My name is Isabella Ferraz. I'm twenty years old, and I come from a simple family — the kind built on love more than money. My parents are Sebastiao Ferraz and Ester Alcantara Ferraz. I have two brothers: Paulo, the oldest, and Isaac, the youngest.

We grew up in the countryside, living on our family's fazenda. It was a small town, but we all managed to finish school.

I was always the driven one. I loved discovering new things, and every morning I'd pick flowers from the garden just because they made me happy.

My parents worked hard to keep us in school. With three kids, the warmth and affection they gave us was what kept us feeling safe and confident that everything would work out.

I'm the middle child. Paulo, my older brother, is about to get married. Isaac practically lives on horseback, riding across the fazenda lands and helping my father with everything.

My mother runs the household — and she's brilliant at it. Every penny accounted for, every meal on the table.

Even out here in the countryside, I had access to technology. I taught myself through online courses and livestreams — English, Spanish, and even how to make my own perfume. I've got a sharp memory and a big dream: to get my degree and live in the city. I know it won't be easy. My parents are glued to me. They never let me go anywhere alone — one of my brothers always has to be with me.

I've never had a boyfriend. My chances were slim. In our school, everyone knew each other. We were practically family. Couples were rare.

We're from wine country. My palate for wine was impeccable — I could identify any varietal by taste. Wine is in our blood. We don't make a living from it anymore, but we still keep a small vineyard just for the family.

As for my dream of becoming a lawyer — my parents don't share it. They'd rather I study veterinary medicine so I could take care of the animals on the fazenda.

I signed up to study in the city. I'm going after my dream. I want independence. I want to make my own money, earn my degree, be recognized for something I built myself. I've had good ENEM scores in past years — the ENEM being Brazil's national college entrance exam.

Today the results come out. I barely slept, and not because of the scores. It's the storm I know is coming when I tell my parents I'm moving away. I know I'll face a wall of resistance, but I won't give up. I'm counting on Paulo — he's the most level-headed one in the family. He's got his own business now, independent from our parents, which is why he's getting married soon to start his own family. What our parents don't know yet is that my sister-in-law is already pregnant. Paulo wants to tie the knot as soon as possible.

"Good morning, sweetheart. Ready to check your ENEM ranking?" Mom asked.

"Not yet, Mom. I'm so nervous."

"It'll be fine. You get great scores every year — this time won't be any different."

"I'm hoping it will be different," I said. "The score I need is my ticket to studying what I actually want. I'm going to study somewhere else."

"Again with this idea of studying somewhere else, Isabella?"

"Mom, it's my dream to get a law degree."

"Your father isn't going to like this one bit."

"I'm counting on you to help me convince him."

"I don't know, Bella. You're a girl — it's different from your brothers. I don't think he'll allow it."

"Mom, please. You have to help me."

"I'll see what I can do. But it won't be easy."

"I love you, Mom."

I finished breakfast and went to check the university's website. The results weren't up yet. I decided to call my cousin Amanda to make sure everything was set for me to move in with her. It was already nine — she'd be at work.

"Good morning, cousin!"

"Bella! I'm so glad you called — I've been dying to know the results. Did your dad agree to let you come live with me?"

"Cousin, regardless of the results, I'm coming to live with you. Even if I have to run away from home."

"Easy, Bella — let's not go that far. Your dad will understand this is your dream." She paused. "I've got a client to help. We'll talk later. Kisses!"

"Does Amanda not actually want me there? It'll only be for a little while. I just need her help until I find a job. Then I'll rent my own place and live on my own."

I went downstairs and took a walk around the fazenda to clear my head.

"Hey, Bella! How are you?" Aunt Bia called from her porch.

"I'm good, Aunt Bia. Where's Thomaz?"

"He went to the store to pick up animal feed."

"All right, thanks!"

I walked a while longer, then headed back home. I felt better — the fresh air had done its job.

I went up to my room and checked my email. There it was: You have been accepted into FMU University Center — Law Program. Please submit your personal documents within five days.

I checked the ENEM rankings page. Isabella Alcantara Ferraz — second place in the entire exam.

I screamed. I jumped. I cried. I sang. All of it in the space of a few seconds, a whirlwind of emotions crashing together. I ran to find my mother.

"I did it, Mom! I'm going to be a lawyer!"

"Congratulations, sweetheart," she said. Then, quieter: "Now you're on your own with him."

