...Leonardo Vasconcellos ( Eduardo's father**)...

Age: 50 years old

Appearance: Tall, athletic build for his age, dark hair with gray strands, deep and striking brown eyes, well-groomed beard, always dressed elegantly.

Personality: Cold in business, calculating, and dominant. But when it comes to the people he loves, he is protective, loyal, and intense. He is a man who has always gotten what he wanted and has never lost a battle.

History: Widower for years, he lost his wife to a serious illness and has never been emotionally involved with anyone since. He raised Eduardo alone and tried to teach him to be a responsible man, but he failed. Always focused on business, he never imagined that one day his life would change because of a woman he should never desire: his son's wife.

Relationship with Eduardo: Extremely disappointed. He had known for a long time that his son was worthless and tried to save him numerous times, but Eduardo proved himself unworthy of his trust. Upon discovering how he treated Mariana, Leonardo felt hatred for his own blood.

Connection with Mariana: He always knew who she was before the wedding. He was fascinated by her beauty and sweetness when he saw her for the first time, but he distanced himself so as not to interfere with his son's marriage. However, seeing her suffering and the injustice she suffered, Leonardo realized that he needed to have her for himself.

...Eduardo Vasconcellos...

Age: 31 years old

Appearance: Brown hair, dark eyes, medium height, athletic body, but arrogant expression. Always well-dressed, but with a calculating and cold look.

Personality: Spoiled, selfish, womanizing, and immature. He thinks the world should revolve around him and has never been responsible for anything.

History: He grew up with all the privilege that money could give, but he never had enough character to reciprocate his father's trust. He made several mistakes in business and went so far as to embezzle money from his father's company, being blackmailed by Isabel and forced to marry Mariana.

Relationship with Mariana: He never wanted her. He always made it clear that he despised her and, at the same time, enjoyed humiliating her. For him, Mariana was nothing more than a problem imposed by her blackmailing mother.

Connection with Leonardo: He has always lived in his father's shadow and hates him for never being good enough for him. He envies his authority and strength.

...Ane (Mariana's Friend)...

Age: 26 years old

Appearance: Brunette, wavy hair, lively brown eyes. She has a casual and relaxed style.

Personality: Loyal, funny, and sincere. She is not afraid to tell the truth, even when Mariana doesn't want to hear it. She always tries to cheer up her friend and encourage her to make decisions for her happiness.

History: Longtime friend of Mariana, she has always been her support during difficult times. They work together at the coffee shop and have shared a house since Mariana left the Vasconcellos mansion.

Relationship with Leonardo: At first, she is suspicious of him, but over time she realizes that he really loves Mariana.

...Bianca Beach (Eduardo's New Wife)...

Age: 28 years old

Appearance: Platinum blonde, intense green eyes, fair skin, sculptural body, and always dressed in a provocative and sophisticated manner. Her look is impeccable, with manicured nails, perfect makeup, and clothes that highlight her sensuality.

Personality: Ambitious, manipulative, deceitful, and extremely vain. She has an explosive temper when contradicted, but knows how to use charm and seduction to get what she wants.

History: Daughter of a bankrupt businessman, Bianca grew up accustomed to luxury, but after the family lost money, she realized that she would need to "make do" to maintain the standard of living she always had. Since she was young, she used her beauty to attract rich men and stay on top.

Relationship with Eduardo: She was his girlfriend in the past, and the two had an intense relationship full of lust. Eduardo promised her marriage, but never fulfilled it. When he married Mariana out of obligation, Bianca distanced herself, but he looked for her months later to resume the affair.

Objective: To win Eduardo back and guarantee a place by his side, even if it means getting rid of Mariana once and for all.

...Mariana Beckman...

Age: 25 years old

Appearance: Brunette with long, wavy hair, light brown eyes, golden skin, slender body, but with delicate curves.

Personality: Intelligent, determined, resilient, but emotionally repressed. She has always put others above herself, mainly because of her sick father. She suffered in silence within a loveless marriage, but never lost her essence.

