Episode 1

Today I woke up a little late; I looked at the clock and saw it was a little past 5 a.m. Yes… this is my routine. I wake up at ten to five, study until 7 a.m., and then rush to get changed and catch the first train to work. My job is part-time; I only need to go to the company once a week. I earn very well, I save as much as I can, only taking out money to support myself. I currently have scholarships, but everything is very expensive: room rent, food, books, and I also send financial help to my sister. My dream is for her to come live with me, but I have 1 year left to finish my course, so I'll have enough time to take care of her.

I'm 21 years old and studying electronic engineering. I work at an electric car company in Gothenburg, Sweden. I love the city; I've been enchanted since I first set foot here. I took the opportunity to graduate and change my life.

It all started when I was 15. I was studying at a high-class school on a scholarship in Sao Paulo. I gained recognition for some personal programming projects and got my first remote job. Yes… I would take on some remote jobs through my father's company, and he would deposit the money into my account.

"Lana, I'm not going to use this money, daughter, no matter how much I need it, it's yours. When you're older, you'll buy your apartment, and I'll die of pride for my little girl."

My father worked in the same field I do now; he earned quite well. However, after Aline's birth, my mother developed cancer, and the health insurance didn't cover all the necessary medication and treatment, so all our savings went to provide for her well-being. I finished job after job to save as much money as possible, so if my father needed it, we wouldn't be in a tight spot.

Aline was our little girl; my sister was 5 years old and didn't understand anything that was happening.

On the night I turned 16, I received a huge payment for a project I completed for a company in Sweden, and they signed a monthly contract with my father.

"Daughter, can we talk?"

"Of course, Dad."

"Daughter, today is your birthday. You managed to close a monthly contract with a company, in addition to the payment you received today. Your grades, everything you do is perfect." he breathes. "Lana, I wished this day could be special, that every day of yours could be like a normal little girl's, with boyfriends, movies…"

"Nonsense, Dad. I have you, Mom, and Line. Nothing else matters to me," I said confidently.

"Come here, daughter." he hugs me. I feel his tears wetting my hair. "You and Aline are our joys. Today I planned something special. I spoke with your mother's doctor, and she won't be able to leave the hospital. Princess, forgive me for today; I'll have to go to the hospital to be with her." he pauses "Daughter, your mother is not well; the medication isn't working."

"Dad…"

"I love you, young lady. Forgive me for not being here on such a special day. I wish I could change all of this."

"Can I go see her, Dad?"

"No, my dear. Unfortunately, she can't receive visitors. I'll be there as her companion."

"Tell her I love her and that I'm taking care of Line."

It was only 8 a.m., Saturday. After our conversation, my father left.

My day was sad, and all I did was take care of my sister and research cancer treatments. When I heard the doorbell ring, I looked at the clock, and it was already 8 p.m.

"Who is it, Lana?" my sister asked.

"Dad must have forgotten his keys, my love. Go to the living room; I'll be right back."

I ran to the door barefoot, looked through the peephole, and saw Uncle Reinaldo outside.

"What is he doing here?" Uncle Reinaldo was my mother's brother; he was serious and conservative, and he didn't like to leave the house. The biggest problem was his wife, a malicious gossip.

I opened the door. And he came in, followed by his wife. She came and hugged me, which wasn't common.

"I'm so sorry, my child." I froze. What was she talking about?

THAT day, sadness took over me, my soul, and stole any remaining joy that might have existed in me. I found out that my mother died shortly after my father arrived at the hospital, and my father, after drinking heavily, had an accident and passed away. So, my sister and I had lost our family and only had each other. There were hours of pain and suffering. Days of crying and loneliness.

We went to live with our aunt and uncle; our house was rented out. Aunt Suzana always complained, saying we were a burden and that Uncle Reinaldo was destroying her marriage. My cousins were popular at school, and I was the strange orphan girl.

"Little cousin, you're beautiful, but this habit of yours of always looking messy… look…"

"Davi, please leave me alone." I didn't want to fit in; I just wanted time to pass.

I continued with isolated projects and found a way for everything to be deposited into my account, which I would only have access to when I turned 18. Those were two years of great effort and dedication, without looking to either side, enduring all possible humiliations and protecting my sister. When I turned 18, I knew everything would change. I went to Uncle Reinaldo's room for a conversation:

"Can we talk?"

"You look like your mother, though with your father's eyes, of course. What do you want, Alana?"

"I turned 18 today."

"I know, but don't worry, I won't abandon you. I know Suzana is difficult, but you are our family. You make me very proud, so I'm going to pay for your college and...."

"Thank you, Uncle. But I don't need it."

I told him I had savings. He knew about the assets my father left, and since I was of age, I was responsible for Aline and for managing our assets. We argued and argued, but he understood.

"So you're really leaving then?"

"Yes, Aline will stay at this boarding school until I finish my course, as you demanded, and as soon as things change, I'll come get her."

My savings went to Aline's care; the assets my parents left, I put in her name as a guarantee for a better life.

The company that hired me paid for my ticket, visa, and one year of housing.

And so, I began my journey. My job was entirely focused on taking care of my sister and buying our house. I was very close, so close to having all my plans realized.

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