Chapter 5 Taking the anger away!

The kitchen had become a stage of violence and shock. Every punch I landed on Cleber was a strike against injustice, an explosion of anger that had long been repressed. With each blow, I felt the resistance in his face diminish as he futilely tried to defend himself.

My parents and my aunt were paralyzed; the scene before them was as horrifying as it was unexpected. The shock on their faces as I beat him only fueled me to continue. I wanted them to see, I wanted them to know what he had done. They had to understand why I was doing this.

My aunt, Paula, was in a state of shock, her pale face contrasting with her wide eyes, and for a moment, a glimmer of hope crossed her gaze. I was doing this for her; I was fighting for her.

My normally calm and composed father looked completely terrified. He stared at me as if I were a stranger, as if he didn't recognize the son he had raised. But I didn't care. I couldn't care. Not when I knew what I knew.

My mother was crying, tears streaming down her face as she covered her mouth with her hands. She seemed on the verge of fainting, but somehow managed to stay on her feet.

And then, suddenly, everything stopped. I felt exhausted, as if all my anger had been channeled into my fists and now there was nothing left. I stopped hitting Cleber, who was now lying on the floor, unconscious and bleeding.

I looked at my aunt again, seeing hope in her eyes transform into something more, something I couldn't identify. I turned to my parents, who were still in shock, and said, "I'm leaving." And with that, I walked out of the kitchen, leaving behind a deafening silence and a shattered family.

In a deep and authoritative tone, my father shouted, "Eugênio! What do you think you're doing? This is unacceptable!" His words, filled with anger and confusion, echoed throughout the room. He was stunned, unable to comprehend what had just happened.

My mother, on the other hand, was paralyzed with fear. She had never seen me act like this, never seen me so violent. Her wide-open, tear-filled eyes followed my every move. She picked up the phone with a trembling hand but hesitated. The reality of the situation was sinking in: her son, her only son, could be arrested because of this.

Doubt began to consume her, drawing lines of worry on her face. She wanted to protect the family, wanted to reverse the chaos that had engulfed her home. But what would it mean for me? Was she willing to sacrifice me to safeguard the rest of the family?

With her hand still on the phone, she looked at me, her eyes filled with pain and fear. She didn't want this to happen. She didn't want her son to be arrested for this. But she also knew she couldn't ignore what had just happened.

In the end, she put the phone aside, her trembling hands clenched tightly by her side. She wouldn't make the call. Not now. Maybe never. Her gaze met mine, a silent plea for understanding and forgiveness in her eyes. But I was already gone, leaving behind a fragmented family and an uncertain future.

I could see Cleber's blood on my hands, the remnants of a violent and devastating conflict. I knew what I had done was impulsive, but damn it! I wanted to hit him again! And Rafael... Rafael deserved to feel my anger too.

I entered my room, the rage still pulsating within me, a volcano ready to erupt again. I was struggling to process everything that had happened today - so many revelations, so many hidden truths now coming to light.

While I was there, I heard my father in the kitchen asking my mother what she was doing. He took her phone and called an ambulance, acting with the calm and efficiency of someone who knew exactly what they were doing.

My mother, on the other hand, was a wreck. She spoke frantically, her words coming out in a rushed and nonsensical stream. She said that I, her son, could be arrested. And she didn't want that. Not at all.

I could hear the fear in her voice, the terror that consumed her. She was grappling with a reality she didn't want to accept, desperate to protect the family she loved. But in the end, what would it mean for me? Would I be the sacrifice she was willing to make to keep the rest of the family safe?

As I wrestled with these thoughts, I looked at my hands again, the marks of the conflict still visible. I had done what I felt needed to be done, but now I was starting to understand the cost of my actions. I had fought for justice, but at what price?

I heard the muffled sound of knocking on my door. "Who is it?" I asked, my voice echoing in the quiet of the room. I was determined not to face my father and mother at that moment.