History: Daughter of Isabel and Antony, she grew up in a house with a manipulative mother and a loving father who always protected her. Since she was little, she saw her mother take advantage of others, but she never imagined that one day she would be used by her as a bargaining chip. She was forced to marry Eduardo to protect her father, without knowing that the money she was supposed to receive from her husband was going to Isabel.

Relationship with Eduardo: Cold, distant, and abusive. He never loved her and made it clear that he only married out of obligation.

Connection with Leonardo: At first, she sees her father-in-law only as the father of the man who despised her, but she soon realizes that he is different. Leonardo's intense gaze, unexpected attitudes, and protective manner begin to awaken her to something she has never felt before.

...Isabel Beckman...

Age: 45 years old

Appearance: Blonde, blue eyes, well-groomed body, always made up and well-dressed, with a refined and youthful appearance.

Personality: Manipulative, ambitious, and cold. She has always used others for her own benefit and has never truly cared about her daughter.

History: Since she was young, she learned to manipulate men to get what she wanted. She married Antonio, but was never faithful. When she discovered Eduardo's embezzlement of money, she saw the perfect opportunity to extract money from the Vasconcellos family.

Relationship with Mariana: She never showed true affection. She always saw her daughter as a means of social ascension.

Connection with Eduardo: He is her puppet, and she knows it. She manipulates him to get money and power, using his marriage as a tool to maintain her life of luxury.

...Antony Beckman...

Age: 52 years old

Appearance: Gray hair, gentle eyes.

Personality: Loving, honest, and an excellent father. He always did everything to protect Mariana, but after an accident, he lost part of his mental faculties and became dependent on medical care.

History: He married Isabel for love, without knowing her character. He always worked hard, but his health deteriorated, and when he suffered an accident, he became a burden to his wife. His greatest pride is Mariana, who never abandoned him.

Relationship with Mariana: Extremely strong. Even sick, he knows that his daughter sacrificed herself for him and feels guilty about it.

Connection with Leonardo: Leonardo has already researched everything about him and was furious to find out that Mariana was working to pay for her father's treatment alone.

.......

.......

Mariana,

The white dress weighed on my body like a burden. I should have been radiant, smiling at the guests, but inside, an inexplicable emptiness took over me. I was marrying Eduardo Vasconcellos, the man my mother said was perfect for me, the heir to one of the richest families in the country. He was handsome, polite, intelligent... but he didn't make me feel anything. Eduardo and I had known each other since we were kids, school days. Our approximation was just that, a teenage friendship and nothing more.

As he shook my hand and smiled at the cameras, I felt only a growing discomfort, a feeling that I was making the wrong decision. Maybe it was just nerves. But something inside me screamed that this marriage would not be the fairy tale I expected.

After the ceremony and the endless photos, we headed to the grand mansion of the Vasconcellos family. It was a beautiful palace, with classical architecture, huge glass windows, and an impeccable garden. My heart raced when I spotted the man who stood out among the guests: Leonardo Vasconcellos, my father-in-law.

I knew Eduardo came from a powerful family, but I had never met his father personally, because he traveled a lot.

Leonardo was a man of overwhelming presence. With his fifty well-lived years, he sported an elegant bearing, well-groomed graying hair, deep and penetrating brown eyes, and a marked chin that made him even more handsome and sexy. He wore an impeccable black suit, and his attentive gaze analyzed me from top to bottom, arousing an involuntary shiver on my skin.

"Welcome to the family, Mariana." His voice was grave, controlled, but I felt a strange vibration in it.

"Thank you, Mr. Vasconcellos."

"Leonardo." He corrected, raising an eyebrow. "I prefer you call me by my name."

The way he said that made me swallow hard. Eduardo was busy greeting some businessmen around us, so it was only at that moment, in that intense exchange of glances, that I noticed something dangerous about that man. A different energy.

"It's just my imagination," I tried to convince myself, looking away.

The reception continued with champagne, speeches, and laughter, but I couldn't get Leonardo out of my head. Every time my eyes roamed the room, he was watching me. Not in an obvious way, but in a silent and controlling way, as if he knew exactly the effect he was having on me.

