Now, I am divorced.

Opportunist

Ana's POV

"She just fell asleep," I said after putting my little girl to bed. She falls asleep very quickly. She asks me to tell her a story, and her eyes close within a few minutes.

Will was waiting for me in the office, holding my documents.

"Poor thing, she's exhausted from playing with Ben. The dog is huge compared to her," he commented.

"And she adores him," I affirmed, returning to my desk. "You know what? She asked me to tell her more about Rogelio."

"Again? She asked me too."

I looked at the framed picture on my desk and held it in my hands, looking at the memory of my late husband.

"Vera loves him as if he were her father, proudly carrying his last name as he wanted. Even though she knows they don't share the same blood."

"That's true, but she's a very smart girl. She knows he's not her biological father, but she still refers to him as her daddy. Mr. Rogelio would be very happy."

The beautiful moments with him would never leave me.

After putting the picture back in its place, I opened the first document while Will gave me a report.

"Three things happened while you were with Vera," he said.

"Go ahead, tell me," I replied, not taking my eyes off the sales report from my recent collaboration with a renowned brand.

"Well, first, Zia called; she says the sapphires are ready; second, the patriarch of the Bercelli family called again and said he wants to meet with you tonight to negotiate the agreements; and last but not least, Josh."

"Josh? I thought he was in Germany for their annual meeting."

"Yes, he's still over there; he just wanted to say hello and ask about the little one. You know they're like friends."

"I suppose," I sighed, finishing my look at the documents. "He's a bit crazy, but he has a great charisma. I imagine Mr. Bercelli wants to discuss the contract points. I honestly hope to work without the need for unpleasant encounters."

"You ask for the impossible, Ana."

"Nothing is impossible. You used to say that being a model would never happen, and you did great at the last collection's gala."

"Okay, that was because of an emergency, but look what I won."

"It's admiration."

"I don't deny it, but I feel like I've deceived those women. Life is unpredictable; my inbox is full of messages of love from my fans, and here I am, sighing over an i***t. I definitely won't go back to modeling, and I'll send that jerk who doesn't value me to hell."

"Well, I won't insist, but never say never. I thought I would never get married again."

"Ana, yours was a special case; if Mr. asked me for that, I would gladly accept."

I smiled half at Charle's antics as I took out my phone.

"With you, boredom doesn't exist. Now, I would like to ask you a favor. Vera will wake up from her nap in an hour. I need to get in touch with Mr. Bercelli. Could you...?"

"Of course, even though Ben will take my place, don't worry."

"You're a gem, Will."

"I know, my queen. I shine with my light, but not more than you."

"So witty."

...

After I contacted the patriarch of the Bercelli family, he invited me to visit him at his house. He was an older person, and exertion at his age was not recommended.

One of his employees greeted me, who opened her eyes in surprise but invited me in.

"Th-the sir will receive you in the living room."

"Thank you."

Only three minutes later, they passed by when he appeared behind me.

"Dear Ana!" he surprised me, and I immediately stood up from the couch.

"Mr. Bercelli," I smiled at him with that friendly attitude.

He hugged me as if I were a part of his family, which I wasn't.

"Let me see you," he asked, moving away to get a detailed look at me. "You look beautiful. You remind me of your grandmother."

"I didn't get to know her, but if you say so, I trust your words. By the way, I haven't seen your wife."

Suddenly, his expression changed to one of discomfort.

"Well, my dear... I think you knew somewhat of Merida's attitude. We never really got along, and despite the many years, there was never pure love. I simply don't want to spend my days beside a woman like her. I know it may sound cruel, but she's the mother of my son, but I can't continue deceiving myself."

I understood the old man perfectly. Mrs. Merida had always been a proud woman who even enjoyed humiliating others.

"I'd rather spend my days in solitude rather than in a bitter marriage, but let's not talk about me anymore," he invited me to sit back down. "I know you've been doing very well professionally, but I don't know anything about the rest."

"I'm fine; my life has never been more perfect than before."

"The last I heard about you was that you got married and shortly after became widowed. Did you..."

"No, I'm not looking for a husband; I think I'm capable enough to live without one."

"That's a good point, although I admit I never agreed with the separation you and my grandson had."

"Those are past issues, sir. I'm only here for business."

"Even in character, you're like your grandmother; I understand; I won't drown you with my questions. So, I'll get straight to the point. I offer you half of my shares in the company."

"What!?"

Upon the offer, I almost choked on my saliva.

"Half?"

