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Watch From the Dons Sons Plus Size Girl to His Brothers Claim on Dailymotion (2026).
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00:30We grew up together on the compound. In the tutoring wing, he knocked a boy flat for laughing at my
00:35weight. Later during drills, he'd slow down whenever I fell behind, impatient, but he always waited. That's when I started
00:42carrying a torch for him. As we got older, he moved up in the family, and the way he treated
00:48me went south. When nobody was around, he'd eat the lunches I packed, crash on my couch playing cards. But
00:54at family gatherings, he'd ice me out. If we passed each other in the hall, he'd just nod.
01:00I asked him why.
01:02The capitals run their mouths. I don't want them thinking I'm soft on you.
01:05I bought that too. So this year, I cut sugar. I ran five miles morning and night. I trained with
01:12the family's security coach. The worst time, I hit the floor from low blood sugar.
01:17When I came to, the first thing I asked was whether I'd finished the drill. The chopper's rotors thundered down
01:24on the helipad. The cabin door swung open. I spotted Jason right away. He was tan from a year overseas,
01:31pulling a duffel, wearing the black jacket I'd given him before he shipped out.
01:35I was about to call out when a girl in a white dress ran up and threw her arms around
01:39him. He bent down and kissed her, like he'd done it a thousand times. I knew her. Jessica Bellini, daughter
01:46of an out-of-town family, sent here for a marriage alliance. My feet were rooted to the spot. Jessica
01:52leaned into him and tilted her chin toward me.
01:56That fat childhood friend of yours? Didn't show? He snorted. She doesn't know I'm back today. She used to trail
02:03you everywhere. Got old. Only because my old man knew her father. Otherwise, I'd have cut her loose years ago.
02:09Before I shipped out, I gave her my burner. Told one of my guys to handle the sit rest. We're
02:15running together all day anyway. He just fields the messages for me. Jessica paused, then doubled over.
02:23A whole year and she never caught on? She sees my name pop up and she's happy. She doesn't have
02:28time to notice. The roses slipped from my hand. Rotor wash flipped the wrapping paper across the tarmac. My phone
02:35buzzed. The burner. You up? Eat something, not just coffee. So who was it really? The person who'd called me
02:43babe every single night for the past year?
02:48I sat in my car and scrolled through the whole chat history. From the very beginning, that so-called new
02:54number had been Jason's adopted brother's burner account. It all made sense now. At first, he barely replied. How's the
03:01overseas life? Fine. Eaten yet? Yeah. Sometimes he'd leave me on read for days.
03:08I figured Jason was just tired. Anyway, he never replied much to begin with. So I kept reaching out. Until
03:15one night, I sent,
03:16I know I'm annoying. I just miss you. Please don't be mad at me, okay? An hour later, he replied,
03:22You're not annoying. Sorry. I'll do better from now on. After that, everything changed. From that day on, he was
03:30like a different person.
03:31He reminded me about briefings. He remembered when my period cramps hit. And when he found out I'd only eaten
03:37a plain baked potato all day, he'd chew me out through messages. The night of my birthday, Jason's main
03:43number was dead silent. But this burner account hit midnight with, Happy birthday. Our Emily should be
03:49happy from now on. That was the day I made up my mind to lose weight. I thought Jason had
03:54finally started
03:55caring about me. I thought if I got pretty enough, he'd finally be willing to go public. Looking back
04:00now, none of that warmth had ever come from Jason. I washed my face and opened my gallery. There was
04:06a
04:06photo from a year ago. Me in an oversized hoodie. My face so round you couldn't see my chin. Grinning
04:13like
04:13an idiot between two dessert plates. I sent it. Good morning, my dear babe.
04:20One minute passed. Five. No reply. I laughed at myself. Of course. Any guy can say he likes you
04:27before he's seen the real you. I was about to delete the burner when my phone buzzed. A photo. A
04:33man
04:33standing in front of a mirror. Black t-shirt pulled up to his chest, showing abs and gray sweatpants.
04:38On the forearm holding the phone, that small mole. Then a text. You sent yours. I owe you one.
04:45My face burned. Who told you to send that? Then were you asking if I'd still call you babe?
