The first sign came as a cutting remark from my mother-in-law, Delphina, mocking someone for not knowing paprika came from peppers. I hadn’t known either, and later she scolded me, saying I embarrassed her son, Darian. I poured myself into learning—trying to be the perfect wife, worthy in her eyes.

One evening, I brought Darian dinner at work, only to learn he had left early—with Keira. That night, he ignored my carefully made paprika chicken. When I saw a message from Keira on his phone, everything fell apart. He admitted to the affair, claiming she understood him better and that he felt caught between me and his mother.

Delphina urged me to stay, not for love, but for appearances. That was the moment I walked away. Back home with my own mother, I rediscovered cooking—not as a burden, but as healing. I took classes, made friends, and eventually helped a café owner shape his menu. My paprika chicken? A bestseller.

Months later, Darian wanted me back. But I was no longer that woman craving approval. The pain that once broke me had forged someone stronger—free, fulfilled, and finally at peace with the life I created on my own terms.