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ELENA’S POV

“Argh, fuck, I feel like I’m losing my mind!” I groaned, my chest heaving up and down, sweat slicking my skin after the relentless jogging Aunt Kate had dragged me through. My legs screamed in protest, my lungs burned, and yet she stood there like some impossibly perfect drill sergeant, arms crossed, tapping her foot impatiently.

“We didn’t even jog far, Elena. You’re just being lazy,” Aunt Kate shook her head, smirking like she already knew the response.

“Ha, aunt,” I muttered, dragging my feet across the path.

“But baby, I’m proud of your growth,” she said, stepping closer, eyes softening. “Just… look at you.” Her grin widened as she took my hands and spun me around like I was some princess from a fairy tale.

“You flatter me too much. But you know it wouldn’t have been possible without your help,” I admitted, breathing heavily, my ribs still aching from the sprint.

“You’re my baby. I’ll help you anytime. But damn… I swear the boys will be dying to have your pussy.”

I choked on a laugh. “Aunt, stop! You’re so much like Elena!”

“Oh yeah, your friend. I love that girl.”

Speaking of Elena… I hadn’t talked to her in days. Aunt Kate had confiscated my phone as soon as I arrived, claiming it was to “focus on the work ahead.” Which, fine, I got—but it had left me feeling unmoored, disconnected.

Mom called once, and the second she got back from the Caruso wedding, she threatened to throttle me.

☆☆☆ Flashback

“El has been here for a week, Lena. You should call her,” Mom said, her tone equal parts warning and pleading. I sighed, frustrated.

“I’ll call her when I’m home. Aunt wouldn’t let me use my phone.”

“Mama… is that Elena?” I heard her voice in the background, whispers trailing before chaos erupted.

“Bitch, I’m so gonna kill you!” Elena’s voice boomed through the phone, and my stomach dropped.

“Elenaaa, I’m sorry! We’ll talk when I get home. I’m here for something important an my aunt seized my phone,” I tried, voice tight with guilt.

“And you couldn’t even tell me where you went?” she sniffed, and I knew this was dramatic Elena at full strength.

“I’ve been calling non-stop, going crazy, not eating… my life has been a mess without you, and you’re just… living fine!” She hiccuped, and my chest clenched at the raw hurt in her voice.

“I’m sorry, I promise I’ll make it up to you,” I said, my voice trembling. She scoffed.

“We’ll see about that. Just remember—you’re gonna pay for everything I’ve gone through.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I agreed quietly.

“Bye. You’ll meet me here when you’re back.”

“Okay, Elena. Your twin and I are going grocery shopping. Bye! Take care. I love you,” Mom said before hanging up.

☆☆☆

“Go freshen up, baby. We should hang out with Christy before you go back home,” Aunt Kate ordered, tone leaving no room for argument. I saluted.

“Yes ma’am,” I muttered, trudging into my room.

I collapsed onto my bed, chest rising and falling with exhaustion. The last few months had been nothing short of insane—challenging in ways I hadn’t anticipated. Losing weight? From 119kg (262 pounds) down to 53kg (116 pounds)? It was hard work, consistency, sweat, tears… pure grit. It felt miraculous, but every drop of sweat, every aching muscle, had been earned.

I stood and went to the mirror. My reflection caught me off guard. Curves intact, healthier, stronger. I tilted, turned, checking my ass and the lines of my waist, still amazed at the transformation.

“Elena’s going to be so shocked,” I muttered, almost whispering to myself.

The first day here, I had worn a gown that hid my stomach, tears threatening to spill as Aunt Kate and Christy fussed over me, buying me gowns, accessories, everything. Aunt Kate was a personal trainer, a vegetarian; I had followed her diet loosely, letting myself indulge occasionally, but even then… the progress stunned me every day.

I dragged myself to the bathroom to freshen up, water cooling my flushed skin.

☆☆☆

Aunt Kate, Christy, and I spent the day at the spa, shopping for gowns, treating ourselves before dinner at a small, elegant restaurant.

“Damn, I’m going to miss you, Liora,” Aunt Kate said, using my middle name with that pout I couldn’t resist.

“Same here, Aunt, but I’ll visit whenever I can,” I assured her.

“Okay, El… I’m proud of you. Truly,” she said, giving my hand a squeeze.

“Thanks, Aunt.”

Her gaze darkened slightly. “About your dad…”

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t want to talk about him. And he’s not my dad. Just… my father.”

“Dad and father… isn’t that the same?” she asked, eyebrows raised. I shook my head.

“Every man can be a father, but it takes a special one to be a dad. He was my dad once… now he’s just my mom’s sperm donor.” We all laughed, though the words carried a sharp edge.

“Gosh, Lena, you know he wants the best for you, right?”