04:51So? I will. Even if you put on another hundred pounds. I stared at the screen, tears threatening
04:58to fall again. I should have deleted the photo. But my thumb betrayed me. I saved it. Fine.
05:04The better a man looked, the better he was at lying. My finger moved toward delete contact
05:09again. Someone rapped on my window. Emily? It was Jason. He must have recognized my car.
05:15For a second, I couldn't breathe. I'd already had enough humiliation for one day. I was not about
05:21to let him see how much I still cared. I took a breath, wiped my eyes, and rolled the window
05:26down.
05:27Hey. He froze. His eyes moved slow across my face, my hair, my dress. Sorry. He stepped back.
05:36Wrong person. I just stared. He hadn't even recognized me. Jason turned to leave. But he
05:43looked back at the car, his brow creasing. Wait. Isn't this Emily's car? Are you her friend?
05:51Jason! Jessica walked over, hooked her arm through his, and kissed his cheek.
05:55My car's here. You said we'd celebrate, just the two of us.
06:01Jason hesitated. Then Jessica pulled him away. He looked back once. I rolled the window up. Then I
06:08looked at myself in the rear view, and smiled. Just barely. I dropped nearly a hundred pounds,
06:14so he'd finally claim me. He couldn't even remember my face. When I got home, Mom handed me a gift
06:20box.
06:21Jason came by. There's a dinner tonight at the estate for him and Michael. He wants you there.
06:27He brought this back for you from overseas. I looked down. The alphabet chocolate I'd liked
06:33half a year ago. I'd mentioned it to the burner once, said it was cute how each letter could spell
06:38a name. I didn't expect him to remember. For a second, something stupid flickered in my chest.
06:44Then I opened the box. Four slots were empty. My phone lit up with Jessica's post. A photo.
06:51Four chocolates arranged to spell Jess. Jason's hand on her waist. The watch on his wrist was the one
06:58I'd given him last birthday. The caption. Someone brought me a gift the moment he landed. I stared
07:04at the leftovers. Almost laughed at myself. Jason hadn't remembered I liked it. He'd given her what
07:11should have been mine. Just like he'd given me to his adopted brother for a whole year. Mom poked her
07:17head out from the kitchen. Like it? No. A tear landed on the box. Emily? Mom called again. Like it?
07:24I closed
07:25the lid. No. Then I walked outside and dumped the whole thing in the trash. I'd spent a year making
07:31myself smaller so I could be worthy of him. He couldn't even give me a full box.
07:38I was still staring at the chocolate in the trash when mom came out. Emily? She looked
07:44at the box. Then at me. What happened? Trouble with Jason? I wiped my face. No. I'm training.
07:51No sweets. I walked past her and shut myself in my room. A few minutes later, the doorbell rang.
07:56I almost didn't answer. Then my phone buzzed. The burner account. The one I'd thought was Jason's.
08:03Check the front door. My heart skipped a beat. I went downstairs. Another gold box sat on the
08:09doorstep. Same alphabet chocolate. Unopened. Every letter intact. I took it upstairs and snapped a
08:16photo. You sent this? He replied right away. Saw you liked it months ago. Thought it might make
08:23you smile. I stared at the screen. He'd only been doing Jason a favor at first, just sending a few
08:29replies to keep me quiet. He didn't have to remember what I liked. Why are you so good to me?
08:35The three
08:35dots appeared almost instantly. Because I like you. I couldn't breathe. Even when I was nearly 200
08:42pounds? Even if you gained another hundred, I can still carry you. I laughed through my tears. The first
08:50real laugh all day. I picked up the box and walked back to the kitchen. Mom, where's Jason's dinner
08:58tonight? The one at the estate? She raised an eyebrow. I thought you weren't going. I grabbed
09:04my keys. Changed my life. At that table, there was a man who'd called me babe every night. Tonight,
09:11I was going to find him. The welcome dinner was held in the estate's main hall. A long table,
09:20maybe 15 people, young capos, and crew heads. Jessica had brought her own out-of-town muscle
09:26and a handful of girls from her family's circle. They sat beside her, next to Jason. When I walked
09:32through the doors, the table went quiet for half a beat. Jason was piling food onto Jessica's plate.
