ColinMy last night in Curitiba was a blur of mixed emotions. After Othon's visit, I went down to the hotel bar in search of distraction. Alcohol seemed to be the only way to dull the guilt I was feeling, so I drank until I lost track of time and space. I vaguely remember encountering a lonely woman at the bar, and together we drowned ourselves in more drinks.Waking up the next morning, the hangover was the least of my problems. I was lying next to her, with fragments of memories from the previous night dancing in my hazy mind.Mornings are always hard, but that one was even stranger. I didn't even remember my companion's name. To my relief, her first action upon opening her eyes was to realize the big mistake we had made and jump out of bed.A
KarenI found myself completely paralyzed when Valquíria pointed the gun at me. It was as if time had slowed down, each second stretching out to feel like an eternity. My mind was clouded with shock, unable to fully process what was happening.The deafening sound of the gunshot echoed through the room, and I instinctively closed my eyes, waiting for the impact of the bullet. But nothing happened. The silence that followed was deafening, interrupted only by the grinding of my teeth in anticipation of what would come next.When I finally mustered the courage to open my eyes, I was met with the sight of burning rage plastered on Valquíria's face. Colin was there, holding her from behind and aiming her gun towards the ceiling, preventing her from firing again. But Valquíria struggled a
OthonI could barely believe my own eyes as I witnessed the shocking scene of Valquíria firing a shot. Chaos ensued, but Valquíria stared back at me with cold eyes and a satisfied smile on her face. I was too bewildered to form a coherent sentence as I knelt beside Colin, trying to contain the damage and administer first aid."Someone call an ambulance!" I shouted, struggling to make my voice heard over the reigning chaos in the room. "Dad, Noah, restrain her! And also call the police."I didn't need to specify what I was talking about. They understood perfectly that it was Valquíria, who remained still, as if contemplating her dark deed with a macabre satisfaction.Acting with the serenity my profession granted me, I knelt beside Colin
KarenThe last three months have been like an emotional rollercoaster for all of us since Colin was shot by Valquíria. His health remained delicate for weeks as he fought in a coma. We all waited anxiously, praying and bearing the heavy weight of seeing such a brave friend in that state.As a nurse in the same ward where Colin was hospitalized at the central hospital, I walked slowly to the room where he was staying. When I arrived for my usual visit, my heart raced as I realized Colin was awake, his eyes scanning the room in an attempt to understand what was happening. A shock of joy ran through my body, an overwhelming urge to shout and jump for happiness. But I held back, knowing that wouldn't be appropriate.I took a deep breath to calm my agitation and approached Colin with a gentle smile.
KarenI hurried into the women's restroom, every step echoing down the hospital corridor. My breath came fast and shallow, my stomach twisting with a familiar sense of nausea. Anxiety consumed me, fearing I wouldn't make it to the stall in time.Finally, I reached the privacy of the stall and let myself empty everything into the toilet. The sound of my retching was deafening, echoing against the white bathroom walls. I squeezed my eyes shut tightly, trying to block out the overwhelming sensations.When it finally stopped, my body felt a momentary relief, but my ears still buzzed with the intensity of the moment. I took several deep breaths, trying to calm my heart which seemed to want to leap out of my chest.That's when I noticed the sound coming from the stal
OthonMy steps echoed through the hospital corridor as I made my way to the wing where Karen was. My mind was swirling with thoughts about what could have brought Karen to the lab.When her secretary mentioned seeing her in that hospital wing, worry flooded through me. Was she sick and didn't tell me? That seemed quite probable, considering Colin had just woken up from a three-month coma and was still undergoing rehabilitation before he could be discharged.With great anxiety, I entered the room where Karen was awaiting the results of her blood test, only to find her with an expression of pure nervousness. Before I could say anything, she approached me, her eyes shining with emotion."Othon, I... we..." Karen began, her voice choked with emotion. "We're expecting a baby."An incredulous smile spread across my face as I processed her words. I could hardly believe the wonderful news I was receiving. In a burst of pure happiness, I hugged her tightly, feeling a wave of warmth and love fl
KarenI looked out the window of the room we were staying in, and the view was truly spectacular. The sea was right there, so close, and the entire pool complex was inviting for a swim. But I was too nervous to enjoy these wonders. It was my wedding day. The big day had finally arrived.I returned to the front of the mirror and stared at myself. Was I really beautiful or were my friends just trying to please me? I let the question slip out loud, and I saw Letícia and Camila rolling their eyes simultaneously. It's amazing how they seem to be in sync as if they've known each other for much longer than they have.These moments of relaxation are a relief for the nerves that are on edge. After all, today is the day I take one of the most important steps of my life, alongside the man I love. But even with all the anxiety, I feel blessed to have so many special people with me on that day.After finding out that I was indeed pregnant, I sought out Dr. Letícia Bernardi and shared the news with
KarenFatigue enveloped me completely after long hours on duty at the hospital. The smell of clean corridors, permeated by the antiseptic odor, became suffocating. My head throbbed, and a growing sense of malaise began to overwhelm me. Ignoring the signs wasn't an option, so finally, I succumbed to weakness and sought help in the same place where I used to offer it: the hospital.The doctor, solemn and thoughtful, explained the stress overload and the need for immediate rest. I understood the gravity of the situation, but my mind insisted on focusing on another concern. Max, my fiancé, wasn't answering my calls. Where could he be? Why wasn't he answering just when I needed him the most?I decided to go straight to Max's apartment, ignoring the advice to rest, longing for the comforting embrace of my fiancé. Upon arriving at the apartment and turning the key in the lock, the scene before my eyes was confusing. Clothes scattered on the floor, and a heavy silence hung in the air, despite