Madam Beja (Dona Beja)

"It has been proven before this court...

that a man was hired

to collect a debt

on behalf of Ana Jacinta de São José,

better known as Madam Beja.

As for the accusation that this lady had

Mr. Antônio Sampaio killed...

This has not been proven.

Therefore, this court acquits the defendant."

This is absurd!

-This is absurd! -Silence!

-The court is adjourned. -I can't believe this.

Mom, I was so afraid.

So afraid that you'd be stuck there forever.

You don't seem to know your mother well.

It takes a lot more than a bunch of colonels

to put a woman like me in jail.

My dear.

Hey, Costa Pinto! Beja's freedom will cost you dearly.

-Very dearly! -Col. Felizardo.

-You could be arrested for a threat. -This is absurd!

This verdict is absurd!

She is guilty!

-This is absurd! -Let me go!

-Costa Pinto! -You promised me, João.

MADAM BEJA

My son.

My dear son.

Forgive me.

Forgive me.

I'm not a worthy mother.

The devil

acting through the harlot prevented justice from being done.

And I couldn't clear your reputation.

Please, forgive me.

You used your intelligence, as always,

to forge an unbreakable defense and get away.

And you succeeded.

But I didn't believe a word you said in court.

What do you want me to say?

That I'm guilty of Antonio's death?

That I should rot behind bars after being raped?

Don't say anything if you don't want to.

But listen to me.

Because there's no one I can tell what I'm feeling.

I've always loved Antônio. Even with all...

the problems and disputes. I loved him.

And that's what tore me up, first.

Him hurting you in the depths of your flesh. In your soul.

At least you recognize that.

If that wasn't enough,

you tore what was left of my chest when you had Antonio killed.

I didn't have Antonio killed.

I had him corrected. And if it happened...

My friend...

My lifelong friend assaulted the woman I had always loved.

And that woman caused his death.

On the one hand, in that courtroom, I wanted to honor my dead friend.

On the other, I couldn't ignore your pain.

And it still tears me apart.

Nothing justifies what you did.

I may never be able to forgive you.

Just as I wouldn't forgive Antônio if you had let him live.

Perhaps that would be the greatest punishment for him.

That he should be forced to live with guilt,

but you wanted to take justice into your own hands.

When a woman resorts to extremes, João.

It's because she knows

that justice will never punish one of you for attacking one of us.

I still love you.

Both of you.

My lifelong companions.

But I didn't just lose Antônio.

I lost you too, Beja. Because of your crime.

Beja, please.

I need time.

Time and distance.

Because I don't just feel pain.

I feel anger.

But I thank you.

I thank you for the great lesson in love you gave me in court.

You filth! That's what you are!

Both of you!

You killed my brother!

Beja has always tried to destroy my family!

Always.

And you, João...

You're just useless. You've always lived in Antônio's shadow.

You both deserve to rot together.

I'm pure!

I'm good!

This world isn't ready for a woman like me.

You're sinners!

You're all going to rot in hell.

You're all going to burn in hellfire.

Starting with you, Beja!

Your spell doesn't hold anyone anymore.

Bitch!

Bitch!

The news isn't good, sister.

What happened? Was it Angélica?

No, it was Maria.

It seems she caused quite a commotion. She went out throwing stones everywhere.

And then she ran off and disappeared.

-What do you mean? -We don't know.

I think she's in danger.

If you allow me, I'll take a few henchmen and go after her.

-Sure. Go. -Excuse me.

Go.

Take it easy. The inspector has already arranged a search.

There are people scouring every corner of Araxá.

And I'm going to join Valdo's men myself.

Bring Maria back home, for God's sake.

I'm not ready to bury another child.

I'm not ready.

Take a look behind that tree over there. Behind that one.

Honorato!

Hi, Joana.

Hi. Have you heard from Vicente?

Not yet. And we don't know where else to look.

If only I knew my son better, maybe I'd know where he's been.

Joana...

Carminha and I...

We're a bit worried that something has happened to him.

So if you have any news, let me know.

Of course. I will.

See you later.

Hey, I looked for you in almost every room.

But I knew you'd be here in the tavern.

-Why are you looking for me? -Are you still angry with me?

Is it because of the baby?

Keep your voice down. Nobody knows I'm here.

You shouldn't have come,

because I'm hiding from you, too.

Why that now, Vicente?

The child that was in your belly was mine too.

You didn't think about me for a second, before you...

did what you did.

Vicente, wait.

Ever wonder whose dreams would shatter if I became a mother now?

Would they be yours?

I'm sorry.

It's just...

I guess I was selfish. I didn't see your side.

You still are.

Go back home.

Your mother's been looking for you non-stop.

You know, I feel like getting to know my mother better.

And my father, too.

But I can't.

They left me behind.

I understand. But let me help you.

It's not good for you to be here.

-Was that the dress she was wearing? -Yes.

And the rosary? Is that hers too?

Yes. All that's left now is for you to show me where...

Where is my daughter?

Maria hasn't been found.

You need to be strong, Mrs. Ceci.

I'm sure her body was swept away by the current.

No! Good God.

No. No!

First Antonio! Then Maria!

Why so much punishment?

Why? No, no!

And her body? We need to bury her.

Unfortunately, the body wasn't found.

You two are to blame!

You didn't stop until you both destroyed my family!

Don't be unfair, Ceci.

Our family has always been involved in tragedies. It's like a curse.

Look what happened to your brother. Fortunato's father.

Take your mother upstairs.

-I don't want to. -Don't complicate things any further.

-Let's go. -No, I don't want to.

My children...

My mother's farm is huge. It has several rooms.

That's great.

Then I can stay without anyone seeing me.

At the tavern, I had to run away from every room.

And it was difficult to find food.

First we find a room

and, in the evening, I'll bring you some good food.

It's here, Candinha. Just as you asked.

The cloak you lent Antônio to go to the ball, served as evidence.

Thank you.

If I don't return them to the convent, the Mother will be a pain in the neck.

-Fine. -Candinha.

Bring me another bottle.

He's drowning his sorrows. Because of Maria.

Excuse me, Januário. Thank you.

Thank you for the coffee, Mrs. Genoveva.

It's just like my mother's.

You don't have to wait any longer.

My husband won't be coming down to say goodbye.

I'll be going, then.

Well, Mrs. Genoveva...

you spoke a little while ago about a curse that struck your family.

-Did I? -Yes.

And you said it was right after what happened to your nephew's father.