A HUSBAND REFUSES TO BRING HIS DISABLED WIFE TO A PARTY BECAUSE SHE’S “EMBARRASSING” — BUT WHEN SHE STEPS ON STAGE AS THE COMPANY OWNER, HE FALLS TO HIS KNEES IN REGRET

Leo was an ambitious manager at Apex Global Solutions—handsome, intelligent, and always in the spotlight at the office. But behind his success, he hid a “secret” he was deeply ashamed of: his wife, Mara.

Mara was a beautiful woman, but three years ago, an accident left her paralyzed from the waist down. Since then, she had been using a wheelchair. She paid for Leo’s MBA education and provided the capital that helped him enter the company, using the inheritance she received from her late, wealthy father. But once Leo began to rise in status, everything changed.

One evening, Leo was getting ready for the company’s Grand Annual Gala. It was the night the new Vice President would be announced. Leo was certain the position was his.

Mara saw Leo putting on his expensive tuxedo.

“Hon,” Mara said gently as she adjusted the wheels of her wheelchair. “Can I come with you? I haven’t gone out in a long time. I want to see you receive your award. I bought a new gown—red. It suits me.”

Leo stopped combing his hair. He looked at Mara through the mirror—not with love, but with disgust.

“Come with me?” Leo laughed sarcastically. “Mara, look at yourself. This is an elite gala. All executives will be there. What will you do? You’ll just be a burden.”

“I’m your wife, Leo,” Mara replied, her voice trembling. “Shouldn’t you be proud of me?”

“Proud?” Leo stepped closer and bent down to her level. “How can I be proud when you’re crippled? Imagine this—me walking the red carpet, pushing you around? I’ll look like a caretaker! My image will be ruined! I need a woman who can stand and walk beside me, not someone I have to lift just so she can go to the bathroom.”

Each word pierced Mara’s heart like a knife.

“Just stay here,” Leo ordered. “Don’t wait up for me. And don’t call.”

Leo left, abandoning Mara in tears in the bedroom, holding the red gown she would never wear.

At the hotel’s grand ballroom, everything sparkled. The music was elegant, the food exquisite.

Leo arrived with Sheila, his secretary—and longtime mistress. He introduced her to the executives as his “partner.”

“Wow, Leo, your date is beautiful,” his colleagues praised.

“Of course,” Leo bragged. “Perfect for a future VP, right?”

As the drinks flowed, Leo kept talking.

“You know, it’s a good thing I already left my ex,” Leo lied. “She was such a burden. Imagine—disabled? Useless at home, useless in bed. Good thing I escaped.”

They laughed, unaware that someone was listening behind the stage.

Soon, it was time for the main event. The CEO walked onto the stage.

“Good evening, everyone,” the CEO said. “Tonight, before we announce the promotion, we have a special guest. I want to introduce the person who kept this company alive. She is the Silent Majority Shareholder who saved us during the pandemic. She owns 60% of Apex Global.”

Leo froze. Who could that be? he thought. I need to impress her.

“Please welcome,” the CEO announced loudly, “our Chairman… Ms. Mara Consunji-Velasco!”

The large curtain at the center of the stage opened.

A spotlight shone.

A woman emerged in a gold-plated wheelchair, wearing a stunning red gown adorned with diamonds. Her hair was perfectly styled, her face radiant and fierce.

It was Mara.

The wine glass slipped from Leo’s hand and shattered on the floor.

“M-Mara…?” Leo whispered, turning pale.

Sheila let go of his arm. “That’s your wife?! You said you were already separated! She’s the owner?!”

Mara calmly wheeled herself to the center of the stage. The CEO handed her the microphone with deep respect.

The entire ballroom fell silent.

“Good evening,” Mara said. Her voice carried power. “Many of you don’t know me. People like me are often hidden. Ashamed of. Labeled as ‘burdens.’”

Mara looked directly at Leo’s table.

“There is an employee here who told me just earlier today… that I didn’t belong at this party because I can’t stand. That his image would be ruined if he were seen with a cripple.”

The crowd murmured. “Who is that? That’s horrible!”

“Mr. Leo Velasco,” Mara said clearly. “Please come up on stage.”

Leo’s knees trembled. All eyes were on him. He had no choice. He walked onto the stage, drenched in sweat.

As he approached, he forced a smile.

“H-hon! You’re here! Is this a surprise? I love you!” Leo tried to hug and kiss Mara for show.

SMACK!

A loud slap echoed across the ballroom.

“Don’t touch me,” Mara said coldly.

“Mara…” Leo held his cheek.

“Leo,” Mara spoke into the microphone, “the VP position you were expecting tonight? I already gave it to someone else.”

“B-but hon… I worked so hard for the company…”

“Worked hard?” Mara laughed. “Who paid for your MBA tuition? Me. Who wrote your recommendation letter to get you into this company? Me. Who bought the suit you’re wearing right now? Me! All of it came from the money of your ‘crippled’ wife!”

Leo dropped to his knees—not out of respect, but out of fear of losing everything.

“Mara, I’m sorry! Please forgive me! I was blinded by ambition! I love you! Only you!”

Leo cried at the feet of Mara’s wheelchair in front of 500 guests. The man who had been bragging moments ago now begged like a broken dog.

“Stand up,” Mara ordered. “A man without principles does not belong beside me.”

Mara turned to the audience.

“As Chairman of Apex Global, I am announcing the immediate termination of Mr. Leo Velasco for ethical misconduct and moral turpitude.”

“YOU’RE FIRED, LEO.”

The crowd erupted in applause.

“And one more thing,” Mara added as she turned away. “My divorce lawyer is waiting outside. Sign the papers before you leave. I want you out of my house by midnight.”

Mara left the stage with her head held high. Though she sat in a wheelchair, she was the tallest person in the room that night.

Leo was left behind on the stage—kneeling, crying, his reputation destroyed. He lost his job, his money, his career, and the woman who truly loved him—all because he chose his image over his heart.