My beta reader's 'kill your darlings' advice finally clicked after draft 4

Tbh I spent months ignoring my beta reader's note about my opening chapter. She kept saying the first three pages were just me warming up, and the real story started when my MC got to the diner. I thought she was nuts, the scene was my favorite. Then last week I finally cut it, all 2,800 words, and moved the diner scene to page one. The whole pacing shifted, suddenly the tension hit way earlier. Ngl I felt sick deleting it but now I see what she meant. Has anyone else held onto a scene way past its expiration date? What made you finally let it go?

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