“Best? A father shouldn’t call his own child a pig. Aunt, you don’t know how much his words haunted me,” I admitted, my voice breaking as tears streamed down.

“Oh, my darling,” Christy enveloped me in a hug, warmth and understanding pressing against me.

“Matt can be a jerk, but he’s nice. I hope you two can sort out your differences,” Aunt Kate added, joining the hug.

☆☆☆

“I’m homeeee!” I yelled, bursting through the front door. Damn, it felt so good to be back. Elena was on the couch, engrossed in a movie. Her head snapped up the moment she saw me, eyes scanning me from head to toe as my smile widened.

“Hum… who are you?” she asked, squinting in confusion.

“Don’t be a bitch, Elena—it’s me. Your best friend,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest.

“You’re… you’re Elena?” Her eyes nearly bulged.

“I’m I that hot you didn’t even recognize your best friend?”

“But how?! Damn, bitch—you look so hot!” She bolted toward me, hugging me tight.

“I’ve missed you,” I whispered.

“Awn, me too, Elly,” she replied, disengaging just long enough to look me over again, scanning every line and curve.

“Is this why you haven’t been calling?” Her voice carried frustration, anger laced with worry. I bit my lip, eyes lowering.

“I’m sorry. My aunt seized my phone. That’s why I couldn’t talk to you,” I admitted.

“You even lied to me? I thought we were friends,” she snapped softly, hurt undercutting her words.

“I’m sorry. It won’t happen again. I was angry, bitter, insecure. You’re perfect, beautiful, and I… I’m just me. I didn’t want to follow you to the party—that’s why I lied,” I confessed, eyes stinging.

“Elena… you’re my best friend. I’ll never see you any less than that,” she said, pulling me into another hug.

The door opened, and we both turned.

“Elena?” Her eyes widened again, covering her mouth with her hand.

“You look… omg, I missed you!” she squealed, hugging me tight.

What’s with everyone hugging me today?

“You look beautiful, baby. I’m proud of you,” Mom said softly.

“Thanks, Mom… gosh, I missed you guys so much,” I admitted, my heart swelling with relief and love.

“What did you bring for me?” Elena asked eagerly. I rolled my eyes, heading to the couch.

“The maids will bring them in,” I said, plopping down.

“When is school resuming?” I asked, curiosity biting at me.

“Monday! Omg, that’s right. I can’t wait to see the looks on their faces when we walk in,” Elena squealed, excitement bubbling over.

“I’ll go cook dinner,” Mom said, excusing herself. Elena plopped beside me on the couch.

“We should take the car your mom gave you to school Monday—and wear matching outfits!” she rambled.

“Matching outfits? What are we, five?” I teased, grinning.

“You’re no fun. Fine. Matching shorts, different tops. Hum?” She pouted.

I chuckled. “Okay, ma’am. You choose the shorts; I’ll pick the tops.”

“Yessss… I can’t wait to go to school!” she shouted, fist pumping the air.

“But… you hate school!” I reminded her.

“No. No. No. I love school now,” she said, grinning like a lunatic.

♡♥︎♥︎♡♥︎♥︎♡♥︎♥︎♡♥︎♡♥︎♡

The metallic midnight-blue BMW Z4 Roadster purred beneath us like it was alive, daring the whole school to even breathe as we rolled up. I sat in the passenger seat, hands gripping the leather like it was a lifeline, heart pounding. Elena’s grin? Insane. Wild. Exactly how she was behind any wheel that wasn’t hers.

“El, please… people are going to think we’re about to rob a bank!” I shouted, leaning against the door.

“Exactly!” she screamed back, throwing her foot down like the car was her personal weapon. “Let them stare, Lena! This is our grand entrance!”

The tires screamed over the asphalt, and my stomach did that ridiculous flip it always does when El gets… this crazy. Students were already spilling out of the gates, phones raised, whispering, pointing, jaws dropping. I could practically hear their thoughts:

Who the hell do they think they are?

“Too fast! Slow down a little!” I yelped.

“Nope! Never!” she laughed, hair whipping across her face, eyes sparkling with that chaotic energy I loved and feared all at once.

The car hugged the curves of the driveway, spray of morning dew glinting off the hood. The Z4 gleamed like a beast in the sun, midnight-blue paint catching every beam of light. Heads were turning, phones recording, whispers rolling through the crowd like wildfire.

“El, if I die today, I swear—”

“You won’t die, Lena! And if you do, you’ll be remembered!” she shouted, laughing like a lunatic as she skidded the car to a perfect stop in front of the main entrance, engine still growling.

I leaned back, breathing hard, hair tangled, heart pounding. The whole damn school was staring.

“Ready?” El asked, and I nodded. We opened the car doors at the same time. Students gasped.

“Is that—”