Now, I am divorced.

Lesson

Ana's POV

"Oh, so you didn't get married? Should I congratulate you or offer my condolences?"

"I have no reason to lie; what would I gain? So I have no idea where you got the idea that I got married."

"Look, that doesn't matter anymore. Whether you had a wedding or not is none of my business, Belial," I replied, uninterested. "Everyone is responsible for their actions and destiny. You took one path, and I took another. Things don't change just because you have a signed piece of paper, and I believe you understand that, right?"

With a coldness that I knew too well, he didn't even blink this time; he remained upright as if frozen.

"Of course, I understand; a signature never makes a difference, especially when it's said by someone who plays the victim but turns out to be worse than the accused."

I frowned, holding his gaze with growing anger. How dare he?

"What are you insinuating?"

"Isn't it obvious?" He leaned on the desk and brought his face closer to mine. "How long were you an affair with the dead man before the divorce? Because, strangely, you got married as soon as the papers reached my lawyer."

"That's none of your business, and I don't have to explain myself."

Straightening up again, he smiled arrogantly.

"Alright, you do not need to speak; I have my answer."

"Ah, I see. The thief thinks everyone is like him. Very funny," I said, letting out a couple of laughs. "Alright, I suppose people believe what they want to believe; that's fine. And now that you've finished your defense, could you let me work in peace?" I was as polite as possible; I don't even recognize the patience I have. I would have thrown a chair at him by now, but I've learned to take things calmly and not lose my reason at the slightest provocation.

"Are you trying to kick me out?"

"Well, that's what I'm trying to do, but you're stuck to my floor like a fly to a cake. Look, I'm only here to do my job. If you have a problem, talk to your grandfather. He's the one who asked me to accept since a certain president has brought a highly reputable brand to the brink of bankruptcy."

Belial's face hardened, and his eyes seemed like they wanted to pop out.

"Don't talk about something you don't know," he said with a deep and serious voice. "You... I'll talk to my grandfather; it's impossible that you've come to mock me and show your hatred and resentment for what happened in the past. What will others think?"

Letting out a long breath, I relaxed. He was like an angry teenager.

"Hating you is not part of my job or pastime, and if there's one thing I've understood, it doesn't matter what others think of me. In the end, I have learned to be happy with what I have achieved, and I wouldn't have achieved that if I had stayed by your side. So you can rest assured, your presence doesn't stir anything in me."

The point of that conversation was made, and for this time, he seemed to understand it. Without saying a word, he turned around and left my office.

"Oh Lord..." I exhaled. "Some people can be so intolerant." I realized that the door wasn't closed, so I went to do it, but as I was about to, I overheard the conversation of those employees who had welcomed me.

"It's her, right?" one of them said excitedly, gossiping.

"I think so. Have you seen how the boss left?" added the other.

"Exuding testosterone..." affirmed the tallest one, biting her lips.

"For the taking and carrying, that perfectly styled raven hair, his light blue eyes, straight nose, pink lips, perfect teeth, that budding beard that I want to touch, the square chin, his strong shoulders, that whole body carved in hard and resistant wood... Oh... I can only think of what's hiding beneath that suit, and my legs shake."

"Hey, calm down. You're getting worked up, and it's barely morning. Save your naughty thoughts for your nighttime dreams; his ex-wife can hear us."

"I envy having had the chance to taste such an exquisite man. If I had married him, I would never let him go, even in death."

Clearing my throat slightly, I made my presence known, to which they quickly turned around.

"Ma'am..."

"Since you're all together, I need you to go to finance and bring me the budget used in the last fashion show. I must know how much I can allocate to realize a future project."

"Uh... Yes, of course, right away," they immediately nodded, clumsily moving from one side to another.

Returning to my seat, I couldn't help but smile at the antics of those three employees.

Physical beauty couldn't be denied, but it was temporary. Just like a dress, it could look beautiful on the outside, but it would only last if it was made with good materials. For something to work and be lasting, it had to be worked on; only that way could it be ensured that the product was good. Well... I picked up my phone and proceeded to call someone I needed. Zia?

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Belial POV

With confident steps, without stopping, I enter my office and let my body fall onto the chair.

"s**t," I growl, clenching my fists on the desk. "Why?"

"Belial, I have the sales graph for this week. They keep falling and...Is something wrong?"

"Leave, Carter," I say, ignoring his question.

