Uélton burst into the house, fuming. His cheek still throbbed from the punch; thankfully, it wasn’t bleeding, but the sting to his pride was far worse.
His older brother, Wallace, noticed him immediately. Seeing Uélton stomping toward his room with a hand pressed to his face, Wallace followed. The two were total opposites. While Uélton took after their father, Wallace had inherited their mother’s looks: he was striking, with a square jaw and a classic profile that wouldn’t have looked out of place on a Hollywood movie poster.
Wallace was wearing only red shorts; the house was poorly ventilated, and the heat was stifling. Their father was out back weeding the garden, and their mother was busy in the kitchen. Wallace moved quietly, wanting to help his brother without causing a scene. If th
