Chapter 16: A Small Victory
The days following the company meeting were grueling for Ethan. His time was consumed by endless meetings, strategic planning, and putting out fires. Every step forward seemed to reveal two more obstacles. The company's trust deficit, years of poor management, and Chase's shaky leadership made progress feel like swimming upstream in a storm.
But every evening, Ethan had one constant to look forward to: Lila. No matter how chaotic his day had been, she was always there, armed with a sarcastic quip, an unexpected insight, or just her steady presence. Her unflinching attitude had become his anchor.
That evening, Ethan walked into their apartment, his shoulders sagging with exhaustion. He dropped his bag by the door and collapsed onto the couch without a word.
"You look like someone squeezed the life out of you," Lila said, perching on the armrest like a curious cat. "Should I start preparing your eulogy?"
"Very funny," Ethan mumbled, rubbing his temples.
"Rough day?" she asked, her teasing tone giving way to genuine concern.
"Chase," Ethan said with a sigh. "He's trying—really, he is—but every time he speaks in a meeting, it's like watching a slow-motion train wreck. The employees don't trust him. I can't blame them, but if he doesn't step up, this whole thing is going to implode."
Lila's brow furrowed, and she crossed her arms. "Sounds like you're caught between letting him sink or stepping in to steer the ship yourself."
"Exactly," Ethan said. "But if I take over too much, it'll only make things worse. He'll resent me, and the employees will see him as even weaker."
For a moment, Lila was silent, her eyes thoughtful. Then, a spark lit up her face. "What if you start small? Focus on something tangible that gets the employees on his side—a quick win that shows them he's listening."
Ethan straightened slightly, her words sparking an idea. "That's... actually brilliant. Something that's been overlooked but would make an immediate difference."
Lila smirked. "Look at that, my husband thinks I'm brilliant. Write this moment down; it's historic."
Ethan chuckled, shaking his head. "I might just have to."
The next morning, Ethan arrived at the office with renewed focus. He spent hours combing through feedback from employees, searching for something impactful yet achievable. It wasn't long before he found it: the company's outdated customer service software.
For years, employees had complained about its inefficiency, but Chase had ignored the issue, prioritizing flashy projects that rarely panned out. The software had become a symbol of the company's neglect, a daily frustration that drained morale.
Ethan pitched the idea to Chase, framing it as a low-cost, high-impact way to rebuild trust with the staff. To his surprise, Chase didn't push back. In fact, he seemed eager to take action, perhaps sensing the urgency of the situation.
Together, they planned the rollout of a new system. This time, they did things differently: they involved employees in the decision-making process, gathering input on what features would help them most. It was a simple gesture, but it made a world of difference.
When the new system launched two weeks later, the results were immediate. Workflows improved, frustration levels dropped, and, for the first time in years, employees felt heard. The air in the office was lighter, the atmosphere charged with cautious optimism.
It was a small victory, but it felt monumental.
That evening, Ethan walked into the apartment with a rare spring in his step.
"Someone looks suspiciously cheerful," Lila remarked as she set plates on the table. "Did the apocalypse get postponed?"
"We did it," Ethan said, leaning against the counter. "The new system went live today, and the employees are actually... hopeful. It's a small step, but it's progress."
Lila raised an eyebrow, a sly smile on her lips. "Progress, huh? Sounds like someone followed my advice."
Ethan chuckled. "I'm not too proud to admit when you're right. This time."
"This time?" Lila repeated, pretending to be offended. "I'm always right."
"Of course, dear," Ethan said with mock seriousness.
They laughed, the sound filling the apartment with warmth. As they sat down to dinner, Ethan realized how much Lila's presence had changed his life. She wasn't just his wife in name; she was his partner, his confidante, and, sometimes, his best strategist.
For the first time in years, Ethan felt like he was moving in the right direction—not just at work, but in life. And though he wasn't ready to say it out loud, he was beginning to see that Lila had saved him in more ways than one.