Hi again, everyone. I wanted to answer a few recurring questions from the comments and also share how the dinner went.

First of all, I don’t live in the U.S., and English is not my first language. That’s why I write my updates in my native language and use ChatGPT to translate them so they’re easier to understand. When I respond to comments directly, I type in English myself — so please excuse any grammar mistakes!

As for Joe and me — we’ve been together for 10 years and have worked together for almost 8 of those. Like any couple, we’ve had ups and downs, but we’ve managed to come through without major scars. Joe has gone on many business trips before, often with other women present, and I’ve never had a problem with that. I’m not someone who panics just because my husband is away on a work trip. We’ve faced similar situations before and handled them without much issue because we trust each other. But this time was different. As Joe said, maybe it hit harder because this woman was going after me, not him. She was directly trying to get under my skin. And she succeeded. I let my emotions spiral, and things could have gone to a much worse place — I’m relieved they didn’t.

Joe told me that while my doubts and reactions did upset him a little, he understands why I felt the way I did and doesn’t blame me. He said, “If I were in your place, I’d feel terrible too — but I never thought you would believe I’d betray you like that.” He’s right — I was unfair to him on that front. But he also told me he knows how much I’ve endured for him, and that he’ll work on making sure I never feel that way again. And I believe him.

Now, about dinner — it actually went pretty well overall. Nobody questioned my presence, and Joe told them he invited me. The woman did make a few passive-aggressive comments, though — mostly disguised as jokes. At one point, she said something like, “If she weren’t always in her husband’s shadow, she could be doing so much more.” Later, she said I was being “wasted” in this company and could thrive at a bigger firm.

I didn’t let it get to me. I smiled and simply said, “You seem to have a great eye for people’s potential.” Some of the others in the group — who I already knew — actually suggested I participate in the final day of work. But I declined. I didn’t want it to look like I was trying to compete with her or prove anything. I told them, “I’m just here for Joe — and for the fun parts.”

If we win this bid, we’ll have to work with this woman for another 5 years — and that worries me. But I also know we won’t be seeing her that often. This contract means a lot to Joe, so I guess I’ll have to learn how to live with it.