However, family life wasn’t all smooth. The financial situation of Kyle’s family had become shaky in recent years; his father had to transition from businessman to employee. Emily understood that this was the result of bad decisions and that her father-in-law couldn’t come to terms with the loss of status. She had to create new positions for him and Kyle. This caused discontent, especially from her mother-in-law, but Emily, with her diplomacy, managed to settle the conflict.
«You don’t trust me so much that you can’t give a managerial position to me or Kyle?» her father-in-law once indignantly said. «It’s like you’re crushing us and not letting us take a step. All this is the shadow of your father!»
These words hurt Emily badly, but she tried to stay restrained. She gathered the whole family at the table and calmly but firmly stated:
«I run the company, and that won’t change. Regardless of who my husband is and what family ties we have, the main chair in the company belongs to me. If that doesn’t suit you, maybe it’s better if we don’t work together at all.»
Silence hung for a moment, and Emily saw Kyle glance at his father, suppressing his indignation. He bowed his head and softly said:
«It’s fine. We understand. You rightly think you should control your own business.»
Kyle’s words brought relief. Yes, he understood her, and despite all the difficulties, stability had finally appeared in her life, albeit not without efforts on her part.
Sometimes Emily felt like she was leading a double life. At home, she turned into a tender, caring wife, ready to surround her husband with warmth, support, and cook his favorite dish, playing the role of the ideal homemaker. But at work, she was completely different—strict and decisive businesswoman who managed the company with an iron grip, not allowing herself weakness. The girl knew how to hide true emotions and maintain calm in any situation, even when her soul was uneasy.
«Let’s head to the beach somewhere?» Kyle suggested, gently hugging her waist. «Enough sitting in this stuffy city when there’s so much beauty and sun around. You’re fixated on work.»
«Honey, just let me close this deal on the new development,» Emily replied, pointing to the laptop screen, «and we’ll fly right away. I promise.»
«No, that’s not an answer,» her husband began to get irritated. «Normal people know how to rest and switch off. And I’m married to a workaholic who can’t even look at the sky. I want a normal wife, not a robot who just performs wife functions.»
To avoid provoking a conflict, she compromised again, and after some time, they did go on vacation. Kyle relaxed to the fullest—unwound, enjoyed nature and freedom, while Emily constantly checked her phone, worrying about how things were going at the company.
«Look what a wonderful cabin I found!» Kyle joyfully declared one evening. «And it’s not expensive. Let’s buy it and escape there on weekends. It’ll be great!»
Emily glanced at the photos her husband showed her on the tablet and immediately began evaluating the house by professional criteria: distance from the city, infrastructure, building condition.
«Don’t calculate everything now,» Kyle interrupted her, noticing the familiar analysis in her gaze. «Look at the house like a normal girl, not like a realtor. Woods around, lake nearby. It’s just a fairy tale!»
And again, Emily yielded, although she personally didn’t need the house much. Sometimes she asked herself if she was happy in marriage. The answer to this question depended on her mood. On one hand, she wasn’t alone. But on the other, her husband often reminded her of an expensive purebred pet that needed care, feeding, and timely problem-solving. He didn’t become her equal partner; he didn’t even strive for it. The role of a passive companion suited him just fine.
Somehow unnoticed, a child appeared in their lives. Ava was born when Emily was already heading the company, and she couldn’t afford a long maternity leave. The girl was left with a nanny from six months old. Emily, of course, was drawn to her daughter, but she realized her place was in the company. No one else could manage the business like she could.
«You’re guarding your workplace as if I’m going to take it from you,» Kyle once said with offense in his voice. The nanny got sick, and Emily asked her husband to stay with Ava while she was at an important meeting. «If we had a normal family,» he continued, «you’d stay home with the child like a real mother. And I’d go sign the documents. But no, you have to be in the center of everything, control every step. You can’t let go of anything.»
Emily understood that his words were dictated by resentment. Kyle had tried more than once to take over the company’s leadership, but each time he faced her resolute refusal.
Her husband acted unobtrusively but persistently, as if hoping that over time his wife would give in. He constantly offered himself for negotiations or signing important contracts, and when Emily invariably refused, he made an offended face and could not talk to her for several days. And now the situation repeated.
«You don’t consider me a man at all!» Kyle flared up, seriously angry. «How is it for a guy—to sit with a baby and change diapers? Why can’t you give me power of attorney? You keep me under your thumb, and then ask why you need me!»
Emily wearily sank into the chair, watching their daughter Ava, sitting in the playpen, enthusiastically playing with a rattle.
«Kyle, this is my father’s corporation, and only I should…»
«Your father has been dead for a long time, if you’ve forgotten,» Kyle interrupted her sharply with a sarcastic smirk. «And you’re sitting like a dog in the manger! I won’t even mention that in a normal family, everything should be shared. And you…»
«What about me?» Emily raised her eyebrows challengingly, staring at her husband…
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