Tess arrives at a family beach vacation, only to be handed a color-coded chore chart by her mother-in-law, Diane, instead of being offered a drink. The chart lists Tess’s responsibilities, including cooking, cleaning, and laundry, while the other family members have minimal tasks. Despite her frustration, Tess plays along, but as the days pass,

she realizes she’s been invited not to enjoy the vacation, but to serve the family.Tess decides to stand up for herself. One morning, she secretly leaves for a quieter, private resort suite, leaving a revised chore chart behind, ensuring that everyone shares responsibilities equally. As she relaxes by the pool, Matt eventually finds her, apologizing for not noticing how much the family was leaning on her. Tess calmly explains that as her husband,

he should have stepped in, and only when he promises to be on her team does she agree to have him join her at the resort.The rest of the vacation is spent enjoying each other’s company, without the pressures of chores or expectations.

Tess makes a quiet promise to herself that if things ever return to the way they were, she will leave without a word.At the end of the vacation, Tess confronts Diane, calmly stating she needed respect, not space. A year later, Matt has changed—he now checks in with Tess before making any plans, and if she’s not interested, they don’t go. The balance has shifted, and Tess has reclaimed her worth.