Elize
The birthday celebration for Rafaela was light, full of joy. She distributed pieces of cake to everyone, starting with the father, then the mother, and then to the other children. When it was my turn, she hugged me so tightly that I almost cried. That gesture, so innocent, brought me a peace I hadn't felt in a long time. The party was beautiful, simple, but full of affection. There were no alcoholic drinks, and everything was done to make the children feel special. For a few hours, it felt like I could truly breathe.
When we left the party, Alemão took me to a place I didn't know. I looked around, trying to guess where we were going.
"Where are we going?" I asked, still suspicious.
"I got a key from the Captain's brother. A bigger house, with a fully equipped kitchen and a bathro
