Chapter 1

“Alright, who wants to continue reading? Jordyn, how about you?”


Jordyn felt a surge of panic as she heard Mrs. Dobson call her name and realize she hadn’t been paying attention. She scanned the book she’d been holding open in front of her, trying to think of anything that would hint where they were, but nothing came to mind. She wasn’t even sure she was on the right page.


“Uh…sorry, ma’am,” she said, her cheeks burning red. “I…uh…I’m not sure where…” Someone in the back of the classroom snickered, which only deepened Jordyn’s embarrassment.


Mrs. Dobson stared at Jordyn for a long moment, then clicked her tongue in disappointment. “Madison, why don’t you read for us instead. And do try to pay attention, Jordyn. I know it’s the first week of school, but I expect better from you.”


Jordyn, her humiliation complete, wanted to die. She had never—never—been called out like that before in any class, not even in kindergarten. Her entire life was a model of academic excellence, but apparently all it took to rattle her were three simple words:


We’re getting married!


Even as the class moved on with the lesson, Jordyn found her attention wandering back to the night before, and the look on her dad’s face—grinning like he’d just won the lottery—when he and Melissa had made the announcement. Amelia had immediately started congratulating the happy couple, but Jordyn only stared at them in shock.


It wasn’t that the engagement was unexpected—her dad had been dating Melissa for more than a year, and the pair of them were practically inseparable. And, if she were being honest, the prospect wasn’t entirely objectionable, either. Melissa might not be Jordyn’s favorite person in the world, but she was fine. In a bland, inoffensive sort of way.


The problem was Amelia. Soft, quiet, insidious Amelia, who despite being even more bland than her mother had still managed to worm her way in between Jordyn and her dad. Amelia, who could never put a foot wrong. Amelia, who had nothing to prove, while Jordyn…


It seemed like Jordyn had everything to prove.


Jordyn sat there, lost in thought, until she felt something touch her shoulder. Blinking in surprise, she looked around and realized the rest of her classmates were filing out of the room, save for a blonde girl standing in front of her with a look of concern on her face.


“Are you okay, Jordy?” Kelsey asked as Jordyn belatedly started packing her things away.


“I’m fine,” she said tersely, zipping up her bag and standing up from behind the desk.


“Really? Because you seem pretty distracted today.”


“It’s nothing!” she insisted. “I told you I’m fine.”


Kelsey was unconvinced. She crossed her arms in front of her and gave Jordyn a long-suffering look. “You know you’re a bad liar, right? So tell me what’s going on.”


Jordyn sighed. “It’s my dad,” she finally admitted.


“Oh, no. Is everything okay?”


“No. He and Melissa got engaged yesterday.”


Kelsey started to laugh. “Oh, is that all? I thought it was something serious.”


“This is serious!” Jordyn snapped. “They’re getting married in June! And they’re already moving in this weekend! Not just Melissa, but her!”


“Well, they do come as a package deal,” Kelsey agreed. “I swear, your attitude towards Amelia makes no sense. She’s harmless.”


“Tell that to my dad! Or, at least, you could if he wasn’t too busy fawning all over his new favorite daughter.”


“This again,” Kelsey sighed. “Jord, your dad is not replacing you with Amelia. You’re being a little ridiculous.”


“I’m not! You’ve seen the way my dad treats her. Perfect little Amelia, the sister I never wanted.” She gave a short, humorless laugh. “Or maybe little isn’t the right word.”


“Seriously, Jordyn? Can you not go ten seconds without insulting her?”


“What? It’s true! She’s fat, Kels. Everyone can see it, even if my dad can’t.”


“So, she’s a little on the chubby side. What’s the big deal?”


“Are you serious right now? You’re supposed to be on my side!”


“I am! You’re just…”


“I need to go. I’ve got calculus.”


“Jord, wait!”


