My Ex Dumped Me for My Best Friend Because I Was ‘Too Fat’ — on Their Wedding Day, Karma Stepped In
I was always the “fat girlfriend” until my boyfriend broke up with me for my best friend. Six months later, on the day of their wedding, I discovered how mistaken he had been about me.
When his mother contacted me on the day of their wedding, she said, “You do NOT want to miss this.” I was the “fat girlfriend” that my ex-boyfriend had discarded for my best friend.
My name is Larkin, I’m 28F, and I’ve always been “the big girl.”
I so discovered how to be lovable.
Not too cute. Simply put, large.
The one family member who whispers about sugar in the corner during Thanksgiving. Strangers say, “You’d be so pretty if you lost a little weight.”
I so discovered how to be lovable.
Funny, trustworthy, and helpful. The friend who remembers everyone’s coffee order, arrives early to assist with setup, and remains late to clean. I would be the most helpful if I couldn’t be the most beautiful.
Before the night was over, he asked for my number.
Sayer (31M) met that person during trivia night.
I was with my buddy Abby (27F), and he was with colleagues. He made a joke about me “carrying the table,” and I torched his well-groomed beard after my team won. Before the night was over, he asked for my number.
He was the first to text me.He wrote, “You’re refreshing.” “You are not a typical female. You are genuine.
We spent nearly three years dating.
A warning sign in retrospect. I melted at the time.
We spent nearly three years dating.
Weekends away, toothbrushes in each other’s places, and shared Netflix accounts. We discussed “someday” children, moving in together, and possibly acquiring a dog.
Maren (28F), my best friend, was a part of that existence.Someone who never treats you like a backup is what you deserve.
Since college, we had been pals. Even though she’s small, blonde, and naturally slender, her “I forgot to eat today” attitude makes others laugh and yet adore her. At my dad’s funeral, she held my hand. When I was feeling anxious, she would spend the night on my couch.
I remember her saying, “You deserve someone who never makes you feel like a backup.”
That same female was in my bed with my boyfriend six months ago.
literally.
He touched her hip. My pillow with her hair on it.
A shared photo notification appeared on my iPad while I was at work. Sayer and I were both cute and dumb, so our devices were in sync.
Without thinking, I tapped it.
My bedroom was there.
My comforter is gray. My throw pillow, which is yellow.
Maren and Sayer in the center. Without a shirt. I’m laughing. He touched her hip. Her hair was on my pillow.”Are you alright?”
My brain briefly attempted to persuade me that it was phony or outdated.
My stomach then turned over.I grabbed my luggage and informed Abby, “I have to go.””Are you alright?” she inquired.No, “I said, and walked out.”Do you want to share anything with me?
I waited while sitting on my couch with that picture open.
Sayer was humming when he entered. His keys were thrown into the bowl.You’re at home, sweetie—”Do you want to share anything with me? I inquired.
I saw the remorse flash across his face and then… vanish when he froze and noticed the iPad.I didn’t intend for you to learn this way.”
He didn’t refute it.
He remained calm.
He simply let out a sigh.”I didn’t intend for you to learn this way,” he continued.
Just like this. Not “I didn’t mean to do this.”She’s simply more my kind.
Behind him, Maren exited the hallway.
bare legs. My sweatshirt was too big. My pal.I said, “I trusted you.” My voice sounded strangely serene. “Both of you.”
He moved as though they were negotiating.He remarked, “She’s just more my type.” “Maren is slender. She is stunning. It is important.You failed to look after yourself.
There was a buzz in the room.
He continued.Larkin, you’re fantastic. You truly are. He remarked, “You have such a good heart.” However, you neglected to look for yourself. I deserve to be matched by someone.”
The line that truly made an impact was that one.
For his belongings, I gave him a trash bag.
Just like me.
As if I didn’t belong in his outfit.
Maren remained silent. Not one. She simply let him speak while crossing her arms and sparkling her eyes.
For his belongings, I gave him a trash bag.
She should leave my key on the counter, I urged her.
They got engaged in three months.
Then I felt everything fall apart as I sat on the floor of my kitchen.
They were sharing a few pictures within weeks.
They got engaged in three months.
I received screenshots from people. Half of my contacts were muted.
Abby volunteered to assist me in slashing his tires. I replied no while laughing and crying.
That voice in my head made it unbearable for me to be in my body.
I choose to focus all of the hate on myself instead.
