The Ugly Wife’s Stunning Comeback novel Chapter 25

The next day, Ava went with Felicia to the yoga studio. Just thinking about running into Andrea again made Felicia uneasy. Andrea had taken her husband, yet Felicia was the one who felt scared to face her. She couldn’t even bring herself to call Andrea a homewrecker. She really didn’t want to see her, but she had already paid for the classes, so there was no backing out.

Luckily, Andrea didn’t show up that morning. By the time the session ended, it was already noon. Ava had brought lunch for Felicia, a homemade meal of tomato beef stew, broccoli with chicken, and leafy greens. Everything was so thoughtfully prepared, a perfect balance of nutrition and comfort. Being cared for like this felt amazing.

They headed to a restaurant in the mall, where Ava ordered a plate of fried rice for herself. After lunch, they wandered around the mall for a while. Felicia just wasn’t in the mood to shop for herself, no matter how pretty the clothes looked. Instead, she bought two new winter outfits for Ava, and picked up some things for her dad and brother.

Just as they were getting ready to head home, Felicia’s phone rang. It was Luke. He was Max’s uncle’s son, twenty-four, just like Felicia. They’d actually been in the same class all through middle school and high school.

Back in their junior year, Felicia had gotten really sick and had to take a year off. When she came back to school, she’d gained thirty pounds and looked completely different. People stared, whispered, and called her names, saying the prettiest girl in campus had turned into the ugliest. The comments crushed her. She even thought about quitting school, but then Luke stepped in. He beat up one of the boys spreading rumors so badly that the guy ended up in the hospital.

Since Felicia had fallen a year behind, Luke was now a grade above her. Still, he’d hang around outside her classroom after every class, keeping an eye out for anyone talking trash about her. Everyone knew Luke’s family had power and money. He was good-looking, smart, and nobody would mess with him.

After Luke stood up for her, especially after that fight, people stopped saying things to her face. If anyone still talked, they made sure she couldn’t hear it. Luke was the one who got her through that rough patch, even if his words could be a little harsh. He once told her, “You like Max, don’t you? If you don’t get your act together and study hard, how do you expect him to notice you? He’s a genius. He’s not going to like someone who’s dumb and lazy.”

Felicia had fallen for Max the moment she saw him during her freshman year, when he came back to school to give a speech and donate money. She was picked as an outstanding student to present him with flowers. For a second, she felt like she was looking at someone out of this world. He was just so handsome, it almost didn’t feel real.

“What happened?” she asked.

He explained that he had a meeting with a German development company that day. The team was landing soon, but the interpreter he hired had a last-minute emergency. He really needed Felicia’s help.

Felicia agreed right away, and Luke said he’d come pick her up immediately.

Ava waited with Felicia. She remembered Luke from back in high school, when he’d come over for dinner a few times. He and Felicia had always been close. Ava used to think they’d make a really cute couple.