The dinner continued.
But after my answer, the atmosphere had completely changed.
Sebastian still maintained that perfect businessman expression.
Calm.
Confident.
As if nothing in this world could shake him.
I knew that face very well.
Six years ago, when he pushed the divorce papers in front of me, he had the same expression.
Cold.
Certain.
Like he had already decided my ending.
Back then, I was twenty-nine years old.
I had built Estelar Medical’s cold chain division from nothing.
I spent three years traveling between factories, pharmaceutical companies and warehouses.
I personally designed the temperature monitoring system.
The patent that later became the core technology of Estelar Medical’s logistics.
But when Sebastian accused me of betrayal…
Everyone believed him.
Because he was my husband.
Because he was the president.
Because Camila stood beside him with tears in her eyes.
She said:
—Natalia, I never wanted to hurt you.
—But the truth must come out.
The truth.
What a beautiful word.
A word that Sebastian used to destroy me.
The waiter served dessert.
Sebastian picked up his wine glass.
—Director Vargas.
He smiled.
—I have to admit, I was surprised when I saw your name.
I looked at him.
—Why?
He paused.
—After what happened six years ago, I thought you would leave this industry.
I smiled.
—Why would I?
—Because some people believed I had no ability.
My eyes moved briefly toward Camila.
She lowered her gaze.
Sebastian’s fingers tightened around the glass.
—Natalia, the past is the past.
—There is no need to bring old things into business.
I nodded.
—Of course.
—Business should only look at evidence.
That sentence made him freeze.
Because he knew.
He knew I wasn’t talking about the contract.
After dinner, I returned to the hotel.
My assistant, Daniel, was waiting in the lobby.
—Director Vargas.
He handed me a folder.
—Everything you requested.
I opened it.
Inside were copies.
Original patent registration.
Company transfer documents.
Financial records.
And the most important thing…
A medical report.
Camila’s pregnancy record.
Date.
Hospital.
Doctor’s signature.
Everything.
I closed the folder.
Six years.
I had spent six years collecting pieces of the truth.
Not because I wanted revenge.
Because I wanted my name back.
The next morning, Sebastian came to our company headquarters.
He arrived with his entire team.
Executives.
Lawyers.
Assistants.
Everyone believed this meeting was about signing the largest contract in Estelar Medical’s history.
They didn’t know…
It was also the day Sebastian would lose everything he had stolen.
The conference room was full.
My boss Harrison sat at the head.
Sebastian sat opposite me.
Camila beside him.
She was wearing the same bracelet.
My mother’s bracelet.
She touched it casually.
A deliberate provocation.
I ignored it.
I opened the presentation.
—Before discussing the contract, I would like to clarify one important point.
Sebastian frowned.
—What point?
I clicked the remote.
The screen changed.
A patent document appeared.
Everyone became silent.
—The core technology proposed by Estelar Medical for this cooperation…
—Was originally registered under another name.
Sebastian’s expression changed slightly.
I continued.
—The original creator was Natalia Vargas.
My name appeared on the screen.
Camila’s face became pale.
Sebastian immediately interrupted.
—This is unnecessary.
—The patent was transferred legally.
I looked at him.
—Was it?
Silence.
I opened the next document.
—Six years ago, during my divorce, the patent was transferred under pressure.
—The agreement contained a hidden clause.
—Any transfer obtained through false accusation, coercion, or concealment of material facts is invalid.
The lawyer beside Sebastian stood up.
—This is speculation.
I smiled.
—No.
—This is evidence.
I clicked again.
A recording played.
Sebastian’s own voice.
From six years ago.
“Once Natalia signs, the patent belongs to us.”
Another voice.
Camila.
“What about her?”
Sebastian answered:
“After the divorce, no one will believe her anymore.”
The room became completely silent.
Camila’s face lost all color.
Sebastian stood up.
—Where did you get this?
I looked at him.
For the first time…
He looked afraid.
—You forgot one thing.
—People who betray others always leave traces.
The meeting stopped.
Estelar Medical’s lawyers immediately requested time to review the documents.
But Sebastian didn’t leave.
He stayed there.
Looking at me.
Six years ago, he looked at me like I was nothing.
Today…
He looked at me like he had finally understood.
The woman he abandoned was no longer the woman he left behind.
—Natalia.
His voice was low.
—Do you hate me?
I looked at him.
I thought about the nights I cried alone.
My mother’s illness.
The company I lost.
The years I spent rebuilding myself.
Then I answered:
—No.
He seemed surprised.
—Then why?
I closed the folder.
—Because hate means I still care.
Pause.
—I don’t hate you, Sebastian.
—I just want you to return everything that was never yours.
His face became complicated.
That afternoon, the news spread.
Estelar Medical was under investigation.
The patent dispute became public.
The company’s reputation collapsed overnight.
And Camila…
The woman who once stood beside Sebastian as the winner…
was suddenly the person everyone questioned.
But the biggest shock came three days later.
A reporter discovered another truth.
The child Sebastian brought to the airport…
was not his biological son.
Camila had hidden the truth for six years.
The child belonged to another man.
The marriage that Sebastian protected so fiercely…
was built on the same kind of lie he once used to destroy mine.
A month later.
I stood at the airport again.
This time, I was leaving for a new project.
Harrison asked:
—Are you sure you don’t want to return to headquarters?
I smiled.
—I like challenges.
The plane was about to board.
My phone received a message.
From an unknown number.
“Can we talk?”
I knew who it was.
Sebastian.
I looked at the message for a few seconds.
Then deleted it.
Six years ago, I waited for him to explain.
Six years ago, I waited for him to believe me.
Six years ago, I waited for him to choose me.
But that woman was gone.
The woman standing in the airport now…
only chose herself.
And this time,
I would never look back.