I convinced myself that he simply said what everyone else believes. But you’re fantastic. But you’re funny. You would have shed the weight if you truly loved him.
That voice in my head made it unbearable for me to be in my body.
The only thing I could manage, I began to change.
I moved forward little by little.
I signed up for Abby’s gym.
I was on the treadmill for eight minutes on the first day before my lungs burned. I hid in the toilet, pretended I had to urinate, and sobbed.
I returned on the second day.
I moved forward little by little. jogged. Light weights were lifted. In order to avoid seeming foolish, I watched YouTube form videos while driving.
I reduced my takeout intake. learned how to cook veggies without scorching them. My food was obsessively logged. increased the amount of water consumed.
Then I saw that my face was sharper in the mirror.
Nothing appeared different for weeks.
My jeans then became loose.
Then I saw that my face was sharper in the mirror.
Then a coworker remarked, “You look great. Have you taken any action?
I had shed a significant amount of weight after six months.
It was both pleasant and eerie at the same time.
Enough to cause double takes from those who hadn’t seen me in a long time. My aunt grabbed me aside and whispered, “I knew you had it in you,” as if I had passed some secret exam.
I received greater attention.
More smiles, more door holds, and more “Wow, you look amazing.”
It was both pleasant and eerie at the same time.
Their wedding followed.
I still felt like the girl who was dumped for her best friend who was thinner on the inside.
Their wedding followed.
I was aware of the date thanks to social media. “Can’t wait!” was posted by mutual pals using ring emojis. I silenced more people.
I’m not invited.
DoorDash, garbage TV, bed, and a silent phone are my plans.”Is this Larkin?”
Nevertheless, my phone rang at 10:17 a.m.
Unknown figure.
I responded out of habit.”Hello?””Is this Larkin?” a lady said in a strained voice.You must come here.Yes.Sayer’s mother is this person.
Whitlock, Mrs. The ideal passive-aggressive remarks about “us girls” sticking to salad, flawless hair, and flawless pearls.
I felt my stomach sink.What’s happening? I inquired.Come on over. “Please.””You must come here,” she urged. “At this moment. Lakeview Country Club. Please. You’ll be shocked by what transpired.”I said, “Is Sayer okay?”He’s alright,” she yelled. “Just come. Please.”
I ought to have refused.
I reached for my keys instead.
However, there was mayhem in the parking lot.
Forty minutes away was a country club with well-kept lawns and elegant signs that read “Whitlock Wedding” and included arrows.
However, there was mayhem in the parking lot.
Half of the cars are on the grass. Outside, people gathered in gowns and suits and whispered to each other.
The reception area inside appeared to be in ruins.
Chairs toppled over. A wonky tablecloth. Glass, petals, and a shattered centerpiece littered the floor. There were sticky spots where the champagne poured.
Her updo was crumbling.
Not a coincidence.”Larkin!”
Mrs. Whitlock rushed over.
Her updo was crumbling. streaks of mascara. She took hold of my hands as though I were the EMT.”Thank God you came,” she remarked.She didn’t take him seriously.””What happened?” I inquired.
She lowered her voice and drew me in.”That girl,” she growled. “Maren. She never took him seriously.
I blinked.Ellie, one of her bridesmaids, approached me this morning. in tears. displayed messages for me. screenshots.
Despite her anger, she appeared almost delighted.He went up to her.” “She said, “Maren has been seeing another man.” “Laughing with him about Sayer’s ease. How she would “enjoy the ring and see how long she could ride it”
My stomach turned over. Once again.Was Sayer able to see them? I inquired.She claimed that he had accosted her. “She claimed she didn’t want to be committed ‘to a man with a mom like his,’ labeled him dull, and walked away. in her gown.”The wedding is off.
I imagined it and, despite my choice, snorted a little.
Mrs. Whitlock gave me a firm squeeze.”This cannot destroy him,” she replied. “People are present. Family. His supervisor. It would be embarrassing to cancel.”The wedding is off,” I declared.”For now,” she remarked. “But it doesn’t have to be a disaster.”You’ve always loved him, Larkin.”
She stepped back to examine me from head to toe.
My skin crawled as I saw the light in her eyes.”You always loved him, Larkin,” she remarked. “You showed loyalty. Well done to him. And now look at you—you’re stunning. You’re on par with him.
Once more, it was there.”Today, you and Sayer could have a little ceremony,” she said. “Just a straightforward affair. Face would be spared. Everyone is already familiar with you. That makes sense.Don’t let your hurt sentiments get in the way of this opportunity.
