Sarah and I had been inseparable for years, so when she asked me to be a bridesmaid for her destination wedding in Costa Rica, I said yes without hesitation. I paid for everything — the flights, the bachelorette, the dress — nearly $5,000 in total.

What she didn’t know was that I’d quietly started getting in shape. Not for the wedding, not for anyone else — just for me. When we FaceTimed a few weeks before the wedding, I had just come from the gym. Sarah’s eyes narrowed as she looked me over, and her fiancé Jake blurted out, “You look great.”

The call ended quickly. That night, Sarah emailed me: “You could’ve at least warned me. You’re thinner than me now. I don’t want to be upstaged on my wedding day.” She kicked me out of the bridal party — and then tried to cancel my hotel reservation.

Thankfully, the resort confirmed the room was still mine. So while Sarah got married, I treated myself to a spa day and room service.

The next day, we crossed paths at the pool. Sarah looked furious; Jake couldn’t stop staring. I didn’t say a word — just raised my drink, smiled, and went back to my lounger.

For the first time in years, I felt free.