Emma couldn’t recall how long she’d been sitting in the armchair, staring blankly at one spot. Tears streamed down her full cheeks, and her hands nervously fidgeted with the edge of a long, colorful shawl.
Now she was alone. The thing she had dreaded, yet never fully believed would happen, had come to pass. Her beloved husband had left her. James. Dear Jamie…
Emma didn’t know how to go on, what to do next, or whom to confide in about her heartbreak. Just that morning, she’d felt like a happy woman. Well, aside from one issue—her weight. Her friends always said her extra pounds didn’t detract from her charm. James, of course, sometimes teased her, and his jokes could sting. But was her weight really a reason to destroy a family? Especially a family built on mutual, pure, and radiant love?
James and Emma met 15 years ago. She was a first-year student at a culinary school, while he was finishing his philosophy degree. The talkative, erudite young man with a broad worldview immediately caught the eye of the shy, reserved girl. She quickly realized she was in love. They dated for just a year before, at 19, Emma married James, and they began their life together.
Emma had never been skinny, but neither could she be called overweight. Curvy hips, a full bust, a slim waist—her figure was stunning. Even when she gained weight, her stomach remained flat and toned. James was smitten with her curves, constantly reminding his young wife how much he adored her.
It wasn’t just Emma’s figure that James loved; her culinary talents were equally captivating. Cooking was her passion, and she approached it with creativity and enthusiasm. Even during tough financial times, she could turn the simplest ingredients into masterpieces fit for a feast.
Money troubles were frequent. James, with his philosophy degree, loved his field but could only find work as a poorly paid instructor at a run-down college. His salary barely covered his cafeteria lunches and commute. So, Emma took on the role of breadwinner—and she excelled at it.
She landed a job at a small restaurant, where she quickly made a name for herself. Soon, the owner of a larger, more upscale establishment poached her. On top of that, she baked cakes at home for clients, earning a tidy sum for her creations.
Despite earning most of the family’s income, Emma always remembered the advice from her mother and grandmother: never let your husband feel like he’s not the provider. A woman must remain a woman, and a man’s ego is so easily bruised by careless words…
So, Emma worked in the restaurant kitchen by day, baked cakes in the evening, and at night ironed James’s shirts and scrubbed the floors to be a good homemaker.
But there was one problem. Emma started gaining weight. She ate at the restaurant, often late at night, and her meals leaned heavily on desserts that couldn’t be saved for the next day. Cakes, pastries, sweet pies—it all took a toll on the young chef’s figure.
“You’re my treasure,” James would often say. “And you can never have too much treasure!”
But those words only lasted for a while. When Emma’s weight crept past 220 pounds, James began calling her “little hippo” or “baby elephant.” By the time the scale hit 240 pounds, she became “fat pig” or “lump of lard.”
— Do you realize I can’t see you as a woman anymore? — James would say, slipping into the crisp white shirt Emma had ironed for him. — Just a woman I could desire, one who inspires admiration? One I could worship?
— But… it’s still me… I’ve just gained a little weight, — Emma would reply timidly.
— A little… Your eyes are practically hidden behind your cheeks… Darling, you need to do something about this. Otherwise… otherwise anything could happen, — and with that, James would stride off to work, leaving Emma alone with her dark thoughts.
Today, when Emma returned home from work, she found neither James nor his belongings. Instead, there was a note explaining his decision. He was tired of seeing “a person who’s replaced the world with cakes and pastries” instead of a wife. He was still young and wanted to “enjoy love and all it brings to a man’s life.” So, James was now living with a colleague he’d been secretly seeing. He was leaving Emma to “reflect on her existence and choose the right path.”
It was already dark when Emma snapped out of her daze. She rose from the chair and headed to the bathroom. There, she splashed her face with icy water and stared intently at her reflection in the mirror.
No surprise there. Just 33 years old, yet she looked closer to 50. Her neck was barely visible, but her cheeks… those were impossible to miss. Her eyelids, swollen from crying, nearly hid her eyes.
