The Rise of Ethan Ryder: The Despised Husband & CEO

Chapter 4: The Disastrous Anniversary

Ethan had planned the anniversary meticulously, hoping against hope that perhaps this would be the moment when Jasmine would see him differently. After years of enduring her scorn, he wanted to give her an evening that would rekindle the warmth that once existed between them. He had arranged an intimate dinner at one of the city’s most exclusive restaurants, where they would be surrounded by soft candlelight, live piano music, and a breathtaking view overlooking the skyline.

He had spent weeks planning, selecting a custom bouquet of her favorite lilies, and even having a necklace crafted with an opal pendant, something he knew she’d always admired. This was his way of reaching out, trying to remind her that beneath the image of a “useless husband” lay a man who still cared, even if she’d long since forgotten.

As he dressed that evening, Ethan allowed himself a small glimmer of hope. Tonight, he thought, might just be different.

However, as they arrived at the restaurant, the hopeful anticipation quickly faded. Jasmine barely acknowledged his efforts, scrolling through her phone as they were led to their table. Even the bouquet he presented her, beautifully arranged with pristine lilies, received only a passing glance. She accepted it with a curt nod, placing it aside without so much as a “thank you.”

Throughout the evening, Jasmine seemed more interested in her phone than the dinner or Ethan himself. She texted, checked her notifications, and barely looked up as the meal was served. Every attempt Ethan made at conversation was met with disinterest or a short, dismissive response. He watched, his heart sinking, as she openly ignored him, her focus elsewhere.

Then, midway through the dinner, the door opened, and a group of Jasmine’s friends entered the restaurant. They spotted her, calling her name and waving her over. Jasmine’s eyes lit up with a spark he hadn’t seen all night. Without a second thought, she rose and went over to greet them, leaving Ethan alone at their table.

He sat in silence, watching her laugh and talk animatedly with her friends, completely forgetting about him. After several minutes, Jasmine waved him over, her expression one of irritation when he didn’t immediately join her.

“Ethan, come over here,” she called out in a tone that sounded more like a command than an invitation. “You’re embarrassing me by sitting there alone!”

Reluctantly, Ethan got up and joined them, but Jasmine’s friends barely acknowledged him. They cast him looks of disdain and pity, clearly echoing Jasmine’s opinion of him as a “nobody.” One of them, Kyle, a self-proclaimed entrepreneur and Jasmine’s high school friend, leaned in with a mocking grin.

“So, Jasmine,” he began, not even bothering to address Ethan. “How’s it going being married to… well, someone who just doesn’t quite live up to the standards you deserve?”

Jasmine laughed along with her friends, her cheeks slightly flushed from the wine. “It’s been... an experience,” she replied, casting a quick glance at Ethan, her smile faltering only for a moment before she continued. “But you know, some people just don’t have the ambition to succeed.”

Kyle smirked, looking directly at Ethan. “I heard that your job is... less than glamorous. How does it feel being married to someone as amazing as Jasmine?”

Ethan clenched his jaw, feeling a flare of anger simmer beneath his calm exterior. He fought to maintain his composure, refusing to let these people see him react. Instead, he smiled politely, choosing silence over confrontation.

Jasmine’s friends continued to chat, making sly comments about his “uselessness” and joking about how “someone like Jasmine deserved better.” Through it all, Jasmine offered no defense, no attempt to correct them. Instead, she laughed along, reveling in the attention as if Ethan didn’t exist at all.

The final straw came when Kyle lifted his glass in a mock toast. “Here’s to Jasmine’s husband—the most patient man I’ve ever met. After all, not many could put up with a life of mediocrity as gracefully as you.”

The laughter that followed was like a slap in the face. Ethan felt a surge of hurt, followed swiftly by anger. For so long, he had endured the insults, the sneers, and the condescension. He had hidden his true identity, his wealth, and his success, all for her sake. But tonight, as he stood amid this crowd of people who looked down on him, his patience finally wore thin.

Setting his glass down, he looked directly at Jasmine, his eyes holding a firmness she hadn’t seen before. “Excuse me,” he said quietly, his voice steady but edged with disappointment.

Without another word, Ethan turned and left the restaurant, leaving Jasmine stunned and her friends in shocked silence. As he walked out, he felt an unfamiliar sense of liberation, as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. For years, he had tried to be what Jasmine wanted—a quiet, supportive presence in her life, even if it meant enduring her scorn.

But tonight was different. Tonight, he had reached his breaking point.

As he stepped outside into the cool night air, Ethan made a decision. No longer would he allow himself to be her doormat, to let her disregard him so easily. He had built empires, commanded respect in the highest circles, and yet he had reduced himself to nothing in the eyes of the one person he had cared for the most.

No more, he thought resolutely. The time would come when Jasmine would realize the depths of his sacrifices. But it wouldn’t be on her terms.