My husband humiliated me in front of our entire family, and I endured it, but one day I decided to get back at him. Again, that smell. Cinnamon and vanilla. I check the cheesecake recipe for the hundredth time, even though I know it by heart. My hands tremble as I take the form out of the oven. Please, let it be perfect this time. — Masha, did you fall asleep in there? — Andrei’s voice comes from the living room. — The guests are waiting for dessert! I hurriedly slice the cheesecake, decorating it with fresh raspberries. Every movement is precise — I’m afraid to make a mistake. His words from the last family dinner echo in my head: ‘As always, all thumbs. Can’t even cut a simple cake properly.’ I enter the living room with the tray. His entire family is there — mom, dad, sister with her husband. They’re smiling, chatting. Only my mother-in-law looks on with her usual squint. — Here comes our little chef! — Andrei greets me with his signature smirk. — Hopefully, no surprises this time? I set down the plates, trying not to meet anyone’s gaze. Andrei is the first to taste it. I hold my breath. — Hmm… — he dramatically crinkles his nose. — Do you seriously think this is edible? Where did you see a cheesecake this dry? — I’m sorry, I… — I begin, but he interrupts: — Can’t you remember a simple recipe? How many times do I have to say — the temperature should be 160 degrees, no higher! Any fool could handle it, but you… My mother-in-law shakes her head: — Andryusha, don’t be angry. Mashenka tried her best… — Exactly, she tried! — he pushes his plate away irritably. — As always, half-assed. Sometimes I think — maybe I should have married someone who can at least cook? Everyone laughs awkwardly. And I stand there, clutching the tray with pale fingers. Something inside me snaps — quietly, but irreversibly. — I’ll bring some coffee, — I manage to say and run to the kitchen. My hands tremble as I set the cups on the tray. In my head, it pulses: ‘How much longer? How much more can I endure?’ That evening, after the guests had left, I stand in front of the mirror in the bedroom for a long time. When did I become this? A gray face, dim eyes, slumped shoulders. Where is that cheerful girl who once dreamed of great love? From the living room, Andrei’s voice carries as he calls someone: — Yes, imagine, she messed up the dessert again. I don’t know how to teach her — might as well bang my head against the wall… I stare at my reflection. Something dark and heavy grows inside me. The ticking of the clock on the wall suddenly becomes deafening. Enough. Never again. That night I barely slept. For the first time in ten years of marriage, my mind was crystal clear. The plan formed itself — simple and terrifying at the same time. Tomorrow I’ll show him what it’s like to be humiliated. And damn the consequences… Continued in the first comment below

As I anxiously remove the cheesecake from the oven, the aroma of vanilla and cinnamon permeates the room. Even though I know the recipe by heart, my hands shake a little as I check it again. I tell myself that it must be flawless this time.

“The guests are anticipating dessert, Andrei!” As usual, his voice comes from the living room, impatient and patronizing.

I garnished the cheesecake with fresh raspberries after carefully cutting it. Every action is planned, and his words from the last family meal are still ringing in my head, making me more anxious: “As usual, clumsy hands.” Not even able to properly cut a cake.