er in the room only blew warm air. That day, according t

ouse to rent in Rio de Janeiro's West Zone. Th

open-plan kitchen, and a bathroom. Outside, there was a small porch with brown resin tile

ture she had bought online. Nothing fancy

o socialize with the neighbors. Soon, everyone knew her as the teach

e told everyone her husband had died in an accident and that

Viviane got the news she was expecting a girl. The docto

ooled her skin. She smiled as she finished another chapter and went inside

el

e you, sw

oice. She had no idea how Pietro had gotten her number.

ant?" she trie

want to

g you enough attention?" H

stupid!" h

t a di

d you, sw

weat broke across her skin, her heart racing. She sti

belly. "Tomorrow, Mommy's going to the police station, an

__________

dn't feel safe. Pietro was a clever lawyer and

re she was, Viviane kept to her routine. She walked

. Viviane wanted the fridge stocked befo

sight of a black car

off those dark thoughts and

rs, wipes, alcohol, and cotton. Soon she'd have her ba

to her car. She disarmed the alarm and o

got my phone a

it for y

doors. Distracted, Viviane didn't

lapped her ear, leaving her dizzy

allet slipped

own," she begge

mn stuff!" the

scream. She tried to run, but the gunshot was the last thing she heard before

ach her daughter's crib. No matter ho

miling as she wrapped her in her arms. Then, at some point,

o, Mom!" She shouted, bu

roaching their daughter. Suddenly, fog filled th

echoed. "Rest in peace, sweetheart." He sm

ed. Fighting against the paralyzing fear, Viviane finally found the strength to

she sc

es open. The sounds of medical equipme

ctor!" a woman's

," answered a ma

half-closed eyes, she saw blu

said slowly, trying to sit up.

e point, calm forced itself over her body after the prick of a n

athroom. After washing up, she tried to stand, but her legs struggled to hol

showed footage of Carnival in 2022 and report

he couldn't believe she had slept for m

Otávia said as

" Vivian pointed to

the leather chair beside the bed. "Your father died during

ebrating Carnival as if nothing had happened. Though she hadn

022?" she a

d you're a miracle of science. Dr. Javier told me, "If you follow tr

is my d

an stroked her

fia, mom?" V

her name," her voice t

sh, Mom," Vivian's voice ro

husband t

no,

es and tried to stand. With no strength to hold herself u