Gina Heslop
For years, my husband, Bryce, mocked me because of my weight.
His hurtful comments cut me deeply, and I often used food as a way to cope with the growing tension in our marriage. Bryce’s words were relentless, and they chipped away at my confidence. No matter what I tried, I couldn’t shed the extra pounds that clung to me like a second skin.
I had always dreamed of becoming a skilled pastry chef. The kitchen was my refuge—a place where I could lose myself in the art of baking. I loved creating desserts, and over time, I became quite good at it. But with baking came tasting, and I often indulged in the treats I made. Slowly but surely, the weight piled on, and each time I looked in the mirror, I felt like a stranger was staring back at me.
Bryce didn’t make things any easier. He constantly made snide remarks, saying things like, “Maybe if you spent more time at the gym and less in the kitchen, you’d look better in that dress.”
It wasn’t just the comments at home; Bryce would also joke about my weight with his friends, thinking I couldn’t hear. But I always heard. And every joke, every comment, felt like a dagger to my heart.
I used to be his supportive wife, always by his side at work events, smiling and confident. But as my weight increased, my self-esteem plummeted.
I stopped going out with him, choosing instead to hide in the kitchen. I was losing myself in a sea of loneliness, feeling like my life had no purpose outside of my marriage and my baking.
Then came the day of an important event I had been catering for months. It was my big break as a pastry chef, and I was proud to showcase my desserts.
Bryce was also attending since the event was hosted by his business partner, Rowan. As we arrived at the party, I felt nervous but excited. However, my excitement quickly faded when I noticed Bryce’s attention was fixated on a slim, beautiful woman named Elise.
Bryce couldn’t take his eyes off her. He even whispered to me, “Now that’s how a woman should look in a dress.” Then, as if to twist the knife further, he added, “Maybe you should ask her for some tips.”
His words stung, and I felt my confidence crumble. Bryce spent the rest of the evening fawning over Elise, while I stood on the sidelines, feeling more invisible than ever.
But that night, something inside me shifted. It was the last straw, and I decided it was time to take control of my life. Little did Bryce know, I was about to shock him in a way he never saw coming.
