Revenge Looks Better on Me — The Weight Loss Betrayal

The first time I ever saw the man I'd loved online for a year, my best friend was straddling his lap, breathless. Then her text lit up my screen. Don't come to the airport.

I'm testing him for you. Testing him. I told her everything about him, never realizing I was teaching her exactly how to replace me.

The hormone medication I took for an illness made my weight climb to about 220 pounds. I was insecure and sensitive, and the only profile pictures I dared to use were cute animals.

Somehow, I still caught the attention of a broad-shouldered guy who stood about 6'2". We talked for a year and agreed to meet when his intensive training camp ended. Afraid I had no idea how to be in a relationship, I told my best friend, Chloe Hayes, every detail. She always reassured me.

You don't need to lose weight. You're cute with a little extra on you. He must love you for who you are inside. But I secretly joined a weight management program overseas anyway. A year later, down about 110 pounds, I finally worked up the courage to meet him.

I spotted him instantly through the crowd. I was about to call out when I saw him holding my best friend in his arms, kissing her passionately. My head buzzed. I stood in the crowd, frozen for what felt like forever.

We had never met in person during that year, but he had sent me countless pictures of himself after training.