— Some beauty, huh, — Emma sighed.
Then the phone rang. She hurried to the hallway. Could it be James, having second thoughts? Maybe he was standing outside with a bouquet of her favorite tea roses?
But it wasn’t James. It was Sophie, Emma’s best friend and former colleague.
Sophie ran a wedding planning business and often asked Emma to bake cakes or pastries for events.
— Hey, Em, you free tomorrow or the day after? Got a great order! — Sophie chirped into the phone.
— Soph, I don’t know… I… I think my husband left me, — Emma broke down in tears.
— Okay, I’m coming over. Stay put. You’re home, right?
— Yeah, — Emma sniffled.
Half an hour later, Sophie burst into Emma’s apartment, a bottle of champagne in one hand and a cake box in the other.
Once the cake and champagne were on the kitchen table and Sophie grabbed two glasses from the cupboard, Emma skeptically remarked:
— Me? It’s late already. And I’m… fat…
— So that’s why he left, huh? Because you’re fat? — Sophie asked, slicing the cake.
— Yeah. He wrote in the note that I’m not a woman anymore, — Emma nodded.
— You’re a woman, and what a woman, — Sophie plopped a generous slice of sponge cake in front of Emma. — Eat. This might be the last time.
Emma looked at her friend, puzzled:
— What do you mean, the last time?
— Don’t worry! You’ll go on a diet, slim down. I’ve already arranged everything.
— With who? — Emma popped a piece of cake into her mouth and closed her eyes in delight.
— Listen, and don’t argue. You know Daniel Thompson?
Emma nodded. Daniel Thompson was a well-known local host. Handsome, charming, and eloquent, he not only emceed countless events but had recently started appearing on local TV.
— Well, he’s launching a show. About weight loss. And your story fits perfectly. They’re looking for participants right now. You know, women with a story that tugs at the heartstrings.
— Does mine tug? — Emma asked doubtfully.
Sophie nodded enthusiastically:
— Oh, it does. A abandoned overweight woman joins the show to win back her husband. Perfect story. Stop crying and listen. Dietitians, trainers, psychologists, all sorts of procedures… all sponsored, all free. The show lasts six months. Can you manage without work for six months? Will your restaurant let you go?
— I’d need to work it out…
— You’ll work it out. And we’ll get some advertising for your restaurant too, I’ll make sure of it, — Sophie declared firmly. — Come on, get up, we’re going to Daniel’s. He’s waiting to meet you.
— Go where, Soph? It’s almost midnight!
— No arguments, let’s go. The man’s waiting to talk to you.
Emma couldn’t defy her friend. She got dressed and headed to Daniel Thompson’s place. He lived in a country house in an upscale neighborhood. Emma had never been there and gazed curiously at the luxurious cottages flashing by the car window as Sophie drove.
— Get out, we’re here!
The car stopped in front of a charming red-brick cottage. The women stepped out, and Sophie dialed someone to say they’d arrived.
Moments later, the door opened. There stood Daniel Thompson himself. Emma noted that he was far more attractive in person than on screen. Tall, lean, with intelligent, expressive eyes… no wonder he was a crowd favorite!
— Come in, ladies, — Daniel said with a smile, gesturing them inside.
The host and his guests settled on a cozy sectional sofa in the living room. Daniel brought coffee and treated Sophie and Emma.
— So, — he began, — Emma, you want to be a contestant on Beauty in Every Size?
— Well, I don’t exactly want to. I only learned about the show… like, an hour ago. And I’m not sure about anything yet, — Emma answered honestly.
Sophie rolled her eyes:
— Em, we talked about this…
Emma glanced at her friend in panic, pressing a hand to her mouth.
They had agreed she’d tell Daniel a story about hearing about the show long ago and dreaming of participating. And she’d messed it up.
Daniel, sensing her slip, burst out laughing:
— That’s great, Emma. We’re looking for genuine people who don’t lie and are open and honest. I’d love to have you on the show. Plus, I owe Sophie a favor, and she’s been adamant about getting you in. Are you ready to join?
