For years, my husband made mocked my plump figure. I often used food to cope with our troubled marriage. One day, his jokes went too far—he compared me to a slim, beautiful woman in front of everyone. That was the moment I decided to take control. Soon, I shocked my husband and made him speechless. For the past few years, I struggled with my weight. No matter what I did, those extra pounds clung to me like a second skin. I had always dreamed of becoming a skilled pastry chef. The kitchen was my sanctuary, my escape from reality. I spent countless hours there, perfecting my desserts, and creating art from flour and sugar.But, of course, tasting everything was part of the job, right? The more I baked, the more I ate, and soon, the weight piled on faster than I could have imagined. Each time I looked in the mirror, I felt like a stranger was staring back at me. And my husband, Bryce…
word could escape his lips. He was utterly speechless. But the surprises didn’t stop there. An unexpected reward came with the prize. It was an opportunity to study in Paris, the culinary capital of the world. When the announcement ended, his face twisted with anger.“What the hell, Clara?” Bryce hissed, pulling me aside. “You did all this behind my back? This nonsense? You need to stop this right now and come home where you belong.” I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could, Rowan stepped forward. “Bryce, Clara is a remarkable woman. From the first moment I met her, I knew there was something special about her. I’ve watched how you’ve treated her, how you’ve tried to break her spirit, and I’ve also seen how she’s changed over the past month. Her determination and hard work have yielded incredible results, and I’m more certain than ever that I’ve fallen in love with an extraordinary woman.”Bryce was stunned into silence. His eyes widened, and for once, he had nothing to say. Finally, I found my voice. “I am a free woman, Bryce,” I said, looking him directly in the eye. “I deserve more than to live in your shadow, and I will not let you control my life any longer. I want a divorce, and you can go to Elise if that’s what you want.”Bryce’s face flushed with anger, but he was speechless. At the same moment, Rowan gently handed me a beautiful bouquet. “Shall we?” he asked, inviting me to dinner. Rowan revealed another surprise. He told me that a pastry chef position was waiting for me in Paris, and after my training, I could stay there if I wished.“I hope that by then, you’ll have wrapped up your affairs here, and maybe you’ll want to start fresh in a new country. I’ll be there by your side, supporting whatever decision you make.” A wave of happiness washed over me, and it felt as though the whole world was at my feet, ready to offer me a new life filled with love and creativity.