I felt an unusual warmth spread through my body, and that bothered me deeply. Why was I feeling like this? He was my father-in-law. A powerful, experienced man, who was probably just analyzing me for being his son's new wife. But even knowing that, I couldn't ignore the way his gaze held me captive.

At one point, Eduardo was called to talk to a group of important partners. I was alone again, until a strong presence approached from behind me.

"You don't seem very happy for a newlywed."

Leonardo's timbre echoed in my ear, and I turned around quickly. He was too close.

"I'm... just a little out of place." I justified, trying to hide the unease that dominated me.

"Hmm... out of place?" He murmured, taking a sip of his whiskey. His gaze fixed on mine made my breath fail for a moment.

The way he analyzed me was not natural for a father-in-law. It wasn't normal to feel that way about an older man, even more so about my husband's father. But at that moment, amidst the clinking of glasses and the laughter in the background, I realized that Leonardo was dangerous to me.

And the worst of all? I didn't want to escape that danger.

........ *Today* .......

Mariana,

Here I am, married for two and a half years.

I woke up with the cell phone alarm ringing on the nightstand. Without opening my eyes, I reached out to the side of the bed, finding only the cold sheet. Empty, as always.

I let out a heavy breath, feeling the weight of frustration. Two and a half years of marriage, and I still felt like a stranger inside this house... Inside my own life.

I was a married woman, but I didn't know the taste of a passionate kiss, I didn't have a honeymoon, and I don't even know what it's like to make love with a man, because Eduardo never touched me.

The reason? He made a point of making it clear. Without a hint of remorse, he threw in my face that he doesn't feel attraction to me, doesn't love me, and that, in fact, he loves another person. Why did he marry me? I also don't know, I feel like my mother plotted something with him.

Worse still, he made it clear that this house was not mine. That when the real owner of this house arrives, I will leave without making a fuss. His warnings were cold.

I was nothing more than a substitute wife, someone who occupied a temporary space. Eduardo didn't give me money, nor assistance.

I was nothing more than a nuisance.

I tried to ask my mother for help. I told her everything, explained what I heard from his mouth, how unhappy I was, and asked to come home. But the answer I received was a cruel and definitive no.

"You are married now, Mariana. Make your marriage work. Make him desire you, love you. Or are you so useless that you don't know how to use your femininity to your advantage?" she said with total coldness.

I insisted. I asked, I begged. But she went further: she threatened to have my sick father committed to an asylum if I dared to leave the marriage.

My father is the sweetest and most generous man I know, the one who taught me how to ride a bike and who always told me stories before bed. He hit his head in an accident and never got well again. His mental state is unstable, he needs constant care.

I couldn't abandon him.

It's for him that I'm here.

It's for him that I make this sacrifice.

I took a deep breath and sat up in bed, feeling a lump form in my throat. I didn't want this life.

But what else could I do?

I put my feet on the cold floor and forced myself to get up. I walked to the bathroom, turned on the tap, and splashed cold water on my face. The reflection in the mirror showed me a woman I barely recognized.

My eyes were dull. My lips, colorless. Time and sadness were consuming me little by little.

I did my morning hygiene, and then I put on simple jeans, a white shirt, and tied my hair in a messy bun. I grabbed my bag and checked my wallet: the money from my salary was almost gone.

That reminded me that I needed to work today.

I went downstairs and headed to the kitchen. The smell of fresh coffee filled the room, but the house was silent. Huge, luxurious... and empty.

I poured myself a cup of coffee and took a slice of bread with butter. The employees were in the kitchen already taking care of everything, like every day. My husband? He left early as he always does.

This was my reality.

Despite being married to a rich man, there was no luxury for me.

Since Eduardo made it clear that he wouldn't share anything with me, I got a job at a coffee shop in the city center. It was an exhausting routine, but it was the only money I had.

I didn't even tell Eduardo that I was working. He probably wouldn't care. After all, when I wake up, he's no longer in bed, when I come back from work, he still hasn't arrived from the company. Our life is whatever, each one for himself.

I finished my coffee quickly and looked at the clock. If I was late, my boss would deduct it from my salary. I grabbed my bag and left through the back door, as I did every day.

