The Shattered Wife's Ascent

nniversary, and my husband and CEO, David Chen, stood on a small stage in the middle of o

voice booming, "we're sending two representatives to

nt through

with a theatrical wink, "our represe

ed with folded pieces of paper, each

d. I knew this game

ed into the bowl, swirled his hand around dramatically, and pulled o

plause. Of cour

ve. It went straight for a specific spot near the top. He fumbled for a second

nning the crowd. They didn't scan.

ly W

of whispers. I saw the sideways glances, the smirks exchanged

led with delight. She practically ran to the stage, throwi

aid a client had gifted him. As she pulled away from him, her hand lingered o

in his life. I looked down at my left hand. There was a faint, pale band of skin on m

ago, just after we got married. "A young, bachelor CEO is b

any built on the back of my father' s patents. But the ring remai

s shoulders. "Sarah, can you please make the official announcement o

y fingers feeling numb as they typed out the press release. I had to announce to the wo

I did with a profes

ding distant to my own ears. "Congratulat

ttle smile. "Thank you, Sarah

uncomfortable. "Hey, Sarah. Tough break. I thought for sure he'd

replied, the words tasting li

"He says it's for team morale, to give a junior emp

hing she said. He didn't even look back at me. He was defending his decision to others,

my life into this company. Five years I had supported him, believed in him, loved him. I gave him my father' s legacy, the core techno

be the competent, reliable, invisible wife wh

year. On our anniversary. He said he wanted to b

er. The promise was a lie. I saw it now with a clarity that hurt. Th

s for