Episode 4

The kitchen clock read 6:00 AM when the doorbell rang.

Valeria, punctual as always, was already waiting. She opened the door without haste, without a smile, but with her chin raised as if she still wanted to remember who commanded the house.

"Good morning, Miss Isabela," she said dryly, stepping aside.

"Good morning," Isabela replied, with serenity and a discreet smile. She carried her bag on her shoulder and her hair tied in a low bun. She was simple, but there was something about her that overflowed with presence.

Before Valeria could say anything else, a shout echoed from the stairs:

"Isa!" Caio appeared in pajamas, descending with his little arms raised and his face lit up. "You came!"

She immediately bent down, opening her arms.

"Of course I came, my love. A promise is a promise."

Right behind him, Lucca appeared with a small smile at the corner of his mouth, and Luna behind him, already in uniform, carrying a backpack.

"We knew you'd come back," Lucca said, adjusting his glasses.

Luna just nodded with maturity.

"Good thing Daddy listened to us."

Valeria moved away, visibly displeased. She tried to maintain her composure, but the hubbub coming from the kitchen didn't help. Marlene and Leide watched everything from the half-open door, accomplices in every exchanged glance.

"This nanny has really won over the children."

Leide chuckled softly:

"Especially Caio."

Isabela entered with the three around her, as if she had been part of the house for years. And it was like that, surrounded by laughter and hurried steps, that the first day officially began.

The table was set with colorful juices, freshly baked bread, and a tray of precisely cut fruits. Valeria supervised everything with a vigilant eye, but the atmosphere was different that morning. Light, noisy — and happy.

Isabela stood, watching the three settle in. Luna was already reading something on the tablet, Lucca was spreading butter on his toast with concentration, and Caio was playing with his juice glass, until Gael's voice sounded behind her:

"Isabela… come have coffee with us."

She hesitated for a moment, surprised.

"I… I'll wait for the children to finish."

"Not today. Today you sit with us," he insisted, pulling a chair next to Caio.

Valeria pursed her lips but said nothing.

Isabela sat down. Caio immediately pointed to the bowl of fruit with a pout:

"I don't like watermelon…"

"Oh, here we go," Lucca murmured.

"Hey," Isabela said sweetly, "what if the watermelon turned into a little bear? Do you think the little bear can fit in that tummy?"

While everyone watched, she took a slice of watermelon and gently shaped it with the knife. In seconds, a small red "bear" with little ears and eyes made of seeds appeared.

"Done. Brave little bear. He wants to visit Caio's playground, but he can only enter if the gate opens," she said, pointing to the boy's mouth.

Caio laughed, opened his mouth very slowly, and "bit" the whole bear. Everyone burst out laughing — even Luna, who disguised a smile behind the tablet screen.

"Very good, Caio," Gael murmured, observing the scene with a cheerful expression.

Valeria turned her back and went to the sink, disguising her discomfort with the clatter of dishes.

The house was different. And everyone noticed — even those who pretended not to see.

After breakfast, Isabela helped Caio brush his teeth — he laughed the whole time, still talking about the "brave little bear." She went up with Lucca to make sure he didn't put his shirt on inside out again, and then went to see if Luna was ready.

"I am, I just need to find my headphones," the girl murmured, rummaging through her backpack.

Isabela quickly looked around on the floor, found the headphones under the bed, and handed them back with a smile.

"Thanks," Luna said, almost awkwardly, but with a sparkle in her eyes.

When everyone was ready and Isabela was already going down with the lunch boxes in her hands, she heard firm steps in the hall. Gael appeared already dressed for work: dark suit, clean-shaven, discreet but striking perfume.

"I'll take them today," he announced, adjusting the watch on his wrist. "And I want you to come with us, Isa."

She stopped for a moment, surprised by the invitation.

"But aren't you going straight to the office, sir?"

"I am, but I'll take a detour. Their presence in the car already makes my morning better… and also, you need to learn the way," he said, adjusting his tie.

Lucca shouted from the stairs:

"Let's go soon, I want to show Felipe my new keychain!"

"He thinks the keychain is more important than math," Luna murmured.

"Because it is!" Caio shouted.

Gael laughed and opened the door.

"Isa?" he called, offering her the front seat.

She hesitated once more, but walked to the car, sat down trying to get comfortable with the environment.

And the day hadn't even started properly yet.

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