Aline walks her blue suitcase down the mansion's stairs one last time, the house was still dark, all its occupants are still asleep, but for her it was for the best. After last night's revelations, the last thing he wants is to face the members of the Almeida family, especially Malú. He believes that the best thing to do at the moment is to get away from everyone and thus prevent Vera from carrying out her threat. Open the main door, but not before admiring the entrance hall for the last time.
'So you've decided to leave?' – asks Maria Luísa emerging from the music room. —I thought you wouldn't submit to Vera's threats.
—I'm just avoiding further havoc in all of your lives. – Answers Aline trying not to cry. She smiles and fixes her hair. — As you know, if that news gets out, it's the end of Thiago's career and the Almeida's reputation.
— You shouldn't worry about my family, since it's my department – comments the matriarch.
— I know that you take care of your family and cut those that don't fit your parameters – Aline shoots, irritated — That's how you eliminated Anna, Ícaro and now me.
—So you think I had something to do with what happened yesterday? – asks Maria, surprised. She takes a deep breath — Aline, you know me so little.
—Actually, I don't see the need to know anything about you. – Aline reacts, irritated. She adjusts her suitcase on her shoulder — Now if you'll excuse me, there's a taxi waiting for me outside. – Finishes turning towards the door.
—Aline – Maria calls, watching Aline who keeps her hand on the doorknob without turning towards the owner of the house — I would like you to know that this time you stayed here, I started to admire you... And last night, it was confirmed how much we are the same...
— Equals? – Asks Aline turning around, upset — We will never be the same! I will never be able to do what you did...
— But you did it, with your family – alleges the matriarch approaching — I know the truth about your story and I also know that you did it to protect your family, even if it made you the villain of the story. Just like I became the villain of mine, but no one is willing to listen to the villain's version, right?
—What are you talking about, Maria? – Asks Aline, nervous.
— I'm saying that Vera wasn't the only one who searched your life, the difference is that I went deeper – reveals Maria — I think you'd better dispense with your taxi and sit with me in the pantry, because we have many things to talk about, I want to tell you my side of the story in Anna and Malú's life. Are you willing to know that other side?
***
Curitiba, September 1998.
Maria opens the door to her room, allowing the light from the hallway to enter and reveal the sleeping face of Alexandre who rests with some difficulty. She closes it again, approaching the bed and turning on the lamp, waking her husband.
— Maria… – whispers Alexandre, coughing compulsively into the white handkerchief, being helped by Maria Luísa. He pushes the handkerchief away, letting his wife see the red stain. The patriarch settles down on the bed facing the woman, then asks — Did you do what we agreed? Did you end the opportunist?
— Yes. She will never disturb our son again – Maria warns, sitting on the edge while fixing her husband's white hair — Right now, I'm sure it's far from Belo Horizonte...
—Isn't she dead? – asks Alexandre angrily, holding Maria's wrist with all his strength.
— No, Alexandre, of course I didn’t kill her – denies Maria, offended — Nor could I…
— How could I not... Cough! Cough! Cough! Cough! Cough! Cough! Cough!...? It was for this profiteer, she's six feet from the earth – roars Alexandre. —How could you not do something simple?
— Alexandre, she is pregnant – reveals Maria, upset, standing up — Have compassion.
— Compassion? – asks Alexandre, red with anger — How can you think she will have compassion for us?! Cof! Cof! Cof! Cof! Cof! Cof! Cof! Cof! This slut will come back to make us hell and want to take the hit! I was very clear, Maria! It was to end it!
— I guarantee that will not happen… The conversation I had with her was definitive. She will not disturb us.
— Oh, you guarantee? – Alexandre mocks — Are you sure that bitch won't come to our house with a bastard in her arms?
—She's not Ícaro's mother. – Maria retorts, seriously taking off her jewelry on the dressing table.
— No doubt. Because this one won't even have this child – shouts Alexandre — Bring my diary. I need to make a phone call.
— What will you do, Alexander? – asks Maria, taking her husband's black diary and approaching the bed.
— Well, what do I do with all my enemies – answers Alexandre, pulling the diary from Maria's hands.
—Kill her... Just like you did with Ícaro' mother, didn't you? – asks Mary.
