2010.The living room of Rocha Mansion lay in shadows, save for the dim glow of the television that flickered uselessly in front of Josias. He sat on the couch, his posture rigid, eyes distant, barely registering the antics of the evening programming.The soft hum of the TV and the muted sounds of the city beyond barely penetrated his brooding silence. He glanced at the clock, noting the passing time with a sigh.Two months had gone by since his daughter, Carol, had eloped with her boyfriend, Reuben. The occasional letters from them were a meager comfort, the ink and paper unable to fill the void left in their absence.Josias’s fingers fidgeted with the remote control, turning it over and over as if it held some secret answer. He glanced towards the phone on the side table, a slight unease flickering in his eyes as it rang. The screen displayed an unknown number, a curious, unsettling reminder that the past two months had been a long, uncertain waiting game.He answered with a tentati

The Vasquez Mansion cradled Sofia’s unrest within its opulent walls. At her suite, Sofia sat perched on the edge of the bed, her expression showing indignation.She stared blankly at the ornate carpet, her lips moving silently as if to convince herself of a truth.“That’s all I needed,” she muttered under her breath, her voice carrying a bitter edge. “To feel guilty for everything that happened. I never fell in love with Alan for financial reasons. My parents are not opportunists! Caroline Rocha is mistaken, and one day she’ll have to apologize to me!”The door creaked open, and Luís stepped into the room, his brow furrowed in concern. His gaze swept over the disarray of emotions etched on Sofia's face.“Cousin,” Luís said firmly, “that’s enough. You need to get out of this suite.”Sofia turned her head slightly, her eyes still fixed on the carpet. “Why?” she asked, her voice flat, as though the words themselves were heavy.“Because I don’t want to see you like this,” Luís replied, hi

The next day, Melissa decided to discuss the letter with Josias.Her husband was relaxing in the bathtub of the Rocha Mansion suite. Today, he didn’t have to rush off to work.Melissa enters the bathroom in her nightgown and smiles at the sight. Her husband will turn 48 in 2010, but he still maintains a toned and attractive body for the ladies!“One day, I’m going to take a picture when you’re not looking,” Melissa teases, smiling seductively.“Don’t complain later when the ladies start lining up at the mansion entrance,” Josias responds with his eyes still closed, enjoying the bath salts.Melissa grabs a stool and sits beside the bathtub. “Darling, what should we think about what you told me yesterday regarding our children?”“Are you referring to Everaldo’s message?” Josias tilts his head. “I have no idea. I even thought of J.J., but he isn’t with us anymore, right?”Melissa feels a pang of melancholy, rubbing her throat. “No... J.J. passed away young in that plane crash...”“I don’

At Rocha Constructions, there was an intense discussion in the presidential office about J.J.’s identity. Josias, in his heart, felt as if he were facing the son once thought to be dead. His features and Katherine’s were there, in the face, in the smile...“Aren’t you going to hug me, Father?”“Take it easy, my young man.” Alfred wasn’t convinced. “You can’t just show up out of nowhere claiming to be my friend’s dead son.”“I swear it’s me, Father.” J.J. said, “I didn’t die. I was rescued from the plane crash and well taken care of by my grandfather.”“And what is your grandfather’s name?” Josias suddenly asks.“Ephraim Bezerra.”Josias and Alfred exchanged stunned gazes.“You were in the countryside all this time? And your grandfather never thought of comforting me or telling me you were alive?” Josias asked indignantly.“My grandfather said that due to the nature of the plane crash, it was dangerous for me to return at that time. So, I stayed under his care,” J.J. replied with innoc

The next day. The Rocha family is once again discussing J.J. in the living room.“So, folks, what have you decided?” Josias asks, sitting in his armchair.“Do the DNA test today.” Simeon suggests as the patriarch. “If the guy is really J.J., he needs to be welcomed into the family.”Dora maliciously suggests, “Before someone else grabs him.”Melissa raises her eyebrows. “Who are you talking about, Mom?”“Angela Souza, for example.” Dora replies with a mischievous smile. “She might influence the guy against us, blaming us for abandonment.”“What abandonment?” William asks indignantly. “Mom, didn’t you know he was kept on Bezerra’s farm without us knowing?”Josias extends the letter from Ephraim that had been on his lap. “This letter explains everything. I believe this letter is legitimate. Even though he makes some angry comments about me, he says he wanted to keep the grandson as a form of comfort.”Melissa nods, trying to calm things down. “Well, we should remember that things were p