09:38He looked up, saw me, and his fork stopped midair. It's you. He remembered the face from the helipad.
09:45Still didn't know who I was. Jessica laughed. Couldn't catch him at the Gila board, so you
09:51followed him home? She tightened her grip on Jason's arm. This is a family dinner. No outsiders.
09:57Actually, someone invited me. Her smile flickered. Who? I didn't answer. She looked at Jason,
10:04then back at me, and smiled again. Right. You think just because you're pretty now,
10:09you can steal Jason? His eyes were locked on me. My eyes swept the room. Fifteen people. Some drinking,
10:16some playing cards. Any one of them could be the one behind the burner. And then I saw him. Alone
10:22in
10:22the far corner by the window. Black t-shirt stretched across his shoulders. Gray sweatpants. The same
10:29clothes as the photo. Two girls from out of town were seated beside him, leaning in, trying to get
10:34his attention. He didn't even look at them. He was looking down at his phone. His sleeve was rolled up
10:40to mid forearm. My eyes landed on the inside of his arm. Right there. A small mole on his skin.
10:46Exactly like the one in the photo. I'd found him. All the tension that had been building in my chest
10:52all day, finally had somewhere to go. I didn't know whether to thank him first, or demand to know
10:58why he'd lied to me for so long. But then he looked up. His eyes cut across the room and
11:03landed on me.
11:04Right on me. I took one step toward him. Suddenly, a hand grabbed my arm. I turned around. Jason.
11:12His face full of shock. Emily?
11:17Jessica's eyes went wide. You're telling me she's the one? The childhood friend who used to weigh
11:23nearly 200 pounds? The hall went dead silent. Everyone turned to look at me, including the
11:29man in the corner. I pulled my arm free from Jason's grip. Childhood friend? I looked him
11:34straight in the eye. Our fathers were close. That's all. Jason's face darkened. I didn't know you'd
11:41lost weight. Probably because you haven't spoken to me in a whole year. His jaw tightened. I turned
11:47and walked across the hall. The man in the black t-shirt watched me coming closer. When I got near,
11:53I finally got a clear look at his face. He was even better looking in person than in the photo.
11:59I stopped in front of him. Can I have your number? Something flickered in his eyes. He was about to
12:05speak when Jason's voice came from behind me. Lose 100 pounds, and you think every guy in this
12:11hall wants you? Jessica crossed her arms. Don't waste your time. I've known Michael Russo for two
12:18years and never seen him add a girl on any app. You really think you're all that? Don't make me
12:23laugh.
12:26She's right. Jessica smiled. I don't just give my number out to anyone. Then he stepped closer to me
12:32and held out his phone, already unlocked. His eyes never left mine. But I'll hand it to her.
12:40Jessica's smile froze. He placed the phone in my palm. Put your number in. I'd barely taken the phone
12:47when Jason ripped it out of my hand. What the hell are you doing? He was staring at Michael. You
12:53know
12:53she's with! He stopped. I looked straight at him. She's with who? Jason's jaw tightened. I stepped
13:00closer. Go on. I really want to hear you finish that sentence. Jessica was still holding his arm.
13:07Jason glanced at her, then looked away. Your father put you in my care. I'm not letting you throw
13:12yourself at some two-tating piece of drash. I almost laughed. He didn't mind handing me off
13:17to a stranger for a whole year. Michael moved to my side. Let me reintroduce myself. Michael Russo.
13:25I'm clean. I don't play games or lead people on. Then he looked Jason straight in the eye.
13:31And I'm not a two-tiner either. Jason still had the phone. Fine. I pulled my lipstick out of my
13:37clutch,
13:37grabbed Michael's wrist, and turned his arm over. He tensed. I wrote slowly. A string of red numbers
13:44marked his skin. Everyone in the hall was watching. I capped the lipstick and let go of his wrist.
13:51Done. Michael looked down at the numbers. Then his eyes came back up to mine. I'll add you.
13:58After I gave Michael my number, I left the welcome dinner. That night, I was lying in bed
14:04when my phone buzzed. A new contact.
14:10It's real.
14:12I laughed.
14:15Why would you think I'd give you a fake?
