“Someone took your wife performance very seriously. They asked whether my ‘traditional values’ shaped how I treated women at work. The company is going through some ‘diversity audit,’ and they’re going to be watching me closely.”
I raised my eyebrows, feigning surprise.
“Really? That’s terrible,” I said, not meaning it.
His eyes drifted to the kitchen, where the apron still hung.
“You win,” he said quietly. “I… I saw a lifestyle that looked good on the surface without realizing how harmful it was.”
I closed my laptop.
“In that case, we both win. I get to wear pants again, and you’ll get to keep your job. By the way, I decided to get a remote job after all.
I started applying to vacancies today.”
For a moment, I thought he might argue. Instead, he nodded slowly.
“I’m sorry,” he said finally. “Mom always looked so happy in her role, I thought…”
“You thought I’d be happy, too, but I’m not her,” I finished for him.
That night, I took the uniform and stuffed it in the back of the closet.
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