—Ícaro's mother wasn't the first thorn in my side, dear –answers Alexandre, looking for a specific number —As well as this bitch here won't be the last...
— How many people, Alexander? – asks Maria, upset — How many people have you already killed?
— Only the ones that crossed my path, but some I killed myself, including that little piano teacher of yours – reveals Alexandre receiving a shocked look from Maria — Well, you really didn't think he left for Europe, did you? That shit had the nerve to come to me , ask me to give you up.
He declared himself in love with youCof! Cof! Cof! Cof! Cof! Cof! Cof! Cof!... And he really thought he would leave my house without being shot in the back. To this day I remember him crawling through my garden... Choking on his own blood... He died crying like a coward.
—You're a monster. – accuses Maria, who struggles not to cry.
— No… I only eliminate those who dare to cross my path. Just like this woman Cough! Cough! Cough! Cough! Cough! Cough! Cough! – Alexandre starts coughing uncontrollably — And this baby. I won't make the same mistake I did with Ícaro... Cof! Cof! Cof! Cof! Cof! Cof! Cof! Cof! Cof! Cof! Cof! Cof! Cof! Cof! Cof! Cof! Damn! Cof! Cof! Cof! Cof! Cof! Cof! Cof! Cof! Cof!
— Let me straighten your pillow – asks Maria, taking one behind Alexandre's head — You need support to breathe better… — She fluffs the pillow and takes it towards her husband, placing it over her husband's face, who is trying to get comfortable. break free, then whispers — You won't kill anyone else...
Alexandre struggles with all his might to remove the pillow from his face, but Maria throws all the strength of her body against her husband's face. She can feel her husband struggling to breathe until his hands drop to his sides. She still stays a while longer choking her husband, until she removes the pillow and finds Alexandre's terrified face. She checks his pulse to make sure he's dead.
Maria tucks the pillow behind her dead husband's head, fixes his hair, closes his eyes, and makes his bed. She gets up and goes towards the door opening it again, then looks back, her husband seems to be sleeping as he wanted.
— Ms. Maria ? – Asks the nurse, surprised by the matriarch at the door — Is everything okay? Mr. Alexandre... Are you okay?
—My husband is fine. He's sleeping now and asked not to be disturbed – warns Maria causing the nurse to back off.
The matriarch walks towards Thiago's room and finds him crying lying on the bed. She sits on the bed, letting her son lay his head on her lap.
— I'm sorry, dear – asks Maria Luisa, running her hand through her son's beautiful black hair. —Who would have thought she'd lost the baby and would run away in fear of you finding out? Will you know if she was really pregnant...
—Anna's not like that! – shouts Thiago, getting up from the bed — She certainly has a good explanation for all this. I need to go there...
—But she's not there. – Maria Luísa retorts, punching the mattress — I made a point of looking and no neighbor knows her whereabouts. If you want, I can put a detective after her, but it won't change the fact that she ran away from you. Life always teaches us something and this time it taught him that not everyone is nice, good–natured, good–natured as we would like them to be. I know you love her, but she hasn't returned that love.
— You don't know Anna – Thiago counters as he opens the wardrobe. He starts tossing the clothes on the bed deliberately — I know she needs me. She must be suffering.
— What are you doing? – asks Maria Luísa, watching Thiago arrange his clothes — Don't you believe me?
— I believe mother. – Answers Thiago closing the suitcase — But I need to find Anna. She is my life and she needs me more than anyone.
— Excuse me – asks the nurse, knocking on the door — Mr. Alexandre... He has just passed away.
Thiago runs towards his mother who faints on the bed.
***
Aline observes Maria calmly drinking her coffee. The matriarch takes a deep breath, then faces Malú's aunt:
—I'd like to say I'm bitterly sorry, but better him than both. – says Mary.
—And why didn't you tell the truth after your husband died? – asks Aline, cautiously.
—I could have gone back and told my son everything. However, my husband had many friends and some of them would be able to finish what Alexandre started. I couldn't risk it... I couldn't have their blood on my hands... Ícaro's mother wasn't enough anymore. Then, every year, I knew that if I told him, I would have to talk about everything... And confess that I killed Alexandre. So I kept it with me and you had a full life. That's why I say I understand you and I know you don't need to run away.