But Jordyn was already out the door, not wanting to listen. A part of her knew Kelsey was trying to be reasonable, but she was coming at the situation from a different perspective. She didn’t seem to care that Jordyn had spent her whole life trying to make her dad proud—straight A’s, breaking track records, perfecting recipes—and now all her hard work was being undone by Amelia without her so much as lifting a finger.


She didn’t relish the idea of spending the next ten months watching her dad fawn over Amelia in real time, especially with her and Melissa moving in sooner rather than later. It was a problem, and not one she had an answer for. At least not yet. She would need to do something—anything—to take back her dad. To take back control. To make sure Amelia didn’t steal what was rightfully hers.


She just needed time to think.



* * * * *



Jordyn spent the rest of her day in a fugue, trying to come up with an answer to her problem. People noticed—she got called out by more than just Mrs. Dobson—but Jordyn didn’t care. Now that the idea of dealing with Amelia had taken hold, she wasn’t going to let it go until she came up with a solution.


It was late by the time Jordyn finally made it home, the sun casting long shadows against the house. A familiar SUV—Melissa’s—was sitting in the driveway, meaning they would have company for dinner. Gritting her teeth, Jordyn unlocked the door and softly stepped inside.


“Jordy? Is that you?”


Jordyn sighed. So much for sneaking in unnoticed. “Yeah, Dad,” she called.


“You had me worried. I was just about to send out a search party.”


“Sure, you were,” Jordyn muttered.


“Hey, dinner’s almost ready. Why don’t you come in here?”


Against her better judgment, Jordyn walked towards the kitchen. The smell of something tomato-y was in the air, growing more intense as her dad picked up a potlid and stirred the contents within. Beside him, Melissa was busily tossing a side salad.


“I hope you’re hungry,” John said. “I know it won’t be as good as yours, but you were running late, so…”


“I was working on something.”


“Oh? What is it?”


She worked hard to stifle the sudden spike of annoyance at his words. He’d only asked what she was up to, rather than offering any kind of help. Had it been Amelia, he probably would have dropped everything to lend a hand.


“It’s just something…for school,” she said, eyes flicking to the kitchen island, where Amelia sat perched on a stool. Her brown hair was in its customary braid, leaving nothing to obscure her face, while she wore a blue shirt that stretched a little around her soft belly and jeans that did nothing to disguise the width of her hips.


Like a vulture, just waiting to take what’s rightfully mine!


“I’m going up to my room,” Jordyn said.


“What about dinner?” Her dad asked. “It’s almost ready.”

“It’s just for a few minutes. I…I need some time to myself.”

Her dad gave her a pensive look. “Well, alright. If you’re sure. I guess we can start without you.”


“Sure, Dad,” Jordyn said before practically running out of the kitchen and vaulting up the stairs two at a time. When she finally reached the safety of her bedroom, she threw herself onto the bed with a groan, burying her face in the pillow.


Why does he have to be like that? she thought bitterly. Eating without her? If Amelia needed some time to herself, he probably would have delayed dinner for everyone. Just another example of his preference for Amelia, even at the expense of his own daughter.


She just needed a way to prove Amelia wasn’t all that impressive. That way, when he finally gained his new daughter in ten months, maybe he wouldn’t forget that he had one already.


But what…


She trailed away as her brain made a connection.


Gaining a daughter.


Gaining…daughter.


Oh, my god, would that work?


For whatever reason, Jordyn’s dad was wrapped around Amelia’s little finger. But would he stay there if Amelia became soft? Really soft? Too soft to be seen as anything but lazy, indulgent, and weak?


Jordyn smiled deviously, knowing even her dad wouldn’t be able to pretend Amelia was still his precious, perfect pseudo-daughter. Not if she turned into a walking reminder of excess and failure. Not if she ballooned into someone unrecognizable.


And Jordyn had ten months to make it happen. Plenty of time.


If Amelia thinks she can take my place, Jordyn thought, she’s got another thing coming. I’m going to make that girl so fat no one will even recognize her!