Lost in the MLC Desert

[d_Rose]

Hi All,

A little more background about my work situation. We have 3 companies, I work with 2 of them. They are all still fairly new companies, still working to be successful, but growing. We have a partner in all 3 companies. My H mainly runs one here in the town we live in, and his partner mainly runs the other one on the East Coast. The third one is much more hands off. I quit my full time nursing job in April to help with the companies. We have known the partner and his family for over 15 years, and I would consider us all close friends.

So - for the company our partner mainly runs I administer the benefit programs, payroll, and several federal compliance programs. No problem. I interact almost exclusively with the partner. I am happy being a worker bee and keeping a second set of financial eyes on everything.

The company here, I do all the accounting, payroll, equipment/supply ordering, and help with anything else H needs. I do participate at a fairly high level helping him to craft presentations, marketing stuff, etc. But mostly I have just always been his proofreader and sounding board. Did something make sense to someone like me who was not intimately involved in developing the technology? It is "his" company - he is developing tech in a field he is an expert in. I have always just been in a support role. I was happy in the role, it was his dream and I was happy to be a part of it and support it. I always (and mostly still do) felt valued and trusted for my opinions and what I contribute. So now, all those lines are blurred a little.

Accounting is cut and dry, no problem. Payroll no problem. And he is still including me on the big business decisions. Here is the problem......

The OW is a consultant for our company. She is an expert in the field my husband is developing tech for. They share this passion. So I see her name on emails, occasionally hear her on conference calls, she is occasionally at the office to advise/test/etc. I haven't run into her yet. It seems it has gotten more and more involved lately - maybe it always was and he just isn't hiding it anymore. But the last week or so it has been very painful for me as she was involved with a few key business meetings.

I can do most of my work from home. I am putting on our joint calendar when I will be in the office so he is aware and can hopefully not have her there. I do not know if any of the employees are suspicious or have noticed. As he still wears his rings and has not said anything to them. It is humiliating. I think this is part of the reason I have been spinning the last week or so.

Part of me wants to go back to a full time nursing job, but part of me wants to stay in the businesses to make sure he is not doing anything crazy or erratic on the business side. My long term financial future is tied to these businesses as well. It also affords me a very flexible schedule to be available for S15 sports activities, GAL, etc. I work hard, but can do it at time of my choosing.

More cake eating. He has my support, understanding and dedication to our businesses, while little by little OW is becoming more entrenched and supporting him as well. What a tangled web we weave....

Let the flogging commence....