— Anyway, Maria – Aline comments, biting her lip, holding back tears — I need to go away… I'm tired of running from my past. I need to confront him... And I can only do it...
— Meeting with your mother – completes Maria holding Aline's hand — You need to tell her the truth.
— Yes, that's what I intend to do – Aline agrees, wiping her tears — I don't know what will happen next, but I want you to take care of Malú until I get back.
— Don't worry, Aline – guarantees Maria — My house is open for when you want to come back...
— Thank you for your hospitality – says Aline, getting up — Now I'll have to order another taxi.
— No. Ask Reginaldo to take you to the airport – suggests Maria walking with Aline to the entrance hall, where she says goodbye — Go, do what you have to do and come back to us. I guarantee that we will be waiting for you.
— Thank you – thanks Aline, stopping in front of Maria. Then she hugs her —Thank you, Malú Vó.
— You're welcome – Maria replies, giving Aline a light slap on the back – I think you'd better let go of me or else I'll start to think you like me.
— Not really – Aline comments, walking away. She opens the door and says goodbye —See you soon.
— See you soon – Maria reciprocates, seeing the door close.
***
Thiago wakes up on the couch and notices that his bed is empty and his room without any trace of Aline. He closes his eyes remembering the outburst of Aline lying on his bed, while they both talked. She talked about everything and he just listened to her, until Aline finally fell asleep and he went to the divan, where he slept.
He goes to the bathroom, takes a shower and in a few minutes, gets dressed and goes to his daughter's room, where he's sure Aline is. But when he opens the door, he finds only Malú sleeping and a note on the nightstand with Aline's handwriting. Thiago opens it carefully and then reads what is written:
damn...
I know you won't understand the reason for my departure, but I want you to know that I love you and will see you again soon.
With love,
Aline.
Thiago puts the note back in its place and leaves his daughter's room, not believing that Aline has left. He runs down the stairs finding only his mother who smiles at him.
— She's already gone? – asks Thiago.
— Yes – Maria replies, extending her hand to her son — Come, let's have breakfast. You have an important day today and I'm sure she would like it to be flawless.
— I'm in love with her, mom – confesses Thiago walking beside Maria — But I can't stay with her.
— I know, my son – Maria admits, taking the candidate's arm — You love your brother too and you don't want to lose him. But there's nothing you can do because it all depends on who Aline chooses in the end and you'll have to accept whoever it is.
The two finish having breakfast and then Thiago gets ready for his last speech, which will be held in Curitiba at Clube dos Magistrados. His mother straightens his tie and then smiles at him saying:
— Good luck, my son – wishes Maria — In a little while, I'll ask Adelaide to wake up Malú and we'll go to the club to support him.
— Thank you, Mom – thanks Thiago — Please, if Malú doesn't want to go, don't force her. I understand how difficult it will be for her after reading the note.
— All right. The employees were dismissed today to go to your speech, but I asked Adelaide and Reginaldo to accompany Malú and me, okay?
— Alright, I had already authorized their entry – Thiago replies — Well, I'm leaving, I still have to ensure that Vera stays on the line.
— Go with God – Mary says goodbye, blessing her son.
— See you soon, mom – says Thiago, leaving the mansion.
Maria still accompanies her son into the car, she has a bad feeling when she sees Thiago driving out of the house.
***
— Adelaide – Maria calls, entering the house, being welcomed by the housekeeper — Go and wake up, Malú, please.
—Yes, ma'am. – Adelaide agrees, turning to go up the stairs.
— But – continues Maria, making the housekeeper stop halfway — before you wake her, put an end to the note on the nightstand.
— But, ma'am... It was Mrs. Aline – argues Adelaide, surprised.
—That's an order. – interrupts Maria seriously.
—Yes, ma'am. – Adelaide accepts, reluctantly.
Maria watches the housekeeper go up, then the guardhouse intercom rings and she answers, being surprised by the name the doorman announces. However, it accepts the input. In a few minutes, he hears the car park and the silhouette of the person approaches the door that he opens saying:
— What are you doing here?