Life has granted us some incredible moments, and without a doubt, Helena's wedding was a day of perfection. Seeing their joy brought me immense happiness. Two months have passed and all is well.

Laura and Matteo have relocated to Canada. Vicente, after being caught by my brother, didn't have much choice but to get married.

Henrique has married too and is living in Portugal. Helena and Dad spent two weeks in the Maldives. And as for the plan to have my sister return pregnant, it succeeded, but life is not all roses; the pregnancy did not progress well and Helena suffered a miscarriage before the month was out. After that, Dad didn't want to try anymore, and neither did she. He went through with a vasectomy and is now happy looking after the kids. I'm still living with them in Italy, and since I started dating Gabriel, I haven't seen Talles anymore—it's sad because I valued his friendship.

Dad doesn't interfere with Gabriel anymore, but I must admit there are times when Gabriel leaves me feeling confused.

Gabriel has been working a lot and takes me out whenever he can—for dinners, lunch, movies. He is amazing, and I love him dearly.

GABRIEL: Good morning!

"Hi love, what's up? I thought you were stopping by later."

GABRIEL: I need to talk to you…

"Sure, go ahead."

GABRIEL: Things have improved greatly for me; I've received an offer. I need to move to England. Will you come with me?

"England!? Gabriel, I need to finish my degree. I managed to drop some courses, but I still have three years left."

GABRIEL: A degree in what?

"Business Administration. You know this. Why are you asking?"

GABRIEL: You're studying to manage something that isn't even yours. Meanwhile, Laura is enjoying her children and her life. Everyone is living for themselves, except you! Come with me, love. Let's have our life together, our honeymoon. I want to make you my wife and drive you wild with pleasure.

I'll have a good salary, enough to provide you a peaceful life, clothes, shoes... You don't have to work yourself to death for something that's not yours.

EMILY: I don't know, Gabriel. I'm afraid of hurting my father and Helena... But on the other hand, you're right, I need to have my life, my family, my home, and my children.

GABRIEL: Yes, my love, our children. I want many children with you.

He embraced me in the middle of the living room, and I grew anxious since my father was in the study, and Helena was in her room with the kids.

EMILY: Not here, love. My sister could come down at any moment, and my father is in his office.

GABRIEL: Then let's go to the registry office. I've already bought the rings. I'll speak to your father in the office, and we can get married today.

"I'm not sure that's a good idea; he won't agree."

GABRIEL: Then I'll wait for you there. It's nine o'clock. I'll be there until eleven. If you don't come by then, I'll take it that you've given up on me. I'll pack my bags and leave for England tomorrow.

"Alright, I'll talk to them."

Gabriel left and I asked Ana to call my father and my sister. They came to the living room, and my father looked at me very sternly as if he anticipated what was coming.

HUGO: Tell us, Emily, what happened?

"Dad, Helena, Gabriel was here and proposed to me."

HELENA: Just like that... He must be plotting something, right, Hugo?

"Yes, he is. Trying to make me happy... You're all selfish, never thinking about me. Gabriel is leaving for England, and that's why he proposed."

HUGO: And your response?

"I said I'd talk to you, but this reaction I did not expect."

HUGO: I'm just listening... If that's what you want, we'll accept it... You'll get married in a month.

"No, Dad. It has to be today. Gabriel is leaving the country tomorrow, and I really want to go with him."

HELENA: And your studies, leading the construction company, Emily, you're giving up your life, are you mad!

My life? My dreams, or yours? I want a family, Helena, not to live in your shadow.

I stood up and began to leave the room when my father grabbed my arm and hugged me. I cried a lot in his embrace. I love Gabriel deeply, but I didn't want to be distanced from them.

"Dad... Daddy, I love you so much, but I want to live. Please, help me."

HUGO: Daughter, you have a life, but what you're about to do isn't wise. You must have your plans, dreams, ambitions...

"Right now, all I want is to be with him. I can study there. You know they have good universities.

Look, I want your blessing and Helena's because you matter to me, but I've made my decision... I'm going to marry Gabriel and live with him in England.

HELENA: You barely know him. This is too hasty.

"If he were dishonest, he wouldn't have been invited into this house working for Dad. Plus, he now works with the FBI."

HUGO: He's changed a lot, daughter. He's not the same Gabriel.

"Exactly! He no longer takes orders from you."

