Episode 14

The following day, Sabrina arrived early as usual and set about her work. Master Mauricio hadn't seen Sabrina all morning; he needed to go check in on a new shipment at his port.

"Sir, here is everything you asked for about the maid," said Felipe, entering Master Mauricio's office that day.

"Excellent, Felipe. I'll take it and read it on the way. You go ahead to the port; I will follow in my car and meet you there," replied Master Mauricio, taking the envelope before Felipe left his office.

He held the white envelope in his hand, curious to read it right then, but running late for the port, he placed the envelope on the backseat after getting into his car.

As he was leaving the resort in his Lamborghini Urus, he spotted Sabrina at the bus stop, visibly concerned about something. His protective instinct immediately kicked in upon seeing her there, and without hesitation, he decided to stop beside her.

"Hi, Sabrina. You look troubled. Can I help you with something?" Master Mauricio inquired, his expression kind.

Surprised to see him there again, but with a mix of relief and hope at his offer of assistance, Sabrina took a deep breath before responding.

"Actually, Master Mauricio, my daughter is at school and isn't feeling well. I need to pick her up as quickly as possible," Sabrina explained, her voice laden with worry.

Master Mauricio was surprised to learn she had a daughter, "Of course, besides a husband, she has a daughter," he thought, but nodded understandingly, knowing the importance of a child's health. From inside his car, he leaned over and opened the passenger door, graciously inviting Sabrina to enter.

"Don't worry, I'll take you to the school. Let's ensure that your daughter gets the necessary assistance," Master Mauricio offered, exuding confidence and support.

Considering declining the ride to avoid further issues with Agatha, but pressed for time and concerned, Sabrina gratefully accepted and quickly got into the vehicle. During the drive to the school, silence hung in the air, but Master Mauricio's comforting presence was tangible.

Upon reaching the school, a worrying scene unfolded before them. An ambulance was parked near the entrance, indicating something serious had happened.

Sabrina felt a tightness in her heart with apprehension as Master Mauricio parked and they both hurriedly exited the car. They rushed toward the school building, where they found the principal talking with the paramedics.

"What happened? Where's my daughter?" Sabrina asked, struggling to contain the panic in her voice.

Approaching with a worried expression, especially on seeing Master Mauricio, the owner of the school, the principal explained that Mavi had suddenly started to experience shortness of breath during class and was being examined by the doctors.

Without hesitation, Master Mauricio and Sabrina followed the medical team to the ambulance, where Mavi was being stabilized, lying on the stretcher with an oxygen mask, which heightened Sabrina's worries.

"We will take your daughter to my family's hospital. There she will receive the best medical care," declared Master Mauricio, determination in his voice.

Sabrina nodded, trusting in Master Mauricio's decision. She climbed into the ambulance alongside Mavi, heading for the Menecucci family hospital, while the master drove his car following the ambulance.

During the trip, Sabrina clutched Mavi's hand, praying to God that everything would be alright.

Master Mauricio called Camila, asking her to cancel his meetings for the day and to inform Felipe that he wouldn't be heading to the port; she complied without question. He wanted to stay by Sabrina's side, worried for her and wanting to offer his support and encourage her to maintain hope.

Upon arrival at the hospital, an experienced medical team was waiting to admit Mavi. She was immediately taken into the emergency room, where specialists began a series of examinations and treatments.

Sabrina and Master Mauricio waited anxiously in the lounge, sharing the burden of their worry, drawing strength from each other. The wait felt endless, but they stayed together, trusting in the doctors' professionalism and Mavi's resilience.

While waiting for the examinations and diagnosis, Master Mauricio began to ask about Mavi. Sabrina, still emotionally shaken by the situation, began sharing details about her daughter's illness, disclosing the daily struggles she faced.

It was at this point that Master Mauricio realized Sabrina appeared to be a single mother and questioned whether he had been misled to think she was married; he regretted not reading the envelope he received immediately with information about her. Clarity washed over him, mixing with growing admiration for Sabrina's strength and dedication in caring for Mavi alone. While they awaited test results, Sabrina offered thanks.

"Master Mauricio, I can't begin to thank you for everything you've done today for my daughter. I didn't mean to disrupt your day," said Sabrina, somewhat awkwardly.

"No thanks are needed, Sabrina. I'm relieved to see your daughter getting proper care. But I have a question... I recall you mentioning that you were married. Shouldn't you call your husband?" Master Mauricio asked to settle his certainty.

For a moment, Sabrina hesitated, feeling the weight of the lie she had previously told to keep Master Mauricio at bay. She decided to be truthful with him.

"Well, I lied about my husband. I'm not actually married. When I mentioned that I was living with some people, I meant that I share a house with my mother, Soraia, Ieda, and my daughter Mavie. I made up that story to maintain a certain distance between us, to avoid creating expectations... I didn't want you to think I was available."

Master Mauricio looked at Sabrina intently, processing the information he had just received. He realized that the woman before him was opening up, being vulnerable and honest with herself and with him, though he despised lies.

"Sabrina, I understand you had your reasons for creating this story, but I want you to know I'm here for you, regardless of your marital status. Do you have any contact with your daughter's father?" He probed further to learn about her.

"No, it's more complicated than it appears. All I can say is that my mother has been the one to help me take care of Mavie, my daughter," she said, feeling a pang in her chest as she remembered how her daughter was conceived.

"I understand, Sabrina, but you should know, you don't need to lie to keep a distance between us," he assured her.

Sabrina met Master Mauricio's gaze and saw the sincerity in his words. She felt comforted by his understanding and unwavering support.

"Master Mauricio, it's hard for me to trust someone again after everything that's happened to me. But I appreciate your generosity and your care for me. I promise to be more honest going forward."

Master Mauricio extended his hand, gently holding Sabrina's.

"Sabrina, I understand that the past can leave deep scars, but I want to be by your side. Regardless of your marital status. You can always count on me," he said, realizing she bore deep pain he did not want to stir, at least not at that moment.