On Friday morning, the long-awaited day of the trip to Praia Grande finally arrived. Inside Jackson’s bedroom at the Borges House, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. The luggage belonging to Jackson and Cindy was neatly arranged on the bed, ready for departure. Vanda and Hélio stood nearby, embracing the couple and wishing them a safe journey.“My son, be very careful on the road, okay?” Hélio said with a father’s concern.“He’s right,” Vanda chimed in. “We all know how dangerous those federal highways can be.”Jackson, exuding confidence, reassured them. “Mom, Dad, don’t worry. Ronaldo and I will take turns driving.”“I can take a shift too,” Cindy added with a playful smile. “I do have a driver’s license, in case you forgot.”Vanda glanced at the packed bags, her eyes narrowing with maternal instinct. “Are you sure you haven’t forgotten anything?”Jackson waved off the concern. “The company, Fio de Seda, will provide whatever we might need.”“When you two come back,” Hélio sai

The Sterling Mansion’s living room glowed with natural sunlight streaming through the opened curtains. The fireplace remained unlit, but the brightness lent a fresh, hopeful tone to the space. Abner and Karl entered, engaged in conversation about the family’s recent turmoil and future prospects.“The room is brighter,” Karl remarked, glancing around and noticing the shift in ambiance.“Of course,” Abner replied with a smile. “It’s a tribute to celebrate your return to life.”Karl gave a soft laugh. “Dad, don’t exaggerate.”“I’m allowed to exaggerate,” Abner insisted, chuckling as they both sat on the couch. “You’re back, something I never thought possible.”Karl’s expression turned more resolute. “I’m not just back. I’ve come to close the cycle of toxicity.”Abner leaned forward, hope flickering in his eyes. “You believe we can finally be rid of Vicente Gouveia for good?”With determination in his gaze, Karl nodded. “I believe so. It’s time for it to end. You and Mom have suffered eno

That afternoon in Praia Grande, the scenery was nothing short of breathtaking. The secluded beachside neighborhood, tucked away from tourist crowds, exuded a serene, untouched charm. The sea pounded the shore with a steady rhythm, its waves tinged a curious brown by the mix of sand and sediment below—an earthy hue that might confuse first-time visitors into thinking the water was polluted, though it was anything but.Nestled right across the coastal avenue stood the modest five-story building where Jackson and his group would be staying. It wasn’t a high-end hotel, but that was precisely the point — it had heart. Styled more like a homely guesthouse, the building featured a rooftop pool and gourmet space, a covered parking lot, and, most importantly, quick access to the beach. Guests merely had to cross the street to feel the sand between their toes.Ronaldo’s car pulled into the parking lot and came to a stop in one of the covered spaces. Almost theatrically, all four doors opened at

The furious pounding on the door echoed through the disheveled living room of the Gouveia apartment. The place was in ruins — shattered flower vases, overturned furniture, a smashed television on the floor, and crooked paintings on the wall. It looked like a scene of a robbery, but the chaos had been caused by Vicente himself, who had spiraled into a destructive rage, unable to accept defeat.Vicente emerged from his bedroom looking utterly disheveled. He wore only boxer shorts and an open robe, his face unshaven, exuding the pitiful air of a man who had spent the night wallowing in self-pity and booze.He swung the door open without even glancing properly at who was on the other side and shuffled back inside.“Come in already, damn it! I don’t want the neighbors seeing you,” he snapped.Andreia stepped in with Karl right behind her, unimpressed by Vicente’s theatrics.“What neighbors?” she asked coldly. “Have you even bothered to meet anyone in this building?”“According to Nathan,”

In the dark morning silence of an elegant hotel room, a cellphone alarm chirped to life.The screen, glowing in the surrounding darkness, read 7:00 AM. A groggy groan escaped from somewhere — Matthew. A finger tapped the phone, silencing the alarm.Moments later, his silhouette appeared, already awake, walking to the window. He drew the curtains open, and sunlight poured into the room, revealing Matthew in all his naked glory, save for the fortuitous placement of the balcony railing that shielded him from public view below. Standing there with a smirk and squinting against the brightness, he took in the vista before him.From Matthew’s point of view, the beach bustled below. It was Saturday, and the locals were already flocking to the shore to make the most of the sunny day.Just off to one side, he noticed a group assembling equipment in the sand — a team preparing for a photoshoot. Bright fabrics and reflectors revealed it was for Fio de Seda, the brand Jackson would be modeling for