The joy of finally being pregnant was overshadowed by the unconventional origin of the conception. She knew she carried the child of a slave, but she did not know which one. The situation created a strange and disturbing connection with the six men who continued to participate in the agreement. The slaves involved in the agreement reacted in different ways to the news. João Crisóstomo, the most experienced, immediately understood the implications.
One of them had conceived the heir to one of the most important families in the region but could never claim paternity or a relationship with the child. Miguel dos Santos became visibly nervous. The possibility of being the biological father of the baby disturbed him deeply. As a young, single man, the idea of having a child he could never recognize or know properly caused him genuine anguish.
Pedro Gonçalves, due to the conversations he maintained with Dona Esperança, developed a sense of protection toward her and the baby. During the Thursday encounters, he began to ask about her well-being, about the morning sickness, and about the care she was taking. Colonel Augusto made a crucial decision. The encounters would continue throughout the pregnancy. His justification was medical.
He believed that the continuity of intimate relations would help strengthen the pregnancy. In reality, he wanted to maintain control over the situation and prevent anyone from developing certainty about the paternity. Francisco de Assis began to prepare specific teas for the nausea and discomforts of pregnancy.
His knowledge of medicinal plants became even more valuable, and he began to advise Dona Esperança on nutrition and natural care. Luís Carlos, who maintained two weekly encounters, observed the physical changes of the pregnancy with genuine interest. His artistic sensitivity made him notice details that others did not.
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