My Husband Demands I Leave With Nothing

Refusal

The signs were all there, but I had no idea about them.

Matthew was watching me. He thought my indifference meant I wasn't mad, and he spoke in an even softer tone. "Go back home and leave this to me. You will get the explanation you deserve. Trust me."

I left the noisy hall and called my assistant.

"I need you to compile the company's transactions, important business proposals, work reports, and shareholder changes over the past year, then encrypt them and send them to me ASAP! Right now, if possible!"

My assistant answered calmly, "Got it, Mrs. Grayson. Right away."

…

It was already late at night.

Matthew was back. I heard the key turning in the keyhole. He was holding an immaculate paper bag. It was the delivery package from my favorite spot.

Matthew was carefully taking his shoes off at the porch and changing into slippers. Softly and gently, he said, "Are you still up, Wendy?" I could hear how much he was faking it.

Only a lamp was on in the living room. I was seated behind the desk, while the screen of my laptop shone in the near-darkness.

I met his eyes calmly. "Yes. I have work to do."

He put on a loving smile and approached me, then he set the paper bag down on the desk. "I can handle work. You don't have to work so hard. You should get plenty of rest."

He opened the bag and took out the food. It was still warm. Then he pushed the food over to me. Still gentle, he said, "I got you supper. Shrimp balls, your favorite. They're still hot."

I did not take the food.

I didn't even look at it.

Only silence remained now, and it was pressing down hard.

Matthew's smile froze, then he spoke again, this time relenting. "Are you still mad about what happened earlier? Ms. Wood's a fresh college graduate, and there's a lot she doesn't know about the workplace.

"I know she can be a bit rough around the edges, but she knows how to care for people. My mom's getting older, and she needs people like Ms. Wood."

He continued, "Yes, she went too far with you, and I've given her a proper scolding. She said she's sorry. We can give her a second chance."

He paused.

Then, he turned the attack on me, this time with a little flicker of resentment he did not notice. "And you did push her first. She's pregnant. If she lost her baby, we'd have a lot to answer for. We have to be reasonable."

I interrupted him, "Is she really? Whose baby is it?"

Matthew froze up, but then he smiled. "It's private. I can't just ask her that."

That acting was so bad, it made college students look like pros. I nearly laughed. Well, if he wasn't answering my question, I saw no point in pushing him.

Instead, I said, "Then, fire her. I see no point in keeping a secretary who can't even show any professionalism."

Matthew massaged his temples. This time, he did not back down. "I've talked to her, Wendy. She's just a pregnant college grad. Why do you keep pushing her? You can't have any children of your own.

"You don't get how hard it is for pregnant women. I think termination is taking it too far. And I'm in charge of all company affairs. So…"

He took a deep breath and softened up, but he still wanted to prod me. "So, just leave it at that. Let me handle it. I hired her for a reason."