"It's me." My aunt Paula's familiar voice filled the silence, a note of concern evident in her tone. Surprise hit me, but I decided to open the door for her. When I saw her, her face was marked by the trails of tears that had run down her cheeks.

"Are you okay? Why... why did you do that?" Paula asked, her words filled with confusion and fear. Her hands reached for mine, silently inspecting for possible injuries.

"Anger," was all I could manage to say. "I'm just... angry." I pulled my hands away from hers, walking toward the door to close it. I didn't want, in any way, the possibility of my parents entering.

"Anger?" Paula echoed, her expression becoming increasingly perplexed. "Just anger? You... you shouldn't have done that!" The concern in her eyes turned into fear, a deep fear that seemed to engulf her.

"I already did. If you came here just to say that, please, you can leave. I'm not in the mood to talk." I said, my voice cold. I began to move toward the door, but before I could reach it, I felt a tight hug from behind. Paula wrapped her arms around me so tightly, as if she were afraid I might disappear at any moment. Her concern was palpable, an insurmountable wall of emotion she refused to let go.

"You need to be careful, Eugênio," Paula said, her voice choked with emotion. "You don't understand the danger you're in. Cleber... he won't stay quiet after this."

I remained silent, just listening. I could still feel the warmth of her hug on my skin, the strength of the concern she showed. She turned me to face her, and I noticed her face getting closer to mine.

For a moment, the world seemed to stop. I could see the intention in her eyes, the thoughts passing through her mind. She was trying to comfort me, trying to show me some form of affection in the face of the horrible situation we had just faced.

But I pulled away. She was married, and I wouldn't betray her husband, even if he was a violent man. I wouldn't be like my parents, who were cheating on each other. Besides, while I found my aunt attractive, that was all it was.

"Aunt," I said, stepping back from her and maintaining a

  respectful distance. "I can't, and you know that. You're married, and I... I'm not like that. I'm sorry for what you're going through, but this... this isn't right."

Her expression changed, turning into a mix of surprise and sadness. She lowered her head, looking ashamed, and I felt a pang of guilt. I didn't want to hurt her, but I had to be honest.

"I just... I just wanted you to know that you're not alone," she murmured, her words barely audible. "I know how hard all of this is for you, and I just wanted to show you that I'm here for you."

I nodded, silently thanking her for her words. I knew she was trying to be helpful, trying to support me. But things were too complicated now, and I needed some time to process everything.

"I know, aunt," I said, my voice soft. "And I appreciate that. But right now, I think it's best if I'm alone for a while."

Paula nodded, tears shining in her eyes. She turned to leave the room, but before passing through the door, she looked back. "If you need anything, Eugênio," she said, "I'm here. No matter what happens."

I wanted to say something, but I stayed silent and sat on the bed. It didn't take long for my door to receive a knock. "Open the door," a voice said. I knew it wasn't my mother or my father. "Alright," I replied and opened the door. A police officer entered. "Put your hands on your head, please."

I stood frozen for a moment, the officer's words jolting me out of my chaotic thoughts. Slowly, I raised my hands and placed them on my head, feeling a shiver of fear run down my spine.

"You're under arrest for assault... and possible attempted murder," the officer continued, his voice cold and emotionless. He handcuffed me, his movements quick and precise. "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford one, one will be provided for you."

I didn't resist. I knew this was coming, but the reality of the situation was starting to hit me. I was being arrested. I was being taken from my home, away from my family. And all because of an impulsive decision, a decision I had made in a moment of anger.

The officer led me out of my house, and I saw my mother in the distance. She was crying, her hands covering her face as she rocked back and forth. My father was beside her, his arm around her in a gesture of comfort. He was looking at me, his eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and resignation.

I was taken to the police car, the officer pushing me inside and closing the door behind me. I looked out the window, watching my house recede as the car pulled away. I could see my aunt Paula at the door, her eyes filled with tears as she looked at me.

I leaned back in the seat, closing my eyes as the officer's words echoed in my head. I was being arrested for assault and possible attempted murder. I was being taken away from everything I knew.