I stood there, frozen, still holding the box of chocolates.
“Are you alright, ma’am?” the guard asked awkwardly.
I didn’t answer.
My mind refused to accept what I had just heard.
“Mrs. Monteiro.”
She had used that name so naturally… as if it belonged to her.
As if I didn’t exist.
I took a slow breath.
“Which floor is Jorge’s office on?” I finally asked.
The guard hesitated.
“Eighth floor… but—”
I didn’t wait for the rest.
I walked straight to the elevators.
The ride up felt endless.
The mirror inside reflected my pale face and trembling hands holding the gold-wrapped box.
Forty years.
Forty years of marriage.
Forty years believing I knew the man who shared my life.
When the doors opened, I stepped into a quiet, elegant hallway lined with glass offices.
At the end, I saw his name on a door.
Jorge Monteiro
Chief Financial Officer
My heart pounded.
I lifted my hand to knock—but stopped.
Voices came from inside.
“Is Jorge in his office?” someone asked nearby.
“Yes,” the secretary replied. “But he’s busy. He’s having lunch with Claudia.”
Claudia.
The name cut through me again.
I couldn’t wait any longer.
I opened the door.
Jorge sat behind his desk reviewing documents.
When he looked up and saw me, all color drained from his face.
“Elena…”
The box of chocolates slipped from my hands.
The truffles scattered across the marble floor.
