His regret: rise of the boss lady

I sat at the dining table, picking at my meal, my eyes drifting to the stairs for what felt like the hundredth time—waiting for Joe.

He finally appeared, walking briskly toward the table. My heart leaped as I smoothed down my gown and planted a soft smile on my lips.

“Honey,” I said faintly.

He slid into his seat without acknowledging me. I was used to his coldness by now, but I wasn’t ready to give up.

“I didn’t hear you come in last night. How was work?” I asked, serving his portion carefully.

He sighed, picked up a fork, and began picking at the food.

“I’m glad we could have dinner like this... like a fa—family,” I added with a nervous grin.

He dropped his fork abruptly and stared at me coldly.

“Don’t you ever have a moment when you just... keep your mouth shut?” he snapped.

I panicked. “I... I’m sorry. I just got a little excited being able to eat with you tonight, and I got really anx—”

He stood up abruptly.

“Where are you going? You haven’t eaten anything yet.”

“Just hearing your voice, Megan? It made me lose my appetite,” he said, storming off. He grabbed his suitcase from the housekeeper and slammed the door shut.

I was left alone. As usual.

I signaled to Katie, the housekeeper, to clear the table.

I couldn’t bring myself to eat anything. D*mn it, I wasn’t even hungry. All I wanted was to share a peaceful meal with Joe...

But it never worked out. No matter how understanding I tried to be, no matter how many times I bent over backward, nothing ever worked.

What was I doing wrong? What more could I change? I had memorized his likes and dislikes, yet even doing the things he supposedly liked only seemed to irritate him more.

I sat there in the empty dining room, feeling like a shadow of myself.

I had no one to talk to. No family to turn to. It felt like I’d been discarded by everyone who was supposed to love me.

“Ma’am, are you okay?” Katie rushed to my side. I hadn’t realized I’d fallen off the chair. My eyes were teary, and I could barely make out her face.

“Did I do something wrong?” I asked her through sobs. “Am I not good enough?”

“You are, ma’am. You really are…”

“Then why does he hate me so much? Am I ugly? Do I stink?”

“Ma’am, please pull yourself together. You’re beautiful just the way you are. And I’m sure Mr. Joe will see it one day.”

“One day...” I repeated in a whisper. Then I laughed bitterly. “One day? When will that come?”

Katie patted my shoulder gently as I cried in her arms like a baby. My heart ached so deeply it felt like I was breaking from the inside out.

I wanted to hate him. God, I wanted to so badly. But how could I? I’d known Joe all my life. I had loved him since we were teenagers—even when he never looked my way.

And I still loved him.

It was like I was cursed, trapped in this one-sided relationship, suffering in silence with no one to turn to.

My family wasn’t any better. I was adopted, and they never let me forget it. I had always dreamed of a fairytale life with Joe and a house full of children, finally loved, finally happy.

But here I was—sad, abandoned, and hated. Again.

*****

I didn’t know when I dozed off, but when I woke up, I was on my queen-sized bed.

I walked into the hallway and out into the garden, letting the cool breeze soothe me.

A few minutes later, Katie found me, holding a parcel in her hands.

“From Mr. Joe,” she said.

Excitement bubbled inside me as I rushed to take it from her. I ran into the house, carefully unwrapping it. Inside was a stunning black glittering dress.

My heart nearly skipped a beat.

He got me a dress?

Just then, my phone vibrated from the counter where it had been all day.

I rushed to grab it.

“Your phone—is it just an accessory? Doesn’t it work?” Joe’s voice barked through the speaker.

I jerked, quickly checking the notification bar. Multiple missed calls from him.

“I’m sorry, I was a bit down and—”

“Did you get the parcel?”

“Yes, I did. It’s beautiful.”

“Good. Have it on and be ready by 8. My driver will come pick you up. Dad insists we attend a friend’s party with him.”

My heart fluttered.

“Uh,” I gasped, trying to sound calm.

“Are you coming or not?”

“Yes! Yes, I will!”

He ended the call without another word.

I looked down at the dress, gripping it tightly and twirling with joy.

A night out with Joe. Okay, maybe not a date, but we’d actually walk into the ballroom together. Like real couples.

I screamed into the dress, hugging it close.

“Thanks, Uncle Bradley. Thank you!”

*****

By 7, I was fully dressed and waiting in the sitting room. Katie had called in a makeup artist, and I looked... glowing. Or so she said.

“You look exceptionally stunning tonight,” Katie repeated for the tenth time.

“Katie, stop! With the way you’re hyping me up, I might actually start to believe it.”

“You are stunning, Mrs. Megan. Trust me.”

I held her hands, smiling. “This is all thanks to you. Thanks for standing by me through this rough patch. It means everything.”

She patted my hands gently.

“Hopefully Joe sees me in a different light tonight,” I whispered, voice trailing off.

“Your driver is here,” she said a moment later.

“Finally,” I gasped, suddenly nervous.

“You okay?” Katie asked.

“Yeah,” I shrugged it off. “See you soon.”

*****

I walked into the ballroom like a stray in borrowed luxury. Familiar faces were everywhere, but I avoided their eyes.

Even my sisters—Harley and Ashley, the evil twins—were there.

And then I saw him.

Joe.

Surrounded by acquaintances, laughing, relaxed. I struggled to catch his attention. I panicked, unsure whether to walk up or wait.

He looked in my direction—and then looked away.

I sighed. What did I expect? He wasn’t going to change overnight.

That was it. I was going over.

I walked confidently toward him.

“Jo—”

“Joe!” A woman’s voice rang out before I could reach him.

She flew into his arms, hugging him tightly. Joe smiled, gripping her waist like they were long lost lovers.

“Miranda! It’s been ages,” he said warmly.

“Oh, Joe, I’ve missed you!”

I bit my lip, forcing a smile as I approached.

“Honey,” I said quietly.

“Yes? Megan?” he replied flatly. My heart sank.

“Any problem?” he asked in a sweet, fake tone.

“Uh—who’s she? Wait, Isn’t she your little wife you married a few months back?” Miranda asked, amused.

Little wife? My teeth dug into my bottom lip.

“Ignore her.”he said to Miranda then turned to me. “Just go. Go have fun, alright? Leave.”

I returned home feeling like a complete mess. Joe had brought me to the party just to humiliate me.

I was a fool to think he’d be even slightly affectionate in public. He didn’t even look my way the entire night.

Worse, I couldn’t leave because I didn’t want to offend his dad, Uncle Bradley.

I had watched him all night, having fun with other women like an unmarried man.

Even worse, my sisters seized the opportunity to rub it in my face.

*Flashback*

“Hey, sis. Trouble in paradise?” Ashley smirked.

I grabbed a wine glass from a passing waiter, downed it in one gulp, and gently placed the glass back on the tray.

“There’s definitely trouble in paradise. Joe doesn’t even want to be in the same space as her. He obviously hates her. I mean, who wouldn’t? She’s literally wearing her smug glasses with a dinner gown,” she giggled.

“Don’t be harsh, Ashley,” Harley