"Without a formal job, without the nightclub work… What else could possibly happen now?" Mel wondered, worried, after what had transpired at the nightclub where she worked.

Paulo, the owner of one of the most famous nightclubs in the city, had drugged her friend, Isabela, to sell her to a foreigner who had rented out the entire club for a private party. Upon discovering what was happening, the man beat up Paulo and destroyed the nightclub, leaving everyone jobless.

"He deserved the beating for what he did to Isa!" Mel said, recalling how badly Paulo had been injured. Despite everything, Isabela, who had been at the apartment that morning, was fine, which made Mel less worried. Unlike her husband, who still hadn't come home. "Where are you, Alexandre?" wondered Mel.

Mel was 23 years old and loved life more than anyone. Her long, red hair fell in soft waves over her shoulders. Her smile was contagious, and her sense of humor made everyone around her feel at ease. She was a loyal friend and was always willing to help those in need. Furthermore, she harbored a deep desire to become a mother and dreamed of the day when her financial situation would stabilize so that she and Alexandre could officially get married in a civil ceremony and in the church, so she could finally get pregnant.

They had been living together for a year but had known each other for about three. Despite not being legally married, Mel considered herself and Alexandre to be married and believed he loved her unconditionally. He was an attentive man and seemed to share the same dreams of building a family.

That morning, sitting in the kitchen of the small apartment they shared, Mel awaited her husband's arrival. She gazed at the cup of tea in her hands. Her thoughts were distant, reliving the events of the previous night.

Alexandre arrived home smiling and was surprised to see her awake so early.

"Well, why are you awake?" You said you'd be tired from the nightclub,"Alexandre asked, slightly suspicious."

"Good morning, love. So much happened at the nightclub that I couldn't sleep… Where were you?" Mel asked, hoping for a hug and a kiss from her husband, which she didn't receive.

"What kind of question is that? You know I sometimes work as a ride-sharing driver."

"But working at night is dangerous…"

"I know… but since you weren't home, I borrowed the car from my friend, as I always do. You know I need the money. Who knows, that way, I'll be able to buy my own car faster." He tried to disguise the lie he was telling as he took off his shirt, throwing the garment directly into the laundry basket before approaching Mel.

"Don't even ask what happened at the nightclub."

"Like you're not dying to know! I was just about to ask." Alexandre was impatient.

"Oh my, it was so scary…" Mel recounted to her husband what had transpired. "Now I'm jobless."

Alexandre let out a sigh, stepping back a bit.

"Right now?" he said, leaving Mel confused by his reaction. "We need to be practical. You need to find a job soon. I can't pay the bills alone, you know I don't earn much."

Mel looked at Alexandre, feeling a mixture of frustration and anxiety. She knew he was right, but the way he spoke left her uneasy.

"I know, Alexandre. I just need a little time to process all of this. I'll look for something as soon as possible. I want to find a permanent job and go back to studying. I know I need to improve my qualifications to earn a better salary."

Alexandre chuckled derisively at Mel.

"Study? What for? You think you can work and study at the same time?" he asked with a sarcastic laugh.

Mel felt frustration rising within her, but she remained calm.

"I was always a good student, but I had to put my studies aside to work. However, I've always wanted to go back. Maybe do a technical course or a degree. And I know I can handle it. I want to improve our lives and build a better future for both of us."

Alexandre shook his head, seemingly calmer, but still skeptical.

"Alright. But first, find a job, then think about studying. At this rate, I'll never buy a car." Alexandre headed towards the bathroom without even giving Mel a quick peck on the lips.

Mel sighed, feeling the absence of affection and the lack of support at such a difficult time. She didn't understand why her husband's behavior was changing.

The next day, Mel started her job search. She tried calling Isabela to look for work together but couldn't reach her friend. The phone was either out of service or switched off, which was strange.

Over the following days, Mel tried contacting Isabela again, but to no avail. Mel was worried about her friend, who had vanished without a trace. She knew Isabela lived in the neighboring neighborhood but didn't have her address. All she could do was wait for her to reappear.

Meanwhile, Paulo, the nightclub owner, had been arrested for drug trafficking and other crimes. Mel hoped he hadn't harmed her friend, as she blamed Isabela for the nightclub's destruction.

After a month of searching, Mel's situation hadn't changed. Her only source of income was temporary work at a catering company. Now, she usually worked nights at parties, events, and weddings. The routine was tiring, but Mel was determined to overcome the difficulties and keep the bills paid.