14:20A few seconds later, he replied.
14:22Because you were carrying a torch for Jason.
14:25I stared at the screen. Then another message came through.
14:28Thought you were just using me to make him jealous.
14:29My smile faded. Maybe that's what everyone thought. No matter how badly Jason treated me,
14:36I'd keep chasing him. I started typing.
14:40I don't carry a torch for him anymore.
14:43The typing bubble appeared immediately.
14:45Then who do you like now?
14:46I hesitated.
14:48Then I typed.
14:51Someone who doesn't play me.
14:52The moment I sensed it, my door swung open. Jason stormed in.
14:57You're messaging him?
14:58His eyes scanned the screen. His face went cold.
15:05You actually gave your number to Michael?
15:08Give it back.
15:09You went to that dinner for him?
15:12Jason.
15:13I held out my hand.
15:15Give it back.
15:18Jason threw the phone onto the bed.
15:20Then he grabbed my wrist and pinned me against the wall.
15:27What are you doing?
15:28Before I could push him off, he kissed me.
15:31Hard.
15:33I went stiff.
15:35Then something hot and sharp exploded in my chest.
15:39I shoved him away and slapped him across the face.
15:44He let out a short laugh.
15:46And touched his jaw.
15:50He used to beg me to kiss you.
15:52He rubbed his cheek.
15:53Now that you've got Michael on the line, I can't even touch you?
15:56My body went rigid.
15:57A memory surfaced.
15:59A year ago, I went to the family's helipad to see Jason off before he shipped out overseas.
16:04He was walking ahead of me, dragging his duffel a few paces between us.
16:08Jason, wait up!
16:10I hurried after him.
16:11My foot caught on the tarmac.
16:13I went down hard.
16:17Jason finally stopped.
16:20He looked around first, checked if any of the family's men were watching, then came back to me.
16:26Get up, Emily.
16:28It hurts.
16:29You're embarrassing yourself.
16:31Tears burned in my eyes.
16:33I looked up at him.
16:36Then kiss me.
16:38He frowned.
16:39What?
16:41My voice was shaking.
16:43You're leaving for a year.
16:45Please.
16:46Jason glanced around.
16:48Then he bent down fast.
16:50His lips barely brushed mine.
16:52The kiss was over in less than a second.
16:54There.
16:55He straightened up.
16:57Happy?
16:58I nodded, tears still in my eyes.
17:02When he reached for his duffel, I caught his sleeve.
17:06When you come back, I swallowed.
17:09Can we finally tell everyone we're together?
17:13Jason pulled his sleeve free.
17:16Yeah.
17:16Then he walked away without looking back.
17:19That was my first kiss.
17:21And my last.
17:22Until now.
17:23The memory faded.
17:24I lifted my sleeve and wiped my mouth hard until my lips stung.
17:28Jason watched me, his face growing darker.
17:31You're right.
17:32I did beg you to kiss me once.
17:34I looked him straight in the eye.
17:38And that was one of the most humiliating things I've ever done.
17:42Jason stared at me.
17:43Then he let out a disbelieving laugh.
17:48You're jealous.
17:50Just like when we were kids.
17:52Remember?
17:53Any girl talked to me and you'd get bent out of shape.
17:55He shook his head.
17:56Like he just figured everything out.
18:00Jessica's father sent her here to see what we deal with the family.
18:03She doesn't know anyone at the estate.
18:04I mean, I was just being decent.
18:06His voice softened, like he was talking to a child.
18:09Here's the thing, Emily.
18:10If you've got a problem with her, just say it.
18:14You don't have to drag Michael into this.
18:17He's my adopted brother, heir to the family, same as me.
18:20I'm going to have to put in a word with him tomorrow.
18:23So he doesn't get any ideas.
18:26About you.
18:28He doesn't have any ideas.
18:31Jason frowned.
18:32What?
18:35You're the one with the wrong idea.
18:37I walked past him and picked up my phone from the bed.
18:40Michael still hadn't replied.
18:42But that didn't matter.
18:45I looked back at Jason.
18:47I went to that dinner to find Michael.
18:49The certainty on Jason's face vanished.
18:52We're done, Jason.
