Three Years in the Shadows
I kept our marriage a secret for three years, enduring every sneer as her VP while helping her build her empire.
Tanya Cox rose from a scorned, illegitimate daughter to a revered CEO.
She once nestled in my embrace and promised to be open about our relationship when the company went public.
I waited year after year. Even when our child was born, she still hadn’t made good on her word.
One day, I pressed for a timeline. However, Tanya simply put the baby in my arms.
“Callum, things are complicated at the moment. The disclosure will only hurt the stock price. I gave you a child. Isn’t that enough?”
Alas, when her childhood friend, Gavin Nolan, returned from abroad on New Year’s Day, he took the seat of honor during our newborn’s sip and see event.
Gavin, cradling my baby girl, accepted well-wishes from friends and family with a smile.
“Don’t take things the wrong way. The right etiquette probably slipped his mind since he’s been away for so long. He’s only sitting there to keep the baby entertained. That’s all. Don’t read too much into it.
“We’ve always been close since childhood. He’s going to be the godfather of our child. Don’t tell me you’re jealous of him.”
Beaming, I raised my glass as a toast to Gavin.
Tanya was wrong.
I wasn’t at all jealous. Heck, I was done with her.