The CEO's Hidden Wife

The next few days after their conversation seemed to drag on endlessly. Lena had hoped that opening up to Dominic would bring about some change, but instead, things between them felt more tense than ever. They hadn't spoken much since that night in his office, and she couldn't help but wonder if she had made a mistake in trying to bridge the gap between them.

Her days were filled with meetings, reports, and the usual bustle of work. She tried to focus on her tasks, but every time she glanced across the room and saw Dominic, she felt a wave of uncertainty. He seemed just as distant as before, as though their conversation had never happened. It was frustrating. She wanted more than just a professional relationship with him, even if it was only a small part of the far bigger picture of their marriage.

Lena was walking through the office one afternoon when she caught sight of him speaking with another colleague, a woman she hadn't seen around much. The way the woman leaned in slightly as they spoke, the way Dominic responded with an almost imperceptible smile—it all felt like a blow to Lena's chest. She quickly turned and ducked into the nearest break room, needing a moment to collect herself. She was supposed to be indifferent to him, yet the sight of him talking to someone else sparked a jealousy in her that she didn't even realize was there.

She took a deep breath and grabbed a coffee mug, staring at the coffee machine as it slowly brewed her drink. It's none of your business, she reminded herself. But still, a part of her couldn't shake the feeling that the lines were starting to blur, and she didn't know what to do about it.

It wasn't long before she saw him again. This time, Dominic was walking toward her, his usual cold demeanor in place. She prepared herself for their usual silence, but to her surprise, he spoke first.

"Lena," he said, his tone casual but with a slight edge. "I need you to accompany me to a dinner event tonight. There are some important people I need to impress, and it would look better if you were by my side."

Lena raised an eyebrow, surprised by the request. "A dinner event?" she repeated. "And you need me there… for what exactly?"

He glanced at her, his gaze hard but not entirely unkind. "To make an impression, obviously. You're my wife, after all," he added, though there was a hint of something else behind his words—something almost challenging.

Lena hesitated, her mind racing. She hadn't expected this kind of invitation, especially not after everything that had happened between them. She had assumed he would continue to ignore her, but here he was, asking her to play the role of the perfect wife at a public event.

"Fine," she said after a moment, though she didn't quite know what she was agreeing to.

That evening, Lena stood in front of her closet, scanning through the dresses she owned. She needed to look the part, but she didn't want to seem like she was trying too hard. Finally, she settled on a simple black dress that hit just above her knees, elegant but understated. She applied her makeup carefully, trying to look put-together while still maintaining an air of professionalism.

When she arrived at the venue with Dominic, she could already feel the eyes of others on them. The restaurant was filled with wealthy business people, all dressed in expensive suits and glamorous gowns. Lena couldn't help but feel out of place, but she pushed the feeling aside, determined to focus on the task at hand.

Dominic, however, seemed perfectly at ease. He greeted everyone with confidence, his presence commanding attention. But every so often, he would glance at her—quick, almost imperceptible, but it didn't go unnoticed by Lena. His eyes were hard to read, and she couldn't tell if he was silently judging her or if he was simply concerned about maintaining appearances.

Throughout the night, they mingled with guests, exchanging pleasantries and making small talk. Dominic spoke to several people in a way that made Lena feel as though she were simply a part of his presentation—a necessary accessory to complete the picture of the perfect CEO. But she could also see the flickers of exhaustion in his eyes, and every now and then, his gaze would soften when he looked at her.

It wasn't much, but it was enough to leave her wondering. Was he starting to acknowledge her as more than just his wife for show? Or was she reading too much into his fleeting glances?

The dinner dragged on for what felt like hours. Dominic continued to entertain his guests, but as the evening wore on, Lena grew more restless. She could feel her patience thinning. She was here, at his side, looking the part—yet she couldn't shake the feeling that she was still just a pawn in this game. She had tried to understand him, to open up to him, but it seemed like he was still keeping her at arm's length.

Eventually, Dominic excused himself from the table, leaving Lena alone with a few other guests. As she sat there, feeling the weight of the situation press down on her, she realized something. She wasn't just playing a role at this dinner—she was playing a role in their entire marriage. A role she didn't know how to escape from.

After what felt like an eternity, Dominic returned, his expression unreadable as always. He offered his arm, and they made their way to the car in silence.

On the ride home, the tension between them was palpable. Lena tried to focus on the passing lights outside the car window, but her mind kept drifting back to the night's events. She wanted to say something—anything—to break the silence, but she didn't know what to say. Dominic, it seemed, had no interest in speaking either.

When they arrived at her apartment, she hesitated before getting out of the car. Dominic was still sitting in the driver's seat, his hand resting on the wheel.

"Thank you for tonight," she said, unsure of what else to say. Her words felt hollow, and she regretted them almost immediately.

Dominic didn't respond for a moment, then he nodded. "It's my job to make sure everything runs smoothly," he said, his voice flat. "Good night, Lena."

And with that, he drove off, leaving her standing alone on the sidewalk, watching the tail lights fade into the distance.