The Day I Stopped Loving My CEO Husband

At the company’s celebration banquet, my husband, Daniel Murphy, raised his glass and took a drink—for his female secretary. Then, with a lazy smile, he pulled the visibly flustered Elena Brooks up onto the stage. “This big project took five years to finally complete,” he began. “Everyone worked hard, but no one more than my secretary, Elena. For the past two years, she’s worked day and night without rest.” He paused, then smiled as if he was handing out candy. “To show my appreciation, I’ve decided to appoint her as the new Product Department Manager and award her a 15% stake in the company. I hope everyone can learn from her dedication.” The hall erupted into murmurs and whispers. Every gaze immediately turned toward me. There was only one reason for the commotion—I was the current Product Department Manager. Daniel, seemingly indifferent to my presence or reaction—or perhaps never once considering I might object—allowed himself to be helped off the stage by Elena, slightly tipsy and utterly unaware of the knife he’d just driven into my back. I couldn’t feel the eyes burning into me. All I felt was a cold, numbing chill sweeping through my body. Just like that, with a single offhand announcement, my five years of effort—everything I’d built—was handed to someone else without a second thought. At that moment, I knew our relationship was over.This time, I was the one who didn’t want him anymore. In my phone’s memo, I jotted down three things. Termination of pregnancy. Divorce. Change companies. I made up an excuse to leave the event early and went straight to the hospital to schedule my next termination of pregnancy. As I sat in the waiting room with my hand over my stomach, I was calmer than I expected. I loved this child more than anything—but I couldn’t sacrifice my entire life for a child. I dialed the number I knew by heart. “Is your previous offer still open?” I asked quietly. “I’m willing to join your company.”