Ashes in Hand, Divorce in Tow

A rising star dating the CEO? It was like a cringy office rom-com playing out in real time. Mr. Untouchable had officially been knocked off his pedestal.

Everyone just stared.

A few single girls shot Peggy dagger-eyed looks of pure envy.

Then his voice came through again, smooth as ever:

"I'll call you whatever you want. I've got a whole list—I could switch it up daily. But aren't you at your team dinner? Why the surprise call? Miss me already?"

He sounded soft, all-in, like he'd drop everything for her.

The table lit up with teasing and fake swoons. Everyone gushed.

Except me. I just kept drinking, the wine sharp and dry, burning down fast. My nails had dug so deep into my palm, I'd drawn blood.

Gerard was my husband.

Has been for three years—secretly.

So how the hell did she end up with him?

***

I'd known Gerard for a decade. Married him in secret three years ago.

I used to bring up going public—like, a lot. Every time, he'd shut it down with the same line:

"Danielle Astor, I'm the CEO of Busch Corp. You want people dragging me for dating a coworker?"

Cold. Always the same tone.

Eventually, I got the message—he just didn't want to.

But I kept telling myself it was me. That maybe I wasn't enough yet. That he was waiting until I proved I was worth it.

So I pushed harder. Made it to the top. Number one salesperson this year.

Didn't lose a single deal.

But then the whispers started.

People said I only closed deals by sleeping with clients.

Some took it further—said I catered to their weird kinks.

To them, every win came from my looks or what I could do behind closed doors.

And Gerard? Said nothing.

Worse, he used the gossip as another excuse to keep our marriage in the dark.

Last time I brought it up, he looked me up and down, sneering,

"You really want the world to know I'm married to someone every guy's had?"

That was Gerard. Cold. Cruel.

But now? That same guy was sugar-coating every word for Peggy, doing the whole flirty-boyfriend act just to make her laugh.

And even with their office fling out in the open, he didn't care.

He actually said, "Hi everyone. I'm Peggy's boyfriend, Gerard. She's a little immature, so go easy on her at work. If she slips up, come to me. I'll handle it."

Mr. CEO himself, openly playing the doting boyfriend.

Everyone around us melted.

After the call ended, every head turned my way.

"Danielle, Peggy called her boyfriend—your turn! One call and you're off the hook for drinks!"

"Yeah, let's see the guy who landed our sales queen!"

Peggy blinked all innocent, then jumped in. "I heard you've been married for years, but your husband's still a mystery. Time to spill, right?"

She flashed me that smug little smile.

And why wouldn't she be proud? Her boyfriend was the CEO of Busch Corp.

The same man I married.

She called my husband—so yeah, I couldn't call him now.