18:54Jason stared at me blankly.
18:55You're breaking up with me?
18:56His voice sounded like he couldn't process the words.
18:59Yes.
18:59His face went cold.
19:01Fine.
19:03He let out a short laugh.
19:06I only got with you in the first place because I pitied you anyway.
19:09The words still stung.
19:10Jason noticed.
19:11The corner of his mouth curled.
19:14When Michael gets bored and cuts you loose, don't come crying back to me.
19:18He stormed out of the room and slammed the door behind him.
19:21I stood there for a long time.
19:23I didn't want Jason back.
19:25But thinking about all those years I'd wasted on someone who never respected me,
19:30that still hurt.
19:33That night, I barely slept.
19:35The next morning, I dragged myself out of bed and got dressed.
19:39I opened the front door and stopped.
19:42Michael Russo was standing by his car, white shirt under a black jacket,
19:47a neatly wrapped gift in his hands.
19:50His face was so serious, I almost thought something was wrong.
19:54What are you doing here?
19:56Michael walked up to me and held out the gift.
20:01Proving something.
20:02I blinked.
20:04What?
20:06His eyes never left mine.
20:09That I'm not a two-taker.
20:12I unwrapped the gift.
20:14A black tactical vest.
20:17Stitched across the back, Russo.
20:20Thirteen.
20:21I looked up at Michael.
20:23A vest proves you're not some random guy?
20:27Hmm.
20:28It's got my name on it.
20:30Just proves you own a vest.
20:32The corner of his mouth twitched.
20:35Then give me a day.
20:36See what kind of man I am.
20:39Michael took me to the kitchen at the estate.
20:42I only ordered coffee.
20:43He pushed a plate of pancakes toward me.
20:45Try it.
20:48I'm not hungry.
20:50He's been staring at them for five minutes.
20:52I took one bite.
20:55Then three more.
20:57Michael made himself another plate.
21:00After breakfast, he took me to the range.
21:03He said when it came to fixed targets, there was no way he could lose.
21:14I beat him six rounds in a row.
21:18Targets are rigged.
21:20Sore loser.
21:21They're not.
21:22He grabbed another pistol.
21:24One more round.
21:25By the time we left, I couldn't stop laughing.
21:29I hated that Jason had handed me off instead of just telling me he didn't want me.
21:34And I was still angry that Michael had lied to me for a whole year.
21:38But Michael Russo?
21:40He wasn't so bad.
21:43When we got back to my door, he pointed at the vest in my hands.
21:47Friday night, we've got a tournament at the range.
21:50Wear it.
21:50Come watch.
21:54Is that a negotiation or an order?
21:57An invitation.
21:58The corner of his mouth curved.
22:00For now, it's a negotiation.
22:02Maybe I wasn't ready to trust him.
22:05But maybe I could get to know him.
22:08Okay.
22:11Friday night, I sat front row at the estate's indoor range.
22:15Wearing the tactical vest with Russo 13 stitched across the back.
22:20The annual range tournament.
22:22It happened every year.
22:23The elders used it to assess the heirs.
22:26Who could command a crew and keep their cool under pressure?
22:29More people showed up than usual that night.
22:32Family members, guards, a few of the Don's informants.
22:36Michael was on fire that night.
22:39Second round, he took his position and split the targets clean, one after another.
22:45Perfect hits.
22:52I shot up from my seat.
22:55Michael!
22:56He turned toward the sideline.
22:58He saw me and he smiled.
23:00Jason followed his gaze.
23:02His face went cold.
23:04Next round, Michael moved into position at the next station, raising his piece, sighting down the lane.
23:10Jason stepped in from the side, drove his shoulder into Michael's arm, mid-side.
23:15The shot went wild.
23:17Michael dropped the weapon, his hand going to the shoulder.
23:21He gasped from the crowd.
23:24He pushed himself up, one hand pressing his shoulder.
23:27Then he got up and shoved Jason back.
23:29Jason swung first.
23:31Michael swung back.
23:33Guards rushed in and pulled them apart.
23:35Both were ejected from the tournament.
23:39I ran toward the exit.
23:42Michael came out flanked by two of his crew.
23:46You okay?
