The woman panicked, her voice trembling as she begged. “Wait! Please! It wasn’t my idea! They paid me to do this!”
Karina froze. “Who?”
The woman hesitated, then whispered, “It was… Eunice.”
Karina’s heart turned cold. Of course, it was her. Eunice’s revenge had come swiftly, and she hadn’t even targeted Karina directly—she had gone after Catarino, a boy of only fourteen, locked in his world.
“Get out,” Karina said coldly.
The woman scrambled out of the room, nearly tripping over herself to escape.
Karina turned to Catarino, who sat silently, oblivious to the chaos. She crouched in front of him, her voice softening. “Catarino, let’s get you cleaned up, okay?”
As always, Catarino didn’t respond. But when Karina took his hand, he gripped hers tightly.
Her breath caught. “Catarino,” she whispered, her voice trembling with hope. “You’re holding my hand? Do you recognize me?”
He remained silent, but the small gesture brought tears to her eyes. It was the first sign of connection in years.
After cleaning him up and changing his clothes, she fed him again. This time, Catarino ate quietly, his free hand clutching her sleeve. His fear was palpable, and Karina’s heart ached as she murmured, “Don’t be afraid. I’ll protect you.”
Before leaving, she reported the abusive nurse to the administration. People like her had no place in a facility meant to care for the vulnerable.
Karina wasted no time heading to the Costa family mansion. She was a storm of fury, her mind racing with thoughts of Eunice’s cruelty.
By the time she arrived, night had fallen. The employees hesitated as she barged in at the door, but no one dared stop her.
Karina marched straight to the kitchen, grabbed a jug of water, and stormed into the living room just as Eunice and Vitória descended the staircase. They laughed and chatted as if they had no care in the world.
Without a word, Karina hurled the jug’s contents at them.
Eunice shrieked, and Vitória stumbled back, drenched and gasping. “Karina, are you insane?”
Karina’s voice trembled with rage. “Insane? This is just water. What about the scalding soup you ordered to be thrown at Catarino? What about leaving him soaked in his urine?”
Eunice pushed Vitória aside, her expression darkening. “Vitória, go change. You have an engagement to prepare for.”
Vitória hesitated, then scurried upstairs, leaving Eunice alone to face Karina.
Eunice smirked, her voice dripping with disdain. “Yes, I bribed the nurse. You humiliated us when you refused Francisco. Did you think there wouldn’t be consequences? And now you’ve got money, huh? Sold your body again, did you? At least be useful to this family if you’re going to be a disgrace.”
Karina’s hand snapped out, slapping Eunice so hard the sound echoed through the room.
“That mouth of yours needs to stop spewing filth,” Karina snarled.
Eunice lunged at her, but Karina was faster. She pinned Eunice down, her fists raining down as years of suppressed rage boiled over.
“You think I’m still a child, scared of you?” Karina shouted. “Those days are over. Touch Catarino again, and I’ll make sure you regret it for the rest of your life.”
Eunice screamed for help, her voice frantic.
Lucas entered, drawn by the commotion. He yanked Karina off Eunice and shoved her to the floor.
“Karina, have you lost your mind? She’s your elder!”
Karina glared at him, her voice icy. “You betrayed us, sold your daughter, and let this woman torture your son. Don’t talk to me about respect.”
Tears streaming down her face, she turned and ran out of the mansion.
A sleek black car sped past as Karina stepped out of the gates. She paused, her breath hitching as recognition struck.
“That car…” she murmured, turning to watch it disappear down the road. “Why does it look so familiar?”
Her mind raced, but she didn’t have time to dwell on it. She had battles to fight—and no intention of backing down.
