He had booked a table at “La Belle Époque,” the most expensive restaurant in town. It was the kind of place reserved for momentous occasions, and tonight was supposed to be one. Mark handed me the menu with a nonchalant smile. “Order whatever you like, dear,” he said, though his eyes betrayed a different message. I glanced at the menu, filled with exquisite dishes and exorbitant prices, my mouth watering at the descriptions. “I think I’ll have the lobster bisque to start, and then the filet mignon,
” I said, excitement bubbling within me.Mark’s smile tightened. “Actually, how about you start with a house salad? Keep it light. You’re trying to lose weight, right? Maybe then you’ll wear that red dress I love next time we come here.” His words were like a slap. I looked around, feeling a hot flush of embarrassment. Was this his idea of a joke? But the steely glint in his eyes told me he was serious. “Mark, it’s our anniversary,” I protested softly. “I thought—” “You thought wrong,” he interrupted, waving over the waiter. “My wife will have the house salad, and I’ll take the Chateaubriand, medium rare. And a bottle of your best red.” The waiter hesitated, looking at me sympathetically. “Very well, sir.” I swallowed my anger, the salad before me a pitiful mound of greens. Mark savored every bite of his lavish meal, making a show of how tender the steak was, how rich the sauce. The wine flowed freely—at least for him. I sipped my water, each moment of the meal stretching into an eternity.Mark’s controlling actions during dinner were a bitter pill to swallow. He enjoyed his steak, commenting on every delicious bite, while I picked at my salad. I tried to keep my cool, but my anger simmered beneath the surface. He ordered a decadent chocolate soufflé for dessert and, without even looking at me, said, “She’s done.” I felt humiliated.
Here I was, on our anniversary, being treated like an afterthought. As he savored his dessert, I decided I wouldn’t let this slide. I would make sure he remembered this anniversary for all the wrong reasons. I smiled to myself, a plan forming in my mind. The next morning, I woke up early. Mark was still snoring beside me. I quietly got out of bed, my mind racing with ideas. After he left for work, I got to work myself. I called in a few favors from friends and made several arrangements. It was time to turn the tables. I spent the day preparing. First, I contacted “La Belle Époque” and spoke to the manager. I explained my plan and reserved the same table for the next evening.The manager, sympathetic to my situation, agreed to help. Then, I called a friend who worked at a boutique and borrowed the stunning red dress that Mark always mentioned. I also reached out to a lawyer friend who had helped me set up a personal bank account. She confirmed the details of our finances and the emergency fund Mark had hidden. Knowing I had access to the money gave me the confidence to move forward.
With everything set, I wrote a note for Mark: “Meet me at La Belle Époque at 7 PM. Dress nicely. – Emma.” By the time Mark came home, everything was ready. The house was quiet, and the note was waiting for him on the kitchen counter. He smirked when he found it, probably thinking he was in for another evening of indulgence at my expense. Little did he know what I had planned. I felt a mix of nerves and excitement as I prepared for the evening. I knew this was bold, but it was necessary. I wanted to reclaim my dignity and show Mark that I wouldn’t be treated like a doormat. This was going to be an anniversary neither of us would forget, but for very different reasons.Mark arrived at the restaurant, looking smug. I was already seated, wearing the red dress he loved. As he sat down, I gave him a sweet, enigmatic smile. “What’s this about, Emma?” he asked, curiosity piqued. “You’ll see,” I replied, signaling the waiter. “I’ve taken the liberty of ordering for us.” His eyes narrowed, but he didn’t argue. The waiter brought out the first course—lobster bisque. For both of us. Mark’s eyes widened, but he didn’t say a word. Next came the filet mignon, perfectly cooked. The best wine in the house was poured, and I watched him grow increasingly bewildered.
“Emma, I don’t understand,” he said cautiously. “We’ve just been here yesterday. What’s the occasion?” “Our anniversary,” I said, my voice dripping with sweetness. “A night to remember, right? I don’t want to remember last night. I want to remember this one, and I made sure you’ll remember it too.”Mark’s confusion turned to suspicion. He looked around the restaurant, trying to piece it together. I watched him closely, savoring his unease. The main course was served, and I enjoyed every bite. Mark, however, barely touched his food, too busy trying to figure out what was happening. I stood up and clinked my glass, gaining the attention of the entire restaurant. “Excuse me, everyone. I have a special announcement to make.” Mark looked horrified. “Emma, what are you doing?” “I just wanted to share something with all of you,” I said, my voice steady and strong. “Last night, my husband brought me here for our anniversary but insisted I order a cheap salad while he indulged himself. Tonight, I wanted to show him what true indulgence feels like.” There were murmurs around the room. Mark’s face turned beet red.
“Emma, sit down,” he hissed. I ignored him. “But that’s not all. Mark, you’ve always prided yourself on being the generous one, the one in control. Tonight, I’ve paid for our meal, and I’ve charged it to the emergency fund you’ve been hiding from me for years.”His jaw dropped. “What? How did you—” “Oh, Mark, you should know by now that I’m smarter than you think. And that’s not all! Here’s something all of you, ladies and gentlemen, will love to hear: my husband is sharing his fund with you and is paying for all your meals today!” The color drained from Mark’s face. “Emma, this isn’t funny.” “No, it’s not,” I said, standing tall. “But it’s fair.” I turned to leave, feeling the weight of the past decade lift off my shoulders. As I walked out, the diners applauded, and Mark sat there, stunned and humiliated. This was the anniversary he wouldn’t forget. And neither would I.