23:48Shoulder.
23:49I slipped under his good arm.
23:53I've got you.
23:54Behind us, Jessica rushed to Jason.
23:57Oh my God!
23:58Blood ran from his mouth.
24:00She cupped his face, shouting for ice.
24:02But Jason wasn't looking at her.
24:04His eyes were locked on me.
24:06On the vest on my back, Russo 13, Michael's arm around my shoulder.
24:11His eyes were red with rage.
24:14I saw it, but pretended I didn't, and walked Michael out.
24:20The next morning, the video hit the family's internal comms.
24:24Uncut.
24:25From me cheering Michael in his vest, to Jason slamming into him.
24:29The caption.
24:30Both airs.
24:31The Don's son and his adopted brother going at it over her.
24:35How many is she playing?
24:37It spread fast.
24:39Someone put my before and after photos side by side.
24:42Someone else said I'd been playing both of them since I dropped the weight.
24:46I posted a reply.
24:49Someone answered.
24:50Defensive much?
24:51I deleted it.
24:53Someone else.
24:54Guilty.
24:55The comments kept coming.
24:57She chased Jason for years, now she's after his brother.
25:00Playing two airs?
25:01What a joke.
25:03She dropped the weight and forgot who she was.
25:08I walked into the medical records wing.
25:11Conversations stopped.
25:13Eyes followed me down the hallway.
25:17That's her.
25:18The one they went to war over.
25:20A girl walked past me.
25:22Caught my shoulder with hers.
25:23Hard.
25:24My files scattered across the floor.
25:26Oops.
25:26She didn't even look back.
25:28Just kept walking.
25:30I crouched down and picked them up, one by one, without a word.
25:37I reached my workstation and stopped.
25:40My workstation had been dragged to the end of the hall, next to the trash.
25:44The surface was covered in old photos.
25:48Me at nearly 200 pounds.
25:51In the center, someone had written in red paint, poor.
25:58I was still staring at my workstation when Jessica's voice came from behind me.
26:03Oh, Emily.
26:04She had two of her out-of-town girls with her.
26:07Her eyes swept over the old photos on my workstation.
26:10Then she smiled.
26:13You pull stunts like that?
26:15You can't blame people for treating you this way.
26:18Her girls laughed.
26:19A few people in the records wing laughed along.
26:22I turned to face her.
26:26What if I told you I'm not the other woman?
26:29Her smile faded.
26:30I held her eyes.
26:34You are.
26:35The room went quiet.
26:38Jessica's face twisted.
26:40You lying little whore!
26:42She raised her hand.
26:44It didn't land.
26:45Someone caught her wrist from the side.
26:48Michael.
26:48His left arm was still in a sling.
26:51His right hand held her wrist.
26:54Try it again.
26:54His voice was low.
26:59See what happens.
27:01Jessica stumbled back.
27:04You're defending her?
27:06She's been playing you!
27:08No.
27:09Michael stepped in front of me.
27:11Two of his crew had appeared behind him.
27:14He didn't look back.
27:16He spoke to the whole room.
27:18Emily didn't come to me.
27:19His eyes swept the photos on my workstation.
27:22Jaw tight.
27:23Then he looked at everyone in the wing.
27:25I put the word out on her.
27:27The wing went dead.
27:29His eyes came back to me.
27:33Not the other way.
27:34She's under my butt.
27:36Jessica stumbled back, almost falling.
27:39Michael didn't look at her.
27:40He took my hand with his good one and led me out of the record's wing.
27:45Behind us, a cold laugh.
27:48Easy to chase her now.
27:50We stopped.
27:51Jessica crossed her arms.
27:54What about when she was nearly 200 pounds?
27:57Her eyes cut to the photos still scattered on my workstation.
28:00Don't tell me you'd have gone near her then.
28:02I froze.
28:06For a second, I was back at the helipad.
28:09On the tarmac.
28:11Begging Jason for a kiss that barely lasted a second.
28:15Michael's grip on my hand tightened.
28:18Emily?
28:19I couldn't speak.
28:20He studied my face.
28:22Then his expression went dark.
28:25I'm taking you home.
28:26He led me out of the record's wing and across the grounds to his car.
