The Ex-Husband I've Never Met Says He Loves Me

Episode 5

Starting the next day, I began work at the company. Where I always put in my maximum effort and fulfilled the tasks assigned to me.

As always, people have to show up to disrupt our peace.

As the days passed, I began to integrate more, getting to know everything and everyone in the company.

Those who approached, wanting to know...

How could an unknown person with no experience reach such an important position as CFO?

They would say, "She must have slept with the president," while others argued, "No, but how could she get into bed with that old man?"

Others speculated that despite his age, he still had a certain charm and was a widower.

"Surely she's his protegee, or even the future Mrs. Bastos, to get such perks."

But what some didn't realize or had no idea about was that I was already Mrs. Bastos Filho.

And what mattered to me was not the name but my work, which is why I used my maiden name.

It was my work, and I wanted to show that it was the most important thing to me.

That's why I remained firm, always demonstrating that I wasn't just a woman of almost twenty-four but a professional.

Someone who had studied and was there, yes, with someone's help, but I would show through my work that I deserved that help.

I owed nothing to anyone; I simply sought to use everything I had learned in theory and now put it into practice.

However, through the malicious comments, I also discovered many people who didn't see me with those judgmental eyes but for who I was.

And for having that strength, especially from my secretary, who ended up being a great friend, both at the company and outside of it.

Her name was Ana Luisa, a good soul. She had a huge heart, and everything I needed, she was always there.

Even to listen to my woes.

At the mansion, everything continued as usual. Despite being there for almost a year, I didn't know my husband.

I always heard that he never wanted the marriage, only did what his father wanted, but he promised that he wouldn't return to the country and didn't even care to know who I was.

I was grateful for him thinking that way; only then could I fulfill the contract and leave, making it a closed chapter in my life.

However, I became attached to Mr. Augusto as a father figure, and whenever he was home...

We would talk, and I would clarify some doubts about work.

He always treated me like a daughter and was very happy with my work.

He believed I would make an excellent president and ended up asking if I would accept managing the company I was working for.

I ended up accepting, solely because he said he would move the current manager to a larger one and needed someone he could trust as much as the current one.

I was happy with the trust he placed in me, expressed my gratitude, and asked if I could bring some people from my current team.

He agreed and said if I needed anything else, I could ask.

I nodded and thanked him for everything he had done, assuring him I wouldn't disappoint him.

Three days later, I was appointed general manager of that company, and I felt good, but I knew everything would change.

Especially the responsibility, it would be even greater, but I was ready to face it; after all, I was a Miller.

My father always said, "Don't give up, keep going, you are capable, believe in yourself, and above all be happy. Do what you love most, and don't think otherwise. You are a Miller, you can, and you will achieve."

And everything was falling into place, me working hard, things going well at home. I had my friend and secretary at the company, and sometimes on weekends, she would come over and keep me company.

At home, I had my companions, who were always by my side, supporting me, even when I missed my mother.

And at times, I would cry with sadness, I can't even explain it, but I think it was because of the PMDD that made me vulnerable and needy.

Mr. Augusto offered that if I wanted, I could bring my mother to live with us.

I thought it best not to because over a year had already passed, and I could handle it a little longer.

He always made it clear that I wasn't a prisoner of the house or work.

"You need to go out," he would say. "I gave you a card to spend on whatever you want, but it seems like it hasn't been used yet."

I replied, "Mr. Augusto, I already have a great salary, and I can't even spend what I earn. I find that card unnecessary, but thank you."

He was always very kind and gentle, but I saw a sadness in his eyes.

I think it's because his son wants nothing to do with his wife, and he longs for grandchildren and a family around him in his old age.

But that's not something I can solve for him.

After all, he and Mr. Luis put me in this situation.

Of course, I'm only grateful for who I am today, a general manager of one of the Bastos companies.