She only got promoted because of her husband...

She only got promoted because of her husband...
Diana

Going back to work after everything that had happened felt almost unreal. I woke up that day feeling somewhat human again, my belly still small—just a tiny bump that only I could see. Ethan was being totally protective, telling me not to walk fast, not to take the stairs, not to carry anything heavy. Basically, he wanted me to be a walking bubble. But I just kissed him and left before he could come up with any more rules.

I arrived at the office trying to look professional, important, composed... all the things I’d never managed to be for more than half an hour at a time. The building was the same as ever: people rushing around, people freaking out, a jammed printer, and that smell of burnt coffee that came with the territory. I’d actually missed it.

I stepped into the elevator with that "I’m getting back to normal life" feeling. And I really believed it... until my life turned into a Mexican soap opera all over again.

As soon as I reached my floor, I heard some giggling near the break room. That wasn't anything new, right? There was always chatter. But today, the vibe was weird. Like when you walk into a room and everyone pretends they weren't just talking about you. Except I didn't notice it right away because, honestly, my focus was on the pão de queijo in the break room. The smell was incredible.

That’s when I heard it:

"She only got that promotion because of her husband."

I almost turned around to see who "she" was. But it never crossed my mind that it might be me. I even chuckled to myself. Gossipers, I thought. Offices are gossip factories, and today, they seemed to be on a roll.

I moved closer to the coffee machine, pretending not to pay attention—because that’s just how I am: curious, but with style. I grabbed my mug, started pouring some coffee, and kept listening.

"He bought half the company. Why do you think that is?" the first secretary said, sounding absolutely certain. “I think it’s ridiculous,” the other one replied. “The woman was barely even here. She disappears, then comes back with a new position... just because she’s his wife.”

I almost burst out laughing.

Wife? New position?

They were clearly talking about someone important.

I even joked, my mouth moving faster than my brain:

“Wow, you guys... you’re such gossips. You don’t even know if that’s true.” I said this with a laugh, taking a sip of coffee as if I were just another curious colleague.

Both of them looked at me like, “Say what?”

And one of them asked:

“Wait, Diana... what’s her husband’s name again?”

The other didn’t hesitate:

“Ethan Alencar. The owner of that other huge company.”

I nearly dropped my coffee.

I froze. Literally. I think I even stopped breathing for a few seconds.

My brain just blue-screened.

Ethan.

Alencar.

Owner of the other huge company.

A chill ran straight down my spine.

I just blinked, looking like a confused idiot, trying to put two and two together.

The first thing that crossed my mind was:

“No. It’s not possible. Ethan would have told me.”

The second was:

“Of COURSE he’d do something crazy like that.”

The third was:

“I’m going to kill that man.”

I forced a stupid smile.

“Oh... right... so...” I said, wanting to vanish right then and there. “Good to know.”

They both looked at me like I was a bit dim. Maybe I was, at that moment. One of them added:

“You work with her, right?”

“Yeah... sort of...” I replied, already backing away like someone fleeing a mugging.

I got out of there before they could drop any more bombshells.

My heart was pounding so fast it felt like I’d just done CrossFit. What was this about him being the new owner? Why hadn’t he told me? And another thing: what do you mean I only got the promotion because of him?

I walked into my office. Closed the door. Took a deep breath.

And I stood there, frozen like a statue, staring into space.

It took a good few minutes for it to sink in. But when it did... it hurt.

I’d worked like crazy to get that position. I’d sweated. Stayed late. Written a thousand reports. And now... now everyone thought I was just the company owner’s privileged woman.

A mix of sadness and anger rose in my chest.

It wasn’t just about the job. It was about trust. About transparency. About him thinking he could sort out my life for me without telling me.

And of course... there were the hormones.

Pregnancy had turned my state of mind into jelly; the slightest thing made me want to cry.

I sat in my chair, placed my hand on my belly, and took a deep breath.

"It’s okay, my love," I murmured to the baby. "Mommy isn’t going to get stressed. Mommy just wants answers. That’s all."

But what I really wanted to do was rip Ethan’s hair out.

The day dragged on. I worked, but nothing was sinking in. People called out to me, and I answered on autopilot. I wasn't really there; my soul had drifted off somewhere else. My whole mind was occupied with just one thing:

Why did he do that without telling me?

When the time came, I left the office, walking briskly like someone heading off to settle a serious score.

I got in the car and drove, that mix of anxiety and anger burning inside me. The more I thought about it, the more irritated I became.

He had bought the company.
Bought.

And he simply pretended nothing major had happened.

I pulled into the garage so hard the car lurched. I stomped up the stairs, mentally rehearsing my speech.

“Ethan, why didn’t you tell me?”

“Do you have any idea what people are saying?”

“Do you think I need a bought position? Is that it?”

When I opened the front door, I smelled the food the cook had prepared. But even that didn’t calm me down.

I tossed my bag onto the sofa, kicked off my shoes, took a deep breath... and went straight to find him.

I was ready.

Ready to ask.

Ready to listen.

Ready to fight if I had to.

But, above all, ready to look him in the eye and say:

“Babe, I love you. But you messed up.”