I turned and saw my father standing there, his face like a thundercloud.

"Hi, Dad. I got my scholarship."

"Did you now." His voice was flat. "And how exactly do you plan to study?"

I lowered my head, swallowed hard, then straightened my spine. "I'm going to live with my cousin Amanda."

"You're going to live with who?"

"Honey, calm down," Mom stepped in. "Let's talk about this calmly. This is our daughter's dream."

"Her dream, Ester? Living far from her family — that's a dream?"

"Dad, please. Don't make this harder than it has to be. I'm twenty years old. Don't I get a say in my own life?"

"My daughter doesn't get a say."

"Is that just for me? Your sons get to choose what they do with their lives — what's the difference?"

"Bella, go to your room," Mom said. "We'll discuss this later, when everyone's calmed down."

"No, Mom. We're having this conversation now. You always treat me like an afterthought. This is my decision. I'm going to study in the capital, and I'll live with Amanda until I find my own place."

"And what are you going to live on?" Dad fired back. "Bread and water?"

"I'll find a job to support myself."

"Enough! You're not going anywhere. Are we clear?"

"We'll see about that, Mr. Sebastiao Ferraz."

I fled to my room in tears. I'd never talked back to my parents before. The argument cut deep.

I cried harder than I'd ever cried in my life. It felt like I'd swallowed a bucket of water. My heart hammered out of rhythm. Nothing felt right.

From my room, I heard things breaking downstairs. My parents' voices, raised and sharp. Then I recognized another voice — Paulo. He'd come to defend me.

"I knew this would happen," Paulo said. "You're never going to let Bella grow up. Let her live her life. Let her chase her dream."

"Don't come here telling us how to raise your sister," Dad shot back.

"You call this raising her? Keeping her locked up in this house?"

"When the time's right, she'll understand," Dad said. "A good marriage will teach her what it means to run a household."

"Dad, please," Paulo snapped. "Don't do this to your own daughter. You'll make an enemy of her forever. Listen to what I'm telling you." He grabbed his keys. "I'm going back to work. I hope you think long and hard about what just happened here."

He paused at the door. "Oh — I came by to let you know I'm getting married next week."

"Son, why the rush?" Mom asked.

"Ana found out she's pregnant. I don't want trouble with her parents."

Dad threw his hands up. "Another bomb on top of everything else. Look how irresponsible you are! You think raising a family is easy?"

"Dad, we both work. We'll figure it out. And I'm not irresponsible — I'm stepping up." Paulo's jaw tightened. "Good morning to you both."

"You see, woman?" Dad said after Paulo left. "This is what children are. Ungrateful, every last one of them."

"Honey, don't be like that," Mom said gently. "We left our parents' homes too, remember? We went out and built our own family. You did the same thing to your parents."

Sebastiao sat in silence, his face buried in his hands.

"We're not young anymore," he said quietly. "We're going to need them by our side."

At lunchtime, I couldn't eat. My eyes were red and swollen to the point I could barely see. I called Amanda and told her everything.

"I'm devastated," I said. "My parents don't want what's best for me. They're making everything so difficult. They don't understand that children grow up and go live their own lives."

"Cousin, be patient," Amanda said. "Your dad will come around — just give him time to process it. They were caught off guard, that's all. You'll see, tomorrow they'll wake up in a better mood. Stay calm, okay? I'll talk to my mom so she can have a word with her brother."

"Thank you, cousin. I really hope your mom can convince Dad to let me go."

A while later, Mom came to my room with a bowl of soup.

"Your father wants to talk to you," she said. "But first, eat this."

She sat on the edge of my bed. "You know, Bella, I had dreams too, just like you. I admire you for wanting to fight for yours. I never had that chance."

"Mom, I'm not disappearing from your lives. I'm just fighting to be somebody in this world. Everything I want to achieve depends on my education, and I won't get the same opportunities here."

I ate the soup, then went downstairs to face my father.

"You wanted to talk to me, sir?"

"Sit down, Bella. Everything we do is for your own good."

"I know, Dad."

"Let me finish. Your aunt called and talked to me about your studies. She's going to help you."

"Thank you, Dad."

"But don't think you'll stop visiting us."

"I'll be here whenever I can."

I hugged him and went back to my room, my heart light for the first time all day.

The next morning I woke early and started packing. I got most of my things organized, including my notebooks full of perfume formulas and experiments — those went into the suitcase too.

