After Funding His IPO, He Married His Assistant

The day Caleb Jensen's company went public, he announced his engagement to his assistant, Vera Wheeler. I, the wife who had quietly supported him for four years, watched him step onto the stage at the press conference.

“Our company’s success today is largely due to Vera’s support,” he said. “Thank you all for your trust, and moving forward, Vera and I will be working on this project together.”

I watched as the audience showered them with warm congratulations, and I felt my clenched fist gradually relax. Four years of emotions, and it was finally time to let go.

When I returned home, I made a phone call. “I can’t believe you agreed so quickly. Once you join, I’ll provide the best conditions in the company,” Sullivan Ross said eagerly.

“Mr. Ross, I’ll be there as soon as I finish things up here,” I replied. Just as I hung up, Caleb walked in.

“Who were you talking to?” he asked.

“There were some technical issues in the project department that needed sorting out,” I casually lied. He placed his suit jacket down, and I noticed he was wearing a striking diamond ring—a gift from Vera at the press conference. In our four years of marriage, Caleb had never worn the wedding band I gave him. He claimed to be allergic to metal and couldn’t wear jewelry, yet he wore Vera’s cheap engagement ring without hesitation.

“Why did you leave the press conference early? Some investors had technical questions, and you left me in an awkward position,” he said accusingly.

“You seemed to handle the press conference just fine on your own. Surely, you didn’t need my help,” I replied coolly.

Caleb looked a bit guilty at the mention of the press conference. “Announcing the engagement helps attract more investors. The company needs significant funding, and with the announcement, we can draw more attention to this project,” he explained.

I didn’t bother arguing. A month ago, numerous investors were already approaching Caleb about partnerships, and now he was using the project as an excuse. He knew this was my idea and assumed I wouldn’t make a fuss.

Thinking I was upset, Caleb sat on the sofa next to me, carrying the sweet scent of vanilla—a fragrance I’d only ever smelled on Vera. I glanced at Caleb, noticing faint traces of lipstick on his neck. Guilt crossed his face, and he tugged at his shirt collar.

“These are project proposals from tonight’s investors,” he said. “Vera is capable, and I plan to let her manage this project. You should just focus on the technical aspects.”

He assumed I would be pleased with the stack of collaboration proposals. “If Vera’s so capable, why not let her handle everything, including the technical parts?” I suggested.

Caleb’s face soured. “Amelie, you need to differentiate between business and personal matters. Don’t be unreasonable. You want to put Vera in charge of tech just to make things difficult for her! Amelie, when did you become so narrow-minded?”

He thought I was just upset from the press conference and was sulking as I used to do before. Caleb glared at me and, as usual, ordered, “Amelie, run a bath for me and then give me a massage.”

In the past, after Caleb returned from business meetings, I would prepare his bath and give him a massage to help him unwind. To Caleb, these gestures were merely duties for a housekeeper.

Four years of feelings couldn’t compete with an assistant who had only been with the company for three months. “I’m tired. If you want a bath, run it yourself,” I said without a second thought, leaving Caleb in stunned silence.

“Amelie, are you really throwing a fit over something so trivial? Everything I do is for the company, for our future!” he shouted after me.

“Amelie! Are you listening to me? Are you ignoring me?” Caleb continued to yell from the sofa as I got up and went to the bedroom to rest.