Chapter 2 Her Jealousy, My Revenge

I let her pull me along as I sneered at her inwardly. 'How could I have never noticed her jealousy before? I can't believe how blind I was.'

I pulled my hand free and explained, "I already hired a private nutritionist and signed up for Pilates classes as well. I'm working on both my diet and my figure, so I'll lose the weight soon."

Damian's eyes lit up as soon as he heard that.

"Pilates is good," he commented. "I've heard it really shapes your body. Apparently, that exercise gives you curves in the right places and slims your waist."

He looked me over again.

Unfortunately, there wasn't any affection in his eyes, just cold calculation. "You've actually got pretty good features. I won't be embarrassed to have you on my arm if you have the body to match. So, you'd better take this seriously."

Talia was smiling too, but there was something ugly writhing underneath it.

I silently scrutinized the looks on their faces.

Whatever love I had once felt for them disappeared completely, swiftly replaced by disgust and hatred.

I wanted to slap them both.

One was a shameless freeloader who lived off me while tearing me down at every chance he got, acting like I was the one who wasn't good enough for him.

The other had been plotting behind my back, stealing my boyfriend, and helping him ruin me before walking away with my money and a smile on her face.

The two of them were perfect for each other; the rotting smell wafting off them certainly complemented each other.

Since fate has granted me a second chance, I was determined to ensure they paid for crossing me.

And so, I threw myself into my so-called diet plan the very next day.

I would go for a morning jog every day.

Then, I would wash up and go to work.

As night fell, I would push myself through brutal workouts at the gym until my legs felt too heavy to lift. Sometimes, I would get so hungry that I would get dizzy just standing up.

…

Meanwhile, Talia kept eating whatever she wanted. She pigged out on fried chicken, barbecue, and burgers. She even sent me pictures on purpose, like she was trying to show off.

I only glanced at them before setting my phone aside with a cold smile.

Later that night, I picked up my phone again and saw Damian leaving flirty comments under some other girl's post after dragging myself home and collapsing onto my bed.

"You free, gorgeous? I'm single and have a month-long business trip coming up, so I've got plenty of time."

A wave of nausea rolled through me.

I threw my phone aside in revulsion.

It seemed that he wasn't just fooling around with Talia.

That lout had been chasing the skirts of any women he had his eyes on.

I couldn't believe that I had actually treated a man like that as if he were some kind of prize.

I had to have been completely out of my mind.

I suggested going to a buffet after a month of starving myself and working out like crazy.

I endured a month of suffering. Alas, not only had I failed to lose weight, but I had also gained even more.

I pulled out several dresses I used to love and tried them on one after another. Some refuse to zip up, while the others split at the waist the second I forced them on.

Damian's face darkened when he saw the mess after returning from his business trip.

"All you do is eat," he snapped. "You've been dieting for over a month, and instead of dropping from 110 pounds, you're pushing 130 pounds. Your face and neck are practically merging."

His tone grew harsher with every word. "I told you to lose weight. So, how the hell did you end up even fatter?"

Talia swayed over, covering her mouth in fake surprise.

"Elise, I warned you not to slack off on your diet. Look at you now. You spent all that money and got absolutely nowhere." Then, she let out a dramatic sigh and tilted her head. "Meanwhile, I've never even joined a gym. I eat way more than you do, but I still lost 20 pounds. It's honestly so annoying."

I looked at her carefully.

She really had slimmed down a lot. Her face looked smaller. Due to her height, the weight loss made her look taller and more elegant. Her collarbones showed now, and the lines of her waist were starting to come in.

She actually looked pretty as long as she wore some makeup.

I lowered my eyes and put on a defeated expression. "I don't know what's going on either. I barely eat, and my trainer works out with me every day, but I still can't lose the weight."

The second she saw how miserable I looked, the smile tugging at the corner of Talia's mouth finally widened.

"Maybe it's just genetics," she replied smugly. "Some people are just born lucky. I must be one of God's favorites. I could eat junk food every day and still lose weight."