20.Whispers in the wind

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"Home isn't just a place. It's a feeling—one that can only be found when you've finally stopped running from yourself."

When she first decided to take time off from her modeling career, it felt like the right choice

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When she first decided to take time off from her modeling career, it felt like the right choice. She had made peace with her decision, telling herself that this was a step toward clarity, toward rediscovering the parts of herself she had buried for years. But peace didn't last long in a world like hers.

The whispers started quietly, the kind of rumors that spread in the background like a slow-moving storm. At first, it was just the occasional comment in a tabloid headline: Is Angelys Diaz Struggling With Health Issues?

Then it escalated.

Suddenly, every paparazzi photo seemed to capture her in moments of weakness—when her smile wasn't as bright, when her posture seemed a little slumped, when her face looked softer, less perfect. The speculation snowballed, and soon it wasn't just about her taking a break. It was about her health.

"Is Angelys Diaz hiding something?" one article claimed. "Sources say she hasn't been seen at events due to health concerns."

The media had turned her decision into something it wasn't, distorting her quiet reflection into a dramatic crisis. Angelys tried to brush it off at first. She hadn't expected the world to be quiet while she took a breath, but she hadn't expected it to turn so invasive either. It was unsettling, but she couldn't let their voices drown out her own.

She stood at the window of her Paris apartment, watching the rain splatter against the glass. She had always loved the rain—there was something calming about it, a reminder of nature's power to cleanse. But today, the rain felt like an echo of her own inner turmoil. The rumors gnawed at her, and for the first time in a long time, she felt vulnerable.

Franco had been supportive, understanding that her need for space wasn't about avoiding him, but about reconnecting with the woman beneath the model. But even his kind words couldn't stop the feeling of being trapped in a life that had grown too loud. She needed peace. She needed to find something real, far away from the cameras and the endless speculation.

That was when she made the decision. She couldn't stay in Paris—not with the media's whispers following her everywhere. She needed a new beginning, a place where she could breathe without being constantly under the microscope.

Brazil.

It was time to return, to step away from the artificial world she had built in Paris and reconnect with the roots that had shaped her. She had always promised herself she'd return one day, but she hadn't expected it to be like this—needing to escape, to find solace in the place that had once given her everything.

She opened her laptop and searched for apartments in Rio de Janeiro. As she browsed through listings, her heart skipped at the sight of a modest, yet cozy, apartment near the beach. It wasn't much, but it was all she needed—simple, away from the spotlight, close enough to the ocean to feel the waves in the distance, and far enough from the city center to escape the hustle.

She smiled softly as she clicked on the "Contact" button. This was it—her new beginning. It wasn't just about escaping Paris or the rumors, but about finding a space to heal. To remember the person she was before the world began defining her.

She hit send and began making the arrangements to rent the apartment.

As she sat back, she felt a sense of calm wash over her, as though she had finally taken a step toward something that wasn't just for show. It was for her. For Angelys. And for the first time in months, she felt like she was making the right choice.

———-

Angelys leaned back in her chair, staring at the screen. She had just confirmed the apartment rental, but even as the arrangements fell into place, doubt began to creep in. Could she really escape everything she'd built? Was it really the right time to leave Paris, or was she simply running away from the uncomfortable truths she'd been avoiding?

The thought of Rio de Janeiro, with its vibrant streets, warm ocean breeze, and the ever-present sound of samba drifting through the air, made her heart race with anticipation. It was a city that never stopped moving, yet somehow, it was the one place that had always grounded her, made her feel like she was part of something bigger than the high-fashion world.

But as the media continued to spin their narratives about her health, the sense of peace she'd once had about her modeling career was fading. It wasn't the spotlight she was avoiding—it was the pressure, the expectations, the endless pursuit of perfection that felt suffocating. Paris had been her home for years, but now it felt foreign. Even the apartment, which had once been a sanctuary, now seemed too small for her growing restlessness.

Her phone buzzed again, this time with a message from Franco. It had been a few days since they last spoke, and although she appreciated his support, she had been reluctant to fully open up to him. The distance between them, though small, felt larger somehow, as if she had retreated further into herself.

How are you feeling?

Her fingers hovered over the screen. She could lie, tell him she was fine. It was easier that way. But the truth—about the media, the rumors, the uncertainty of everything—felt heavier each day.

She typed back slowly, the words coming out carefully. It's been hard, Franco. The rumors, the pressure... it's too much. I need to go home, to Brazil. I think I've been running from everything here for too long.

There was a long pause before Franco's response came through. I understand. You need to do what's best for you. Just know that I'm here, no matter what.

Angelys felt a pang of gratitude in her chest, but also an unsettling feeling. It wasn't just about escaping the media; it was about finding something she'd lost—a part of herself she couldn't quite reach in Paris. And while she didn't want to lose Franco in the process, the path she was on felt like a journey she had to make alone.

The next few days passed in a blur of packing and final preparations. Angelys sold a few things from her apartment, knowing they wouldn't fit in her new, smaller space. She made arrangements for her agent to handle her bookings while she was away, though she didn't know how long she would be gone. It felt like a goodbye—one she wasn't ready to say, but knew she had to.

When she finally boarded the plane to Brazil, her heart was full of both excitement and trepidation. She had no idea what awaited her there. What kind of life would she create for herself without the constant spotlight? Could she reclaim the peace she had once known?

The flight felt long, though it was only a few hours from Paris to Rio. As the plane descended, she looked out the window and saw the sprawling city, the beaches, the endless stretch of green hills, and the glistening ocean beyond. It was a sight that had always filled her with warmth.

Stepping off the plane, the humid Brazilian air hit her like a wave, and for the first time in what felt like forever, she took a deep breath and felt... free.

Her phone buzzed again. It was Franco.

I know you're in Rio now. Whatever you need, just call me.

Angelys smiled, a soft, bittersweet smile. She couldn't help but feel the pull of his words, the reassurance that he was still there, even from miles away. She typed a quick reply: Thank you. I'm here now. I'm going to take it one step at a time.

As she walked through the airport, a sense of peace washed over her, and for the first time in months, she felt like she was making a decision for herself. She didn't know what the future held, but she was ready to find out.

Rio would be her new chapter. It wasn't just an escape—it was a reclamation of everything she had lost in the pursuit of fame. And maybe, just maybe, in rediscovering Brazil, she would find herself again.

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