Chapter 3

I used to think our schedules just never lined up.

It wasn't until that day that I learned the truth. He'd told Celeste that eating breakfast with me, watching me struggle to swallow every bite, made him lose his appetite for the rest of the day.

Ezra had bought a whole spread of breakfast food.

All I'd asked for was a bowl of plain rice porridge.

Stirring the porridge with my spoon, I asked him,

"Do you still remember why I developed anorexia?"

He froze for a second.

Clearly, he'd forgotten.

"I was adopted. My adoptive parents kept me half-starved for years. But on my 18th birthday, they prepared a whole table full of my favorite dishes."

"I ate three bowls of rice and was so full I could barely move. When I went to get some water, I overheard them talking. They were planning to marry me off to a widower who lived on the outskirts of the village. He said I was too skinny, so they wanted to fatten me up before sending me over."

"I threw up for three days and three nights. After that, even the thought of food was enough to send me into a panic, with my heart pounding uncontrollably."

Ezra took my hand and held it firmly.

"You've got me now. Don't be afraid."

I laughed softly.

"I got away. I even made it to college. Every month I get by on part-time work and financial aid. I'm not afraid anymore. I'm not afraid of anything."

But the moment I finished speaking, Ezra's hand trembled almost imperceptibly.

I didn't understand why he'd been so tense until evening study hall that night.

It was the day the school released its list of financial aid recipients, and the class president handed out the list to everyone.

I scanned it over and over. I couldn't find my name.

What I found instead was Celeste's.

As far as I knew, her family was well-off.

She'd gotten her start as a mukbang streamer by filming herself eating salmon at upscale restaurants.

While I sat there confused, a student government staffer pushed open the classroom door and walked in.

"Who's Bridget?"

I raised my hand.

Then he pulled out a document.

"Someone has reported that you falsified your financial circumstances. Your aid is hereby revoked, and you're required to repay all the financial aid you've received over the years."

For a moment, my mind went blank.

The whole class turned to stare at me, suspicion written all over their faces.

I licked my dry lips.

"Who reported me?"

The staffer answered without hesitation.

"Ezra."

Heat rushed to my face.

The classroom erupted.

"Even her own boyfriend reported her. Looks like it must be true."

"Never would've guessed she was that kind of person."

"Faking poverty to get financial aid? Wow, Bridget, you've really got some nerve."

I looked at Ezra. He avoided my eyes.

I bit down hard on my lip, my face flushed with humiliation.

In that moment, I forgot all about dignity and pride.

All I knew was that I couldn't afford to lose my $3,000-a-semester financial aid.

I forced my voice to stay steady.

"I'm an orphan. I worked odd jobs and saved up for tuition whenever I could. If you don't believe me, ask the restaurant owner right outside the school gate."

Doubt flickered across their faces.

That was when Celeste spoke up in her soft, sweet voice.

"Bridget, stop pretending you don't know what I'm talking about. Everybody knows you eat expensive food every day until you're sick of it."

She posted a few photos.

There I was, holding a neatly packed lunch box, my expression listless.

Inside was expensive gourmet food.

It was the food delivery Ezra had ordered for me because he had no time to cook.

"My boyfriend bought that for me!"

I argued.

But Ezra suddenly stood up.

"I didn't buy it."

He strode over and stopped in front of me.

"Bridget, you don't need this money. It should go to someone who truly needs it."

I stared at him as if I'd never known this man at all.