“Enrico, don’t…”
“I’m not going to force you into anything, my love,” I said gently, cutting her off, letting my fingertips touch her cheek for just one second. “But I’m also not going to pretend I accept those rules you created to protect yourself from me.”
“You can keep resisting if you want. But I’m going to keep doing everything in my power to bring down every wall you built.”
She went still, speechless, her gaze drifting somewhere distant, full of conflict.
I didn’t care.
I wasn’t in a hurry.
I only had certainty.
From that moment on, the dynamic between us would be simple: me, fighting for her with real actions, no empty promises. Her, still resisting emotionally—fully aware that her body had already chosen.
“Time is exactly what we have,” I said quietly. “But consider yourself warned, Valentina—I’m not going anywhere.” My voice sharpened into a vow. “I won’t stop until you understand the only place that’s truly safe for you is here—in my arms.”
“I am completely yours,” I said, watching her lips part, her eyes flicker. “And I won’t rest until you are too—again—this time fully and forever.”
“And now, love… I’m going to kiss you.”
And I did.
***
A few hours later, we were already in the car heading back to Tiradentes when my phone started vibrating relentlessly in my pocket.
Valentina sat beside me, eyes fixed on the window, lost in her own thoughts. I watched her for a second before answering—Andre’s name flashing on the screen.
“What is it?” I said quietly, careful not to draw Valentina’s attention.
“Have you seen the news?”
“Not yet. What happened?”
“You two did it. The press is calling you the couple of the moment. Some of the headlines are…” He paused. “A lot. But Eloá didn’t make the announcement she planned—and she probably won’t. Not now. It would only embarrass her.”
I nodded, but I didn’t feel relief.
Not even close.
I knew Eloá. When something didn’t go the way she planned, she didn’t just give up. She adapted.
“How did it go?” André asked, and I realized I’d missed part of what he’d said.
“How did what go?”
“Seeing her again. After everything.”
Only then did I realize something: I hadn’t seen Eloá last night. Valentina and I left before she arrived—and we hadn’t even noticed.
A smile tugged at my mouth.
“I didn’t see her,” I admitted. “We left before she got there.”
The silence on the line was so complete I could practically hear my brother thinking.
“You’re serious?”
