As much as we try to be a body-positive society, being overweight still comes with a lot of judgment and pressure in this day and age. This girl had been teased a lot for being overweight so she pushed herself to lose the extra weight. And when she did, the transformation was amazing – she looked happy and radiant.
Source: Happy Read
When she met her mother in a coffee shop for the first time after her weight loss journey, her mother could not believe her eyes. Her mother was so amazed by the transformation that they sat in silence for a while after ordering their coffee. But then, the first words her mother said was unexpected and shocking.
The circle
Jessie comes from an elite family. Her family and friends belong to a privileged circle who were known for their wealth. In that circle, it did not matter who you were – what mattered was what you did and how much money you were earning. Reputation was everything.
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And with that luxurious lifestyle, came the pressure to always look your best. This elite group always looked the part, displaying their branded clothes and accessories. They let people know that they had the best of both worlds. One look at them can make you feel intimidated.
Sticking out
Jessie may be one of the elite but she did not experience the perks of being one. Her family’s fortune did not save her from criticism. She stuck out like a sore thumb in her own circle. Despite having what most people would dream of, Jessie did not feel privileged at all.
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Jessie found the circle she belongs in to be shallow – everyone cared too much about their reputation, looks, and money. She felt that she did not belong in this world. But despite all this, she tolerated the things around her because she still wanted her parents to love and support her – especially her mother.
The perfect daughter
Jessie had a younger sister, Francis. Francis was everything Jessie was not. Francis was beautiful, tall, and slim – and she easily blended in to the status and lifestyle the family had. Francis was always accepted and loved by any group she interacts with. She was the life of the party.
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Francis thrived in the compliments she gets, no matter how superficial. And Francis was not the only one who loved being on the spotlight. Their mother enjoyed the attention Francis gets, proud that she was able to produce the perfect daughter. There was no doubt that the two shared a special bond.
The jealous sister
Jessie was not too thrilled about all the attention Francis was getting. In their family, Jessie was considered to be the bad egg. Jessie was small and chubby – a far cry from Francis, who looked like a model. Because of this, she was always outshined by Francis.
Source: Happy Read
Some people would not even believe that they were sisters even when they sit next to each other. Francis was always looking perfect and everyone in the circle just gravitates towards Francis more because of her good looks. Jessie never had that. She was often overlooked or a presence that had to be tolerated.
Toxic comparisons
It did not help that her mother obviously treated Jessie like the black sheep of the family. Their mother made Jessie feel self-conscious on a daily basis. When they sit down for a meal, her mother would question Jessie’s food choices, reminding her in a blunt manner about her weight.
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Their mother often compares Jessie to Francis, to the point of saying, “Why don’t you look a little more like your sister?” These statements and comparisons left a mark on Jessie as she grew up. How could a mother make her own daughter feel so inadequate and worthless?
Rebellious phase
With the constant comparisons and rejections Jessie felt from her family and her circle, she decided to look for acceptance in another community. One that would accept her for what she was. She made new friends outside of her elite circle and started hanging out more with them.
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Her new friends exposed her to alcohol and drugs. Desperate for acceptance and acknowledgment, Jessie embraced this new lifestyle and was under the influence every time she came home. Jessie’s mother threatened to evict Jessie if she gets caught using drugs again.
A broken heart
Jessie went home one night under the influence of alcohol. She came from a night out with her new friends and her older boyfriend, who she has been seeing quite some time now. Jessie trusted him and fell hard. She thought that she had found the one.
Source: Happy Read
However, this boyfriend felt that he was too good for Jessie. At the end of the night, he left the party with another girl. The betrayal was too much for Jessie to handle. It suddenly felt like she does not belong anywhere. Will she be cast an outsider for the rest of her life?
Looking for comfort
Heartbroken, Jessie ran to her mother for comfort. This turned out to be a wrong move because her mother was anything but nice. Instead of comforting Jessie, her mother scolded her and said a lot of hurtful things.
Source: Happy Read
Jessie listened to her mother’s tirade and realized that she could not even rely on her family for comfort. She started to question her worth. When her mother was done talking, all Jessie managed to say was “I’m leaving.”
Moving out
Jessie could not stand living with her family after what happened. The moment with her mother left her devastated. Jessie finally realized how toxic her mother has been. She just wanted to stay away because staying under the same roof with her mother was no longer healthy for her.
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Unfortunately, she also could not depend on her new friends. To them, she was just a gullible, attention-seeking rich girl who can easily pay the tab on a night out. Besides, they were more inclined to take her ex-boyfriend’s side as he belonged to that crowd first before she came in the picture. Where will she go?
