[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-2603221FDDD1-73":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},73,5,"Chapter 5: The Aprons in the Trash","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Everett and I, our marriage had grown paper-thin.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Lately, he found a dozen excuses to be anywhere but home. He didn’t share dinner with me anymore. Truthfully, I hadn’t stepped foot in the kitchen for him in weeks.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">While I was clearing out the back of the closet, I found them—dozens of brand-new, unopened aprons, still in their plastic packaging. They were buried under my own clothes, as if they had been smothering the last three years of my life.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I looked at them and wondered: when exactly did I turn into a woman whose entire existence revolved around a stove?\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After the wedding, Everett had purred, \"Evelyn, I’m picky. I only love your cooking. Don’t worry about a job, just stay home.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Victoria had barked, \"The Harrisons don't need a scandal. Just focus on taking care of my son.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I played the part. I sacrificed my career as an illustrator. I catered to their every whim. And what was the return on my investment? A throwaway comment from them at the dinner table: \"Evelyn? She’s just someone who can cook.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Well, I’m done.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I gathered every last one of those aprons and dumped them into the trash. I went to the mall and bought clothes that actually felt like me. I went home, did my makeup, and looked in the mirror until I recognized the face staring back.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I took a dozen photos. I went to my old professional social media page—the one I’d neglected for years—and posted a simple announcement.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I’m back.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">I don't care if Everett comes home tonight. I don't care who he’s with. I don't care if he’s finally grown bored of our marriage.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Those things don't matter to me anymore.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272927304]