Chapter 1

At the end of the year, the company organized a team retreat to Hawaii as a reward for its employees. But right before we were supposed to leave, my female superior, Jessica, told me I wasn't allowed to go.

"There are limited spots for this retreat, someone has to stay behind and cover,"

she said, a saccharine smile playing on her lips.

"Your husband is the VP, Sarah. Do you really care about one trip?"

Twenty-plus people were in the conference room, and not a single one spoke up.

I stared at her.

Five years.

My performance had been number one every single year, yet my name never appeared on any commendation list.

I knew Jessica was deliberately trying to suppress me.

"Fine." I nodded. "I won't go."

Jessica froze for a second. She probably hadn't expected me to agree so readily.

I pulled out my phone. The HR manager from our rival company had called me thirty times.

I'd initially rejected them, but now, I decided to call back.

I stood up. "But Jessica, are you sure about this?"

The conference room fell silent for three seconds.

Jessica's smile faltered, her face stiffening. "Sarah Miller, what do you mean?"

"Nothing." I walked toward the door. "I'm going to cover."

I turned and left the conference room.

Whispers erupted behind me, but I didn't look back.

At the end of the hallway, the elevator doors opened, and I stepped inside.

The moment the doors closed, I saw Jessica standing at the conference room entrance, her face a thundercloud.

I pressed the button for the first floor.

My phone vibrated.

It was my husband, David.

"Honey, don't be mad. Jessica is just looking out for the company."

I stared at the message, not replying.

Another one popped up:

"I'll make it up to you when I get back from the team-building trip. How about Bora Bora?"

Bora Bora.

They were going to Hawaii, a trip costing about twenty-eight thousand per person. He'd "compensate" me with Bora Bora.

I walked to the break room and poured myself a glass of water.

My phone rang again.

It was my colleague, Lisa Chen.

"Sarah, are you crazy? Your husband's the VP! Why don't you just ask him to say something?"

I didn't reply.

She sent another message:

"Ugh, but I guess it makes sense. What good is your performance? You only get by because your husband helps you at work."

I stared at that message for five long seconds.

"Thanks to my husband."

My thirty-two million in annual sales, *that* was thanks to my husband?

I put down my glass and looked out the window. The sky was as gray and heavy as my heart.

The company's WhatsApp group buzzed with team-building notifications and the list of staff staying behind. I saw my name listed alongside three interns and said nothing.

Lisa immediately followed up with a laughing emoji.

I exited the group chat and opened the contract details for Zenith Corp.

The renewal was next week—a twelve-million-dollar order, right smack in the middle of the team-building trip.

I smirked. Jessica sure knew how to pick her timing.

Chloe, the receptionist, saw me and hesitated. "Ms. Miller, are you really not going?"

"No."

"But…" She lowered her voice. "You're the *only one* not going from the whole company."

I just smiled. "Someone has to cover."

She looked like she wanted to say more but held back.

I knew what she wanted to say.

Out of thirty-two people in the company, twenty-eight were going to Hawaii. Besides me, three interns were staying behind.

Three interns.

I was in my fifth year, a Sales Manager, with annual sales of thirty-two million.

And I was on duty with interns.

At 5:30 PM, people started trickling out.

I was still at my desk.

David came out of his office and walked over to me. "Honey, done for the day? Want to head home together?"

I looked up at him. "Do you know about the team retreat?"

He paused. "I know."

"And you didn't say anything to help me?"

He sighed heavily. "Honey, Jessica's the Sales Director. Even though I'm the VP, sales falls under her. It's not my place to interfere."

I just stared at him.

"For three years, my performance has been number one."

"I know."

"Half of Jessica's sales are from *my* clients."

"I… know."

"You *know*?" I stood up. "You knew she was taking credit for my work, and you stayed silent. You knew she was pushing me out, and you stayed silent. Now she's got me on shift with interns, and you're *still* silent?"

"Sarah…"

"David, you're my husband."

He opened his mouth, but no words came out.

I picked up my bag. "I'm going home by myself."

"Honey!"

I didn't stop.

The moment the elevator doors closed, I saw him standing there, his face a roadmap of conflict.

The parking garage was quiet.

I got into my car and started the engine.

My phone rang.

David: "Honey, please don't be angry. I'll explain everything when I get home."

I didn't reply.

I'd been married to David for three years. He was a VP, and I was just a manager.

Everyone thought I'd married above my station.

Including Jessica.

The first day she met me, she'd said: "Oh, so you're David Miller's wife? Work hard under me, don't embarrass your husband."

Back then, I was a new hire, with zero sales.

Now I had thirty-two million in sales, and she still looked at me with that same disdain.

When I got home, David wasn't back yet.

I changed my clothes and sat on the couch, lost in thought.

The doorbell rang.

It was Mrs. Miller, David's mom.

"David told me you're in a bad mood?"

"No, I'm not."

"What's all this fuss about team-building trips? You're just an office drone at that company, what difference does it make if you go or not?"

I looked at her.

"Mom, I'm a Sales Manager, not an office drone."

"Manager, drone, whatever. You're still working for someone else." She waved her hand dismissively. "You just focus on what's important: taking good care of David and giving me a grandson."

I took a deep breath and walked into the kitchen.

I opened the fridge; it was completely bare.

"Mom, where are all the groceries?"

"Oh, I took them." Her voice floated in from the living room. "Emily's pregnant, she needs the nutrition."

My hand, gripping the fridge door, tightened.

Three years.

Three years of marriage, and David's mom never once looked at me as an equal.

She thought I'd married above my station, that I wasn't good enough for her son.

I closed the fridge door.

I walked to the window, looking out at the night.

It was time to take action.

I pulled out my phone and dialed a number.

"Hello, is this Ms. Amanda Stone, HR Director at Ascend Solutions?"

"It is. Who's calling?"

"This is Sarah Miller from Nexus Innovations. The new position you offered, I'm willing to consider it."

Amanda on the other end seemed surprised, but quickly regained her professional composure.

"Ms. Miller, hello. I know who you are. Ascend Solutions is very interested in you. If it's convenient, we can meet to discuss further."

"Alright. Tomorrow at 3 PM. Please send me the address."

I hung up the phone and looked out the window.