Lynch’s POV
I took three days of sick leave.
While I got not a single message from Heddy, the company group chat wouldn’t shut up.
[Robbie’s a shareholder now? Talk about rags to riches—what, she and President Spitzer finally made it official?]
[Do you even need to ask? Haven’t you seen how she always calls him into her office? Just the two of them—what else could be going on?]
[Stop calling her ‘Robbie,’ it’s ‘President Tisch’ now. Want to get yourself fired?]
[What about Manager Lauderdale though? Wasn’t he into President Spitzer, too?]
[Please. Guy can’t even sweet-talk properly. What woman would go for that? This company’s full of hopeless crushes!]
When Heddy and I agreed to keep our marriage a secret, she said it was to avoid workplace gossip.
‘Now, I see’s just an easy way out for her.’
On the fourth day, I went back to work like nothing had happened.
First thing I did was submit my resignation to HR.
He glanced up in surprise.
“Lynch, you’re resigning? Does President Spitzer know about this? I can’t approve this without her go-ahead,” he said. “Come on, you’re one of the company’s founding members. If you leave, it’s like she’s losing an arm.”
Before he could finish, mocking voices drifted in from outside the door.
“What’s there to approve? He’s just embarrassed to stick around.
“Every project that got signed was thanks to Robbie. If I were the manager, I’d have packed up and left ages ago.
“That deal Robbie just landed? It’s taking the company public. Think Lynch could’ve pulled that off? Calling him a pretty face is generous—he’s a damn liability.”
The projects he’s talking about? I’d poured nights and weekends into those proposals. But every single time, Heddy handed the credit over to Robbie.
I swallowed the bitterness, lifted my chin, and managed to smile.
“You’re right. Which is exactly why I’m resigning. Now, if you’ll excuse me,” I said. “I’m sure under Robbie’s leadership, the company’s headed for a brilliant future. With him around, everyone’s paychecks will only get fatter.”
“Who the hell are you trying to be sarcastic with?” someone snapped. “I’ve had enough of you acting like you’re the boss. Now that Robbie’s moving up, you’re finally getting kicked down where you belong.”
One of them looked like he was about to swing at me, but someone else pulled him back.
“Let it go. Not worth it. Can’t do the job, can’t keep the girl, pushing forty and still single—he’ll get what’s coming.”
I ignored all of it and headed for the elevator, my resignation in hand.
As the doors slid shut, I slumped down, feeling drained.
Ten seconds later, I got up again—back to the same sharp, efficient man I’d always been—and marched straight into the CEO’s office.
Robbie was sprawled on Heddy’s couch, munching on a bag of chips.
“Manager Lauderdale—no wait, dude! What brings you here?”
Robbie, as her assistant, was the only person in the company who knew I was her husband.
Heddy said it was to help him manage logistics.
Ten years later, I’ve seen no sign of that help—just endless excuses for him to provoke me.
My eyes drifted over the chip crumbs on the couch. I couldn't help the irony.
Back when I used to visit her office, even sipping coffee was off-limits.
She’d say she didn’t want me dirtying the carpet, or messing up the couch.
Didn’t want me ruining her company’s image.
But now that it’s Robbie? Apparently, none of those rules apply.
Heddy’s face darkened the moment I walked in.
“Do you not know how to knock?” she hissed. “Can't you see I’m busy? Get out, and knock properly.”
Robbie tossed the chip bag to the carpet and rushed to smooth things over.
“Don’t be mad, President Spitzer. He didn’t mean it. He just got a little too eager, that’s all.”
