Ryan and I met in college. He was charming, but he wouldn’t have graduated without me — I edited his papers, taught him marketing, even did some of his projects. I didn’t mind. I thought we were a team.
We married at 27, had two kids, and I gave up my career to raise them. I continued helping Ryan with everything — reports, campaigns, presentations — thinking we were building something together.
But he never let me into his professional world. Always had an excuse when I asked to attend work events.
Then one day at the park, a well-dressed woman approached me: “You must be Ryan’s sister,” she said. “I’m Evelyn, his CEO. He always talks about you and his nephews.”
“Sister?” I replied. “I’m his wife.”
I showed her photos — our wedding, our kids. She was stunned. I told her how I’d given up everything to support him while he erased me.
The next day, Evelyn reached out with a proposal.
At the company gala, Ryan prepared to present my work. But the slideshow revealed family photos — me, our children, our life. Then Evelyn took the stage.
“This isn’t a prank,” she said. “It’s an introduction. Meet Destiny — our newest hire and the real talent behind Ryan’s campaigns.”
I stepped on stage. “Anything you’d like to say?” I asked Ryan.
He said nothing. Just walked away.
By morning, his position was vacant.
I was hired to fill it.
He didn’t want a partner. He wanted a shadow.
Not anymore.