A week later, I left for my new life. New opportunities. New horizons.

"Cousin, I'm here!" I announced at Amanda's door.

Amanda Silva, twenty-five years old, journalism degree, doing freelance work for Pinheiro Industries. She lived for parties and nightlife, always on the hunt for a good story.

"Welcome, cousin!" Amanda pulled me inside. "I hope you get used to life here."

"That's all I'm hoping for too. But wow, the city is huge. It's going to take some getting used to."

"Come on, I'll show you your room. It's not like the farmhouse — we don't have all that space. But we make it work with what we've got."

"It's perfect. Just the fact that you're letting me stay is more than enough. I want to start working too. I got a seventy-percent scholarship, but I still need money for the rest of my tuition. I can't keep depending on my parents."

"I'll help you find a good job. Tomorrow we'll go out and hand in some resumes."

"Thank you, cousin."

The next day, Bella and Amanda went to the shopping mall and dropped off resumes at several stores. Some wanted experience. Others said they'd call.

"Don't get discouraged," Amanda said. "It's tough at first, but we'll find something."

"Let's stop by the university so I can finalize my enrollment."

Bella completed her registration. Classes would start the following month.

"My coworker's having a birthday party tomorrow night," Amanda said. "I'd love it if you came with me."

"Amanda, I'm not used to parties — especially not here in the city. I just got here. I need to get familiar with the place first."

"Don't worry. It's a private VIP room — invitation only. It's at a nightclub, but it's totally safe. There'll be some rich people there, but that doesn't matter to us. Come on, please?"

"Fine, I'll go."

Amanda and Bella arrived at the nightclub at nine. The place was packed — bodies everywhere, drinks flowing, bass thumping through the floor.

"Come on, Bella. Don't be scared." Amanda grabbed her hand. "Let's find my coworker. He's right over there."

"Hey, ladies!" Gustavo waved them over. "Welcome!"

"Happy birthday, Gustavo!" Amanda said. "This is my cousin, Bella."

"Nice to meet you, Bella. Make yourselves at home."

"Has Henrique shown up yet?" Amanda asked.

"Yeah, he's been looking for you."

"Thanks — I'll go find him." Amanda turned to Bella. "Come on, I want you to meet my boyfriend."

"Hey, my princess!" Henrique wrapped his arms around Amanda. "I'm glad you made it."

"Babe, this is the cousin I told you about."

"Nice to meet you, Bella."

"Nice to meet you too, sir — Henrique."

Henrique laughed. "No need for 'sir.' I'm only a little older than Amanda. It's not that serious."

"Sorry! Force of habit. I've got to get used to the way you city people talk."

Amanda grinned. "Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it. Now let's grab some drinks — I want to dance."

A while later, the girls had loosened up. Bella tried a few cocktails and found her rhythm on the dance floor. She moved differently from the other women — not practiced, not polished — but she was perfectly in sync with the music, her body swaying with an effortless sensuality that turned heads across the room.

A short distance from the dance floor, a man sat watching Bella. He hadn't taken his eyes off her.

"Dude, what's up with you tonight?" Fabio leaned forward. "You don't want any of these girls? You've been staring at the dance floor for a while now. You actually want to dance?"

"Get off my back," Cesar said. "You know I don't go for these women throwing themselves around."

Cesar Pinheiro, twenty-seven years old. Businessman. Cold. Calculating. Everything had to go his way — he didn't accept "no" for an answer. CEO of a food industry empire, with some dealings in the shadows.

Second son of the Pinheiro family. Son of Hamilton Pinheiro and Rosilene Paula. He had an older brother, Vinicius — a doctor who owned his own hospital.

"From the look on your face," Fabio said, "you want to devour someone."

"That girl over there," Cesar said, his gaze locked on the dance floor. "She doesn't seem like she's from around here. The way she moves, the way she carries herself. A lot of men have their eyes on her."

"Which one? There are a bunch of them dancing."

"The one in the black dress. Tight. Red heels."

"Want me to go get her for you?"

"Are you insane? What do you think I am — some guy who can't get a girl on his own?"

"Relax. I was just trying to help."

Bella was dancing alone. Amanda had slipped away with Henrique to get more drinks.

Cesar approached Bella from behind and wrapped his arms around her waist.

Bella whipped around and slapped him across the face.

"Are you out of your mind?" she snapped. "Grabbing me like that!"

