Episode 1

The silence between them was as thick as the walls of that luxurious apartment. Henrique read the newspaper on his tablet, as he did every morning. Alice drank the coffee she had prepared herself, even though she knew he preferred the one from the automatic coffee maker. There was a routine between the two — not of partnership, but of survival.

"Are you coming home late today?" Alice asked, trying to sound casual.

Henrique raised his eyes for a second. His expression was neutral, almost cold.

"Probably. I have a meeting with investors in the late afternoon."

She nodded, disguising the lump that was forming in her throat. How long had it been since he had touched her? Had looked at her as a woman? Maybe he never had.

They had been married for just over two years. A decision made in haste, soon after the pregnancy test came back positive. He got straight to the point, as always:

"If it's mine, we'll do what's right."

At the time, Alice believed that time would bring love. That living together would awaken something real. But what was growing between them was only distance.

"Henrique..." she ventured, squeezing the mug tightly. "I made an appointment. I thought it best to have another ultrasound."

He showed no interest, nor enthusiasm. He just nodded, returning his eyes to the tablet screen.

"Let me know if you need me to sign anything."

That was all. No questions about how she was feeling. No mention of the baby.

Alice took a deep breath. The absence of affection no longer hurt as much as before. Now, it hurt in another way: like a deep cut that stops bleeding, but never heals.

Henrique finished his coffee and stood up.

"I have to go."

She accompanied him to the door, as always. He grabbed his jacket, adjusted his shirt cuffs, and before leaving, hesitated for a brief second.

"Take care."

It was almost affection. Almost. But Alice knew that "take care" was more of a habit than a demonstration of real concern.

When the door closed, she rested her forehead against the cold wood and let a tear run down.

She was tired of being almost everything. Almost a wife. Almost loved. Almost happy.

Hours had passed since Henrique left. Alice tried to keep herself busy, organizing every corner of the house, as if arranging things could also arrange her own life.

At lunchtime, she faced the table set for two — a habit she never abandoned —, even knowing that she would eat alone, as she always did.

She sat down, picked up the fork, but before the first bite, her hand instinctively rested on her belly. It was too early to feel anything. The pregnancy was just beginning. But inside her there was a stubborn hope... and an even greater fear.

"Will you give me the strength to continue?" she whispered, caressing her womb.

On the other side of the city, Henrique was in his office. Impeccable suit, serious look, unwavering posture. He was admired, respected, feared. A man who did not let emotions show, at least not to most people.

"Henrique..." his assistant called, knocking on the door. "There's someone who wants to talk to you. She doesn't have an appointment, but she said it's important."

He frowned, impatient.

"Who is it?"

She hesitated before answering, almost uncomfortable.

"Bianca... Bianca Oliveira."

For a second — just one —, Henrique's world stopped. The name he tried to bury in the depths of his memory reappeared like a stab in the chest. His body stiffened. His breathing became heavy.

"Send... send her in," he ordered, regaining his cold tone, even though his heart was racing.

While waiting, he adjusted his tie, running his hands through his hair as if he wanted to control not only his appearance, but also the turmoil that was beginning to form inside him.

The door opened slowly, and there she was. The same face, the same sweet perfume, the brown eyes that, one day, he swore he would never see again.

"Henrique..." her voice sounded low, almost apologetic. "It's been a long time, hasn't it?"

He didn't respond immediately. He just watched her, trying to ignore the mixture of anger, longing, and pain that was beginning to invade every space in his chest.

"What are you doing here, Bianca?" he asked, dryly, his jaw clenched.

She smiled crookedly, that smile he knew well — half sweet, half poisonous.

"I needed to see you... I needed to talk to you." She took a few steps, stopping in front of his desk. "And, honestly... I couldn't get you out of my head anymore."

Henrique leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. He tried to maintain a firm, unwavering posture. But inside... inside, he already knew that this visit had the power to turn his life upside down.

Back at the apartment, Alice, unaware of anything, placed her hands on her belly and whispered:

"We'll be alright... We will."

But a pang in her chest said that not even she believed those words.

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