Chapter 1

Maria Eduarda — better known as Duda — had always been too big for small spaces.

Even as a child, Duda had an intense, one-of-a-kind way of living. She loved to talk, to smile, to hug people, always transforming any room she walked into into something lighter. Her mother, Helo, used to say she'd inherited her father Eduardo's heart and her own impulsiveness.

Her brother Heitor liked to joke that Duda was a tiny hurricane — she showed up making a mess, but somehow left everything better than she'd found it.

At twenty-three, Duda was exactly the same, give or take the natural maturing that came with age. The chatty little girl had grown into a smart, beautiful, absurdly charismatic woman.

With a degree in advertising, Duda specialized in digital media and had founded her own startup, understanding the field better than most people twice her age. That early expertise had brought her financial independence before most of her peers had figured out what they wanted to do with their lives.

Even with her own money, she still lived with her parents — because she liked it that way and couldn't picture herself living alone anytime soon.

Duda wasn't a fan of silence. She loved conversation, the Sunday family lunches that stretched deep into the afternoon, the silly arguments with her brother, her dad's terrible jokes, the way her parents held hands while watching TV.

She also couldn't stop admiring how Heitor looked at his wife — as though he fell in love with Gabriela all over again, every single day.

And that was what made Duda believe in love.

"Where are my Dinda's gorgeous babies? Where are they?" Duda called out the moment she walked into her brother's house.

It was late on a Saturday afternoon. She stepped through the door with a bag slung over one shoulder and sunglasses perched on top of her head. Whenever Duda had free time, she'd watch the kids so Heitor and his wife could enjoy a night out.

"Dinda! You're here!" Felipe shrieked — almost four years old and absolutely smitten with his aunt and godmother.

He bolted toward her, already talking. Heitor smiled, still trying to figure out whether his son had recently discovered he could talk nonstop, or whether it was Duda who brought out the chatterbox in him.

"Look, babe — Duda's trying to steal our kids." Heitor nudged Gabriela as Felipe sprinted into his sister's arms.

"As if I need to steal these little cuties. They already love me." Duda crouched just in time to catch her godson.

Felipe threw himself into her arms, radiating joy.

"Look how handsome my mini-Heitor is! Wow, you've gotten so big! And where's Nina? I need to smell that delicious baby smell!"

Gabriela walked over laughing, the baby cradled against her chest.

"I missed you, Dinda." Felipe planted a loud kiss on Duda's cheek, and she kissed him right back.

"I missed you too, buddy."

"You're going to be an amazing mom, Duda. Our kids light up every time you come to watch them," Gabriela said.

Duda smiled, gently taking Nina and covering the baby's face with kisses.

"I'm the one who loves watching them, Gabi. You guys know you can always count on me. I love taking care of Felipe and Nina — and I've already started planning Nina's first birthday party. That's going to be my gift."

"Of course you have. You're an old maid with time to spare." Heitor grinned, earning a glare from his sister.

And yes — Duda was single at the moment. She'd dated before, had a few short flings and a couple of more serious relationships, but she'd never truly been in love.

Growing up watching her parents and her brother, Duda had learned early that real love didn't leave room for doubt. You didn't have to ask to be protected or demand to be respected — the right person just did those things because they were right.

That was why Duda could never stay where she wasn't fully loved. She'd never learned to accept half-measures.

When she realized the feeling was one-sided, she walked away. When she had to beg for respect, she ended it. When love started to feel like uncertainty, she chose to leave.

"You know it's your fault I'm single — yours and Dad's."

"Mine?" Heitor kept teasing, breaking into a laugh. "Oh, here we go."

"I'm serious!" Duda shot back. "I grew up watching Dad treat Mom like a queen, and I see you looking at Gabriela like she's a goddess. How am I supposed to settle for a mediocre man after that?"

Gabriela tried to hide her smile. Heitor crossed his arms, looking thoroughly pleased with himself.

"What can I say? We set the standard."

"You're so full of yourself! You know I take Muay Thai with your wife, right? Don't push me — you're asking for a beating."

Heitor grinned and sat down beside his sister.

"You know I'd never let you date just anyone. Your future husband has to pass my test and Dad's. And speaking of Dad — your Eduardo is probably grinning ear to ear knowing his little girl is still single. Every father's jealous of his daughter."

"Dad's not like that, you idiot! Besides, your turn's coming — don't forget you're also a girl dad, dear brother."

"Don't start, Duda." Now it was Duda's turn to laugh at her brother's face.

"I can't wait to watch you lose it when Nina brings home her first little boyfriend."

"That's not happening."

Gabriela burst out laughing, and Felipe joined in — he had no idea what they were talking about, but he thought it was hilarious.

Right then, sitting on the couch in her brother's living room, surrounded by some of the people she loved most in the world, Duda felt a quiet, steady wave of happiness.

She had a good life. A family that was her safe harbor. A job she loved. And yet, sometimes, in the silence of the early morning hours, Duda wondered when she'd find someone who looked at her the way Heitor looked at Gabriela — someone who was certain she was the one.

She didn't have a date in mind. But she wasn't in a rush, either.

Duda, 23

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