Before the Accident

The next morning, I hadn't gone home. I woke up with blonde hair splayed across my face and got out of bed, leaving the girl behind.

I gathered all the condoms off the floor, flushed them, took a shower, and put on the same clothes. I grabbed my stuff, paid for the girl's extra hours at the hotel, and drove home at full speed.

"Where were you, Carlos Eduardo?" Sarah demanded.

"Sarah, shut up and get out of my way."

I walked past her toward the closet. She followed, grabbing my shirt. I gripped her arms.

"You're leaving. This week."

"I'm not going anywhere, Cadu. I love you," she cried.

"Spare me. You're only in this house because you like the luxury. I'm buying an apartment. I'll hand you the keys and you're gone."

"And how am I supposed to support myself?"

"Figure it out. Sell your jewelry — it's worth a fortune. But I'll give you some cash. It'll last as long as you budget it. Now get out of my way and go find a job."

I got dressed while she cried. I went downstairs and she followed. My dad and that scheming Vanessa stared at me, then rushed to comfort Sarah. They came at me with a lecture, and I told them all to go to hell.

I drove straight to the office and buried myself in work. My head was pounding. I was done. I took a deep breath.

"Here," Thomas said, walking in. "Bernardo's dad has an apartment. It's small, but it'll work."

"Close the deal and bring me the keys, man. I'm about to lose it in that house."

"Why not send Sarah to the ranch with your dad this weekend?"

"And miss the chance to kick her out? The second they leave, I want her in that apartment."

"All right. I'll handle it."

"Transfer sixty thousand into her account. And block all her access to mine."

Thomas left, and Eugenia came in with some folders and reminded me about my factory visit. I signed every document after reading them, grabbed my keys, and drove straight to our plant. I suited up in the safety gear.

I walked through the facility, inspecting everything — the loading docks, the production line. Mid-afternoon, I sat down with the department heads.

We went through all the paperwork. I lost my temper with them. Several of them were shaking. There was a defective batch, and I don't tolerate mistakes.

I told them to work their asses off and have everything fixed by Monday. They scrambled out of the conference room. I waited until nightfall, closed my laptop, and went home.

"We need to talk," my dad said.

"Dad, I've had a long day."

"Follow me. Now."

I took a deep breath and set my things on the hall table. I followed him to his study. He closed the door.

"Talk, Dad."

"You're buying an apartment for Sarah?"

"Yes, Dad. I am. I don't love Sarah, and it's time for her to leave this house."

"I know the mansion is yours, but she takes care of you, Cadu."

"Dad, all she does is spend. My room is a warzone. I don't want to be rude to you — you've already had a heart attack — but please don't get involved."

"I won't. I just think it's unfair to put the girl out."

"I've been putting up with way too much from her, Dad. I'm fed up with this circus."

I didn't let him finish. I walked out. My dad had a heart attack once, out of nowhere, and I'd been careful ever since not to burden him with company problems. Romeo treated him, but the exams never identified the cause.

He'd stepped back from everything and now just dedicated himself to his fake wife and the ranch, where he found some peace. My dad might even love Vanessa, but I knew he missed my mother. Sometimes I'd catch him hiding in the storage room where her things were kept.

He'd sit there looking through Mom's photo albums. His love for Dona Aurora had been overwhelming, and when she died, he aged twenty years overnight. Then, two years later, Vanessa appeared.

She wormed her way in slowly, and now here she was, living with my father. She didn't know that our entire estate was in my name, and if I died, everything would be donated to charity — with no heir to claim it.

Which I had no intention of producing. I didn't want anyone taking advantage of what we'd fought to keep standing. My mother's legacy would disappear for the benefit of others before Vanessa or Sarah ever saw a single cent.

I went to my room, lost in thought. Sarah was in bed wearing a sexy negligee, giving me those begging eyes. Not tonight.

"I was waiting for you, babe."

"Not tonight, Sarah. My head is full."

I went to shower and took my time. By the time I came out, she was asleep. I threw a blanket over her and lay down on the couch. I crashed there, all twisted up. The couch was terrible — tiny and hard.

I woke up aching everywhere. Showered, and got out the door fast. It was Friday, and tomorrow my parents would leave for the ranch in Minas Gerais. I was counting the hours until Sarah was gone.

I'd never worked so happily in my life. That afternoon I went with Bernardo and Thomas to see the apartment. It was comfortable, small. I had it furnished. It was becoming a cozy place for a single woman starting over.

We headed back, had lunch together. I thanked them and went to the office. I was notified about our private jet and authorized takeoff for my dad and that schemer whose days were also numbered.

That night I went home. Vanessa was pacing around, collecting things to take to the ranch. I sat watching her click those knockoff heels across the living room.

Everything about Vanessa irritated me. She looked at me and smiled. I glared back and went upstairs. Sarah wasn't home, and I was grateful for that. Only then could I relax and wait for the house to empty.

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