28:30When we got to the car, Michael opened the passenger door for me.
28:34I didn't get in.
28:35My fingers grabbed the front of his jacket.
28:38He looked down at my hand, then back at my face.
28:42If I was still nearly 200 pounds...
28:45My throat tightened.
28:47I forced myself to say it.
28:50Would you kiss me?
28:51Michael looked at my trembling lips.
28:54Then at the tears welling up in my eyes.
28:58Emily?
28:59He lifted his good hand and brushed his thumb under my eye.
29:03That's not a question you should have to ask.
29:06I stared at him.
29:08It's mine to ask.
29:10His eyes dropped to my lips.
29:15Can I kiss you?
29:18I nodded.
29:20Michael leaned down slowly.
29:23His lips met mine.
29:25Soft.
29:25Careful.
29:26Nothing like the hurried press Jason gave me at the helipad.
29:30Nothing like the way he'd forced himself on me last night.
29:34My fingers tightened on Michael's jacket.
29:36I pulled him closer.
29:38The kiss deepened.
29:40The tightness in my chest started to loosen.
29:43When Michael pulled back, I'd already forgotten I'd wanted to cry.
29:47He rested his forehead against mine.
29:51Sorry.
29:52I blinked.
29:53For what?
29:55That I didn't kiss you when you were nearly 200 pounds.
29:58I laughed.
30:00Before I could think, I grabbed his jacket and kissed him again.
30:04Michael kissed me back.
30:06Then his body went still.
30:08I opened my eyes.
30:10He was looking over my shoulder.
30:11I turned.
30:13Jason was standing at the window on the second floor of the main house.
30:17Jessica's father sat behind him.
30:20A dark bruise covered half his face.
30:23He'd been watching the whole time.
30:26Jason came running out of the main house.
30:28Michael stepped in front of me.
30:33Emily, get in the car.
30:36Jason blocked my path.
30:39What's wrong?
30:44His eyes moved between us.
30:46Afraid she'll hear the truth?
30:48Michael's good arm tightened around my shoulder.
30:51For the first time, I felt intense.
30:54Jason looked straight at me.
30:56You didn't know, did you?
30:59Before that dinner, you already knew Michael.
31:03He pointed at Michael.
31:05He's the one who's been messaging you all year.
31:09He made you think it was me.
31:12Michael's face went pale.
31:14Shut up!
31:15Jason stepped forward.
31:18He's been lying to you the whole time.
31:20Michael lunged at him.
31:21I grabbed his jacket and pulled him back.
31:23Michael.
31:24He stopped.
31:25He looked down at me.
31:27His jaw was tight.
31:28His eyes held something like fear.
31:31But I just let go of his jacket.
31:34I already knew.
31:36Michael went still.
31:37Jason stared.
31:41I knew it was him.
31:43How could you possibly know?
31:45Jason stopped.
31:46His eyes widened.
31:48The helipath.
31:51His throat moved.
31:53You heard everything we said.
31:54I tilted my head.
31:56Which part?
31:57Jason froze.
32:00The part where I was fat and clidgy and annoying as hell?
32:06His face went pale.
32:08Or the part where you said you'd wanted to get rid of me for years?
32:15Emily, I...
32:16Or maybe the part where you laughed about handing me off to your adopted brother for a whole year?
32:21I paused.
32:24Or the part where you kissed Jessica?
32:26The blood drained from Jason's face.
32:30That wasn't...
32:31I cut him off.
32:33So why are you telling me this now?
32:35Because you feel guilty?
32:37Yes.
32:38I like you, Emily.
32:39I was wrong.
32:40Okay?
32:41I stared at him.
32:44You have the nerve to say that?
32:45I'm admitting it!
32:47He took a breath.
32:48Give me one more chance.
32:49Please.
32:50His voice started to harden.
32:54You loved me.
32:55Don't tell me you don't care.
32:58You dropped all that weight so I'd finally claim you, didn't you?
33:01Then his tone softened.
33:03But I really do like you now.
33:05What do you want?
33:07My face?
33:08Or my body?
33:10You disgust me, Jason.
33:14Michael opened the passenger door for me.
33:16I got in.
