Vera is constantly sweeping the lobby of Teodoro's building, looking back, afraid of being caught by surprise. Teresa approaches in beach attire and with Rosemary and Pedro hand in hand with her.“What's going on, Vera?” Teresa asks her, “Why so much panic and dread?”“Your boyfriend wasn't interested in knowing.” she retorts.Teresa wiggles and then turns to the radio, “Always keep the tradition, Vera. Don't want your father's ghost pulling your foot at night. Maybe that's what you're afraid of.”Rosemary and Pedro laugh. The radio turns on and the song “The 13th” by The Cure fills the lobby.Vera takes a deep breath, “I am not willing to argue and swear in front of the children.”“Vera, your brother even tried to find out what was going on. But you didn't provide information and just asked to live here. Don't you think that would be too far? What are the chances Wallace will show up—”“Are you ever going to believe that this time it's not because of Wally?” Vera throws the broom to

Daryl and Diane walk down the church steps in a rain of rice. They go laughing to the limousine that waits for them with the sign on the bumper that says ‘just married’.After they leave, Vernon gestures, and reporters and photographers proceed to interview all the guests before they move into the ceremonial space.Josias is the main target, “Well, Mr. Rocha, we can say that you are happy with the happiness of Mr. Mountain right now, huh?”“And why wouldn't I be?” Josias asks with mild sourness, “I wish Daryl and Diane the best.”“Even if it means the happiness of his brother and his ex-wife?” A journalist asks indiscreetly.Josias wraps his arm around Katherine's waist and pulls her closer to the cameras, “Right now, my main concern is with this girl here.”“Miss Bezerra, how does it feel to be the next Mrs. Rocha? Are you aware that you will be as powerful as the future mayor's wife?”“Yes, and like her, I am prepared to take on such a role,” Katherine responds in a charismatic way.

When Flavia managed to break the bad news to Josias, he promptly took care of everything else.Therefore, yet on Sunday afternoon, Harold Freire's wake and burial took place at Lagoon City Cemetery.It usually rains at funerals and burials, but Harold's death seems to have caught even the weather off guard, as the sun continued to shine, urging the citizens of Lagoon City to head to the beach.But today would be a sad day for the Freire family and their friends. In the hall where the wake takes place, Isabel is standing, staring at her dead husband. He was with the same serene smile.“You had that smile on, and I thought you were sleeping.” She says in a plaintive tone, “I should have sent you to the hospital. You had been slow to wake up, I had to scream and shake you! Why didn't I understand that you were saying goodbye when you said you loved me? Sorry, Harold, I was stupid and killed you!”The last sentence came out in a choked voice. Wallace approaches his mother, wearing a black

Shirley is the only character in this book to be happy today. Not knowing what's going on, she bakes her shortbread cookies for tomorrow while whistling Roxette's song “June Afternoon”.Suddenly, the radio interrupts the song to give the news, “We interrupt our programming to break urgent news: Harold Freire, the husband of writer Isabel Freire, has died at the age of 69. Mr. Freire was found dead in his sleep at his home this Sunday morning. Doctors say the death was of natural causes. The wake is being held—”Shirley turned off the radio, shocked by the information. She followed 'Love Just Happens' and admired Isabel's work.The door opens and Francisco comes in without knocking again.“Oh no, woman! For the second time, I find you unprepared to leave!”Shirley purses her lips, then defends herself, “If you're talking about Mr. Freire, I just heard the news on the radio.”“What a horror, Shirley!” Francisco is not convinced. He is also in black clothes, “Everyone has already gone to

Beto looks like he won't get a straight answer from Vera as to what she's afraid of. Then he goes to the radio and turns it on. The song “Angel” by Simply Red feat Fugees has a group of teenagers playing dominoes to sway to the beat of the music.“Vera, I’m gonna have to fire you,” Beto announces in cold blood.“But WHY?” She shrieks, making the group of teenagers laugh.Beto takes a deep breath, “It's because I never know what's really going on with you. You came back from Victoria expecting us to take you in with no questions or answers.”Vera is visibly trying to hide something. Her voice shakes and her skin is as white as snow, “I... I can't say.”“Ah, then get out of here before you bring trouble to my children and my tenants!”“NO!” Vera covers her mouth with both hands, and then goes back to speaking more quietly, “I just want to have a little money to go back to the capital.”“Don't worry, I'll give it to you right now.” Beto opens the cash drawer and takes out some bills at r