Cesar stood frozen. No reaction. He was drunk on her scent.

Bella bolted from the dance floor, heading straight for the parking lot, hoping to find Amanda. She couldn't. Afraid of the man inside, she flagged down the first car pulling out.

"Please — can you give me a ride to a taxi stand? I'm trying to call one, but no one's accepting."

"Get in," the couple in the car said. "There are no ride-shares to this area at this hour. What's your address? We'll take you home."

"You don't have to do that. I'll catch a ride."

"Are you Amanda's friend? We saw you two arrive together."

"I'm her cousin. I was dancing when some guy grabbed me from behind. I slapped him and ran. I didn't have time to tell Amanda."

"We know where she lives. We'll drop you off."

"Thank you. It's nice to know there are still good people out there."

"It's nothing — just the right thing to do."

Back inside, Fabio's blood was boiling. "I'm going to drag that crazy girl back here. Make her get on her knees and beg."

He sprinted out but couldn't find a trace of her.

"Boss, I'm sorry. I couldn't find her. I'll check the security cameras."

"Forget it," Cesar said.

"What the hell just happened?* Fabio thought. *Nobody touches Cesar or disrespects him. The last person who tried is six feet under."

"Let's go," Cesar said.

On the drive home, Cesar couldn't get the girl out of his head.

The next morning, Amanda found Bella at the kitchen table.

"What happened last night? You just left! I stepped away and when I came back you were gone. If it weren't for your text saying you were home safe, I would've thought you'd found yourself a guy."

"That place is full of creeps," Bella said. "Some man came up and grabbed me by the waist. I slapped him so he'd learn that you don't grab people without their permission."

"Cousin, it's a party. Men do that sort of thing."

"Not to me, they don't. I'm not an object to be used. Let's drop this — I'm not going to places like that again. I want to work and pay for my education in peace."

"I'm sorry, cousin. It won't happen again. Let's forget about it. It's Sunday — want to go to the mall, catch a movie?"

"Sure. I should get to know the city a little."

"I hope you didn't offend some rich guy in there,* Amanda thought, *or I'm going to be in serious trouble when they find out you're my cousin. Maybe it's for the best that you find a job and move out of my apartment."

Monday morning.

"Good morning, cousin. I'm heading out to look around — I need to find a job."

The city was enormous, but it seemed like everywhere she went, they wanted someone with experience. How was she supposed to get experience if nobody would hire her?

"Good afternoon. Here's my resume. I noticed the sign in the lobby — you're looking for a secretary."

"Good morning, dear," the woman behind the desk said. "Come in. Have a seat and fill out this form."

"Thank you."

"I'll review your resume. If anything comes up, I'll give you a call."

Bella delivered two more resumes, then headed home.

She was waiting at a crosswalk, the afternoon sun beating down on her shoulders.

From his car, stopped at the same red light, Cesar spotted her — standing with her arms crossed, squinting against the glare.

"It's her. The girl from the nightclub." His pulse spiked. I found you. You're not getting away this time.

The light turned green. Bella crossed the street and vanished from his line of sight.

Cesar threw open his door and took off after her — but she was already gone.

"What's gotten into the boss?" the driver muttered from behind the wheel. "Running off like that. Did he spot an enemy?"

Cesar came back, out of breath.

"Boss, what happened? You took off running. Anything I can help with?"

"Let's go to the office. I couldn't find them."

"Thank God,* Bella thought, back at Amanda's. *Two job offers. I hope I can start working as soon as possible. It's been a month" I need a paycheck.

"Boss, are you all right?" Fabio asked when Cesar got to the office.

"Pull the traffic camera footage from the intersection of those two streets and find the girl — jeans, baby-pink blouse. Figure out where she went."

"Yes, sir."

"Next time you won't escape,* Cesar thought. *I haven't slept properly in days. Your scent is still with me. You won't leave my head. No one has ever gotten under my skin the way you do."

"How dare you do this to me."

Bella got home exhausted, showered, and made lunch. She called her mother for news from the fazenda.

That evening, close to nightfall, a WhatsApp message came through — an invitation to report to the offices of Pinheiro Industries.

"I got the job!" Bella squealed. "Thank God. Now I can relax a little — I'll be working to support myself and keep up with my studies."

She ran to tell Amanda. "Cousin, I got a job! I start tomorrow."

"That's wonderful, Bella. I'm so happy you kept at it and found something."