33:24Jason followed us all the way to the parking lot.
33:27What's the difference between him and me?
33:28Michael circled around to the driver's side.
33:30Jason grabbed the edge of my open window.
33:32He only wants you because you're thin now.
33:35He pointed at Michael.
33:36If you were still nearly 200 pounds, he wouldn't even...
33:39Michael hit the gas.
33:40The car shot forward.
33:42Jason chased for a few steps, then stopped.
33:44I looked back, then I rolled the window up.
33:46Michael kept his eyes on the road.
33:48I'm not like him.
33:49I turned to him.
33:50What?
33:51When you were nearly 200 pounds...
33:53His fingers tightened on the wheel.
33:55I already liked you then.
33:56That's impossible.
33:57I stared at him.
33:58You didn't even know what I looked like then.
34:01I knew.
34:02Before I could ask, Michael drove out of the estate.
34:04A few minutes later, he pulled up in front of an old brick building.
34:08He got out, came around to my side, and took my hand, leading me toward the entrance.
34:12Do you remember this place?
34:15I looked up.
34:16A faded blue sign next to the clinic entrance.
34:19St. Mary's Children's Home.
34:20My breath caught.
34:21Memories I'd buried for years started to surface.
34:24When I was little, Mom volunteered here every weekend.
34:27I always came with her, carrying a worn brown teddy bear, one ear stitched with blue thread.
34:32This is where I met a pale little boy who refused to eat.
34:36One afternoon, I sat across from him as he pushed his tray away and opened my lunchbox.
34:40Is the food here not good?
34:41He didn't answer.
34:42I broke my sandwich in half and put one piece on his tray.
34:46Mine's better.
34:47Then I took a big bite of my half.
34:49He watched me chew.
34:50After a moment, he slowly picked up the sandwich.
34:53Every weekend after that, I ate with him.
34:56Finish it.
34:57I put the teddy bear between us.
34:59He's watching you.
35:00The little boy started eating more.
35:02He didn't talk much, so I made the bear talk for him.
35:05Threatened to steal his strawberries if he didn't eat.
35:09Every time, he'd give me a disgusted look and pick up his spoon.
35:13He started getting stronger, but one Saturday, his room was empty.
35:17The nurse said his family had taken him home.
35:19He never even said goodbye.
35:21I turned to Michael.
35:22That boy was you?
35:22He nodded.
35:23Years later, Jason gave him my burner.
35:26When your first message came in, I thought your name sounded familiar.
35:29Then I saw your profile picture.
35:31A brown teddy bear.
35:32Blue thread on one ear.
35:33I knew it was you.
35:34Michael looked at St. Mary's.
35:36I know it was wrong to lie.
35:38At first, I told myself I'd just reply a few times, just until you stopped messaging me.
35:43Then you apologized, said you were annoying.
35:46Your voice sounded like you really believed everything was your fault.
35:48I couldn't let you think that.
35:50His eyes came back to me.
35:50So I replied.
35:51One message became ten.
35:53Ten became every morning and every night.
35:57His voice dropped.
35:59The more we talked, the harder it got to stop.
36:01And the longer it went, the more I didn't know how to tell you without losing you.
36:04He took my hand.
36:05I'm sorry, little Emily.
36:06The childhood nickname hit me in the chest.
36:08I shouldn't have lied.
36:09I just didn't know how to do it without losing you.
36:12Everything tangled inside me.
36:13All those years when I thought I wasn't worth loving.
36:16And someone had loved me the whole time.
36:18Not because I dropped to 90 pounds.
36:20Not because of this face or this body.
36:23He loved the girl I couldn't even look at in old photos.
36:27I'm still angry.
36:28I know.
36:28I don't fully trust you yet.
36:30Then I'll earn it back.
36:31Michael stepped closer.
36:33Can we start over?
36:34No pretending.
36:35No lying.
36:36Just Michael and Emily.
36:37I looked at him.
36:38Ask me properly.
36:39His face softened.
36:40Emily, will you be my girlfriend?
36:42Yes.
36:43I grabbed his jacket and kissed him.
36:45This time, I didn't need anyone to prove I was worth loving.
36:48I already knew.
36:50I already knew.