Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

Elle’s POV

By the time Raymond returned home, I was curled up on the couch, phone in hand, pretending to scroll.

The door opened, and his tall frame filled the entryway. He smiled when he saw me, loosening his tie.

“You look like you’ve had a long day,” he said, walking over and dropping a kiss on my forehead.

“Mm. You could say that,” I muttered, trying to sound unconcerned.

He ran his fingers through my hair. “You sure you’re okay?”

“I’m fine.” I said, my lips curving into a smile. But it was the usual.

He studied me for a few seconds, then sighed and walked upstairs, loosening his cufflinks as he went.

I watched him disappear up the staircase. I wanted to follow him and be with him, but I couldn't bring myself to.

Not when I wasn't sure of what he was hiding.

***

I stepped into the office, not expecting anything. Raymond and I had had an awkward morning, and it was all my fault. My thoughts were still tangled with so many unanswered questions.

But the moment I walked through the doors of the tech department, I knew something was… off.

People stopped talking when they saw me. A few even stood.

I was used to being overlooked, ignored, or at best, tolerated. But now—now they were staring. Some with tight, awkward smiles. Others with envy veiled behind politeness.

“Good morning, Mrs. Orlando,” Someone greeted stiffly.

“Welcome, ma’am,” Another said with an awkward bow of the head.

I blinked, my steps faltering slightly. I looked over my shoulder just to make sure they were actually talking to me.

What on earth was happening?

At first, I thought maybe the sudden shift was because of my marriage to Raymond. But the politeness was so weird. Maybe they were just trying to be nice because I now bore the last name of the CEO.

Still, it was all too odd.

And then, something happened that completely caught me off guard.

A woman from Human Resources—someone I’d only seen from afar and had only gotten her emails—approached me with a warm smile on her face.

“Mrs. Orlando. Good morning. Please follow me,” She said, her tone completely polite.

“Uh…” I looked around, pointing toward my old desk. “I'm sorry, but I have reports due. I think I should—”

“This will just take a moment,” she said, already turning and walking away.

I followed her, heels clicking on the tiles as we moved away from the familiar scenery to somewhere different—in front of a door I’d never been near before.

It was a frosted-glass office door with sleek silver handles. I was about to ask if I was in trouble when I saw what was on it.

"Elle Orlando," the words escaped my lips before I understood what was going on, my heart thudding. "Senior Manager—Technology Division""

For a few seconds, I just stared. My name was engraved in gold letters, gleaming under the hallway lights.

I took a shaky step forward and reached out, letting my fingers glide across the plaque. It was cold and...real. I wasn't dreaming.

“I… I don’t understand,” I whispered.

“Your promotion was effective as of this morning,” the HR rep said with a smile. “Mr. Orlando had the COO handle the paperwork. Congratulations Ma'am.”

She gave me a polite nod and left me standing there—stunned, confused and overwhelmed.

I pushed open the door.

The office was breathtaking. Sunlight poured in through tall glass windows, spilling across the polished hardwood floors and sleek furniture. A rich mahogany desk sat at the center, already organized. A bouquet of fresh white lilies stood in a crystal vase.

And on the desk was a note. My hands trembled as I picked it up.

'You’ve always deserved to be seen. This is just the beginning.'

At the bottom was written —R, which I knew stood for Raymond.

My heart clenched.

I stood there in the center of the room, surrounded by everything I had once believed was out of my reach. For so long, I had worked in the shadows. I had given more and received less. I had swallowed insults, endured gossip, and kept my head down.

Now, here I was.

Tears welled in my eyes, but I forced them back. I didn’t want to cry—not here. I had cried enough for this office and for this job. Today, I wanted to smile.

But first—I needed to see him.

I had treated Raymond badly this morning. I had to make it up to him.

I didn’t care if Richard saw me. I didn’t care if the whole building watched me march down the hall with a ridiculous grin on my face.

I just wanted to find Raymond. So, I rushed out of the office.

When I arrived on the top floor, I didn’t even pause to collect myself.

“Is he in?” I asked his assistant.

She smiled apologetically. “I’m afraid Mr. Orlando stepped out about fifteen minutes ago. He had an urgent meeting at the new site and he’ll be gone for most of the day.”

“Oh,” I muttered. I tried not to let the disappointment show on my face, but I guess it didn't work.

I nodded politely, muttered a thank you, and turned back toward the elevator.

As the doors closed, I stood in the silence, holding the note to my chest like it was made of gold.

Raymond had done this for me, even after what I did.

He had seen me. Not just as his wife—but as a woman who had worked hard, who had endured, and who deserved something more.

By the time I stepped back into my office, I had made up my mind.

Tonight, I would thank him. Not with words, but something better.