Luana and Karl had come to visit the Ferro couple out of solidarity, their presence bringing affection and curiosity to the quiet evening.In the living room, Regis, precise and composed like an English butler, placed a silver tray on the coffee table, arranging teacups and a plate of salt biscuits with ritualistic elegance.“Julian is preparing dinner,” he announced.Briana smiled. “Would you like to stay?”Luana glanced at Karl, half-tempted. “Maybe… if it’s not an inconvenience.”Karl’s grin was pure mischief.The last time they’d stayed for dinner, the night had ended with him and Luana vanishing into a guest room for nearly two days of passionate confinement.“We’ll decide later,” he replied smoothly.Regis bowed and retreated, missing the flash of indecency that crossed Karl’s eyes.“So, Mark,” Luana said, sipping her tea, “have you discovered which criminal faction was behind the explosion of your car?”Mark chuckled lightly. “Whoa, Luana, don’t let your imagination run wild.”

Dinner was already underway at the Vasconcelos Mansion.Yet two seats remained conspicuously empty — Gilson’s and Claudia’s. Nadir shook her head, the corner of her mouth twitching with irony; she knew all too well where that scandalous, adulterous pair must be.Althea dabbed her lips delicately with a linen napkin. “How strange,” she murmured. “Gilson still hasn’t come back.”Sandro raised a discreet brow. His mother hadn’t asked about Claudia.“He’s probably still busy at the company,” Christopher said, trying to sound casual.“Very busy,” Nadir muttered, her tone full of irony.“Come on, dear,” Sandro said, clearly uncomfortable. “He hasn’t been doing… those things anymore.”Althea’s eyes narrowed. “What things?”“Ehr… nothing, Mother,” he mumbled, fumbling with his silverware.Christopher, seizing the opportunity to break the tension, reached for his phone. “We can check with Katrina.”He scrolled to his sister’s name and hit call.On the other end, Patricio and Katrina were havin

Jake’s question quickly gave way to action. A restless energy coursed through him, a need to reclaim his space, his life, from the chaos Celia had left behind.He began by emptying the refrigerator, tossing out everything spoiled or expired.Then came the rat — quick, filthy, and unfortunate enough to meet Jake in that particular mood. One swift motion, and it was gone.Soon the apartment was filled with the sharp scent of disinfectant and lemon cleaner. He filled black plastic bags with trash, swept away the clutter that had gathered on the table, and scrubbed every surface until it shone.Wearing rubber gloves, he tackled the stove, scraping away grease from the sides and corners, and finally washed the dishes with steady patience, the rhythmic sound of water and ceramic strangely therapeutic.When he stepped outside a few minutes later, arms full of heavy trash bags, the neighbors turned their heads in mild alarm as he hurled them into the large dumpster by the building.Jake didn’

Jake turned off the burner and lifted the pan, carrying it to the small table where his plate waited. As he moved, his eyes met Celia’s, though it was hard to tell whether he truly saw her or merely pretended to notice.“Celia!” he said with a careless grin. “You’ve been standing there all this time? You could’ve been a thief, for all I knew.”“Lucky you, then,” she replied bitterly.“How long have you been here?”“For ages!” she yelled. “I called you, you didn’t hear me?”Jake emptied the eggs onto his plate, setting the pan neatly into the spotless sink.Celia noticed the gleaming surfaces, the counters free of grime, and the scent of disinfectant.“You didn’t have to clean everything by yourself,” she muttered.“I needed to get used to it again,” he said flatly.“Used to what?” Her voice sharpened.“Cleaning up alone, of course. After all, there won’t be anyone else around to help anymore.” He paused, irony cutting through his tone. “Wait: there wasn’t anyone helping before, was th

The Glamour parking lot.A small crowd of employees gathered around a wall freshly vandalized with red spray paint.Jake stood near Karl and Luana, his voice carrying the excitement of someone who had just shared something juicy. He knew the Carvalhos would savor any new humiliation of Celia.“I’ve decided I deserve a decent, exclusive woman,” Jake announced, his tone both proud and mocking. “A little longer with Celia, and I’d probably catch an STD from her!”Luana laughed with satisfaction. “That’s right, Jake. You finally learned to value yourself!”Karl shook his head. “I don’t know why it took you so long to wake up.”Jake eyed him with suspicion, unsure whether Karl’s disdain for Celia was genuine or exaggerated. But Karl changed the subject before Jake could respond.“Now, about our company…” Karl gestured toward the wall. “What do you make of this?”From their perspective, the words “Down with gratuitous violence” somewhat intimidated them.A few employees snapped pictures wit