Chapter 43
Alice Mendes
We walk into the office, and my friend—who also happens to be my doctor—already suspects who the man beside me is and the real reason behind my pain. The moment Karla starts talking, I notice Oliver looking pensive. Well… there's no escaping it now.
He's figured out how far along I am and knows the babies are his.
I never imagined being in this situation—especially sitting next to the very person driving me crazy.
I'll admit, the meeting helped, but I wasn't prepared to see him.
And even worse… having him confess his feelings like that.
It shook me more than it should have.
I'm a fool, hopelessly in love, and the worst part is he knows it.
But if what he said is true—and for a second, it seemed like it was—maybe there's still something between us.
He wouldn't be here if it were all a lie.
Even so, if he thinks I'm going to forgive him that easily, he's got another thing coming.
He's going to suffer like I did. He'll have to crawl, beg, and earn my forgiveness.
I wasn't going to hide this pregnancy forever—it just wasn't the right time yet… but fate had other plans.
I was going to tell him—I was just waiting for the right moment.
I just didn't want it to be now.
But what's done is done.
We reach the car. He lifts me up and settles me onto the seat, thanks the nurse, and climbs in beside me.
“Mr. Pedro, please take me home.”
“Of course, miss.”
We drive in silence.
My body is exhausted, my head throbbing.
Everything's already falling apart anyway.
When we get there, he'll find out I live with Gabi, Cata, and sometimes Alberto.
But I'll deal with that later. Right now, all I can think about is my babies.
I've taken so many medications that sleep overtakes me, and I end up dozing off.
I wake to Oliver stroking my arm.
“What's your apartment number?” he asks softly.
I tell him, and he gets out of the car, walks around, and picks me up again.
I have no choice—it's too hard to walk.
I'll admit, I steal a few seconds just to breathe in his scent… to savor how good it feels to be wrapped in his strong arms.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Júlio,” I greet the doorman.
“Good afternoon, dear. Looks like you're not feeling well. You hang on to those babies now—it's still too early for them to come into the world.”
“Don't worry, I'll take good care of them,” I say, resting my hand on my belly.
We call the elevator, and Oliver looks surprised when I press the button for the penthouse.
I don't say anything. He'll understand soon enough.
The doors open. He carries me inside and sets me down on the couch.
Before I can say anything else, I thank him:
“Thank you for bringing me home, but I need to rest now.”
I avoid looking at him, but I already know this conversation isn't going to end here.
“I'm not leaving until you explain why you hid this pregnancy from me,” he says, his voice deep and tense. “When were you planning to tell me? Were you going to leave them without a father? I know this isn't the right time, Alice, but I need to understand.”
I take a deep breath, exhausted.
“They're mine, Oliver. And you gave them up when you pushed me out of your life. So no—you have no rights over my children.”
“Alice, please. I just want to understand why you didn't tell me.”
Just then, Gabriel comes out of the office and walks toward me.
“Lice, what happened? Why are you home at this hour? I knew that meeting…” He stops, surprised to see Oliver. “Good afternoon, Oliver. I didn't know you were here.”
“And you? What are you doing here with my woman and my children?” Oliver demands, seething with anger.
Gabriel lifts his chin, standing firm.
“This apartment is mine. Well, ours.” He sits down beside me and rests his hand on my belly.
I see the fury in Oliver's eyes and take a deep breath before things escalate.
“Gabi, please—leave me alone with Oliver.”
“Of course, beautiful. If you need anything, just call me,” he says, kisses my cheek, and leaves.
Oliver shakes his head in disbelief.
“Are you two together? Since when? What about Denis?”
“Do you see why I left?” I shoot back. “You judge me without even hearing me out. And no, I'm not with either of them. They're my friends—they took me in when I needed it most. They supported me. See the difference?”
“We would never work out, Oliver. On top of having a fiancée, you never trusted me. I didn't tell you about my children because I needed time. Honestly, I didn't want to come across as a gold digger.”
He approaches slowly, his voice dropping:
“Alice, sweetheart… I didn't marry Andréa.
You have to believe me. I would never marry that woman.
I never loved her. I broke off the engagement the moment I got home.
I searched for you for months, every single day.
I missed you so much. And I never doubted you—it was my fault.
But I intend to make up for that now, taking care of you the way you deserve.
Even if I don't deserve your forgiveness, I'll fight for it. I want to be the best father to these boys, and the man you always wanted.”
He takes my hands, looks at my belly, and hesitates to touch it.
The babies move, as if they recognize their father's voice.
Yes, my children… he has that gift. The gift of undoing me with just a look.
But it won't be easy.
It's still too soon to forgive.
We'll have to find a way to get along—because of the babies—but not as a couple.
“Don't you think it's too late, Oliver?” I ask, my voice trembling.
“You hurt me, suspected me, treated me like I was nothing.
All because you imagined something that never existed.
How can you expect me to take you back after that?
What guarantee do I have that you won't abandon me again?
Or cast aside our children too? I'm sorry, but I can't.”
I see tears streaming down his face.
I've never seen him so vulnerable.
“Alice, for God's sake. For us, for our children. There's no way you've forgotten me. I can feel it. I know you still want me, just like I want you. I made a mistake, and I blame myself every day. I was a coward because I was afraid to love.”
“Afraid to trust me, you mean?” I retort coldly. “You don't have to worry, Oliver. I'm fine here. I have everything I need. And yes, this is what's best for my children. They'll be my priority. I'll never stop you from being a father, but that's it. It's over.”
“Okay,” he says, his voice breaking. “I'll give you time.
But know that I won't give up. I'll prove that I love you more than anything, that you're my whole life.
I already love these boys more than myself.
Thank you for making me a father, Alice.
But I'll only be complete with our family. And I'll fight for that.”
He pulls out his phone and asks for my number.
I type it in without looking at him.
When I hand it back, our fingers touch, and a spark passes between us.
He gives me a defeated look, stands up, and leaves.
The pain tears through me.
I want nothing more than to run after him and hold him.
But I can't.
I still love him, and I know I always will, but he hurt me too deeply.
Gabriel emerges from the office, walks over to me, and wraps me in a hug.
I break down in tears.
“Damn hormones,” I murmur between laughs and sobs.
“Don't blame the hormones, Lice,” he says with a smile. “Now he knows, and he had the right to know. I wanted to punch that idiot for everything he put you through, but… I heard what he said. It sounded genuine. He's not going to give up easily. And I'll be here for all three of you.”
“Thank you, Gabi. For everything. His words destroyed me and healed me at the same time. You know I still love him, and hearing what I've waited so long to hear… it was painful. But now, nothing is more important than these little boys. If he can be the best father, that's enough for me.”
“I love you guys, Lice. And I'd do it all over again,” he says, hugging me. “You're strong. You'll get through this.”
I rest my head on his shoulder and, without realizing it, drift off to sleep.
When I wake up, I'm in my bed.
Catarina is sitting beside me, smiling.
“Tell me everything.”
And there goes my night—talking, laughing, and crying.
Gabriel makes soup with bread for dipping, and I have three helpings—after all, I'm eating for three.
After a hot bath, I lie down.
But sleep doesn't come easily.
I replay the day in my mind: seeing Oliver, hearing his voice, watching his eyes fill with tears, feeling his touch.
It was all too much.
And somewhere between tears and memories, I finally fall asleep.