Episode 3

In the Mancini mansion, dinner was usually silent, reserved. But that night, something was different.

Around the table, the children's voices filled the air, animated and full of emotion.

"Dad, did you see how Isabela took care of my knee?" asked Caio, holding his father's arm firmly. "She did everything so calmly, it seemed like she didn't want me to feel any pain."

Lucca agreed, smiling:

"She wasn't just a regular nanny. She talked to us, explained things, and even made funny faces to make me laugh when I was worried."

Luna, more restrained, but with shining eyes, added:

"She had patience to listen to us, you know? And didn't tell us to be quiet just because."

In the kitchen, Dona Marlene listened to the conversation with a soft smile.

"It's true, Mr. Gael," she said, approaching. "Isabela has a way of caring that goes beyond work. There's love, patience. The children felt that."

On the other side, Valeria remained in the shadow of the hallway, her face full of discontent.

"Children are always charmed by anything new," she muttered softly, crossing her arms. "But that doesn't mean anything."

Gael remained silent, absorbing every word. He looked at his children, who finally seemed calm, and felt a mixture of hope and apprehension.

The mansion was changing.

And he knew he could no longer ignore it.

The children were already surrounding their father, their eyes shining with expectation.

"Dad, are you going to call Isabela?" asked Caio, jumping almost into his lap.

"You will, right?" insisted Lucca, making a face as if he wouldn't take no for an answer.

"We want her to stay," added Luna, with a sweet smile, holding her father's hand.

Gael watched them, his face firm, but with a smile that no one had seen in a long time appearing slightly.

"Of course, I will," he said, his voice firm but warm. "Tomorrow morning, Valeria will tell Isabela to come work here."

The children burst into smiles and small jumps of joy, filling the kitchen with a happiness that seemed new to everyone.

Valeria, who was entering the kitchen at that moment, froze upon hearing the decision.

Gael noticed her look, but said nothing.

It was the beginning of a new era in that house.

Valeria crossed the hallway with firm steps, but her clenched jaw betrayed the tension. She carried in her hands a tray of fruit that she shouldn't even be serving anymore – a mechanical gesture just to maintain the control that, deep down, she knew she was losing.

Dona Marlene, from the kitchen, crossed her arms and cast a sharp look.

"That face of Valeria's doesn't fool anyone," she said in a low voice, turning discreetly to Leide, who was drying the silverware next to the sink.

"The face of someone seeing their empire crumble, right?" retorted Leide with a half-smile. "She ordered the children around. Now, as soon as the girl arrived, they stuck to her like honey."

Dona Marlene let out a restrained giggle, without malice.

"But also... Isabela has the hands of an angel. Little Caio got hurt and she took care of him like a mother. No diploma teaches that."

Leide nodded, thoughtfully.

"And the boss? Just watching. Didn't even blink. Just you wait... The storm is coming for Valeria, but this time it's gently. It comes in a floral dress and a calm smile."

"Hmm... and whoever underestimates a calm smile, usually loses badly," added Marlene, returning to the stove.

In the hallway, Valeria stopped for a second, as if she had heard. She took a deep breath and continued on, her step now harder. She knew that, in that house, something was changing. And she was no longer an essential part of it.

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