When I Finally Gave Up on Her, She Lost Everything Chapter 1

The night our company secured its new round of funding, my wife—the CEO—was supposed to finally announce our marriage to the world. But just as she was about to speak, the new hire she was so fond of, a kid fresh out of college, sauntered onto the stage.

“Rebecca, announcing us so soon?” he preened, a smug grin on his face. “You spoil me.”

My wife, Rebecca, didn't correct him. Instead, a soft smile played on her lips as she promised to fast-track him onto our most critical project.

The room erupted in applause. Whispers of “a match made in heaven” filled the air.

A long-time colleague nudged me, his voice a low murmur. “Luke, you’re usually so good at playing the game. Now’s your chance to suck up.”

I didn’t raise my voice. I didn’t make a scene. I simply walked forward, slid my project lead ID badge across the table toward the kid, and said, loud enough for everyone to hear:

“Why settle for just being on the team? Consider my position as project lead a gift to celebrate your... announcement.”

* * *

The conference room fell silent. Every eye was on me as I offered my badge to Rory, the new kid. The shock was palpable. After all, this project was my life’s work. I had poured years into it, skipping meals, pulling all-nighters, and collapsing from exhaustion more than once.

The silence was broken by a single colleague who started clapping, and soon, the room was roaring with applause again. They praised my generosity, calling me a loyal old guard, the kind of right-hand man every boss dreamed of.

Only Rebecca, standing on the stage, looked different. Her expression was a storm cloud, her lips a flat line, her eyes boring into me. Seeing the flicker of panic on her face felt almost funny.

She’d always hated the idea of office romance. For seven years, our marriage had been a secret. I’d begged her, pleaded with her to go public, but she always refused. Tonight, she had finally agreed, only to let Rory hijack the moment so easily.

Well, whether she wanted to announce us or not, I was done.

“If that’s all, I’ll be heading out. Enjoy the party.”

I didn't wait for her reply. I just turned and walked away.

The new funding was a direct result of my project’s potential. The core patents were mine. The progress was a product of my blood, sweat, and tears. And after this profound a betrayal, I was done being her fool.

The elevator hummed, carrying me down to the underground garage. I slipped into my car, the passenger seat still holding a bouquet of ninety-nine red roses. I’d been so excited about tonight, I’d even booked a table for a candlelit dinner. What a joke. All my anticipation, only to watch her dote on Rory.

My gaze hardened. I was about to start the engine when a figure stepped into the glare of my headlights.

It was Rory.

He leaned against the hood, dangling my ID badge from his finger. “She was this close to announcing you, Luke,” he crowed, his voice dripping with triumph. “Then I said one little thing, and just like that, she changed her mind. She told me after I spend some time on your project, I’m getting a promotion and a fat raise. I hear you haven’t had a promotion in what, three or four years? You’re not mad, are you?”

His pale, thin face was a mask of pure malice. I used to find his taunts infuriating, letting them bait me into arguments that Rebecca always misinterpreted as me targeting him. But now? I couldn't be bothered.

As if on cue, I heard the sharp click-clack of high heels approaching.

Rory’s demeanor shifted in an instant. He clutched the badge and scurried to my window, his voice laced with manufactured panic. “Luke, please don’t be mad! Rebecca putting me on your team wasn’t her idea, it was mine! I just wanted to learn from you. If you’re not happy, I’ll… I’ll pull out of the project.”

He held the badge out meekly, his voice trembling. “A position as important as project lead… of course, it should only go to a veteran like you!” He looked for all the world like a puppy I’d just kicked.

Rebecca rounded the corner and, without a word, slammed her designer handbag onto my windshield.

BANG.

“Luke, what is wrong with you?” she shrieked. “Rory is talking to you, get out of the car! You could have hit him! Is this how you treat your team now? Workplace harassment?”

A bitter laugh escaped my lips.

I rolled down the window, ready to tell them to keep the damned position. But Rory, mistaking my movement, thought I was reaching for the badge. A flash of panic crossed his eyes, and his fingers tightened on the lanyard.

The next second, he doubled over, clutching his stomach. His face went ashen. “My stomach…” he wheezed, his voice barely a whisper.

The acting was laughably bad, but of course, she bought it.

Rebecca’s anger vanished, replaced by frantic concern. She rushed to his side, fumbling in her purse for antacids and helping him take them. Then, she spun on me, her voice a desperate roar. “Luke, are you just going to sit there? Get out and help me drive him to the hospital!”

I rolled my eyes and revved the engine, ready to leave them there.

But Rebecca planted herself directly in front of my car, her expression deadly serious. It was clear she’d rather be run over than let me leave.

How utterly absurd.

I remembered a time I’d been so sick from a work dinner that I was coughing up blood into the toilet from a stress-induced ulcer. She’d glanced in, told me to pop some Tums, and went back to bed. Now, for Rory’s little performance, the ever-composed Rebecca was losing her mind.

With a heavy sigh, I relented and drove them to the emergency room.

At the hospital, after a doctor confirmed Rory was perfectly fine, Rebecca let out a breath of relief, her eyes filled with gratitude. I couldn’t stand to watch another second of their melodrama and turned to leave.

Rebecca chased me down the hall and grabbed my arm.

I braced myself for another tirade. But instead, she draped the project lead badge back around my neck, carefully smoothing the lapels of my suit.

“Luke,” she said softly. “You know how Rory likes to joke around. There will be other chances to make our announcement. Just be patient.” She paused, her voice firming. “And a position this important isn’t something you throw a tantrum over. I’ll let it slide this time.”

I just grunted in response.

She studied my face for a long moment, then seemed to sigh in resignation. She held out a crumpled, cheap-looking box. “And Luke… I saw the roses in the car. They’re beautiful. Will you put them in a vase when we get home? I, uh, I got you something too.”

I knew this move. The classic Rebecca playbook: a slap, followed by a cheap piece of candy.

The box looked familiar. I remembered a social media post from Rory a few weeks back, whining about staining a new tie Rebecca had bought him. He’d theatrically thrown the whole thing, box and all, in the trash. In the comments, Rebecca had promised to buy him ten more.

I took the box and opened it.

Inside was a knock-off. The fabric felt cheap, and a smudge of blue dye came off on my thumb when I touched the edge. The receipt was still tucked inside. She’d drop a fortune on a luxury brand for Rory without blinking, but for me, she couldn’t even be bothered to hide the price tag on a fake.

I didn’t bother calling her out. I just nodded. “Got it. I’m heading out.”

As I turned the corner of the hallway, I spotted a trash can. Without a moment’s hesitation, I tossed the box inside. Then, I pulled out my phone and dialed the number of the tech giant that had been trying to recruit me for years.

“The offer you made,” I said into the phone. “I’m accepting it.”