Between Love and Power

ss

t Nanda coming ba

ls. My friend was following the path I couldn't take due to my unexpected pregnancy. And now, two years later, I believed that Valentina was the miracle in my life, placed there by destiny to bring about real change. I was living a normal life, raising my daughter alone, far away from everything that reminded me of my dirty past. I still worked at the s

ernational work. I was against this line of work, but Fernanda argued that the money she made deceiving young girls was something she could never achieve, even if s

parties, sweetheart. Then, she'll retur

hed for nothing but good things. Valentina was about to enter the first grade. She could read and write like a 10-year-old. Her intelligence had surprised even the teachers when I enrolled her in the local daycare. Now, she attended school in

as unknown on the birth certificate. The truth about her paternity was a secret only Fernanda and I knew. My friend kept bringing up the same topic, saying that I shouldn't deny my daughter the luxury and wealth her father's family possessed. However, revealing the truth would reopen wounds that had long since healed in my heart. He was no longer just a wealthy doctor; he now held a position of power and lived a good life. At least, that's what the

uation day, my love," I kissed the

friend said she has a new dad, that her mom g

eth, she put on her pajamas, and I lay down beside her until she fell asleep. Carefully, I left her room and went to the kitchen to make hot chocolate in an attempt to fall asleep later. I glanced at the kitchen clock; it was almost eleven at night. I grabbed my mug and returned to the living room, turning

ne, I didn't recognize him at first. It was only after

wallowed hard. If he knew my number, he surely knew where I lived

, as for so many years, I had managed

rd to put two and two together to find you. Now, I n

o, and no one here in this city to worry ab

ng. I know you're aware of her health condition, and yet, all these years, you've never reached out to her. What you n

ieve that the woman who had once boasted so much was now dying of

unt. She chose this path, and I'm living my life h

regretted it. But then Pedro said someth

to you in the past. Know that I'm doing this for my wife and Sofia. Both of them insisted that

l immediately; I still needed to take care of a few things before returning. Valentina was the main concern-I didn't want anyone to

east that's what you say. So, if the child is the issue, know that I'm aware of your entire life in Rio de Janeiro. I understan

hat room, lost and unsure of what to do. I had been found, and Pedro, and probably Viviane, knew about my daughter