Chapter 49
Alice Mendes
Oliver has stayed by my side since the moment he found me lying on the sidewalk. I need to talk to him about it, but not now—right now I just want to meet my boys, who arrive moments later.
When I laid eyes on them, I realized they looked so much like Oliver.
They’re beautiful, just like their father—I could never hide them.
I hold Edgar and Emanuel in my arms, one on each side, and the world stops, as if only the three of us exist. The emotion I felt was indescribable.
Having them in my arms, breathing in their scent…
it’s beyond words. I looked up at the sky and thanked God for that miracle.
I breastfed both of them—and did quite well, I might add. Of course I had pain with the latch, but with the technique the nurses taught me, I’d soon feel nothing at all. Now I just needed to adjust to the new routine, which would be challenging but also exciting.
I had lots of visitors. Gabi came from S?o Paulo to see us, though she couldn’t stay long—it was a quick visit, but full of love.
Mr. Edgar was moved when he saw his grandsons, and even more so when I told him about their names. Mrs. Olivia was enchanted by my babies and said they’re the spitting image of Oliver when he was little. That, of course, was no surprise to me.
I only stayed two days in the hospital. We were doing very well, and my friend and doctor decided to discharge us early.
It’s been fifteen days since the twins were born. Our routine has changed completely, but we’ve already adjusted. I have wonderful help from everyone, which makes everything easier.
Oliver surprises me every day—he wakes up at night to help me, brings the babies for me to breastfeed, so I can actually rest.
He’s been staying with me at my apartment. At first, it was hard to accept, but I realized I needed the help. Taking care of two isn’t easy. And he’s proven to be a true super dad.
On a quiet day, while I was changing the babies’ diapers and putting them down to sleep, he asked to talk about the day of the delivery. I felt the moment had come, and I wasn’t going to avoid it any longer.
“Tell me what happened that day, when you were pushed on the sidewalk. I feel like I saw Andrea, but I’m not sure,” he begins.
“Yes, it was her. I was coming back from the square when I ran into her. I saw rage in her eyes when she looked at my belly… and before I knew it, I was on the ground. She ran off immediately.”
“She passed by me too. I was terrified when I saw you lying there. I’m going to have someone investigate whether she’s still in the city. In the meantime, please don’t go out alone. Go with me or with Cata, please, Alice.”
“I don’t want to live trapped in the house, Oliver.”
“And you won’t be. I’m just asking you to wait until I find out if she’s still around and where she is. And when you want to go for a walk, I’ll go with you,” he says, caressing my face.
“Thank you… Well, I’m going to take advantage of the babies being asleep to eat something.”
“I prepared an afternoon snack for you. I’ll turn on the baby monitor and we’ll eat together.”
I watch Oliver. The affection and love he has for us touches me deeply. It’s still not time to forgive him, but deep down, I’d like to have him back. Fear, though, still holds me back.
I sit at the table and have the snack he prepared.
We talk for a while, until it’s time to breastfeed my two chubby boys.
It’s my favorite moment—I can connect with my children, breathe in their scent, which is simply perfect.
I spend a long time with each one in my arms. Breastfeeding is, without a doubt, a unique and magical experience.
Our days have been wonderful. I have help from Olivia, from Cata, and even from Mr. Edgar—he’s great at changing diapers. We seem like a happy family. Every day, I grow more enchanted with the moments we spend together.
Andrea had disappeared. Oliver couldn’t find her, and eventually we assumed she had gone back to Atibaia. But we were wrong.
On a beautiful day, I decided to go downstairs with the babies for a walk. I went to the square I’ve always loved. I sat on my favorite bench and watched my children sleep. They’re so wonderful, so perfect, that I never tire of admiring them. I’m a doting mother.
They’re very quiet and only cry when they’re hungry. Other than that, you’d hardly know there are children in the house. My treasures don’t give any trouble at all—they’re true blessings in our lives.
I stayed there for a good while, until I felt that same strange sensation, as if someone were watching me. I looked around, uneasy. I got up from the bench and started walking back. As I reached for my phone, I felt a hard blow to the back of my head—and everything went dark.
Before blacking out completely, I could only ask God to take care of my babies.
I woke up hours later, lying on a deserted street.
It was already dark. The pain in my head was terrible.
When I remembered my children, I panicked.
I was shaking, crying, could barely stand.
I looked around desperately—everything dark, nothing in sight.
Where were my babies? Who took them? This couldn’t be happening!
With trembling hands, I grabbed my phone lying beside me and called Oliver. The battery was almost dead, but he managed to answer in time. I spoke through tears, desperate:
“Oliver… they took our children! Bring my boys back, please!” I screamed, overwhelmed with pain.
“Where are you, Alice? For God's sake! I've been desperately searching for you. Send me your location, now. I'm coming to get you!”
I did just that. A few minutes later, I saw the car pull up beside me. Oliver got out, scooped me up in his arms, hugged me tight, and said:
“What happened, my little one? What did they do to you? Where are our children?!” His voice was pure anguish.
“I don't know, Oliver… I was at the square, and suddenly I blacked out.
I woke up here with a terrible headache and my children gone.
They took our boys… I can't bear this pain!
Bring them back! They're so small, so defenseless…
what if they hurt them? I won't survive without them!” I screamed, overcome with desperation.
“I promise I'll bring them back, even if it costs me my life. I'll find out who did this, and that person will pay. I promise, love,” he said, holding me as I cried even harder.
“I want my children, Oliver… Who took them from me? Who would do something like this?!” I asked, trembling.
“Calm down, my little one… I promise they'll be back soon, safe in our arms.”
His words gave me a little strength, though desperation still consumed me. The headache was getting worse, and Oliver took me straight home.
When we arrived, everyone was there: our friends, Karla, even Gabriel.
Karla gave me something for the pain, but I didn't want to sleep. I asked her not to give me a sedative, even though I was trembling and crying nonstop.
Oliver bathed me, put me to bed, and stayed with me. Deep down, I knew he would bring our children back. And with that thought—and his promise—I eventually passed out.