Instead of arguing, I smiled and assured him everything would be perfect. Behind the scenes, I made my own plans. Using my hidden savings, I ordered a catered Thanksgiving feast, complete with elegant table settings.
On Thanksgiving morning, the house looked spectacular, and the aroma of the catered meal filled the air. Mike basked in the glory, boasting about my supposed resourcefulness. His family arrived, ready to critique, but instead showered compliments on the food. Mike proudly raised a toast, calling me “the best cook in the family.”
That was my moment. I stood and shared how Mike had generously given me $20 to create the meal. As shocked faces turned toward him, I revealed the truth: the dinner was catered, and this was the last Thanksgiving I’d ever host for them.
I left the house feeling liberated, realizing I deserved better than a marriage where respect and appreciation were absent. For the first time in years, I put myself first, embracing a future where my worth was no longer tied to serving others.