Each night was a challenge but also an opportunity to move forward. As she served guests at a lavish wedding, Mel maintained a professional smile, even though she was exhausted inside. She knew she couldn't afford to give up. The bills wouldn't wait, and Alexandre wasn't very patient with the situation. Mel tried to understand what was happening with him.

After a long night of work, Mel usually arrived home tired, often finding Alexandre already asleep. The few conversations they had revolved around financial difficulties and the pressure to find a permanent job.

That day, the event where Mel was working ended earlier because it was a children's party. Pleased with the opportunity to return home early, Mel decided to surprise Alexandre, who had been cold and distant. She thought a special night was what they needed to improve the atmosphere between them.

Walking briskly through the streets, Mel was eager to get home and be in her husband's arms. She wanted to rekindle the flame in their relationship and show Alexandre that everything would be alright. Upon arriving home, she quietly opened the door, intending to surprise him.

However, as she approached the bedroom, she heard voices – he wasn't alone. Her heart immediately raced. Trying to remain silent, Mel stopped at the half-open door and peeked inside.

There was Alexandre, in the bed they shared, with another woman in an intimate moment. They were laughing and talking in hushed tones. Mel felt a wave of nausea and rage as she heard the words coming out of her husband's mouth.

"She's so naive, she believes anything I say," Alexandre was saying with a despicable smile. "I don't know how I put up with her for so long."

The woman laughed, caressing Alexandre's face.

"Well, now you have me. You don't need to be with her anymore."

"Just a little while longer. I need to buy my car."

Mel felt the ground disappear beneath her feet. All the doubts and insecurities of recent days materialized at once. Trying to control her breathing and the emotions consuming her, she pushed the door open with force, causing it to slam against the wall, startling her husband and his lover.

"Mel!" Alexandre quickly sat up in bed, scrambling for something to cover himself. "What are you doing here?" he stammered.

Mel looked at him, her eyes filled with tears and anger, wanting to hit them both.

"I live here, Alexandre. Apparently, I'm the only one who remembers that."

The woman beside him began to dress hurriedly, trying to avoid Mel's gaze.

"Mel, please, listen to me…" Alexandre tried to reason, but Mel raised her hand, interrupting him.

"In our bed… I don't want to hear anything more than what I've already heard and seen. I thought you loved me, that we were in this relationship together. But you just used me and lied the entire time."

She took a step back, feeling short of breath, her heart aching from the betrayal. Disappointment consumed her, leaving her utterly devastated.

Before Alexandre could say anything else, Mel left the room, feeling a profound sense of pain, for she truly loved her husband.

In the living room, she saw the woman leaving, looking at her with a smug and satisfied expression. Mel tried to control herself, knowing that she was more important in that moment.

"Mel…"

"I don't want to hear it, I already told you…"

"Then get your things and leave now!" Alexandre yelled.

Mel stared at him, incredulous.

"What? I have the right to stay here; I helped buy this apartment."

Alexandre laughed sarcastically.

"The apartment is mine, Mel; it's in my name. You have no right to anything here."

Mel felt rage surge within her.

"I helped you pay for this apartment from the beginning, Alexandre, we're married! This isn't fair!"

Alexandre shrugged, his expression remaining cold.

"We're not married; we just live together. I guess you forgot that little detail. And I'd like to see you prove that you ever gave me any money. Every penny of this apartment's mortgage came from my account. You never transferred the money to me, remember?"

Mel froze, realizing the truth in his words. She remembered how Alexandre never let her transfer the money directly to him, always asking her to cover other expenses he had. Alexandre had planned everything from the start, manipulating her so that she never had a formal record of her contributions.

"You… you planned all of this, didn't you?" Mel cried, her voice filled with disbelief and sorrow. She was being deceived by the person she loved the most.

Alexandre just smiled, indifferent.

"I was just protecting myself from a potential scam. Now, get out!" he said harshly, gripping Mel's arm tightly.

Mel felt a wave of despair and anguish wash over her, fearing she might be hurt. She wouldn't fight with Alexandre at that moment but wouldn't give up on fighting for what was rightfully hers.

"I'm leaving…" Mel gathered her belongings and left the apartment. That night, as she walked through the dark streets, she felt her life crumbling around her.

Far from where Mel was, in one of the most well-known commercial buildings in the city, the security guard went up to the presidency floor to check why the lights were still on at that hour.

“Excuse me, sir, I didn’t know you were here,” the guard said as he entered the room and found Eduardo working.

“It’s okay… you’re doing your job well,” Eduardo said politely before the guard left.