Emma hesitated for a moment. Was she ready? Her mind screamed no. Quit her job, upend her routine, and become a reality TV star? No one could be ready for that! All she wanted was to win James back and live as they used to. Nothing more.
But instead of saying that, Emma nodded:
— Yes, I’m ready! I’ll talk to my workplace tomorrow and do whatever’s needed!
— Perfect, — Daniel took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. — I think we’re going to do great things together!
As Sophie and Emma drove home, Sophie remarked in surprise:
— I thought I’d have to beg him. He was really resistant. They’d already cast everyone, and here I come. But you must’ve impressed him. He agreed the moment he saw you!
Emma just shrugged. Daniel was a professional; he knew best. Maybe she’d be the heaviest contestant, making her an interesting case for the dietitians and trainers?
A week later, the show began. Emma and the other contestants moved into a small mansion, each in their own tiny room. Beauty in Every Size featured 12 women, all weighing over 220 pounds. One rule stood out: there were no mirrors or reflective surfaces in the house. The women couldn’t see themselves or gauge their progress.
The goal was to lose the most weight possible. The winner would receive a hefty cash prize from sponsors and plenty of exciting gifts. But for each contestant, the real motivation was transforming their body.
The first two weeks, Emma regretted agreeing to participate. She spent hours daily in the gym. Her trainer, Ethan, a cheerful, fitness-obsessed guy, designed a personalized workout plan for her. At first, Emma cried and begged to go home.
But Ethan was relentless, making her do the exercises and promising that soon it would get easier, and she’d laugh at how tough the early workouts felt.
To her surprise, he was right. Within a month, Emma found running on the treadmill or doing crunches no longer daunting. Even the dumbbells she’d hated felt lighter. Her muscles stopped aching so much, and her shortness of breath vanished.
She also worked with a dietitian named Claire. Together, they explored the reasons behind Emma’s weight gain. After long talks about healthy and unhealthy eating, Claire crafted a diet to help Emma shed pounds.
If workouts were tough, the diet was a true test of willpower. Emma longed for calorie-laden cakes, pastries, and fried potatoes. But Claire allowed only vegetables, fruits, lean meats, and other foods Emma found bland and uninspiring.
— Give it time, — Claire would say. — In a week, you’ll realize an apple tastes better than condensed milk, and dried apricots are a dessert tastier than any pastry!
— What about chocolate? — Emma would ask wistfully.
— Instead of chocolate, we’ve got a handful of nuts!
Emma persevered, eating what Claire prescribed. Meanwhile, contestants dropped out. Some left voluntarily, unable to handle the grueling schedule. Others were caught sneaking forbidden chocolates or cookies. Only three women would make it to the finale. At first, Emma was sure she wouldn’t last past the halfway mark, but eventually, she realized she might just reach the top three.
Even the show’s host, Daniel, seemed to take a liking to her. Viewers noticed it first, speculating on forums that Daniel was “smitten with that blonde chef.” Emma herself saw that Daniel spoke to her more warmly than the others, genuinely rooting for her success.
But she figured it was just to boost the show’s drama. What’s more compelling than a hinted romance between the host and a contestant?
To her own shock, Emma made it to the final three. She’d endured every challenge, never cheated, and now breezed through the exercises Ethan gave her. Her trainer was clearly proud.
One day, he quietly told her:
— Listen, off the record. After the show, want to join our gym? You could coach women looking to lose weight. It’d be great working with you!
Emma laughed:
— Me, a trainer? I’m still fat! But thanks for the offer!
The long-awaited finale arrived. Emma was a bundle of nerves, eager for the judges’ decision. Plus, she’d finally see her new self. Only on the finale stage would she face a mirror for the first time in months.
The contestants were taken to separate rooms, where professionals did their makeup and dressed them. Emma was the last to go on stage. She was trembling as if facing the most critical exam of her life, barely holding back tears of anticipation.
