"Emma, that's not what I meant," Aaron said quickly. "I don't think you can't be loved because you're fat, and you're not, not to me." "Please, Aaron. I'm not blind or stupid. I can see myself in the mirror," I replied. "I'm tired of people trying to make me see things that aren't true. I know I'm fat, and don't worry, Adam knows it too. He can see me exactly as I am, and he doesn't have a problem with it." "I don't see you that way, Emma. And if I said he won't be able to love you, it's not because of how you look. It's because…" I watched his Adam's apple move as he swallowed. He was nervous, and whatever he was about to say, I knew I wasn't going to like it. He didn't look comfortable saying it either. "I'm telling you this because I looked into him. I know that was wrong, and not very ethical, or even legal, but… I was worried about you." "And what did you find?" I asked. "That he's been with a lot of women? That he's naturally unfaithful?" "No," Aaron said softly. "I f

The tone of his last comment struck me as strange, as if he were hinting at something I didn't quite understand. Keller's expression shifted into a mocking smile. "Of course she has good taste," he said. "She'll be my wife, after all." "Of course…" "I think we should go back to looking at the rings, brother," Andy said. "The sales associate is waiting for us." "Sure… By the way," Keller added casually, "What's your sister's name? If you really do have one, of course." I got it then. Keller didn't believe Aaron. He thought Aaron had just asked me to come along using his sister as an excuse. But I knew Aaron wasn't like that. He was very straightforward. If he'd had other intentions, he would've said so. And his relationship with his sister really was like that. She lived far away and visited very rarely. I didn't know why, but whenever she came back, he would visit her and bring her a gift. She had gotten married young, at nineteen, so ever since then she'd been busy. Aaron ha

While Andrea asked why I needed a diet, the whispers from other customers in the jewelry store began to grow louder. All of them were about me. About my body. About my appearance. This was only the beginning of what my life would be like once my engagement to Keller became public. I had expected it. Even so, it hurt. "She's not dieting to change how she looks," Adam said. "Oh. That's a relief," Andrea replied. "Then why?" "I had a stomach issue a while back," I explained. "Now I have to watch what I eat, just until I fully recover." "Oh, I see. I'm glad to hear that. You're beautiful just the way you are. You don't need to change a thing." "She says that with a doll's face and body." "Yeah right. Even with a stomach problem she didn't lose any weight." The whispers started again. All of them about me. "Excuse me?" Adam turned and walked straight toward the women who had been whispering. They went pale and fell silent. "What did you say?" he asked calmly. "…" "Oh

"The pleasure is mine, Emma. What a lovely dress. It looks amazing on you." "Thank you so much, Nath." I appreciated the compliment. Nath was sincere and respectful with me. She always had been, and this time was no different. Andrea stayed silent. That was strange. "How have you been? Aaron and I are supposed to get together in a few days. It would be nice if you came with him." "Th… thank you." "What's wrong? Are you feeling okay, Andy? You're unusually quiet." Nath said out loud what I hadn't dared to. "Oh… no. It's just that I'm a little surprised." "Why?" Once again, Nath was the one asking. I just looked at Andrea. She looked unwell, almost pale. Had the pasta upset her stomach? Wait. Nath had just called her Andy. That meant they knew each other. The world really was small. "I had no idea you and Emma knew each other." "Oh." "Oh, that's it," Nath said. "Yes, we know each other. Emma used to date my brother, Aaron." "I see. You mean Aaron…?" "Yes. Th

Andrea's POV I went over everything again while we looked at the jewelry. Everything. Every detail. The way Emma looked surprised when Aaron denied that his sister was named Nath. Emma's explanation that Aaron's sister lived abroad and only came back occasionally. That part matched exactly what Adam had told me about Nath, that she was married and lived overseas, and that she had just returned, just like Emma had said. To me, everything fit, and that terrified me. I wished with everything I had that those two would never run into each other, or it would ruin Adam's engagement. I loved Nath dearly. She was my best friend, but… I also cared about Emma, and I knew my parents' stance on Nath and Adam's relationship. With that anxiety weighing on me, I decided to pretend nothing was wrong, and we continued our search through the jewelry store. We took the opportunity to have Emma's fingers measured, and it turned out the rings were already her size. No adjustments needed. To me