I gazed at her.”You called me here to ask me to marry your son,” I answered softly. at his postponed nuptials. To another individual.”
She scowled.She remarked, “You’ve always desired to be with him.” “Don’t throw away this chance because your feelings are hurt.”
I observed the mayhem all around us.
And for the first time in their story, I recognized myself clearly.
The shattered glass. The chairs were overturned. The vacant room where a bride had made up her mind that she wanted more.
And for the first time in their story, I recognized myself clearly.
I was not a human being.
I served as a fallback.
I removed my hands from hers.I won’t be your substitute bride.”No,” I replied.
She squinted. “Excuse me?”I stated, “I’m not your substitute bride. “Your son proposed to my closest friend after cheating on me and leaving me. When something goes out, you can’t treat me like a spare tire.””You would allow him to be humiliated?” she yelled.
My heart was racing and my hands were shaking as I drove home.I said, “He embarrassed himself six months ago.” “This is just everyone else catching up.”
I turned and left before she could respond.
Not a word. Not a scene.
Simply walked away.
My heart was racing and my hands were trembling as I drove home.
There came a tap on my door at 7:42 p.m.
I brewed tea. I took a seat on my couch. I allowed myself to feel proud of myself for leaving and foolish for going.
There came a tap on my door at 7:42 p.m.
Three slamming knocks.
I looked through the peephole.
Sayer.You look amazing.”
Naturally.
He appeared to be a handsome mess. Eyes inflamed, hair ruined, tie gone, shirt unfastened at the neck.
With the chain on, I opened the door.
He actually double-took me as he examined me.”Wow,” he exclaimed. “You look… incredible.”You are aware of what she did.
I didn’t answer.
He let out a breath.”It was a terrible day,” he remarked. “You know what she did.””I heard,” I remarked.He remarked, “She made me look like a joke.” “In front of everybody. My supervisor. My relatives. It’s on the internet already. Memes are being sent. It’s not good.”You were, you know, back then.”
He leaned in closer to the door’s crack.However, things don’t have to remain awful. This is something we can resolve. Me and you.”
I chuckled. Only once.I said, “You’re serious.”
He scowled, perplexed that I wasn’t melting.You look fantastic now.”He pointed to me and remarked, “You’ve changed.” “You were, you know, back then. You did not truly look after yourself. We weren’t compatible. I’m simply being truthful.
This time, my stomach did not dip.But now?” he asked. “You look fantastic now. We’d make sense. People would understand it. My reputation would be spared. as well as yours. You wouldn’t be the girl I left behind. I would pick you.”
And there it was.Do you believe that my reputation needs to be preserved?
He still presented it as a favor.Do you believe that my reputation needs to be preserved? I inquired.”People talk,” he murmured rapidly. “This could become a tale about finding the right person at last. about the way we were supposed to be.”
In fact, I grinned.I might have said yes six months ago.”
He mistook it and relaxed.I said, “You know what’s funny?” “Six months ago, I might’ve said yes.”
He parted his lips.
I prevented him from doing so.I believed that if I shrank, I would at last be sufficient. “But losing weight just made it easier to see who wasn’t.”I was too good for you, too.”
His mouth tightened.That’s unfair,” he remarked. “You were overweight. I told the truth. At least I—”I responded casually, “I was big.” “And I was still too good for you.”
He became motionless.I said, “You didn’t leave because I couldn’t be loved.” “You left because you wanted a prize and you’re shallow. Your life wasn’t ruined by Maren. She simply performed better in your game.”I don’t need your affection after all.”He responded, “You can’t speak to me in this manner.””I can,” I said. “Because I don’t need you to love me after.”
I removed the door’s chain.
A glimmer of hope appeared on his face.
I barely opened it enough to look him in the eyes.Don’t act this way.”I said, “I deserve better.” “And the finest aspect? At last, I think that.
I shut the door after that.
I locked it.
He knocked again, more gently.”Larkin,” he murmured. “Don’t be like this.”
It was the conviction that I needed to gain even the most basic respect.
I turned to leave.
For the most part, I didn’t lose 80 pounds or any other figure on a chart.
It was the conviction that I needed to gain even the most basic respect.
It collapsed at my ex’s wedding. I was recruited by his mother to be his emergency wife. He arrived at my door as though I were a publicity stunt.
I also didn’t compromise myself to meet someone else’s definition of love for the first time in my life.
I remained the same person.
I then closed the door.
