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Chapter 1

In the darkest corners of existence, where pain intertwines with indifference, and souls seem to dance to the cruel rhythm of adversity, Isabella's story is born. A narrative that weaves the threads of sadness and abandonment, enveloping a soul that, from a tender age, experienced the cold claws of neglect and disdain.

Isabella, a fragile child bearing the mark of rejection in her eyes, found herself abandoned by her biological mother, a woman whose heart seemed incapable of harboring any trace of maternal love. Fate, however, appeared to smile upon Isabella when a new family welcomed her. But appearances, like concealed shadows, hid a bitter reality. Coldness and disdain emanated from the adoptive mother, the apathetic father, and the siblings, Lucas and Sofia, who shared the same icy gaze.

As she grew, Isabella collected the invisible scars of emotional wounds, her soul marked by the torments of an existence marred by indifference. At the age of sixteen, tired of the chains binding her to unhappiness, she made a drastic decision: she would embark on her journey alone.

The path that unfolded before her was not smooth. Isabella delved into the dark depths of life, finding refuge in questionable choices and dangerous friendships. An unintended opportunity knocked on her door, leading her into the corridors of a brothel in the capital, where the shadows of the night concealed unspeakable secrets.

It was there, amidst wrong choices and suffocating loneliness, that Isabella crossed paths with Alessio, an enigmatic figure rooted in the underworld of the mafia. A powerful man, whose heart, despite being hardened by a criminal life, was touched by the vulnerability residing in young Isabella.

The romance that unfolded between Isabella and Alessio, though tumultuous, transformed the darkness surrounding the young girl's life into rays of light. Power, danger, and passion intertwined in a complex plot, guiding Isabella toward an unimaginable destiny. She emerged from the shadows as the most unlikely of queens, the ruler of the southern underworld, whose crown was forged by the flames of the past and the choices of the present.

Prepare to embark on a tumultuous journey, where love and power collide, and where the courage of a young woman who dared to defy her own destiny becomes the driving force of this captivating narrative. Isabella's story is an invitation to explore the deepest recesses of the human soul, where redemption finds its way amid the shadows of the past.

Isabella always knew that her life was not like other children's. She had no memories of loving hugs or innocent laughter, as her first childhood memory was the loneliness of what seemed like an early abandonment. Even before she was born, her biological mother had handed her over to a system that seemed incapable of offering her the love and care every child deserved, to be with her new lover who did not accept the child conceived at a carnival party in her absence.

Her destiny led her to an adoptive family that was far from the warm and welcoming home she had wished for. The adoptive mother, bitter from her own disappointments in life, couldn't hide her anger and frustration. The adoptive father, on the other hand, was always absent, involved in his own problems. The family environment was marked by frequent fights and bursts of violence.

In the small blue-painted wooden house at the end of the main street in Palhoça, lived the Romanov siblings: Lucas, Sofia, and the newly adopted Isabella. The sun was beginning to tint the sky with shades of orange when tensions between the siblings reached their peak.

Lucas, the eldest, was a brown-eyed, dark-haired young man, with a determined spirit hidden behind a charming smile. His impulsive personality often put him at odds with others' opinions. By his side, Sofia, the middle sister, had a calm essence and eyes as clear as the dawn sky, but she carried a strong temper capable of challenging anyone who crossed her path.

Isabella, the new addition to the family, exuded an aura of sweetness and innocence. Her curly hair was as dark as the night, contrasting with her fair skin and light brown, almost honey-colored eyes that conveyed a mixture of curiosity and insecurity. Since being adopted, she tried to fit in, but the invisible walls erected by Lucas and Sofia seemed impenetrable.

On that hot summer afternoon, tensions between the siblings reached their climax. Isabella had accidentally broken an antique vase that belonged to the Romanovs' mother, triggering a heated argument.

— You never pay attention to anything! — exclaimed Lucas, his eyes sparking with anger.

— That's why you shouldn't be here! You never belonged to this family! — retorted Sofia, her voice choked with frustration.

Isabella lowered her head, holding back tears, feeling even more out of place in that hostile environment. She wanted to belong, yearned to be accepted, but the wall of distrust and resentment built by her siblings seemed insurmountable.

The three siblings' father, Paulo, entering the room calmly in one of his rare appearances, intervened in the fight. His tired eyes reflected sadness at witnessing the division in his own family. With serene words, he tried to calm tempers and resolve the conflict, but the emotional wounds were already deeply rooted.

As night fell over Palhoça, the Romanovs retired, each in their own corner, immersed in turbulent thoughts. In the silence of the night, emptiness and loneliness hung over that house that had once been filled with laughter and harmony.

The bonds between the Romanov siblings were strained, and Isabella's presence had become a shadow over the once solid unity of that family. The future seemed uncertain, and the journey to restore peace and understanding among them proved challenging.

Isabella's greatest aspiration was woven from the threads of independence and the warmth of a large and joyful family. Her heart longed for a life where she could carve her path in the world with resilience and determination. She dreamed of a space where her voice echoed with purpose and her decisions shaped her destiny.

In the future she envisioned, she saw a tapestry of connections, a patchwork quilt of relationships bound not only by blood but by shared values, mutual respect, and unwavering support.

Her dream was to have a home pulsating with the symphony of different personalities, each note harmonizing into a melody of belonging and acceptance. She envisioned gatherings filled with stories, where the warmth of shared meals and the comfort of experiences forged unbreakable bonds.

Isabella's dream was a sanctuary, a refuge where individuals would grow not only in years but in spirit, where joys multiplied, and sorrows were divided. It was a portrait painted with tones of unity and freedom, a masterpiece where independence and a loving, expansive family coexisted in perfect harmony, satisfying the deepest desire of her heart.

Therefore, as she returned to her reality, Isabella immersed herself in a deep well of hurt and pain. Anguish corroded her soul, bringing an acute desire to obliterate her own life. Observing her surroundings, Isa hurriedly took to the streets, where she felt free and at peace with life. Meeting people with similar setbacks, where everyone united for a single purpose: to escape their dysfunctional families.

In the streets, besides finding the comfort and embrace Isabella sought, she discovered things that made her feel adult and independent. However, not all such things are good, yet Isa felt that the streets were her place, where she would find a way out of all her problems. There, she learned things that were not taught in school, much less at home. Isa felt stimulated, and every day, without fail, she would return from school and head to her haven—the streets.

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