Marie’s POV

I had worked so hard all day that my hands still ached from chopping, and my back was sore from standing for hours. But when the Smiths finally arrived and I saw the smiles on their faces as they looked at the food spread on the table, a small part of me felt proud. Maybe tonight would be different. Maybe my husband would finally acknowledge me for something more than just existing in the house.

The dining room glowed warmly under the chandelier, the golden light bouncing off the polished wood of the table. The smell of roasted chicken and freshly baked bread filled the air, and soft...