«I haven’t liked you since our first night!» — my husband announced during our anniversary celebration….

They say people never forget how you made them feel. That night at the plaza I finally understood why. It was our 10th anniversary and the ballroom glowed with golden chandeliers and mirrored walls that reflected the perfection I had spent a decade curating.

The name cards were embossed with gold leaf. The champagne was Dom Perignon. The string quartet played Claire de Lune.

I wore the same perfume I did on our wedding day. And Daniel. Daniel wore the same smug smile he always did when all eyes were on him.

80 guests, all from the city’s highest circles, turned their chairs as my husband, my perfect husband, raised his glass and tapped it gently.

To love, to family, to 10 incredible years. Someone whispered expectantly at the next table.

Daniel cleared his throat. Thank you for coming tonight, he began. Voice smooth rehearsed.

A decade of marriage is a lifetime of memories and I think it’s time I was honest. His voice dipped. People leaned in, mistaking drama for sentiment.

He looked at me and smirked. Victoria, you’ve disgusted me since our wedding night. A wine glass slipped from someone’s hand.

There was a gasp. My mother covered her mouth. Someone laughed nervously.

Daniel stood tall, reveling in the horror. 10 years I’ve tolerated this cold, insipid facade played the role of a loving husband. But tonight I’m done pretending.

He didn’t even finish the thought.

Because I stood up, smoothed the folds of my champagne-colored dress and turned calmly to the AV technician near the stage. I gave him the nod we had practiced.

The lights dimmed. The projector screen behind the band flared to life. The strings stopped mid-phrase, their final note hanging in the air like smoke.

What the hell is this? Daniel muttered. His glass trembled slightly in his hand. I didn’t answer.

I didn’t need to. The screen flickered then cut to black and in gold serif letters it read, 10 years of happiness.

The irony wasn’t lost on anyone…