A positive influence
Jessie ended up moving in with a friend from her elementary school who had always been there for her. This friend had always been sweet and caring. While they were living together, her friend taught her that there is goodness in this world and Jessie started to develop a positive mindset under her influence.
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Jessie started to see her value and do acts of self-love. Being away from the daily tirade of comparisons from her mother and the presence of her abusive new friends, she was able to focus on herself and bloom. Jessie decided to start exercising seriously and was motivated to lose weight.
Mother reaches out
Jessie had been out of their house for over a year when, one day, her mother suddenly reached out to her. Her mother wanted meet with Jessie to discuss some important things. Could it be possible that her mother is missing her? Will she be asked to move back in?
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Jessie hesitated at first. Her mother always made her feel bad about herself and she was in a good place right now. Should she let this toxic person back into her life and lose the progress she has been making all this time?
Family prevails
Despite her doubts, Jessie also acknowledged that her mother was still her mother – she always will be. Deep inside, she knew she still wanted her mother’s love and approval more than anything – just like any child would.
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In the end, she was also curious about what made her mother reach out to her after a year. So, Jessie accepted her mother’s invitation to meet up. The two decided to meet in a coffee shop on the family’s neighborhood. Jessie felt nervous yet hopeful at the same time.
The meetup
Jessie’s mother arrived at the coffee shop first since it was near their house. When Jessie approached the small table, her mother did not recognize her at first, then her eyes widened. It was clear that she looked shocked.
Source: Happy Read
By this time, Jessie had already lost 40 pounds and she was looking a lot better. Her mother was stunned by the transformation. And then, as if startled out of a trance, she complimented Jessie on how beautiful she looked.
Suspicions arise
Jessie was taken aback by the compliment. Her mother was acting sweet and loving. But why? Is it because she was now slimmer and prettier? And although her mother’s attention was all that she wanted in life, she felt uneasy. This was something she was not used to.
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Jessie started feeling suspicious and ask her mother coolly why she wanted to meet in a tone that said she meant business. A parent should love their child unconditionally. Her mother should have been nice and loving to her from the very start – not just now when Jessie finally looked good and had her life together.
Her mother’s agenda
Jessie’s mother took a deep breath, noticing Jessie’s icy tone. She shared that things have not been going well in their family. Things have gone so bad that it reached the point where Jessie’s mother and father have decided to get a divorce.
Source: Happy Read
The divorce left her mother penniless. Apparently, there was a prenuptial agreement so her mother was not able to get any of her father’s wealth in the process. Her mother then asked Jessie for some money. She knew Jessie had a trust fund set up by her father. She wanted a part of that.
Disappointed daughter
Jessie’s eyes started to tear up as she found out the real reason why her mother wanted to meet up. She just wanted money. Her mother had not changed at all. Jessie secretly thought and hoped that her mother reached out because she misses her – but no, her mother was still the same – selfish and superficial.
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Even with Jessie’s transformation, she still did not have the approval of her mother. But Jessie did not let this disappointment get to her. She had blossomed and became a better person without the toxic presence of her mother. Jessie did not need her mother’s approval to be happy anymore.
The agreement
Jessie wiped the tears away from her eyes. She then faced her mother with a calmer and cooler demeanor. Jessie told her mother she will give her a large amount of money on one condition: that her mother will never contact her again.
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Jessie’s mother had no objections to the condition and immediately agreed. Once Jessie transferred the money to her mother’s account, her mother stood up and left. Jessie watched her leave, hoping that this will be the last time she will see her mother.
Toxic relationships
Jessie’s relationship with her mother had been very toxic from the start. While most mothers were loving, nurturing, and comforting, her mother was the opposite. Jessie’s mother played favorites, preferring one daughter over the other.
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And even in the end, being away from her daughter for over a year did not even soften this cold mother’s heart. She met up with Jessie simply to ask for money and agreed immediately to disappear from Jessie’s life as if it was the easiest thing to do in the world.
A weight has been lifted
Jessie stayed for a while in the coffee shop even after her mother left. She reflected on her life as she sipped on her coffee. She finally realizes that her mother will never change no matter how good-looking Jessie tries to be. But instead of feeling sad as she did earlier, she felt different.
Source: Happy Read
Jessie felt lighter. In fact, she felt like she no longer carried the world on her shoulders. She no longer was carrying the burden of wanting her mother’s approval. With her mother agreeing to disappear from her life, she was finally free.