I love cooking. The smell of onions sizzling in butter, the warmth of the oven, and the satisfaction of setting a plate down in front of someone I love makes me happy.

So, when I married Daniel, I took pride in making our meals. I wanted our home to feel cozy and full of good food. And for the most part, it was.

Until she started eating at our table.

Not physically, of course. Carol, my dear mother-in-law, lived a whole state away. But every time I cooked, her opinions arrived before Daniel even took a bite.

It started small.

One night, I made spaghetti. Simple, classic. I set the plates down, and before I could grab my fork, Daniel lifted his phone, snapped a picture, and sent a text.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Just showing Mom." He shrugged. "She likes seeing what I eat."

I let it go. Then, five minutes later, his phone buzzed. He looked at the screen and grinned.

"Mom says the sauce looks a little runny. Maybe next time, use less water."

I laughed. Not because it was funny, but because it was ridiculous. "Did she teleport through the screen and taste it?"

"She just knows," he said, twirling his fork.

It got worse. Cookies? "A little overbaked." Steak? "Medium rare is unsafe. She always cooks it through." Chili? "Needs more cumin."

At first, I told myself it wasn't a big deal. She had opinions. So what? But then came the lasagna.

I spent hours on that meal. Homemade sauce, fresh herbs, three different cheeses — perfection. I pulled it from the oven, golden and bubbling. I plated it, proud of my work.

Daniel took his usual photo and sent it. Then, the text came.

"Mom says it looks dry. Did you forget the ricotta? You know, mom just knows best."

Something inside me snapped. I put my fork down. "Do you even taste my food before you send it off for judgment?"

He chuckled.

I clenched my jaw so tight I thought I might break a tooth.

That night, I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling while Daniel texted his mom, probably rating my lasagna like a contestant on a cooking show.

I was done. Carol's opinion wasn't just a passing comment anymore. It was law. Her way was the right way. And Daniel? He worshipped at the altar of Carol's kitchen.

"She's been cooking since she was a kid," he said one night when I mentioned how often he criticized my meals. "She just has an eye for this stuff."

"An eye?" I scoffed. "Daniel, she's not even here. She's judging my food through a pixelated photo."

He waved a hand. "It's harmless."

Was it?

One evening, Carol called while we were eating. Daniel answered on speakerphone.

"Hey, sweetie," she said, her voice all warm and sugary. "Did you eat yet?"

"Yeah, we're eating now," he said, chewing.

"Oh, what did she make?"

I gripped my fork.