The coffee shop where I worked was a twenty-minute bus ride from the Vasconcellos mansion. It was a small but cozy place, frequented by students, workers, and some rich ladies who liked to have breakfast there.

As soon as I entered the establishment, I was greeted by the attentive gaze of Sonia, the owner of the coffee shop.

"I didn't think you would come today, Mariana." She commented, while cleaning the counter.

"Miss a day of work? No way."

She smiled slightly, but her eyes revealed that she noticed my sadness. Sonia was always kind to me, but I never bothered to tell her my story. It would be humiliating to admit that my marriage was a farce.

I grabbed my apron and started my shift, taking orders and serving the customers. The work was simple, but it kept my mind occupied.

Until, in the middle of the morning, while taking coffee to an elderly man who was reading a newspaper, I noticed that a tall and elegant man entered the coffee shop. He wore an impeccable dark suit, and his woody perfume dominated the room as soon as he passed through the door.

He looked around for a moment, as if looking for someone, and then sat at one of the tables in the back.

My breath caught for a second.

Because even without being able to see his face properly, there was something about him that bothered me.

Something... familiar.

I swallowed hard and returned to the counter, grabbing my notepad.

"Do you want me to go serve him?" The other employee asked.

But I refused. For some reason, I wanted to go to him. With firm steps, I walked to the table in the back and raised my eyes to face him.

And that's when the shock hit me.

Leonardo Vasconcellos.

My father-in-law.

I didn't know he frequented this place. In fact, it's been two and a half years since I last saw him, since the wedding with his son.

His brown eyes fixed on me the moment he noticed my presence.

He fixed his gaze on me in a way that left me breathless.

My heart raced inside my chest.

"Mariana." He murmured.

Of course, he was amazed to see the wife of his rich son, working when she should be at home enjoying the luxury. Ah, but if he knew that his son is a jerk and a terrible husband, then yes, I would be more screwed. I couldn't tell him, no way. My mother threatened me to stay in this marriage. So avoiding talking bad about that jerk would be an adequate option.

I've known Mariana for a long time, since school.

She's always been a discreet girl, the exemplary daughter, the diligent student. And me? I never cared about her. My fascination was always with someone else. Since then, my eyes have been fixed on Bianca.

The most popular girl in school, the most desired, the most envied.

To be more specific, she was in my class.

I fought to win her over, I used every weapon I had. Until, after a while, she finally gave in.

We started dating, and I made her a promise:

"When we're adults, we're going to get married. You'll be my wife."

She smiled and believed it. And for a while, I believed it too. For a while, everything was going well. Until the world collapsed on me.

It was my fault.

I was stupid.

I wanted to prove to my father that I didn't need him, that as soon as I had more money in my hands, I would buy the company just for myself. I wanted to show that I was capable of making decisions on my own, that I knew how to manage money. And, out of arrogance, I ended up investing a large amount of the company's money.

Without permission, without thinking about the consequences. And I lost. I lost everything.

My father doesn't know this. The only person who knew, until then, was my right-hand man, Renan.

He's always been by my side, always protected me, always helped fix my mistakes. And, when shit hit the fan, he tried to help me.

We met in a place far from the company to discuss a way out, a solution. But, in the middle of the conversation, we didn't realize that someone was listening to us.

Isabel, Mariana's mother.

She heard everything, recorded everything. And, at that moment, my life was over.

I tried to negotiate, I tried to offer money. But it was no use. She wanted more, much more.

"You're going to marry my daughter, Eduardo."

I laughed. I thought it was a joke. But when she showed me the recording, I realized I had nowhere to run. If my father found out that I had messed with the company's money without authorization, he would disinherit me right away.

I would lose everything, and Isabel knew it. She knew she had me in her hands, and she demanded a high price for her silence.

The marriage to Mariana was part of the agreement. But there was an extra condition. The money that should be hers as my wife, I would have to give to Isabel. In other words, Mariana would get nothing.

Meanwhile, Isabel enjoyed the cursed luxuries that money bought.

Designer bags, international trips, ridiculous jewelry.

She didn't care about her sick husband, she didn't care about Mariana. She just wanted to satisfy her greed. And for two and a half years, I've been supporting her and her damn luxuries.

