Then, all at once, the guests erupted in congratulations, swarming around Shalane.
I just stood there and laughed.
What a joke!
I gave this company 20 years of my life! And not once did Brent ever mention giving me shares.
But Shalane? He was so worried about her future, he made sure she had 10%—just in case.
It couldn’t be clearer. Who he cared about, and who he didn’t.
Brent finally turned to me, as if realizing for the first time that I was still here.
“Camryn, don’t overthink this. Giving shares to Galvin and Devin is just to secure their future.”
“You’re my wife. If they respect me, they’ll naturally respect you too. What’s the point of you having shares on your own?”
The words had barely left his mouth when Shalane walked over, slipping her arm around Brent’s.
“Brent, there are a few elders I don’t know. Can you introduce me?”
She pulled him toward the crowd, and just as she turned, she shot me a mocking, condescending look.
When his parents were calling everyone over for a family photo, I quietly stepped back, slipping out of the group.
By the time Brent came back, I was already sitting on the floor, tears blurring my vision as I drank.