**Chapter 4: The Tournament Begins**

The Melbourne sun beat down on the Australian Open's bustling corridors as Jack and Luiza made their way to the locker room. The air was electric with the hum of excitement, the smell of freshly polished courts and the murmur of players' conversations. Luiza's high heels clicked on the floor, drawing more than a few admiring glances from the passing crowd. She was a vision in her sleek black dress, her Brazilian beauty radiating confidence despite the turmoil brewing inside. As they walked, Jack's arm casually slung over her shoulder, Luiza felt like a prop in his life, a mere accessory to his high-profile tennis career. The weight of his arm, once a comforting presence, now felt suffocating. She forced a smile, pretending that everything was fine, but her eyes betrayed her, flashing a hint of the pain and anger that simmered beneath the surface. The locker room was a flurry of activity, players and coaches scurrying about, fine-tuning their gear and mentally preparing for the day's matches. Jack's coach, Marco, and his brother, Alex, exchanged a knowing glance with Luiza, their expressions sympathetic but discreet. They were the only ones who knew the truth, the only ones who knew that Jack's affair had left Luiza's world shattered. As they made their way to their designated area, Jack's phone buzzed with a message. He glanced at the screen, his eyes flicking to Luiza before quickly looking away. She wondered who it was, her mind racing with worst-case scenarios. Was it her? The other woman? Luiza's heart twisted with a pang of jealousy, her mind replaying the images of Jack with another woman. "Hey, beautiful, you okay?" Jack asked, his voice low and concerned. Luiza nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just need to get my head in the game." The familiar rhythm of the locker room, the smell of sweat and tennis balls, was usually exhilarating, but today it felt oppressive. Luiza felt trapped, stuck in this nightmare of her own making. She thought about the conversation she had with her brother, Rafael, before they arrived in Melbourne. He had warned her about Jack's wandering eye, about the temptations that came with being a professional tennis player. But she had brushed it off, thinking that their love was strong enough to withstand anything. As they prepared for their respective matches, Luiza's thoughts drifted to her friend Ana, a fellow model who had been a constant source of support over the years. Ana had been one of the first people Luiza had confided in after discovering Jack's affair. Their conversation had been a lifeline, a reminder that Luiza wasn't alone in this. Ana's words echoed in her mind: "You deserve so much better than a cheating husband, Luiza. Take care of yourself, prioritize your own happiness." Luiza felt a surge of determination, a resolve to get through this tournament without losing her mind. As Jack zipped up his bag and gave her a reassuring smile, Luiza felt a flutter in her chest. She had to keep up the act, for Lucas's sake, for Jack's sake, but most of all, for her own sake. The Australian Open was about to begin, and Luiza was trapped in a world of her own making. She had to survive the next few days without losing her mind. The sound of the crowd, the roar of the stadium, beckoned, and Jack took a deep breath, his eyes locking onto Luiza's. For a moment, they just stared at each other, the tension between them palpable. "You ready for this?" Jack asked, his voice low and husky. Luiza nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. "Yeah, I'm ready." As they parted ways, Luiza couldn't shake off the feeling that she was walking into a trap, one that would change the course of her life forever. The tournament had begun, and with it, the battle for trust, redemption, and the chance to rebuild a fractured family. Later that day, Jack met up with his friends Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz for a casual lunch. The conversation was light and easy, with jokes and laughter flowing freely. But beneath the surface, Jack's mind was elsewhere, his thoughts consumed by Luiza and the mess he had created. "I'm in a tough spot, guys," Jack said, his voice low and serious. "I messed up big time." Jannik and Carlos exchanged a knowing glance, their expressions sympathetic. "What happened?" Jannik asked, his voice gentle. Jack took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the room before locking onto his friends. "I had an affair. And now my wife is... she's not happy with me." The conversation that followed was a raw and honest one, with Jack's friends offering words of advice and encouragement. But as they parted ways, Jack couldn't shake off the feeling that he had a long and difficult road ahead of him. Meanwhile, Luiza spent the afternoon with her friends, including a fellow model who urged her to prioritize her own needs. "You deserve better than a cheating husband," her friend said, her voice firm. "Take care of yourself, Luiza. You're strong and beautiful. You can get through this." Luiza felt a surge of gratitude towards her friend, a sense of solidarity that she wasn't alone in this. As they parted ways, Luiza felt a glimmer of hope, a sense that she might just make it through this tournament after all. But as she walked back to her hotel room, Luiza couldn't shake off the feeling that she was walking on eggshells, that one misstep could shatter the fragile peace she had managed to maintain. The Australian Open had begun, and with it, the battle for trust, redemption, and the chance to rebuild a fractured family.