My life has turned into hell. I had to give up the only love of my life.

Bianca begged me not to do it. She called me a coward, a weakling. But I had no choice.

If my father found out, I would have nowhere to fall dead. And she didn't deserve to get involved in this chaos.

I still love her, I always will. And there's no room in my heart for anyone else.

Mariana? She's just a poor wretch used by her mother, stuck in a marriage that doesn't benefit her in any way. She's not to blame. But I've never seen her as a woman.

Several times, she tried to win me over. She wore those ridiculous nightgowns, hoping I would be interested. But it doesn't work. She doesn't attract me.

In my eyes, she has no appeal. And, if it depends on me, I will never touch her.

The company's debts still haunt me. But I'm managing to pay them off little by little.

If my father notices any holes in the finances, he'll start investigating. And, when that happens, everything could crumble.

I need to keep Mariana where she is. She can't find out anything. And, most importantly, my father can't suspect anything.

I've been leaving home early, before Mariana wakes up. I avoid seeing her. I avoid looking into her eyes. Because, deep down, I know that I'm trapped in a lie and so is she. Having breakfast next to her would be torture. So, I prefer to have my coffee at the company, surrounded by reports and numbers, where I can pretend that my life is still under control. But the truth? My life is a chaos.

In the last few weeks, something has changed. I've started talking to Bianca again. The woman I've always loved. The woman who should be my wife. I fought so hard to win her over in the past, made promises that one day it would just be us. And now, after so long, I'm finally with her again. Even if it's just in secret.

The first time I called Bianca, she didn't want to answer me. And with good reason. She hated me. I abandoned her without explanation. But I couldn't tell the whole truth back then. And, deep down, I think she always knew there was something more. It was only after insisting for days that she agreed to meet me. We went to her apartment. And when she opened the door, it was like nothing had changed, it was still her. The same perfume, the same intense look, the same contained desire. And, when I kissed her for the first time after so long, I knew I never stopped loving her.

Now, we see each other every night. After work, I go straight to her apartment. There, I'm myself again. Away from the lies. Away from the blackmail. Away from Mariana. There, I'm the Eduardo from before. We spend the nights together, and I often end up sleeping there. I only go back home in the early hours of the morning. I enter in silence, go straight to the bathroom, take a quick shower, put on a clean suit, and leave for the company before Mariana wakes up. She has no idea. And she doesn't need to know.

But, as much as I try, I feel like the net is closing in. Mariana isn't stupid, she must notice my absence. She must notice that I'm never home. But she never asks. Never confronts. Maybe because she's also tired of this marriage. Maybe because she's already given up on me. And, if that's the case... So much the better.

At night, I took the same route as always. I left the company, got in the car and drove straight to Bianca's apartment. That routine was already part of my life. It was there that I found the only thing that still made me feel something.

When I arrived, she was already waiting for me. She had prepared dinner for the two of us, the table was set with good wine and lit candles. She always knew how to please me. As soon as she opened the door and smiled at me, I couldn't contain myself. My body responded before I could think.

I attacked her. My lips took hers urgently, and I pulled her against me, feeling her perfume take over my senses. Her nails dug into the back of my neck, her lips hot, her skin soft. That's what I wanted. That's what I needed.

I pushed her against the wall, my hands exploring her body, and Bianca gasped against my mouth, pulling my tie off in a hurry. Dinner was forgotten. The hunger we had was another, much more intense.

Her hands opened the buttons of my shirt as I slid my mouth down her neck, feeling her shiver under my touch. I lowered the straps of her dress, revealing her naked skin, and I couldn't wait any longer. There, in the middle of the room, I took her in my arms and carried her to the bedroom.

We gave ourselves to each other as if it were the last time. As if we were making up for all the lost time. As if all that repressed desire was exploding at once.

After so long, Bianca was still mine. And I was still hers.

Afterwards, we lay side by side, trying to catch our breath. Bianca turned to me, gently running her fingers over my chest.

"I hate when you leave."

I closed my eyes for a moment, feeling a tightness in my chest.

"I know," I replied.

