Episode 1

"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.

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