Ricardo Ferraz had never imagined that scene would affect him so much.
The papers were still on the table, along with the wedding ring Isabella had left behind.
Untouched.
Still.
As if they were mocking him.
He stared at them, jaw clenched, his gaze dark.
The note… so simple.
So short.
So cold.
"Goodbye, Ricardo."
That was it.
That was all after seven years?
After everything he had "given" her?
Ricardo ran a hand through his hair, irritated, pacing back and forth in the dining room.
"What kind of game is this…?" he muttered.
This had to be drama.
Isabella had always been emotional.
Too sensitive.
She probably found out something superficial, made a scene in her head, and decided to act like this.
But leaving?
Without saying anything?
Without arguing? Without begging?
That… wasn't like her.
He grabbed his phone quickly.
Opened their chat.
Typed:
"Where are you?"
Sent.
The message wasn't even delivered.
Ricardo frowned.
Tried again.
Nothing
Then he realized.
He had been blocked.
His eyes darkened.
"Isabella…" he whispered, somewhere between irritated and incredulous.
She had really gone too far this time.
But deep down...
He wasn't worried.
Isabella wouldn't go far.
She had never truly been independent.
She always needed him.
His money.
His structure.
It was only a matter of time.
She would come back.
Apologizing.
Crying.
Begging.
Like always.
Convinced of that, Ricardo left the papers on the table, only picking up the ring and keeping it with him.
He would deal with it later.
—
Two days passed.
And Isabella didn't come back.
No calls.
No messages.
No sign.
That's when the irritation really began to grow.
By the morning of the third day, Ricardo was no longer calm.
He got dressed in a hurry and headed to the company in a foul mood.
As soon as he entered his office, he threw his folder onto the desk.
"Damn it…" he muttered.
This situation had gone too far.
"Good morning, love…" a soft voice said.
Camila Albuquerque walked into the office with a smile.
Elegant.
Confident.
Radiant.
She approached slowly, trying to wrap her arms around him.
But before she could—
"Not now, Camila," he said sharply.
The tone was harsher than he intended.
Camila stopped, surprised.
"What's wrong?"
Ricardo sighed, rubbing his face.
"Sorry… I'm just… irritated."
She crossed her arms, curious.
"About what?"
He hesitated for a second.
But then spoke.
"Isabella left."
Camila's eyes widened.
"Left? What do you mean?"
"She just disappeared. Left the divorce papers and vanished."
Camila went silent for a few seconds.
Processing.
And then…
A slow smile appeared on her lips.
"And you're upset about that?"
Ricardo frowned.
"That's not it. It's just… annoying."
She stepped closer.
"Ricardo… this is perfect."
He looked at her, confused.
"Perfect?"
"Of course." She smiled, excited. "This is what we wanted, isn't it? You were going to divorce her anyway."
He fell silent.
It was true.
"She just sped up the process," Camila continued, her eyes shining. "Now you can separate officially… and we can stop hiding."
The words echoed in his mind.
Stop hiding.
Make it official.
Marry.
Ricardo looked at the desk.
Thoughtful.
The idea… made sense.
In fact…
It made a lot of sense.
He had been with Camila for four years.
She was pregnant.
It was only a matter of time before everything came out.
Isabella leaving like that… only made things easier.
He let out a small sigh.
"Maybe you're right…"
Camila smiled, satisfied.
"I always am."
Ricardo picked up the folder he had brought.
Opened it.
And took out the divorce papers.
They were already signed by Isabella.
All that was missing…
Was his signature.
He picked up a pen.
Hesitated for a brief second.
But then signed.
Without remorse.
Without looking back.
Camila let out a small laugh of happiness.
"Finally…"
She quickly approached, cupping his face and kissing him.
A kiss full of victory.
Ricardo kissed her back.
As if nothing else mattered.
As if seven years meant nothing.
As if Isabella… had never existed.
Then, with a smile, he slipped his hand into his pocket.
And pulled out a small box.
Camila's eyes widened.
"Ricardo…?"
He opened it.
A ring sparkled inside.
Ricardo got down on one knee right there in the middle of the office.
"Marry me?"
Camila covered her mouth, completely ecstatic.
"Yes! Of course, yes!"
She practically threw herself at him, laughing, kissing him nonstop.
"I've waited so long for this!"
Ricardo smiled.
Convinced that everything was finally in the right place.
—
A few minutes later, he left the office.
There was one last thing he needed to handle.
Something simple.
Quick.
Definitive.
He walked to a more private corner of the company and took out his phone.
Dialed a number.
The call was answered quickly.
"Ricardo?" the voice said.
"I need a favor," he replied directly.
"Go ahead."
Ricardo didn't hesitate.
"Freeze all accounts under Isabella Duarte's name."
There was a brief silence.
"Are you sure about that?"
Ricardo looked ahead, a cold smile on his face.
"Absolutely."
If Isabella wanted to play independence…
Then he would show her what happened when she tried to live without him.
"Consider it done."
The call ended.
Ricardo put his phone back in his pocket.
Calm. Certain.
In control.
With no idea…
That this would be the biggest mistake of his life.