"How much longer will this farce last, Eduardo?"

I opened my eyes and looked at her. I knew she wanted a different answer, but I couldn't lie to her.

"I don't know."

She pulled away, sighing, and sat on the edge of the bed.

"You know I can't wait forever."

My jaw clenched. I knew that.

I got up and went to her, wrapping my arms around her body and kissing her neck.

"You are everything to me, Bianca."

She sighed, tilting her head to the side, allowing me to continue kissing her.

"Then prove it. Send that bitch away."

My breath caught in my throat.

"It's not that simple."

She laughed, bitterly.

"Of course not. Because you always make an excuse."

"You know it's not an excuse."

She turned to me, her eyes full of pain and frustration.

"I don't want to be the other woman, Eduardo. I've always been the first in your life."

I closed my eyes for a moment. I understood what she meant. I hated this situation as much as she did. But there was no way out.

If my father found out, I would be finished.

If Isabel exposed everything, I would lose everything.

And I couldn't risk it.

"Give me more time," I asked, holding her face in my hands.

She didn't answer. She just sighed and lay down again, turning her back to me.

I knew I was losing Bianca.

But I couldn't do anything to stop her.

Because I had already lost control of everything.

And, for the first time, I began to wonder if this lie was worth the price I was paying. I wanted to have more time to solve everything, so that I wouldn't have to leave home, but so that I could bring Bianca into what belongs to me, because she deserves a good life.

I didn't know what to feel. I completely ignored Leonardo's gaze on me and stood firm. Determined, I asked what his order would be. He gave an incredulous smile, as if he knew exactly that I wanted to avoid the subject. His brown eyes analyzed me for a moment before finally saying:

"Sit down, Mariana."

I crossed my arms and shook my head.

"I can't, I'm working."

But he didn't accept my answer. Leonardo simply got up and pulled a chair out for me, as if it were a natural gesture. His firm gaze made it clear that he wouldn't accept a no for an answer.

"Just a few minutes, please!" He asked, looking at me.

I sighed, realizing that I wouldn't be able to avoid it. There was something in his posture that made me uncomfortable, a firmness that left no room for questions. Maybe it was the polite way he behaved, or the fact that, for the first time, someone really seemed to want to talk to me without expecting anything in return.

I sat down, feeling my legs weaken.

He gave a discreet signal to one of the employees, who soon approached to serve us. Leonardo didn't need to say anything, he just looked at her, and the woman nodded quickly, understanding the request without him needing to speak.

I couldn't tell if it was charm or just the natural effect he had on people.

A short time later, the waitress returned, bringing two fresh coffees and a small tray with butter cookies. She carefully placed everything on the table, giving me a curious look before walking away.

I should pick up my cup and drink, but my body was too tense. If I picked up the cup, he would soon realize how nervous I was.

"Now we can talk," Leonardo said, resting his arms on the table and keeping that intense gaze on me.

I held the apron tightly, feeling a strange discomfort growing inside me.

"About what?"

"About you."

My breath faltered slightly, but I quickly regained control.

"There's nothing to know about me."

Leonardo laughed, an almost amused laugh.

"How long have you been working here?"

The discomfort increased.

"Why do you want to know?"

"Just curious."

I bit my lower lip and let out a discreet sigh.

"Two years."

He arched his eyebrows.

"Two years?"

I didn't like the surprised tone in his voice. Something about him told me he was connecting the dots.

"And Eduardo, does he know?"

The knot in my throat tightened.

"He never asked."

Leonardo narrowed his eyes, as if analyzing every detail of my answer.

"Interesting."

He picked up his cup and took a sip of coffee, still watching me.

I looked away, bothered by that conversation.

"So, besides coffee and cookies, is there any other order?"

I tried to bring the focus back to the real reason he was there, or at least what I thought was the real reason.

Leonardo rested his elbow on the table again, leaning a little closer to me.

"I haven't decided yet whether to place an order or just discover some answers."

My body tensed.

"What answers?"

He turned the cup between his fingers, seeming to choose his words carefully.

"Something tells me there are many things you haven't told me yet."

"I have nothing to tell."

