After a year of marriage, things started to shift between my husband Jack and me. About six months ago, Jack started dedicating himself to the gym, which I initially found inspiring. But as his fitness focus grew, so did his comments on my appearance, gradually chipping away at my confidence. He’d show me photos of models with “ideal” body proportions, hinting that it would be “great” if I looked more like them. Then came the suggestions that I’d look “ten times better” if I had breast implants. Though I tried to shrug it off, each comment hurt deeply.
The breaking point came on my birthday last month. Jack presented me with flowers and an envelope. I thought it was a kind gift until I read the note, which bluntly stated, “TIME TO FIX THOSE MOSQUITO BITES.” Inside was money, a gesture intended for a “boob job” to meet his standards. Outwardly, I stayed calm and thanked him, but inside, I…