On their tenth wedding anniversary, Emma’s husband, Mark, took her to the most opulent restaurant in town, only to mock her by insisting she have a cheap salad. Little did he know that this memorable day would become imprinted in his mind for all the wrong reasons.
The restaurant, “La Belle Époque,” exuded elegance with its warm, golden lighting, beautiful table settings, and sophisticated velvet chairs. Mark had told Emma that their anniversary would be special, and she had envisaged a night packed with fine cuisine and sparkling wine. However, as they were seated, Emma couldn’t help but notice the waitstaff’s knowing smiles—they appeared all too familiar with Mark.
With a nonchalant grin, Mark handed her the menu and instructed her to order whatever she wanted. However, his statements lacked warmth. Emma excitedly ordered the lobster bisque and fillet mignon, but Mark’s tone changed. “How about starting with a house salad instead?” he offered, his tone condescending. “Have you been wishing to drop a little weight? Maybe next time you can fit into the red dress I like.”
Emma was stunned by his nasty words, but when she tried to object, Mark waived her off and ordered his extravagant lunch, leaving her with a basic salad. Emma sat calmly, her rage boiling beneath the surface, while John savored his lavish dinner.
The next morning, Emma woke up early, her mind racing with plans. She contacted the managers of “La Belle Époque,” explained her position, and made a reservation for the next night. She also borrowed the magnificent red dress Mark had always liked and took efforts to ensure her financial independence, such as opening a personal bank account with the assistance of a lawyer. Everything was set when she sent Mark a message telling him to meet her at the restaurant at 7 p.m.
Mark arrived at the restaurant expecting another night of luxury at Emma’s cost, but he was in for a surprise. Emma, clad in the red dress, greeted him with a curious smile and explained that she had already ordered for both of them. Mark’s perplexity deepened as each course of the finest dishes was presented, but he kept silent.
Finally, as the main dish arrived, Emma stood up and made a toast, capturing the attention of everyone in the restaurant. “I just wanted to share something with all of you,” she said, her voice firm and assured. She described how Mark had embarrassed her the night before by forcing her to order a cheap salad while he indulged in an expensive supper. “Tonight,” she told me, “I wanted to show him what real gluttony feels like.”
The room echoed with murmurs as Mark’s cheeks became bright red. But Emma wasn’t finished. She confessed that she had paid the expense of their dinner to the emergency fund that Mark had been hiding from her for years. Finally, she revealed that Mark would pay for everyone’s supper at the restaurant that night.
As she walked out of the restaurant, the weight of the last ten years eased from her shoulders. The diners cheered, and Mark sat there astonished and humiliated. This anniversary would undoubtedly be memorable—for both of them.
Though fabricated for creative purposes, this story is based on true events and characters. Names, personalities, and facts have been modified to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to real people or events is entirely accidental. The opinions expressed by the characters do not always reflect those of the author or publisher.