"No?"

He raised an eyebrow, clearly not believing it.

I got annoyed.

"Why this insistence on knowing about me, Leonardo?"

He smiled slightly, but it was a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"Because I'm interested in what's around me, Mariana. Especially when something doesn't seem right. You're married to my son, which makes you my daughter-in-law, part of my family. I care."

My breath caught in my throat, he's suspicious.

I picked up my cup, took a sip of coffee and stood up.

"I really need to get back to work."

Leonardo just watched.

"How long are you going to run?"

"How long are you going to insist on a subject that only concerns me and your son?"

He tilted his head slightly to the side, analyzing my expression.

"Until I can clear my doubts. But don't worry, we'll have plenty of time."

My jaw clenched.

I grabbed my notepad and held it tight.

"Have a good day, Mr. Vasconcellos."

I turned around quickly, going to the counter. My heart was beating too fast, my mind racing.

Leonardo was starting to realize that something didn't make sense. And I needed to find out what he knew before he found out everything on his own.

Noon, my shift finally ended. I felt my body tired, but my mind was still stuck on the conversation I had with Leonardo earlier. Something about the way he was made me uneasy.

I went into the locker room, took off my apron and changed clothes quickly. I locked my locker and, instead of taking the bus as usual, I decided to call a taxi. I didn't want to think too much, but a part of me was still reflecting on what he said.

"We'll have plenty of time."

What did he mean by that?

If he knew I took a bus to work every day, he would die of shock.

When the taxi stopped in front of the house, I paid the driver and got out. I preferred to walk the rest of the way, crossing the sidewalk and going up the few meters to the entrance.

I opened the door and went straight to my room. The house was silent, and I imagined that Eduardo was still at the company, as always.

In the room, I undressed and went to the bathroom. The hot water relaxed my tense shoulders, and I tried, for a few minutes, to push away all the questions that insisted on arising in my mind.

Leonardo was watching me too much.

Leonardo was asking too many questions.

What exactly was he trying to find out?

After the shower, I dried my hair with a towel and sat on the edge of the bed, massaging my tired feet. The day at the coffee shop had been hectic, but physical exhaustion was the least of my problems.

My biggest problem was that, for the first time in a long time, someone was paying attention to me.

And that scared me.

As soon as I finished, I put on light clothes and went downstairs to have lunch. I was already feeling hungry and hoped that the house was empty enough so that I could eat in peace. But, to my surprise, Leonardo was sitting at the lunch table.

My breath caught for a moment.

He was there, relaxed, being served by the employees, as if it were something natural. But it wasn't.

It never was.

Since when did he have lunch here?

I hesitated for a moment before entering the room. He saw me immediately and gave me a sly smile, raising his glass slightly with some wine.

"Good that you arrived, Mariana. Come have lunch."

My throat dried.

I blinked a few times, trying to organize my thoughts.

What was he doing here? Why did he seem so at ease?

I took a deep breath and approached the table, sitting across from him. One of the employees promptly served me, and Leonardo continued to watch me.

"How was work?" He asked, cutting the meat on his plate.

I picked up the fork, trying to focus on the food.

"Normal, as always."

"Hm." He chewed slowly, still looking at me. "Which means your routine has been the same for two years now."

I stopped chewing for a second.

Was he going back to that subject?

I lowered my eyes to the plate and shrugged.

"Every job has a routine."

"That's true. But have you never thought about changing?"

I swallowed hard.

"Why would I change?"

Leonardo took a sip of the wine and smiled, but his look said something more.

"Maybe because you deserve something better."

My heart sped up slightly.

That conversation was starting to bother me.

I dropped the cutlery.

"You didn't just come here to have lunch, did you?"

Leonardo tilted his head slightly, resting his arms on the table.

"Actually, I came to see my son. But since he's never home, I'm taking advantage of the food. And deciding if I stay here for a long time."

The casual way he spoke made me suspicious. I knew Leonardo didn't do anything without a reason. But he seemed comfortable, relaxed, as if he was really there just out of habit.

Something told me he wasn't going to stop watching me anytime soon. And I didn't know if that was good or bad.