HUGO: Alright, daughter, but let me tell you something.

Even if he's not working for me now, I still have ways to keep him in check. If I find out he's harming you, I'll destroy him, his family, and that damn FBI, okay?

My father's words were chilling. I had never seen him speak like this. His gaze held a different glitter, and I was frightened.

HELENA: When do you plan to get married?

"He's at the registry office. You're coming with me, right?"

HUGO: Of course, sweetheart. And I want to review the marriage contract before you sign.

So, we went to the registry office. He was there waiting, his smile upon seeing me deepened my love all the more. I love Gabriel beyond anything in this life and I'm determined to be happy with him.

My father did indeed do as he told me; he read the marriage contract from beginning to end. Gabriel felt troubled by the situation but said nothing.

HELENA: Matteo is furious about this sudden wedding of yours, Emily. Why don't you wait and let everyone be involved?

"It's ridiculous to have to wait for everyone to pursue my own happiness!"

GABRIEL: Helena, this marriage is only because I want her to come with me, and I wouldn't like her to come without being married. Emily is a respectable woman and I wanted to do things right.

HUGO: The right thing would be for you to come to my house and request her hand in marriage.

GABRIEL: With all due respect, I would gladly do so if you were her father, but you're not!

I tried to fix everything, but there wasn't enough time; my father punched Gabriel in the face. He fell to the ground and quickly his white shirt turned red with blood.

HELENA: Enough, Hugo... Let's calm down! Gabriel, I am so disappointed in you, after all we've done for you and your family, to act like this, what's going on?

GABRIEL: You're trying to take Emily from me, and I won't allow it. She's the woman of my life, and we'll be happy together!

HUGO: I'll kill you someday, Gabriel... You tried to take my daughter from me, to turn her against me by saying that I'm not her father.

"Dad, please don't do this!"

HUGO: I'm leaving, Emily. Are you coming with me, or will you go with him?

"I won't choose. I love you too much; you are my father, but I will marry Gabriel!"

HELENA: Emily, please calm down... Oh, kid, stop crying.

I just walked away without looking back. I really wanted their support, but no one stood by me. We signed the papers and went to Gabriel's parents' house. Ana packed my bags, and it was getting dark when I returned home. Helena was sitting by the pool, hugging my father who seemed to be crying. I tried to go upstairs to my room but couldn't; I went over to them instead.

HUGO: Daughter, I thought you'd left without saying goodbye. Girl, I'm crazy about you. You won my heart when... you were hungry, yet you didn't eat your entire sandwich, insisting on leaving a piece for Helena. Emily, you are my daughter, no matter what others say.

"I love you very much too. I just want to build my own family, understand?"

HUGO: Yes, daughter. You can have your family, but promise you'll call us every day, and if he does anything to you, you will tell us...

"Of course, Dad. I'm also worried about how our relationship will go, but if it doesn't work out, I'll come running back."

HELENA: You're so young. What about your dreams?

"I'll chase them alongside the man I love, just like you, Helena. Everything will be alright, and I'll call you all the time."

HUGO: I don't know what I'll do without you, kiddo; who will help me calm the beast? It wasn't in the plan for you to leave us.

"You're going to make me cry, Dad... It will be just as hard for me to miss Liz's complicity when causing mischief. She's very upset with me; she asked me to leave her room... I hope she'll be okay."

HELENA: First she loses Matteo, and now you. Of course, it will be hard!

After talking to them, I went to pack my things which Ana hadn't finished packing yet, and guess who showed up to help? Yes, my doting father ha, he organized my clothes. He got very angry when he saw a bag of lingerie; he didn't touch it, of course, but commented that it was ridiculous. My sister was lying in the bed with a face like a lost puppy; my heart ached whenever I looked at her, never thinking her love could be so great.

Helena tried to hide it, but a very shy tear rolled down the corner of her eye, wiping it with her finger, then scratching her eyebrow.

"My sister, you know I love you so much. You need to be happy, or I'll give up going with him."

HUGO: Love cries... Faint, do something!

HELENA: Ha, I can't... I want you to be happy, and I know you want to go with him… Will you sleep with me tonight, one last time?

HUGO: I don't like where this conversation is going; it sounds like a farewell... As if you're never coming back.

"Jeez! You're both being so dramatic..."

HUGO: If you say that again, I'll wash your mouth out with soap! Just because you're married doesn't mean you can do whatever you want. I'm watching you... I'm going to sleep; I'm tired!

