03. Welcome Back

The cameras and news reporters completely surrounded the venue. Matt kept his gaze empty as he held my hand tightly; in front of us stood his father’s coffin, slowly being lowered into the ground.

There were many important businessmen present, even presidents of some of the most influential federations in the country. The sky was completely overcast, and raindrops began to decorate the ground, blending with our black suits soaked by the rain.

I looked at Matt with compassion. His eyes were glassy, and I knew the only thing he wanted was to fall at my feet and cry like a small child. My soul shattered into a thousand pieces seeing him like that—so strong before others, yet so broken inside.

People slowly began to leave. A storm was approaching, and tears went unnoticed beneath the relentless rain.

When no one remained, a deafening silence took over everything. It was just Matt and me, standing in front of the grave of the man who may have been the greatest man of our lives.

Suddenly, the sound of high heels echoed in the distance. I turned toward the noise to see who this late arrival might be, but I couldn’t recognize the woman approaching. Apparently, my husband could, because the moment he turned and saw her, his mouth parted slightly and his tears dried instantly.

—I’m sorry for being late. The flight was delayed, and the journalists crowded the entrance, —she said softly.

Matt said absolutely nothing. He simply released my hand and ran toward the unknown woman with a wide smile.

Something strange was happening. They knew each other—that was obvious—but I had no memory or information about that woman. Matt had never mentioned her, which struck me as extremely odd.

I walked toward them to introduce myself, since Matt seemed to have no intention of doing so. The new woman had completely captured my husband’s attention.

—Oh, sorry, Sofía. This is Anais Carrera. She was my best friend in childhood, —Matt said as he stepped away from the woman.

My mind tried to piece everything together. A childhood friend he hadn’t seen in years and had never spoken to me about? I frowned and looked at her doubtfully.

—Nice to meet you. I’m Matt’s wife, —I said firmly. I wanted to make it clear, even though she surely already knew.

—I know. Your faces are everywhere. Being the wife of the CEO of K.O. Company doesn’t go unnoticed. I’m Anais, —she replied with a polite smile.

I shook her hand out of courtesy, but something about her unsettled me. I couldn’t explain it; I just felt an unease deep inside.

—What are you doing here? I thought you had left the country to continue your studies, —Matt asked.

—I heard about your father. I couldn’t not come to say goodbye. I would never have forgiven myself, —she replied, sounding sincere.

—That’s very kind of you. How long will you be staying? —he asked.

—I was planning to look for work here. For now, I need to pick up my luggage and stay at a hotel, —Anais answered.

They continued talking as if I didn’t exist. It even seemed as though Matt had completely forgotten that his father had just passed away.

—I’ll help you right away. Kevin, —Matt said to his personal driver— take Sofía home. I’ll go with Anais to find the best hotel for her to stay in. Don’t wait up for me.

Those were the only words that came from my husband’s mouth. Matt and Anais quickly left through the back door, while Kevin escorted me to the car, trying to avoid the journalists.

When I arrived home, the silence was overwhelming. I turned on the television to distract myself, but it only made things worse.

“Did the CEO of K.O. Company leave his wife alone after the funeral?”

“Is the country’s most beloved couple getting divorced?”

“What will happen now to K.O. Company?”

It was horrible. Matt had only gone to drop off his friend Anais at a hotel—so why did everyone think we were divorcing?

For a moment, I decided to trust my intuition. I walked to my computer and tried to find information about that woman. I didn’t know her last name, so it was impossible to find anything. However, perhaps I could find something useful in the family photo album Philip kept.

I searched through the oldest photos, and there it was—what I had feared finding. A young Matt was holding Anais in his arms, kissing her. Beneath the photo, it read: “Best childhood friends.”

They had not been just childhood friends. And now my husband was alone with that woman in a hotel.

I sighed in frustration. The sound of my phone interrupted my thoughts. It was the hospital; Dr. Edward had news about my treatment. I grabbed my coat and rushed out. Matt would surely be home in a few hours—I wouldn’t be gone long.

When I arrived at the hospital, I walked toward the office. I smiled when I saw the doctor standing in front of me, papers in hand.

—Sofía, I have the results of the tests I ran to see if we could pursue a treatment to help you conceive a baby, —he said as he invited me to sit.

—I’m guessing they’re good news, right? —I asked hopefully.

—More than that—we can start a treatment if you agree. You’ll need to take pills that may have many side effects. You’ll feel tired and weak, but they significantly increase the chances of conceiving a baby.

I smiled happily. At last, we could be a family, and I could give Matt the heir he so desperately wanted.

—I want to sign, —I said without hesitation.

I authorized Dr. Edward to prescribe the medication. I didn’t want to tell Matt yet; I wanted it to be a surprise. Still, my excitement was so overwhelming that I knew I’d tell him the moment I saw him.

I left the hospital covering my face so the reporters wouldn’t recognize me. I walked to the limousine and asked Kevin to take me home.

That night’s dinner would be the perfect moment to share the news. Even though I had told Matt we should cancel our anniversary dinner, he insisted that we spend time together to distract ourselves.

I would change clothes, wear an elegant dress, and we would dine at the best restaurant in the city. Finally, we would be alone.

When I arrived home, everything was still silent. The maids said Matt hadn’t returned yet. I took my phone and called him to confirm our plans.

I dialed once, twice, three times—but he didn’t answer. My mind began to imagine the worst. I turned on the television, and there it was.

“The new CEO of K.O. Company is caught dining with an unknown woman. Is he no longer married to Sofía?”

My heart shattered into a thousand pieces. There she was—Anais—with her long pale hair and a tight dress, sitting where I should have been. She smiled at the man I had fallen in love with, enjoying a dinner that was supposed to be our anniversary dinner.

I tried to convince myself that nothing was wrong. Maybe they were just catching up after so many years. But… why did all of this leave such a bitter taste?

Had Matt canceled our dinner just to be with his love from the past?