helena approached slowly, admiring them. As she joined them, she crouched down to their level.“Do you know how special you are?” Helena began, looking into her children's eyes.The curious gazes of the children fixed on their mother, eager for the conversation. Helena continued with a gentle yet firm voice, “I want you to promise me something. Promise me that you will never let anyone treat you as if you are worth less than you truly are.”Surprised by their mother's request, the children nodded in unison. “We promise, Mom,” Isabel replied, while Antônio and Em
The Poconé farm's living room was filled with tension as the Forensic Medical Institute collected Nilton's body from the porch. The police meticulously examined every corner of the property, searching for clues about the sudden death of the family patriarch.Meanwhile, Helena tried to keep calm in the room with the children. Isabel, Antônio, and Emanoel were eager for answers. Isabel, the eldest, innocently asked, “What happened to Grandpa Nilton, Mom?”Helena, careful in choosing her words, replied, “Grandpa Nilton fell and got hurt, my love.”Antônio, the family observer, noticed more than Helena intended to reveal. “But he has a wound on his head, Mom.”Helena, maintaining composure, insisted on the explanation. “It's from the fall, my son. Sometimes, when someone falls, they can get seriously hurt.”Isabel wasn't convinced. “Doesn't look like a fall.”Helena tried to reassure the children. “It's from the fall, dears. Sometimes, these things can seem scary, but Grandpa Nilton is in
The room in the house in Cuiabá was filled with tension, with the gazes of Helena and Bruno revealing the gravity of the unfolding conversation. Helena took the initiative, suggesting that they needed to decide what to do with the farm. Her mother's suggestion to sell the property lingered in the air as a sensible option.“Bruno, we need to seriously consider the idea of selling the farm. It's getting increasingly dangerous, especially with Graciliano on the loose there,” Helena argued, seeking a prudent solution to the situation.Bruno's response was firm and uncompromising. “I'm not selling the farm.”Perplexed by her husband's inflexibility, Helena calmly asked, “So, what do you intend to do?”Bruno's response carried determination. “I'll run the farm on my own.”Helena vehemently disagreed with this decision. “Bruno, this is madness! The farm is becoming dangerous, and facing Graciliano alone is not the solution.”Bruno, looking seriously at Helena, responded with conviction, “I'l