Eduardo Bittencourt, thirty years old, was a young and handsome man with a serious but friendly air. He gave up managing the family business to become the new CEO of one of the most important multinationals in the country, and his rapid rise in the corporate world was a testament to his competence, determination, and strategic vision.

Eduardo had a striking personality. Determined and focused, he always sought excellence in everything he did. Despite his youth, he displayed a mature posture and a clear vision for the company, which earned him respect among colleagues and subordinates. His leadership was based on competence and fairness, but he also possessed an approachable and welcoming side, making employees feel valued and heard.

And he not only stood out for his leadership, but also for his ability to inspire and motivate his team. He believed in the importance of a collaborative and innovative work environment, and always sought new ways to encourage creativity and productivity among his employees.

In addition to his professional success, Eduardo maintained a balanced personal life. He valued moments with friends and family, and always found time for his passions such as travelling, reading, and playing sports.

However, Eduardo chose to maintain a certain distance from romantic commitments. He had only found opportunistic women in his life, and therefore did not want to get married.

An experience from the past made him focus on his career and his personal passions, avoiding involvements that could bring more disappointments.

Eduardo looked at his watch, it was almost nine o'clock on a Friday night. It was time to go home. He sighed, turning off his computer and organizing his desk. The days at the office were long, but he knew his commitment was essential to the company's success.

As he put some documents in his briefcase, his mind wandered over the week’s events. It had been an intense period, with important meetings and crucial decisions to be made. Despite the exhaustion, Eduardo felt a sense of satisfaction in seeing the results of his hard work.

He turned off the lights in his office and locked the door. On the way to the elevator, he walked down the silent corridor, with only a few security lights illuminating the space. The building, which during the day was a frenzy of activity, was now quiet and almost deserted.

Arriving at the parking lot, Eduardo got into his car and started it. As he drove through the almost empty streets at that hour, he thought about what he would do over the weekend. Maybe a quick visit to his parents or going out with friends to a club.

Stopping at the traffic light, he found himself reflecting on the solitude he would find in his home, sometimes comfortable, sometimes sad and empty, a reflection of the scar he carried from the past.

When he was in college, Eduardo met Julia, with whom he was madly in love. They started dating and he already imagined the future by her side, the children they could have.

However, everything changed suddenly. Julia broke up with Eduardo, revealing that she had fallen in love with someone else, who had a stable financial life and could give her a better future.

The betrayal was a blow to him, but the worst was yet to come when, at a Sunday lunch, Rodrigo, Eduardo’s half brother who was always their father’s favorite son, introduced Julia as his girlfriend to the family. Seeing the woman he loved had traded him for his brother made the pain of being exchanged hurt even more.

“I didn’t know Rodrigo was your older brother…” Julia tried to explain to Eduardo when they met again at college.

“Julia, you made your choice, stay with him… with his money…”

“I didn’t know you were rich… you ride the bus…”

“Why am I remembering this?” Eduardo again found himself remembering the last conversation he had with Julia, and the pain of seeing her next to his brother.

Julia and Rodrigo had married and lived in the city, leading a quiet and stable life, and his brother was at the helm of the family business. Eduardo rarely saw them and, although the wound was no longer so painful, the distrust and emotional reserve that settled in him were remnants of that betrayal.

This experience shaped the way Eduardo viewed relationships. He became more skeptical and cautious, preferring to focus on his career and personal goals. He was dedicated to his work, determined not to let the pain of the past dictate his future.

Eduardo arrived home reflecting on this whole situation and went to the balcony, while having a glass of wine. He didn't believe he could find someone to love him for who he really was, with no ulterior motives. So he tried to keep his heart protected, closed to the possibility of true love.

Mel continued walking through the dark streets, feeling the desperation grow with each step. She knew she needed to find a place to spend the night; it was dangerous to stay outside, and so she decided to seek help from her aunt, who had cared for her when her mother passed away when she was 14 years old.

Arriving at her aunt's house, Mel hesitated for a moment before knocking on the door. Her aunt, a middle-aged woman with a weary expression, opened the door and looked at her in surprise.

"Mel? What are you doing here at this hour," dear? asked her aunt, worried.

"Tia Maria, I... I need a place to stay, just for tonight." Mel replied, her voice trembling from tears. "My marriage is over... Alexandre cheated on me, aunt... and I have nowhere to go. Mel shared through her sobs."

Maria let Mel in and embraced her, offering some comfort. Mel looked around, feeling a mix of nostalgia and pain. It was in this house that she had lived after her mother's death, staying there until the day she moved in with Alexandre.

