She was envy of every woman and the desire of every man

She had suffered to keep her waist small, her skin flawless, her hair perfect. She chose the best clothes and jewelry, she had earned the right to have no man refuse her. She was the envy of every woman and the desire of every man. She knew it, and she loved it.

But one day, she met a man who was different. He was handsome, charming, and wealthy. He had everything she wanted in a partner. She approached him with confidence, expecting him to be captivated by her beauty and charm. But to her surprise, he was not.

She was stunned. She felt a surge of anger and humiliation. How dare he reject her? She was the most beautiful woman in the room.

But nothing worked. He ignored her completely, and focused on his date. He smiled at her, laughed with her, and held her hand. He looked happy, genuinely happy. She could not understand it. How could he prefer that woman over her? What did she have that she did not?

She felt a pang of something she had never felt before.