"It seems someone is angry. Is it because of a certain woman with a mysterious gaze?"

Lifting my face, I turn on the computer in front of me.

"Do you think it's not enough that she called me an i***t during her presentation? Does no one respect me anymore?"

Laughing like an i***t, he sat down without my permission.

"Well, you know how honest I am. I won't lie just to please."

"Well, your honesty is going to cost you your job. Focus on doing your job as an employee, and don't meddle."

"So you are angry, after all."

"Is it not obvious? She entered right in front of my eyes, and I couldn't do anything. Right now, she must be mocking my incompetence."

"If you consider yourself incompetent, it doesn't help. "

"If you make another comment like that, I won't be responsible."

"Alright, I'll try to be impartial, but look at the bright side. Ana is a woman who is very prestigious for her creations. Bercelli will rise from the ashes with her help. We're lucky she accepted. No one would take such a risk after the mess you made."

"Good thing you're impartial."

"Well, what do you want me to do? I'm not going to lie. Give credit where credit is due; she's a successful woman."

"Woman, woman...You can't stop praising her, could you?"

"She's pretty, I admit, but I don't see her that way. Besides, don't forget I'm married."

"Married to the Devil," it was my turn to strike, to which he just nodded.

"I wish I could deny it, but my marriage is hell with Ratja's sister. I only put up with her for the sake of our son."

"A son who's not yours," I added.

"Not by blood, but I raised him. I've known the little one since he was in his mother's womb."

"But that doesn't change the fact that he's not yours. She's only using the love you have for her son to avoid giving you a divorce, don't you realize that? And I'm supposed to be the i***t?"

"Mine is different, Belial. I love that boy as if he were my own. In contrast, you haven't been able to break free from Ratja. There are no children between you, but you can't break a promise of marriage for five years."

"She lost a child; understand that it's not easy. It was also a hard blow for me. An innocent being paid for my actions, I couldn't leave her alone."

"Then do you love her? Will you fulfill your promise to marry her?"

My silence lingered.

"I see. Tell me, what would have happened if Ana had been pregnant? Would you have let her go so easily? You told me that your view of her was changing and that your grandfather gifted them that cabin to enjoy together, where I don't think they only went to count stars."

"That's enough. Don't talk to me about the past."

"Alright, I won't bother you anymore. Continue with your torment."

Carter left, but the mention of the cabin brought back memories. Thoughts that were as fresh as a newly painted picture.

Closing my eyes, I was transported back to that moment.

Ana clinging to my shoulders, asking me to touch her like I hadn't in months, pressing her breasts against my chest, seeking my lips with hers. All of that with flushed cheeks from having a few glasses of wine.

"Make love to me, Belial; please hold me in your arms and caress me; make me the baby you desire. Love me, I beg you."

And so it happened: I wasn't made of stone; her suggestive movements led me to take her right then and there. Her cries of pleasure filled the cabin, noises that only ceased when we kissed or when I kissed her body, driving her to the brink of madness and ecstasy, always culminating in the same result: an explosion released into her womb. An act that was repeated in the following days we spent in that cabin. We were like two animals in heat.

My phone ringing made me open my eyes, forcing me to answer.

"My dear," she said with an exaggerated attitude.

"Tell me, Ratja," I responded, looking at my computer screen.

"I'm with your grandmother, and guess what?"

"What?" I answered without emotion.

"She will donate a large sum of money to the company. She says it will help you recover some of what you invested in the last fashion show. Isn't that great?"

"Ratja..."

"My love...I do so much to make you happy. When will we get married? Your grandmother is eager; don't you think we should give her that gift?"

"Listen, I can't answer you right now; I'm swamped, okay? And it would help if you were working too; your vacation time is over. We're all working through a crisis here."

"But I am also working; I managed to get your grandmother..."

"I'm talking about the work done here in the office. I have enough problems to deal with without you not attending to your position."

"Belial, are you in a bad mood? Wasn't today the day the designer would present herself, the one your grandfather mentioned? Or did they stand you up? If so, I can ask my sister to..."

"No, you've already done enough with that last occurrence in this. From now on, I will only follow my ideas."

I hung up after making my statement, and it was correct when the person responsible for my bad mood that morning entered.

"Belial..."

"Excellent move, grandfather; you brought my living nightmare; what are you trying to achieve?"

"That you use your brain and learn something about earning things through your merit."