"Certainly, dear, you can stay here tonight." said her aunt, guiding her to the living room. "Sit down, I will make you some tea."

As Mel settled onto the sofa, one of her cousins entered the room. She looked at Mel with disdain and a mischievous smile upon seeing her cousin's suitcase.

"Look who showed up! teased the cousin who never liked Mel."Looks like Alexandre finally kicked you to the curb, huh?

Mel felt her face flush with embarrassment and sadness as her cousin began to laugh, continuing the taunts.

"Men don't like nice girls like you, Mel, who do everything for them. You should know that by now."

Maria returned to the room just then, casting a stern glance at her daughter.

"Cut it out, Fernanda! she ordered."Mel, ignore what she said. You have always been a wonderful, beautiful, and hardworking person, and you deserve better than that loser who can't recognize your worth.

Fernanda rolled her eyes and left the room, still laughing at Mel. Her aunt sat down beside her, holding her hands tenderly.

"I'm sorry about that, dear. I know it's not easy dealing with your cousins, but this house is mine, and you are always welcome here. And if you want to move back in..."

"Thank you, aunt, but I prefer to have my own place; I don’t want to be a burden."

"I understand. Recently, I met a lady who rents rooms to young women; I will give you her address. She is a very nice person, and I am sure she will help you. You can go there tomorrow."

Her aunt took a piece of paper and wrote down the address, handing it to Mel.

"Thank you very much, aunt. I really need a place to stay," Mel said, trying to hold back tears.

"It’s all going to work out, Mel. You are strong, and you will get through this." said her aunt, embracing her again. Now tell me what happened... her aunt requested, ready to listen to Mel's confession.

Mel spent the night at her aunt's house, trying to find some solace in the familiar surroundings. Although her cousin's provocation hurt her, she knew she needed to move on.

The next morning, Mel didn’t wait for breakfast and set off for the address her aunt had given her, determined to find a place to live.

Upon arriving at the address provided by her aunt, Mel was greeted by the owner, an elderly and friendly woman, who had a warm smile.

"You must be Mel. Your aunt just called me saying that you're coming to look for me, and she spoke very well of you."

"Yes, my name is Mel, nice to meet you, Ma’am… Mel greeted the lady, waiting for her to say her name."

"Nice to meet you too, and my name is Lucia, but you can call me Lu."

"Right, Mrs. Lu."

"Come on, I'll show you the empty room. The rooms are all the same size, and they all have a bathroom, so you won’t have to worry about your privacy. Mrs." Lu said, guiding Mel.

Mel followed the woman to the second floor of the house, which had a hallway with several doors. Upon entering the small room, Mel observed the simple but clean space. In one corner, there was a sink with cabinets, and on the other side was the bathroom door.

"I hope you like it."

"Yes, it's what I need right now."

"When are you bringing your things? I’ll ask to have the stove taken out of here so it doesn’t bother you."

"I don’t have anything other than my suitcase."

"Seriously, girl?" Lucia asked, almost in disbelief.

"My ex-husband didn't let me keep anything in the apartment," he said it was his.

"What a jerk! You should have called the police on him."

"I was so stunned that I couldn’t think of anything, and I was afraid he would hurt me, so I took only my clothes and my documents."

"Calm down, everything will work out. Do you see this stove? The girl who was living here left the stove and the gas cylinder as payment for the rent. It's not very new, but it works; we just need to buy gas."

"And how much are you going to sell me the stove and the cylinder for? I don’t have much money right now... Even feeling embarrassed, Mel was honest."

"Don’t worry about that for now. I really like your aunt, and you can use the stove until you get settled. Later I'll figure out a fair price, of course, unless you want to buy a new stove for yourself. Dona Lucia said with a friendly smile. Make yourself at home, and if you need anything, just call me." Lucia said, handing Mel the keys to the room before leaving her alone.

As soon as the door closed, Mel fell to her knees on the floor, unable to hold back her tears. All the sadness, frustration, and pain she had been trying to contain came rushing back. She cried intensely, feeling completely drained and vulnerable after discovering Alexandre's betrayal.

After some time, the tears began to dry, and Mel slowly got up. Although she still felt sad, she knew she needed to move on. That empty room represented a new beginning, a chance to rebuild her life away from lies and betrayals.

Determined to make this work, Mel realized she needed a steady job and to continue her studies. She knew it would be a difficult journey, but she was willing to fight for a better future. With a deep sigh, she looked at the small mirror hanging on the wall of the room, gazing at her reflection and promising herself that she would not let anyone else destroy her dreams or hurt her again.