Chapter one: The end

Harbrow Valley

Evelina stared at her reflection in the nearby store's window as she tried to imagine herself fitting into the dress on display. She sucked in her stomach, hoping it would give her a slimmer figure. But after she was no longer able to hold her breath, she let it out and immediately found herself gasping for air.

All hope of ever fitting into the beautiful yellow dress faded away as her reflection reminded her once again that she was nowhere near as slim as the mannequin wearing it. At that moment, the shop owner stepped onto the display platform and adjusted the dress before taking one disgusted look at Evelina and scowling.

The older woman did not seem pleased to see an oversized woman staring at a dress that was clearly meant for someone much thinner. Not wanting to be shamed any longer for her weight, Evelina turned away and continued carrying the freshly baked muffins to the library where her friend had placed an order.

Harbrow Valley was a small town where everyone knew everyone else’s business and that meant Evelina was painfully aware of every insult thrown her way by people she saw every day... people who often smiled in her face.

Putting aside the mean look from the dress shop owner, Evelina walked into the library with a smile plastered on her face, something she had become quite skilled at over the years.

The town was small, but Evelina was thankful that ten years ago, after getting pregnant with her son, she had moved there with her husband. Together, they had built what she considered a happy family... one that many people seemed to envy.

"Good morning," Evelina greeted her best friend, Ava, who had worked as the town librarian for years and had been the one to order the muffins for her colleagues.

As soon as Ava saw Evelina's face, she smiled and straightened in her seat. "Hi, Evelina. Come here," she called out, not caring that several people in the library were urging her to keep her voice down.

"I'm so sorry for being late. I was busy staring at a beautiful dress on display and I..." Evelina paused. The smile on her face disappeared as she remembered the disgusted expression the store owner had directed at her.

Ava immediately noticed the change in her friend's expression. She had seen that look countless times before. Her gaze shifted to the way Evelina pulled down her shirt as it began to lift up. Several people nearby had already started staring, just as they always did.

Even though their town was relatively small, Ava hated how cruel people were to Evelina.

"Don't mind these people. You know how they can be," Ava reassured her, gently covering her hand. Seeing how kind Ava always was managed to bring a smile back to Evelina's lips.

"Thank you for being such a wonderful friend. Oh, I almost forgot!" Evelina exclaimed. She reached into her handbag, pulled out an invitation and handed it to Ava.

Ava accepted it, and after one glance at the card, she rolled her eyes. "Seriously? You're celebrating your ten-year anniversary with Tim?" Ava asked in a thoroughly uninterested tone.

Evelina smiled. She knew very well that Ava disliked her husband.

"Come on, Tim isn't that bad... he just has a way of dealing with things that might not be considered conventional," Evelina tried to explain.

"Oh, please. The man literally disrespects you and talks down to you because of your weight," Ava replied, making no effort to hide her dislike for him.

But the moment she saw the saddened look on Evelina's face, she sighed and rolled her eyes again. "Fine. I'll come to your anniversary party. Happy?"

"Yes, I am. Now, here are your muffins. I have to go home and prepare for the surprise anniversary party."

After saying her goodbyes, Evelina left the library. However, just as she rounded the corner outside, she froze when she heard her name being mentioned.

"Did you see Evelina just standing there and taking up all the space?" one woman said and the others burst into laughter.

Knowing they were speaking badly about her made Evelina's heart ache. She knew that it was best to leave before their words hurt her even more. Yet she remained where she was the moment she heard her husband's name mentioned.

“She walked around acting like she's so happy in her marriage. If only she knew,” the other woman laughed.

“Knew what?”

“You don't know? Every week Tim comes over to our hotel with Britney, the banker. They always rent the same room... Room one hundred and one. In fact, I left them there right now,” the other woman explained.

Hearing that sent a sinking feeling to the pit of Evelina's stomach because, as far as she was concerned, her husband was at work at the construction site. The very same site that had awarded him a major contract, one that would take place in a few months and make her husband rich.

Not wanting to stand there any longer, Evelina stepped away, her lips trembling as she refused to believe that her husband would ever cheat on her.

With determination, Evelina made her way to the Harbrow Valley Hotel, the only hotel in the small town. She slipped past the receptionist, an old woman who was nearly blind, according to the towns people. Moments later, Evelina arrived at room one hundred and one.

Her hands trembled as she pressed down on the door handle and stepped into the hotel room, her heart pounding in her chest. The living room was empty, but the sound of laughter drifted from one of the bedrooms.

Taking small steps toward the sound, Evelina began feeling sick to her stomach as she heard her husband's voice. Slowly, she pushed open the door, and her heart sank as it met the widened eyes of her husband and his mistress.

There they were, half-naked and wrapped in each other's embrace. Evelina turned around and ran out of the room. Just as she was about to exit through the main door, her husband grabbed her by the arm.

“Let me go!” she screamed as tears rolled down her cheeks.

“I want a divorce!” he yelled. Evelina immediately stopped struggling. She could not believe what she had just heard.

“What?” she asked, shocked that her husband of nearly ten years was asking for a divorce.

Tim looked around nervously, too ashamed to look Evelina in the eyes.

“I know you've probably not noticed, but Britney and I have been seeing each other for the past year. I've come to realize that I no longer love you...” he said, searching for the right words.

“But we've been married for so long!” Evelina cried.

“Yes, I know that! And you've been fat for so long. We all know that I only married you because you fell pregnant,” Tim scolded.

This time, he looked directly into her eyes as he delivered those hurtful words.

“But I thought you loved me.”

“I'm sorry. I guess I just fell out of love with you. Britney is smart, beautiful and she looks like a model. She fits perfectly into my role as a boss once the contract goes through.”

Just as Tim said those words, Britney appeared from behind him, dressed in a silk gown that hugged her slim figure. Evelina's lips trembled as she saw the loving manner in which Tim held onto Britney.

“What am I supposed to do now?” Evelina asked.

“I'm sorry, but I need you to move out by today. You can keep our son. Britney doesn't feel comfortable being a stepmother,” Tim responded harshly. Those words carved a deep wound into Evelina's heart.