— Hey, — Daniel suddenly appeared in her room. — We’ve got a short break. I came to cheer you up. The other girls are done. Can you believe Sarah lost 77 pounds? Hey, don’t cry!
He crouched beside Emma, taking her hands in his:
— Don’t stress! Listen, if you pull yourself together now, you’re going on a date with me after the show! Everyone dreams of a date with me, but you’re getting one! No cameras, no fuss!
Emma looked at him, stunned:
— And if I don’t pull myself together?
— You’re still going! I’ve made up my mind! There, you’re smiling! Get ready, it’s your turn. And remember: you’re absolutely beautiful. I’ve been rooting for you this whole time!
Daniel left the dressing room, leaving Emma flustered but smiling.
It turned out Emma had lost 73 pounds. She took second place. But when she saw herself in the mirror, she was floored. Staring back was a strikingly attractive young woman.
Long blonde hair styled in loose waves, vivid blue eyes, natural makeup… and the dress! The stylists had highlighted her full bust, shapely hips, and slim waist. Her stomach? Gone, like it had never existed!
Emma was speechless, unable to stop gazing at her reflection. Ethan, Claire, and the show’s psychologist rushed to her, hugging her and saying warm words. Emma couldn’t hold back tears of joy. No, she hadn’t won first place. But she’d won a greater victory—over herself.
The next day, she returned to her apartment. Sophie had tidied up, placed a bouquet of roses on the dining table, and left a card: “Congratulations on your new life!”
Emma sat in her armchair and closed her eyes. Yes, a new life was beginning. She’d already agreed with Ethan to train at his gym under his guidance. And, as promised to Claire, no more cakes or pastries! Only healthy eating. She didn’t even crave sweets or junk food anymore!
The doorbell rang. Emma got up and headed to the hallway. There stood James, clutching a single long-stemmed rose.
— Darling, you’re stunning, — he said, awestruck. — You can’t imagine how much I missed you, how I longed for you! I watched every episode of the show. You worked so hard to win me back. You did it. Here I am!
Emma stepped back, studying her husband. Funny, she used to think he was handsome. Now? A balding head, skinny arms and legs, and the start of a beer belly…
A great conversationalist? James loved talking about his philosophers, as long as someone listened. Was Emma interested in those topics? Not really. And, most importantly… she realized she no longer loved him. It was as if a mysterious switch had flipped inside her. She’d loved him more than life itself. Now, there was nothing.
— Jamie, you know… I think we’re better off as friends, — she said softly but firmly.
— What? — James looked stunned. — Friends? I thought only of you. I left Tanya. My stuff’s in a taxi downstairs! Where am I supposed to go?
— I honestly don’t know!
Emma tried to close the door, but James grabbed the handle.
— Wait! You’re saying you’re dumping me? When I lived with you, fat and ugly, everything was fine! Now you’re a star, and I’m not good enough?
— What’s going on here? — a man’s voice came from the elevator. Emma was surprised to see Daniel approaching her door.
— Excuse me, who are you? — Daniel gave James a cold look. — And what do you want from Emma?
— I’m her husband. I’m back for her!
— Oh, the husband… The one who left his wife because she was overweight? Am I remembering that right? And now you’re back?
— That’s none of your business, — James’s voice sounded high-pitched and whiny to Emma. How had she never noticed that before?
— Here’s the deal, husband, — Daniel said quietly. — If you don’t leave, I’m calling the police. I’m counting to five. The lady made it clear she doesn’t want you here. And you’re causing a scene!
James’s face flushed, veins bulging on his neck. He clenched his fists as if ready to swing at Daniel.
Instead, he muttered:
— We’ll see who wins. It’s not the strongest who prevails, but the most patient!
And with that, James stormed off, still clutching his rose.
— What was that supposed to mean? — Daniel asked, bemused.
— Don’t mind him. He’s a philosopher…
— Got it. So, about that date? — Daniel grinned. — I think you promised.
Emma shrugged, smiling:
— How can I say no when Daniel Thompson himself is asking?
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