My Husband Took Another ‘Wife’ to His Company’s Summer Party as His Plus-One — But His Boss Made Sure He Regretted It
Tom told me his company’s summer party had been canceled.
He said there were budget cuts. He said the boss didn’t think it was the right time for a celebration.
I believed him.
At least, I thought I did.
Then I showed up anyway.
And the moment his boss heard me introduce myself as Tom’s wife, the smile disappeared from his face.
Then he mentioned the woman Tom had brought with him.
That was when I realized the party wasn’t the only thing my husband had been lying about.
The house was quiet in that soft, six-a.m. way I had grown to love since Tom started his new corporate job.
I sat at the kitchen island with a cup of coffee between my hands, listening to the coffeemaker tick as the sky slowly turned pink behind the maple tree in our backyard.
Life had developed a rhythm.
School runs.
Packed lunches.
Laundry.
Bills.
And a husband who seemed to come home later and later each evening but still kissed the top of my head before dropping his keys into the bowl by the door.
That morning, I had been thinking about something completely ordinary.
A dress.
“I’ve already been eyeing one,” I said to myself with a small smile.
I had no idea that by the end of the day, that dress would mean much more than I expected.
That afternoon, during school pickup, I spotted Melanie, one of Tom’s coworkers, standing near the flagpole while her son tugged impatiently at her sleeve.
“Claire!” she called. “Tell me you’re going to the summer party this year.”
I laughed.
“Summer party?”
“Yes! Last year they had a chocolate fountain the size of a toddler.”
I smiled.
“I hadn’t even heard the date yet.”
“But I’m already thinking about what to wear,” I admitted. “Maybe something navy. I want Tom to actually look up from his phone for once.”
Melanie laughed.
“Ask him tonight. You’ll love it.”
Her son suddenly bolted toward the car.
She waved and followed him.
I watched her go, still smiling.
I had no idea that by dinner, I would understand exactly why Tom had never mentioned the party.
That evening, I drove home thinking about the navy dress.
I imagined Tom standing beside me with his arm around my waist.
I imagined meeting his coworkers and finally feeling like his wife again instead of the person who organized everything around his schedule.
At dinner, I placed his plate in front of him and sat across the table.
“So,” I said casually, “Melanie mentioned the company summer party. When is it? I want to get something new to wear.”
