I Knew My Husband Was Having an Affair—So I Hired His Mistress at My Company and Everyone Called Me …

I knew my husband had a mistress. Instead of confronting him, I hired herI was called mad.

When I stumbled upon the messages between my husband and “the other woman,” I didn’t cry. I didn’t scream. I simply smiled. I am the chief executive of a major international consultancy, and a far more delicious idea came to me than any dramatic row.

Two weeks later, I placed an advert for a new executive assistant. She applied. Her CV was thoroughly unremarkable, but the photograph was unmissable: the very same face as the selfies filling my husband’s phone.

On interview day, I swept into the boardroom, tailored suit pristine, shoes clicking on the marble.

You’re the candidate, aren’t you? Please, have a seat.

She met my eyes, giving nothing away. Unsurprising. He’d never shown her a picture of me. I imagined what hed told her: that his wife was an unspeakable bore, terribly neglected.

So, why do you want to work for us? I asked with a measured calm.

Your company’s reputation is spectacular and…

Just call me “boss,” I cut her off with a smile. We’re all family here.

I offered her the job on the spot.

The first months were surreallike an extended play. I must admit, she proved diligent. My greatest pleasure, however, was sipping flat whites with her each morning, just two hours after my husband slipped out of our house, utterly oblivious.

Are you married? she asked me one day, as I sifted through contracts.

Yes, very happily, thank you I replied, never blinking. And you? Any special someone?

She blushed.

Its complicated. Hes in… a difficult situation.

Married, is he? I remarked offhandedly. Classic.

No! He loves me. It’s just…

Don’t worry, Im not judging. The heart wants what it wants.

Each night, my husband would ask about my day. Id share harmless work tales, tossing in a casual mention of “my new assistantsuch a hard worker.” He never suspected a thing. Unfaithful men are astonishingly naive.

By the sixth month, I promoted her.

Youve done brilliant work. Id like you to head up our new office in Singapore. It’s a unique opportunitya pay rise of eighty percent, a flat in the city, three-year contract.

Her eyes shone.

Overseas? But I Ive someone here.

If its true love, distance wont matter I said, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze. If not, then what was it worth? Trust meI know.

My husband was insufferable those weeksrow after row on the phone while I pretended to sleep beside him. At last, she left, weeping at Heathrow according to my driver, who just happened to be there.

Her overseas project was a roaring success. She sent flawless reports. My husband, eaten up by guilt, turned attentivecandlelit dinners, bunches of roses, promises to renew our vows.

How sweet.

Exactly a year from when I hired her, I rang her on video.

We ought to talk.

Her face tensed.

We’re terminating your contract, Im afraid. Restructuring. You know how these things go.

What? But I gave up everything! My life!

Yes, its a pity you left that “complicated” chap for this chance. By the waygive him my regards when youre back. Though, I rather doubt hell be waiting. Hes terribly busy helping me plan our vow renewal these days.

A perfect silence descended. Her face moved from disbelief to horror, realising who I truly was.

You you knew

From the beginning. Your severance is already arranged. My advice? Invest in therapy. And next time a married man tells you his wife just doesnt understand him, maybe ask if she runs budgets of tens of millions. Its likely she understands much more than he ever imagined.

I ended the call.

That evening, my husband came home clutching a bottle of champagne.

Lets celebrate! Its been exactly a year since things started to look up for us.

I raised my glass, savouring every sip.

I never told him. Why disturb his peaceful little dream? Id already had my filland he never even realised that my revenge was meant for him all along.

And youwould you say that cold, careful revenge is preferable to open confrontation, or should the truth always come out straight away?