MARRIED TO THE MAFIA

Episode 1

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The wall clock read almost midnight, but sleep seemed to have forgotten me. Sitting in the cream leather armchair, facing the huge glass window of the living room, I watched the lights of Sao Paulo flashing like urban stars. The city's glow was reflected in my eyes, but inside everything was silent — a silence laden with memories that time has never managed to erase.

The apartment around me was sophisticated, with modern designer furniture, straight lines, and neutral tones. A space that reflected exactly who I became: a woman who conquered everything with effort, without shortcuts, without help. Just determination, cold blood, and an unbreakable promise.

I was adopted at five years old. I don't remember my biological mother's face. In fact, I've never even seen a photo of my parents. All I know is what Matilde Moreira told me when she took me from the shelter: they were murdered by the mafia.

Matilde... she was more than an adoptive mother. She was the first person who made me believe that the world could be less cruel. I remember her welcoming smile, the firmness in her eyes when she said that I didn't need to be afraid anymore. She gave me everything — love, protection, education, hope. For ten years, she was my home.

But fate, that ruthless rogue, took Matilde from me when I was fifteen. The illness came suddenly and gave no respite. I watched, powerless, as she withered away. And then, in the blink of an eye, I found myself alone again.

Despite leaving me a generous inheritance, justice was not as generous as she was. Being a minor, I was returned to the shelter. Three years. Three years of cold walls, hard stares, and broken promises. It was there that I learned to silence my pain, to hide my anger, to trust no one.

But I'm not the type to give up.

As soon as I turned eighteen, I put my plan into action. I took possession of the inheritance, returned to the apartment that was once my home with Matilde, and enrolled in law school. Studying became my refuge, my armor. Every lonely dawn, every tear I swallowed, every sleepless night... everything became fuel for the woman I became.

And it worked.

Today, I am a respected lawyer, with a solid career and a reputation built on effort, intelligence, and coldness. I have no family, no roots — but I have a name. And a promise.

I promised myself that I would find out who killed my parents. That I would find each of those responsible... and that I wouldn't rest until I got justice. Or revenge. Sometimes, the two things get mixed up.

And while the city lights continue to blink outside, I know that this story is still far from over.

My heart has always been like stone.

Hard, cold, unbreakable. After everything I've been through, I've learned that feelings weaken, that loving can be a trap, and that dreaming only leads to disappointment. I became strong out of necessity, not by choice. I built walls around myself and learned to live alone, without expecting anything from anyone.

But then... he appeared.

Hugo Albuquerque.

I never planned to fall in love. In fact, loving was a verb that I had crossed out of my vocabulary. But the moments next to Hugo were different. Less dark. He didn't try to invade my space — he just sat next to me as if saying, without words, that he could wait as long as it took.

We met at a law conference in Brasilia. I was lecturing on International Criminal Law and, as usual, I was direct, firm, and objective. When I came down from the stage, many came to greet me with that formal and forced air. But Hugo... he was different.

He caught up with me in the hallway, with a smile on his face and his brown eyes shining with a certain challenge.

"Dr. Vasconcellos?" he called to me.

I looked at him, raising an eyebrow. — Yes?

"Congratulations on the lecture. It was... sharp as a blade."

"That was the intention" I replied, dryly, as always.

He laughed. A light, spontaneous laugh. — I imagine you don't like flattery very much, so I'll avoid the obvious compliments.

"I appreciate it." I was already preparing to leave.

"But can I ask you a question?"

I sighed. — Depends on the question.

"Do you always speak in that tone or are you just trying to keep people away?"

I was silent for a second. No one spoke to me like that. No one dared.

"What if I say it's a tactic?" I retorted.

"Then I'll say it didn't work on me."

Something about that man bothered me... maybe because he wasn't intimidated. Maybe because he saw me beyond the armor.

In the following days, we met at more than one event, almost as if chance was insisting. And, against all my rules, I started to allow it. To allow smiles, longer conversations, a cup of coffee shared between one subject and another. He was a lawyer too, but with a surprising sense of humor and a lightness that contrasted with my dark world.

I don't know exactly when I stopped seeing him as a nuisance and started to wait for him. But it happened.

Hugo made me laugh, something I didn't even remember how to do. With him, my world was less heavy. And as much as I resisted, there was something about that man that made me want... more.

Then, one day, as we were walking through a garden next to the hotel of the conference, he stopped and looked at me in a way that made my stomach contract.

"Can I ask you a question?" he said, as if he were treading on dangerous ground.

"Another one?" I joked, surprising even myself.

"Why do you always seem ready to run away?"

The question hit me like an arrow. I took a deep breath.

"Because running away has always been safer than staying."

"And if I promise I won't hurt you?"

I looked at him. The wind gently stirred his hair, and the sky was reflected in his eyes as if the whole universe was trying to convince me.

"Promises scare me more than threats, Hugo" I replied.

He smiled, calmly. — Then I won't promise. I'll just ask you... let me stay.

At that moment, something inside me gave way.

For the first time in years, I decided to give my heart a chance. And I allowed myself to get to know Hugo Albuquerque.

What I didn't know yet... is that this decision would change everything.