He was very upset, and Helena rolled on the bed laughing.

After dinner, we went to the living room to watch a movie, then went upstairs. Helena simply made me go to their room, I was a bit embarrassed but laid down beside her.

HUGO: I'm going to sleep on the couch, so you two have more room.

EMILY: See? I'm causing trouble for you both!

HUGO: Of course not, daughter. I just want you to be comfortable.

HELENA: Love, come here, lie next to me; I want you both by my side...

He lay down and hugged my sister, his hand immediately went to my face, he stroked my hair, and kept saying how much he would miss me.

EMILY: You're the best father in the world; thank you for taking care of me. Without your affection, love, and protection, I don't know what we would have done.

HELENA: I regret so much leaving. I should have told you I was pregnant with you...

HUGO: I wouldn't have believed you, I was blind and being manipulated by that woman... What matters is that we are together now... I just can't accept losing you, daughter. I'll talk to Gabriel; I know his price, I'll pay triple just for him not to leave...

"DAD!? He wants to live..."

HUGO: Sorry, daughter; you're right... We'll talk every day...

"Yes, we will. I won't give you any rest hehe."

We talked a lot, and soon I fell asleep. Helena and my dad talked a great deal more. In the morning when I woke up, they were already out of the room. Thinking I was late, I raced to my room and showered, then went downstairs where everyone was at the breakfast table.

"Good morning!"

HELENA: Good morning, did you sleep well?

"Very well! I thought it was late already; I'm going to eat and head to the airport quickly."

LIZ: Aunt Emily, Gabriel isn't a good guy anymore, don't trust him, soon you'll find out how much of a jerk he is.

LUCA: She's in love, even if she's smart she can't see it, Liz...

"You two are just nosy kids, that's what! I'll call my grandmother from the office, she's furious."

I left my cell phone at the breakfast table next to Liz, Luca went to the garden, and my father and Helena accompanied me.

Liz's cunning is enviable; she took advantage of my distraction to do what she and Talles had arranged. She installed the program developed by Matteo on my phone. After speaking with my grandmother, I headed to the airport, Helena and my father with me.

Saying goodbye was tough, I thought my dad would suffer a lot, but Helena, she was crushed and my heart shattered with her.

HELENA: I love you so much, sister, I'll always be here for you. Emily, you were never a burden to me, I always wanted you close by, Emily how will I manage without you, my sister 😭

"Helena, my guardian angel... I love you so incredibly much, I'll never forget everything you've done for me, sacrificing so much to raise me, you've been both my mother and father, you mean the world to me, my sister."

HELENA: It wasn't a sacrifice, it was a great pleasure, you've been such a help, every time I felt lost, it was you who helped me, I wish you all the happiness.

GABRIEL: We need to go, Emily, the plane is about to take off.

HUGO: Let's go, Helena, we have to let her go... Listen Gabriel, if you hurt her, or do anything, I'll go through hell to take you down.

The fear in me was palpable from my father's words; his steely gaze fixed on Gabriel made it clear he was dead serious. Stepping onto the plane, I felt as though I was leaving part of myself behind, my hands trembled, which Gabriel held in an attempt to calm me, but truth be told, his touch only heightened my unease, I am his wife and soon I have to fulfill my duties.

GABRIEL: It's normal to feel this way, you've always been with Helena, but I promise you, I will make you happy, and as soon as we can, we'll visit them, even though your father doesn't like me.

He cares about you; he got worried when you disappeared, looked for you, and offered help... He was just really upset that you said he's not my father.

GABRIEL: I was wrong about that, but I will regain his trust.

"Yes, you will, and soon everything will be okay."

After a few hours, we finally landed in the British Kingdom, Gabriel was overjoyed, hugging and kissing me affectionately.

GABRIEL: Love, the house isn't luxurious or as big as the one you lived in, but it's pretty, I think you'll like it.

"It's fine, I don't mind..."

The house was exactly the type I loathed, it reminded me of horror movies, but I would never admit that to him.

GABRIEL: Didn't you like it?

"Of course I did... Actually, living in such a house has always been a fear, Matteo and I watched so many horror films with houses like this, and somebody always died."

GABRIEL: What nonsense, haha... Seriously? It's just a house, honey, you're acting like a child, haha.

