Chapter 2

"Cassie, look! The new coach, her body is absolutely insane!"

My best friend, Chloe Miller, tugged my arm, her eyes gleaming as she stared at the entrance.

I followed her gaze, and my heart plummeted.

It was her!

Vivian Thorne.

She wore a perfectly tailored, blush-pink activewear set that hugged her flawless curves, not an ounce of fat in sight.

Her high ponytail swayed gently with her movements, and a confident, approachable smile played on her lips as she chatted with Mr. Jenkins, the gym owner.

She was a magnet, instantly drawing every eye in the gym.

But all I saw was a demon cloaked in beauty.

Of course, I remembered her.

I remembered her smiling as she told me, "Obesity is simply a sign of weak willpower."

I remembered how she’d emerged from Derek Stone’s car, coolly handing me a flyer with her picture on it, just after he’d dumped me.

And most vividly, I remembered seeing her on TV, basking in the spotlight of an interview, through the blurry window of the ambulance, right before I died.

Now, that monster was back—

No, *I* was back. I had been reborn.

"Cassie, what are you staring at? Your eyes are practically bugging out."

Chloe nudged me.

"I heard she's a celebrity coach from overseas, specializing in painless body sculpting. You just lie there and get slim! I need to book a trial session, fast!"

"Don't!" I grabbed her arm, my voice trembling.

"Listen to me, stay away from her. She's not right!"

Chloe paused, then yanked her hand away, a frown creasing her brow.

"What's gotten into you today? She just got here, and you're already saying she's 'not right'? Are you just jealous because she's so beautiful?"

Jealous?

A chill snaked up my spine.

In my previous life, Chloe had been one of Vivian's most loyal clients.

Vivian had turned Chloe into her walking advertisement, while I had become her personal fat dumping ground, a sacrificial lamb.

"I'm not!"

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down.

"Her methods are definitely flawed. They're bad for your body!"

"Bad? All I see is her perfect body and a stack of success stories!"

Chloe was clearly annoyed.

"If I can't book her class, are you going to make me thin?"

She didn't believe me. Not a word.

I spun around and marched toward the owner's office.

Mr. Jenkins was all smiles, pouring tea for Vivian Thorne.

"Mr. Jenkins!" I burst in.

"That new coach, you can't use her! She's a problem!"

Mr. Jenkins's smile froze. He looked at me, then at Vivian, his expression a mix of embarrassment and displeasure.

"Cassie, don't be ridiculous. Coach Thorne is my star hire, I paid a fortune for her. Her resume and expertise are top-notch."

Vivian picked up her teacup, gently blowing on it, not even glancing my way, as if I were thin air.

That feeling of being utterly ignored was identical to my past life.

"Her training methods aren't scientific!" I insisted, my voice urgent.

"It's not fitness; it's dangerous!"

"Dangerous?" Mr. Jenkins scoffed as if I'd told the funniest joke. He gestured at Vivian.

"Cassie, just look at Coach Thorne. She's her own best advertisement. Are you just stressed from your diet? Have you lost your mind?"

Vivian finally lifted her head, her gaze landing on me, a faint, unsettling smile playing on her lips.

"Have we met before, miss? Your hostility… it seems rather sudden."

My blood ran cold.

"Your good times are numbered."

I said no more, leaving that chilling remark as I turned and walked out.

Behind me, I heard Mr. Jenkins's profuse apologies and Vivian's calm, soft laughter.