"Well, with the looming bankruptcy, the shares have been falling, and I prefer to give them to someone who will use them well. I hate to be the one to say it, but Belial has brought down everything I built. Since your divorce, he has been making bad decisions, and this latest one has cost us a lot of money; that's why I contacted you. You are the only one who can help us."

"But half of your shares? What will the others say?"

"No one can say anything to you. It's my decision."

I thought calmly, and I knew it was a good offer.

"Okay, I'll take them, but I want significant changes to be made in the company."

"Of course, all your decisions will be my orders. You will be officially introduced tomorrow."

...

Aware that I might have to encounter Belial and his damn wife, I presented myself without fear; I was not the one who had to lower my head. This was simply a job.

I arrived a few minutes later than expected because I had to take my daughter to school. However, I arrived, and the secretary led me to the conference room, where the doors opened to the unimaginable.

Immediately, everyone paid attention to me. Some smiled, others were completely serious, and one in particular didn't even look at me. As I stood in front of them, that guy lifted his gaze, meeting mine for a moment. In the same way, I addressed the others without stopping to pay attention to him. I was here to do my job, and so I would.

After I gave my presentation, one of the ladies said, "We have heard of your work. We would love to have someone as important as you in Bercelli."

"It's a pleasure to hear that."

"Welcome, Miss Ana."

I shook hands with those who approached, including the secretary, until finally the room was almost empty, and I say almost because someone remained sitting with their back to me.

Of course, it was to be expected, but I was not going to play along, so I left. I plan to go to my new office.

On the way, I noticed how gloomy the place was—like a ghostly place. There weren't many staff members. Had they been laid off? Were things that bad?

I took the elevator to my floor, and when the doors opened, only a few people greeted me.

"Good day. Are you on a break?" I asked before concluding.

"No, miss, many recently lost their jobs; we are among those who remained."

"Oh, well... Okay, then, carry on with your work. I'll call you later, and then I'll go check my office."

As soon as I entered, I took a deep breath.

"Did I make a good decision? This place is..."

The noise my door made when it hit the wall startled me.

Belial was right in front of my eyes, holding the door with one hand and making a fist with the other.

"What do you think you're doing? How dare you enter without knocking?"

"I do as I please because I'm the president of Bercelli! And because I feel like it!"

I frowned and hit the desk with my palm; I looked at him defiantly.

"I see you're still the same rude and arrogant person. You're like a poorly planted seed. It doesn't grow. What do you want?"

"You're not going to insult me here, Ana. You may have my grandfather's favor, but I'm also your boss."

"Right, but tell me, what merit did you have to earn it? Have you applied like other employees do?"

"Don't talk to me about merits; you are the least qualified. You have your dead husband's money; you don't even need to work."

I couldn't help it, so I laughed, disregarding his angry red face.

"Alright, I have money, but does that mean I will sit back and count it? I'm not someone who settles for things."

His expression seemed to suggest that I had hit the nail on the head, and that's when he closed the door behind him and came closer to inspect me.

"It's clear that you're not one to settle. You're just a woman who took the opportunity to marry a dying man to get his millions."

There was no way I would stay silent; he threw the stone, but I would hit back with a rock.

"You call me an opportunist, but what about you? Because all I see is a spoiled rich kid whose only merit was being born under the most important name in this country," he fell silent. "Maybe I was lucky, but I didn't stagnate, sir. I worked to earn it; I didn't let things come to me. Now, if you'll excuse me, leave; I have work to do." Belial took a step back and shook his head.

"I don't recognize you."

"Excellent, the feeling is mutual," I forced a smile. "So that's settled, right?"

"You used to be kinder, your only virtue."

"No, that wasn't kindness; it was complacency and fear, which led me to develop other virtues, one of which is the reason I'm in this place."

"I can imagine you're quick to change, just like you didn't wait even a single day to marry someone else. You pretended to be disappointed and hurt when I'm sure you already had a lover before the divorce."

"I don't have to answer that to you. It's my personal life."

"Well, let me remind you that your personal life was once mine; you were my wife, and even if it burns you, that memory will weigh on you forever."

I clenched my jaw but kept my composure. He was just trying to provoke me.

"Fine, but that life stopped being yours because it later belonged to someone else. And you have some nerve to talk to me about it when you also got married."

At that, he blinked in confusion.

"What?"

"Please, don't act surprised. It was in the news."

"You must be hallucinating."

"Now I'm the crazy one."

"Well, that's what I think. I haven't married anyone after you."