"Don't laugh Gabriel, it's traumas... Stop mocking me!?"

He opened the door and entered; the place wasn't nice, cozy or joyful.

GABRIEL: We will change everything, you'll redecorate it your way.

"But isn't it rented? They should have..."

GABRIEL: It's not rented; I bought it.

"Love, so it's our home? Let's tear it down and build a new one... With a different design."

GABRIEL: It would cost a fortune!

"I can afford to pay for all this and buy new furniture, these are terrible."

GABRIEL: It's all as the previous owner left it before passing away, the family only took his personal belongings.

"What? Love, I can't live here... Gabriel!?"

GABRIEL: Your siblings should get a paternity test; you can't possibly be a Viturino...

"Oh, how I want to go back home, miss Helena and my dad."

Gabriel quickly changed his expression and drew closer to me, I couldn't feel at ease around him, and his sudden mood swings frightened me. He grabbed my arm and kissed my lips roughly.

GABRIEL: Hugo Lacerda Bianchi is not your father! I'm so jealous when you talk about him so fondly... You are mine, Emily, and you're not going to cling to another man.

"This crazy talk, again?"

We went upstairs to the room, where I began to unpack my things, noticing the bed was new but the wardrobe terribly old.

"Gabriel, can we stay in a hotel until the house is renovated? It's not bad, but I want to change things, start our new life without a deceased's belongings... I don't want to seem fussy, just don't like it, feels like bad energy, you get me?"

"Is that blood on the curtain?"

I was horrified, feeling genuinely like I was in a horror film.

GABRIEL: Okay, get your things, we're going to stay at a hotel, we'll sort this out tomorrow... That's not blood, the curtain is just old and has some rust stains.

"Didn't you notice this when you checked the house? You didn't check before buying, haha."

GABRIEL: No, haha, I was too excited, a work friend took care of it for me, he told me they'd remove the items and clean well, but they didn't.

"Let's just get out of here... Tomorrow I'll manage to hire painters, decorators and buy all the new furniture…"

GABRIEL: I don't have money for that, I can paint myself, then we can buy the furniture.

"I can pay... What's the issue with using my money?"

GABRIEL: Haha, that money isn't yours, it's the Viturino family's, you didn't work for it, Emily.

"You need to explain your vendetta against the Viturinos, don't forget I am indeed a Viturino."

GABRIEL: What? There's no hate... Look, I just want to do everything my way with my own money... That's all!

He ignored me all the way to the hotel, and I didn't try to engage in conversation, and to think this is the first day of the rest of my life, I sense it will be very tiresome.

Arriving at the hotel, I requested the master suite, while Gabriel asked for the economy room, leading to another disagreement. I let him have his way without further input, and we went to our room.

GABRIEL: I don't get your taste for luxury, you lived in a terrible community, sometimes without food... Sorry, Emily, I didn't mean to hurt you.

"You didn't hurt me, listen here Gabriel, all the money I have today is mine because my father left it to us, and as for the community... There were times I had nothing to eat, but it wasn't horrible! You can't deprive me of using my money, I'll spend it on what I want, the way I want."

GABRIEL: Forgive me, I'm nervous, scared things will go wrong, and they're starting to... The house should've been ready and it's not... And I'm not a millionaire to lavish you with luxury, I don't want to let you down, first because you don't deserve it, and secondly because your brother would love to throw it in my face that I'm not capable of taking care of you.

"Let's forget it all... Love, it's our honeymoon, and so far we've only argued over stupid things."

GABRIEL: You're right, love...

He picked up the phone and called the front desk, I wasn't sure why until I heard his request.

GABRIEL: I want to switch to the Master Suite, please, and bring a bottle of your finest champagne, some fruit and...

"Chocolate... A chocolate cake with whipped cream..."

GABRIEL: A chocolate cake with whipped cream, please, and some strawberries too, thanks!

We were quickly moved to the new room; I immediately went to take a shower, feeling eager to wear lingerie Helena had advised me to buy, though incredibly shy. I wrapped myself in a towel afterward, Gabriel tried pulling me along, but I preferred waiting in the room, organizing things.

GABRIEL: Don't you want to shower with me?

Ah! No... I'll wait for you here, sort out our stuff.

I picked a nightgown and lingerie from my suitcase and put them on swiftly, unsure whether to stand or sit, I decided on a glass of champagne to steady my nerves.