Chapter 2

My fingers are shaking with anger.

But faced with Sophie’s expression that says she is only trying to help me, I force the anger back down and message Richard.

【No. The girl in that photo is my roommate, Sophie.】

【She accidentally sent the wrong picture. But it’s fine. Now you know I’m even prettier than she is.】

I don’t hesitate.

I send him several of the best photos I have from three years ago.

【This is me.】

By then, the professor is already taking attendance.

I send one last message.

【Class is starting. I’ll talk to you after.】

Then I put my phone away.

I don’t look at it again. Not until the class ends.

As the students begin packing their things and filing out of the lecture hall, my phone vibrates right on cue..

I answer.

Richard’s voice comes through the phone, low and steady.

“Emily, I saw them.”

“You don’t need to compare yourself to anyone. You’re beautiful just the way you are.”

There is a brief pause.

Then his voice turns serious.

“If you’re willing, I’d really like to meet you in person.”

My face heats up. I think about it carefully before answering.

“When summer break is over. The day fall semester starts, we’ll meet.”

I have three full months until then. Three months to push myself.

Richard is silent for a few seconds.

Then I hear something that sounds almost like a quiet laugh.

“Okay. I’ll wait for you.”

“But until then, don’t let anyone else make decisions for you.”

The call ends.

A moment later, a large sum of money appears in my account.

【This isn’t a gift.】

【If you want to change dorms, apply for summer housing, hire a lawyer, or do anything that helps you get out of your current situation, use it.】

【You can refuse me. But don’t refuse yourself a chance to start over.】

I stare at the message for a long time.

That reason is one I can’t reject.

The transparent messages weren’t lying. Richard really is wealthy. But he isn’t just wealthy.

He is gentle and considerate. He helps me quietly, in exactly the ways I need, without ever making me feel like I owe him anything.

Sophie notices that I accept the money.

The jealousy in her eyes is almost impossible to hide.

“Emily, you don’t really think you can keep this hidden forever just by editing a few pictures, do you?”

The transparent messages immediately appear again.

【It doesn’t matter. Once Richard gets disappointed in Emily, Sophie can step in.】

【The harder Emily tries now, the funnier she’ll look in the end.】

【When Sophie stands beside her, Richard will naturally know which girl to choose.】

Their contempt only makes me more determined.

I use Richard’s money to apply for summer housing.

Then I book a private trainer at the university rec center.

I have only one goal.

By the time summer break ends, I will become the girl I was three years ago.

The trainer looks over my information, then gives me a serious look.

“Starting today, your workouts and diet follow the plan.”

“If you want to see a noticeable change before fall semester, you can’t rely on motivation alone. You have to stick with it. Can you do that?”

I nod firmly.

Richard didn’t give me money to show off. He gave me an opportunity to choose myself again.

I can’t waste it.

And I can’t let down the girl who spent all those years being pushed aside and laughed at.

After my first workout, I’m so exhausted that I sit on a bench outside the locker room and quietly cry.

Of course, that is exactly when Sophie walks in with her cheer squad friends.

Someone spots me.

She immediately laughs.

“What is she doing at the gym? Don’t tell me she’s actually trying to lose weight.”

“She seriously thinks she can look like Sophie after a few months?”

Sophie gives a soft laugh, as if she’s trying to smooth things over.

“Whatever the result, at least it’s a good start, right? I think Emily needs some encouragement.”

Before I can react, she quickly takes a picture of me.

I’m drenched in sweat, my face still wet with tears.

Then she sends it to our entire class group chat.

She even adds a cheerful message, pretending to encourage me.

【Everyone, give Emily some encouragement! She’s already started losing weight so she can meet her online boyfriend when school starts.】