The Mother of the Favela King's Triplets

Episode 34

Chapter 34 — The First Fight

Their first real fight started over something stupid.

Bela was going down the morro to have lunch with Luana in the South Zone. Something simple, something she had done alone her whole life. She picked up her purse, kissed the boys, and was on her way out when Rafael intercepted her at the door.

"You're not going alone."

"What do you mean I'm not going? It's lunch with Lua, Rafa. In Ipanema. I'll go by car, get there, eat, and come back."

"You're going with Nando." Rafael was already calling the security guard over the intercom. "Or you're not going."

Bela stopped. She felt something hot climb through her chest.

"Let me see if I understand." Her voice became dangerously calm. "I can't even have lunch with my friend anymore without a babysitter?"

"He's not a babysitter. He's security."

"Same thing when I don't get to decide." She dropped her purse onto the table hard. "Rafael, I raised three children alone on this morro. I rode packed buses with a huge pregnant belly. I faced Dona Celia, I faced Dona Graca, I faced the entire country on TikTok. Last week I walked down a staircase in front of fifty rich strangers judging me and didn't shake. And now I can't get in a car and go to Ipanema?"

"The world changed for you, Bela." Rafael's voice hardened. "You're not the anonymous manicurist from the morro anymore. You're a recognized Alcantara and the wife of Falcao's boss. There are people out there who would do a lot to get to you just to hurt me. You have no idea what enemies we have."

"Then explain them to me!" Bela raised her voice. "Instead of locking me in here like a porcelain doll, tell me who those enemies are. You want to protect me, but you don't trust me enough to know what I'm being protected from. That's not marriage, Rafael. That's guarding property!"

The silence landed heavy.

"Answer me one thing." Bela folded her arms, her voice trembling now. "Am I your wife, or am I another one of your possessions that you need to keep safe?"…