Mister didn’t want to bring his lame wife to the party because she was “shameful” — but when she climbed the stage as the company’s owner, the man fell to his knees in remorse!

Leo is an ambitious manager at Apex Global Solutions. Handsome, smart, and always the star of the office. But despite his success, he hides a “secret” that he is ashamed of—his wife Mara.

Mara is a beautiful woman, but her legs were paralyzed due to an accident three years ago. Since then, she has been in a wheelchair. She paid for Leo’s MBA and provided the capital for him to enter the company, using the inheritance he received from his late and wealthy father. But when Leo rose to the top, the wind changed.

One night, Leo was preparing for the company’s Grand Annual Gala. This was the night when the new Vice President would be announced. Leo was sure he would be chosen.

Mara saw Leo wearing an expensive tuxedo.

“Hon,” Mara called softly as she adjusted the tire of her wheelchair. “Can I come along? I haven’t been out in a while. I also want to see your award. I bought a new gown, red. It suits me.”

Leo stopped combing his hair. He looked at Mara in the mirror. His gaze was not one of love, but of disgust.

“Come along?” Leo laughed sarcastically. “Mara, look at yourself. This is a gala for the elite. It’s all executives there. What are you going to do there? You’re just getting in the way.”

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

“Proud?” Leo came closer and bent down to meet Mara’s face. “How can I be proud if you’re disabled? Imagine, I’m walking the red carpet, and then… I push you around? I’ll look like a burden! My image will be ruined! What I need by my side is a woman who can stand and climb, not a woman who will be carried when she urinates.”

Every word was like a knife to Mara’s heart.

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

Leo left, leaving Mara in tears in the room, holding the red gown she hadn’t worn.

In the hotel’s Grand Ballroom, everything was sparkling. The music was beautiful, the food was delicious.

Leo arrived with Sheila, his secretary who had been his longtime lover. He introduced her to the bosses as his “partner.”

“Wow, Leo, your date was great,” his coworkers praised.

“Of course,” Leo boasted. “Something for the future VP, right?”

While drinking, Leo continued his story.

“You know, it’s a good thing I broke up with my ex,” Leo lied to his companions. “It’s such a burden. Imagine, a cripple? No use at home, no use in bed. Good thing I got away.”

They laughed. Leo didn’t know that someone was listening backstage.

The time for the main event arrived. The CEO of the company took the stage.

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

Leo was stunned. Who could that be? he thought. I should pay attention to him.

“Please welcome,” the CEO shouted. “Our Chairman… Ms. Mara Consunji-Velasco!”

The large curtain opened in the middle of the stage.

A spotlight focused.

A woman riding a Gold-plated Wheelchair came out. She was wearing a beautiful red gown full of diamonds. Her hair was done up, her face was fresh and fierce.

Mara.

The glass of wine that Leo was holding fell. It shattered on the floor.

“M-Mara…?” Leo whispered. She turned as pale as paper.

His secretary Sheila let go of Leo’s arm. “That’s your wife?! You said you were divorced?! She’s the owner?!”

Mara kept running her wheelchair to the middle of the stage. The CEO handed her the microphone with great respect.

The entire ballroom was silent.

“Good evening,” Mara greeted. Her voice was full of power. “Many of you, I don’t know. Because often, people like me… are hidden. They are ashamed. They are called ‘burdens’.”

Mara looked straight at Leo’s place.

“There was an employee here who told me just now… that I was not suitable for this party because I couldn’t stand. That his image would be ruined if he had a cripple with him.”

The people murmured. “Who is that? That’s the worst!”

“Mr. Leo Velasco,” Mara said by name of her husband. “Please come up on stage.”

Leo’s knees trembled. All eyes were on him. He had no choice. He climbed onto the stage, sweating profusely.

When she approached, she tried to smile.

“H-hon! You’re here! Is this a surprise? I love you!” Leo was about to hug Mara and kiss her to