Page 77 of What Goes Around

I looked back at my screen like nothing had happened.

Thirty minutes later, I went downstairs.

And there it was.

Apple curled into Marissa’s arms on the couch, crying softly, trembling just enough to look fragile without smearing her mascara.

A performance perfected over years.

“She body-shamed me,” Apple wept. “She mocked me. I just wanted to borrow something…”

Marissa looked up and her expression hardened instantly.

“Ashley,” she snapped, already angry. “What is wrong with you?”

I didn’t even blink.

“I only said we have different body types,” I replied. “The dress is too form-fitting to work on her. That’s all.”

Marissa scoffed, offended on Apple’s behalf.

“That doesn’t give you the right to embarrass her,” she shot back. “You could have been kind. You could have just said no like a normal person instead of saying something cruel.”

“I wasn’t cruel. I was factual.”

“It is not Apple’s fault that you’re so… huge,” Marissa snapped, her voice cold in that way she reserved only for me.

My mouth twitched. “You mean tall?” I asked smoothly.

“You know what I mean,” she snapped.

Apple sniffled delicately, nuzzling deeper against her mother.

“Mom,” she sniffled, “don’t be too hard on her. I just… I feel awful. Can we go shopping tomorrow? I really need new clothes.”

She sank deeper into Marissa’s arms, helpless little kitten that she was.

I almost laughed.

She was incredible.

Truly.

In my old life, that scene would’ve crippled me. I would’ve apologized for existing.

In this one…

I watched the performance with clinical fascination.

Apple wasn’t hurt.

She was jealous.

She wanted what I had.

And she’d just secured it with tears.

Marissa softened instantly, like someone had flipped a switch.