Amoreira does not understand why Moacyr wants to exonerate Adrian if it’s clear that he was the one who sabotaged the car, resulting in Moacyr being paralyzed for the rest of his life.How long does a father's love for his son last?“Mr. Barbosa, I'm sorry for your distress. But unfortunately, your son has committed a crime and needs to be punished according to the Law.”“But I'm saying I don't want to take this matter further, I haven't made any formal accusations!” Moacyr punches the detective's desk.“Well, the investigation will continue in the same way. After all, that's my job, to investigate. The Chief of the precinct was who decided on preventive detention.”“Why did he decide on this nonsense?” Moacyr's voice fails.“Because it has come to our attention that you will be there in this wheelchair forever!” It's Amoreira's turn to lose patience, “For Christ's sake, Mr. Barbosa, are you happy to be weakened forever? You were on your way to your honeymoon!”“If you investigated di
Cristina runs out of the office, leaving Diane and Isabel stunned.“What's up, my friend?”“Isabel, I'm sorry, but I need to go to the police station NOW!” Cristina takes the purse that was under the counter, “Moacyr is at the police station declaring that he will not file a case against Adrian. No complaint, no conviction!”Diane's jaw drops, “No, my uncle isn't thinking straight!”“I'm going to make my husband understand that he can't overlook his son when he's trying to kill him!” Cristina roars and runs away desperately.******Tiago and Mr. Ferraz enter the office of a reckless and anxious Amoreira.“This is disgusting!” Amoreira is standing up and walking in circles, “Mr. Barbosa has been here stating in full force that he won't file a criminal complaint against Adrian just because he's his son!”Tiago places his hand on the glabella. Poor Moacyr!“He must be one of those parents who forgive their children in everything.” Mr. Ferraz lectures.“But that doesn't do the child any g
At the jail, the jailer takes Tiago Bento to the cell where Adrian awaits his conviction.Adrian's face is swollen from crying. He is cowering, cornered, frightened, and withdrawn, sitting on the flatbed with his feet up, resting his head on his knees, as if he were a naughty child.“Just a few minutes.” The jailer warns Tiago.Adrian sees Tiago, “What do you want?”“I want to see you there, in defeat, at the bottom of the pit, humiliated and maligned as you deserve.” Tiago says menacingly, “So you tried to kill your father?”“I wanted to kill the slum slut.” Adrian's voice comes out in controlled anger.“And on top of that, he repeats the insult.” Tiago wiggles, “Now your father is paralyzed forever, while Cristina has recovered from her coma. Don't you realize this was a warning from God to you?”“God doesn't support sluts.” Adrian speaks thoughtlessly.Tiago sneers, “God doesn't support murderers either. Can you imagine what would have happened if Cristina had died?”“I would sleep
Carmen, Pamela, and Miguel are stunned when they hear Moacyr say that the solution to the family's problems is divorce.Miguel even turns off the radio since no one is listening to any music, “Seu Moacyr, did the accident affect your brain?”“Have respect for me, Miguel!” Moacyr is offended.Pamela defends her husband, “Sorry Dad, but I have to agree with him! Don't you realize that divorce is the worst thing that can happen?”Moacyr insists, “I'm warning you: when Adrian returns, he'll be foaming with rage and dying for revenge.”Carmen rolls her eyes, “And you're going to leave him around here so he can get revenge? How many times has he sworn never to want anything to do with you again? It is time to make that oath count.”Pamela asserts, “Dad, forget it, Adrian won't be with us anymore!”Suddenly Cristina appears, “He won’t. I have already testified and filed my criminal complaint. Adrian will stay in jail!”“Oh, Mom...” Pamela hugs her. Carmen does the same.Moacyr turns the whee
João Paulo has difficulty understanding that Josias is alive. Melissa explains this to him with the didactics of a teacher.“Melissa, how did we come to believe he was dead?”“That's where the interesting story comes in: Josias was rescued by a farmer who helped him recover. But when Josias felt better to come back, he realized that the farmer was willing to keep Josias on the farm forever to take over the business when he retired. On top of that, his daughter was in love with Josias and her father wanted Josias to marry her.”“So he ran away.” João Paulo answers briefly.Melissa embarrasses herself because it wasn't just that, “Ehr... he got the farmer's daughter pregnant as revenge and then ran away.”João Paulo breaks his smile, “Oh, Melissa, I'm so sorry!”Melissa hurriedly responds, “At least Josias made it back, but instead of clearing up the misunderstanding, he's been into the shadows digging for information about the farmer who tried to kidnap him. It was he who insinuated to
On the other side, Frederick leaves the bathroom and goes to the living room, finding Josias scratching the back of his head, not understanding why Bernardo had hung up.“Some people are afraid of ghosts.” Josias jokes.“Let's listen to the radio news,” Frederick suggests.As soon as they call, they hear the song "Knockin' on Heaven's Door", a version of Guns 'n' Roses.But, just like the other times, the music is interrupted by the announcer, “We interrupt our programming for a piece of urgent news: real estate agent Adrian Barbosa, responsible for the attempt on the life of Moacyr Barbosa and his new wife, was arrested yesterday. Mrs. Cristina Barbosa, who was in a coma for six months, filed a criminal complaint. More information is in the midday TV news. Keep up with our song!”Josias and Frederick look at each other dumbfounded.“Why am I still surprised?” Josias wiggles, “That madness of him opposing the marriage and ending the father-son relationship could only end in this situa
Moacyr is disgusted with Adrian having the nerve to claim that Josias is to blame for being paralyzed.“How dare you say that Josias is to blame for me not being able to walk anymore?” Moacyr rages, “Who cut the brakes on my car? Who joked about turning off my wife's devices while she was in a coma? Who did we have to issue a security warrant to? Who kept swearing never to speak to me again and ending the father-son relationship? WHO?”Adrian swallows, “It all started in 1982—”“And this story will end now, in 1992!” Moacyr interrupts him, he doesn't want to hear the same old story again, “A cycle ends, Adrian. You will pay for your crimes, and you will never come back here. Forget that I exist, son, and try to be happy at least.”“Who will take care of you, old man?” Adrian appeals to cheap sentimentality.“Your uncle sent Diane as my caregiver, don't worry,” Moacyr reveals to an astonished Adrian.“Then that's it? Will we never see each other again? Did Josias get what he wanted?”M
In the next issue of Maggiezine, Josias was smiling and imperial on the cover, with bold letters catching the readers' attention: JOSIAS ROCHA IS ALIVE!The furor and commotion were intense, not only in Lagoon City but throughout Espírito Santo. Reporters flocked to the penthouse to try an exclusive, but Josias wasn't there, and Melissa declined to comment.It coincided with the inauguration of the LCN station, and as the first attraction, Josias Rocha appeared to be interviewed.The interviewer and owner of the program, Lisandro Torres, had a smile so wide that Josias felt like his dentist.“And here we are on our first show, inaugurating this wonderful channel that is LCN, Lagoon City Network!”The audience applauded enthusiastically without the need for the neon sign to indicate this.“Josias, can you explain to us what happened?” Lisandro begins the interview, “We were all extremely concerned and deeply regretted your absence.”Josias maintained a captivating smile that assured th