Chapter 3Runway Revenge: The Curse of the Green Thorns

Half a month passed.

Every night, I took the spiked milk and fed it to the cactus. Every night, Tiffany slaved away making me gourmet diet desserts.

She was tired, but happy. She thought she was feeding her future body.

To keep up the act, I used makeup to create fake spots on my face and started wearing a mask at home.

The cactus began to assimilate her. Her bumpy, acne-ridden skin started to smooth out, becoming glossy and green-tinted. Her body shape changed—not just thinner, but... flatter. Like a succulent.

She stopped eating grease at home to avoid tempting me, so she binged outside.

The cactus on my desk grew rounder and oilier every day.

I eavesdropped outside her room. "Mom! The Psychic’s stuff is working! I lost 20 pounds this week!"

I smiled. She didn't notice she wasn't just losing fat; she was losing her human shape.

Tiffany continued, "But Harper’s career is still going up, even though her face is getting messy. Is your cactus working?"

Brenda replied, "Patience! She’s a top model; it takes time to drain that much luck. But look at me! I’ve been winning scratch-off tickets all week! Small amounts, but I never win!"

Tiffany sighed. "Mom, get me a charm too. I’ve been so unlucky lately."

Of course she was. The cactus was drinking her blood every night. Tiffany had been tripping over nothing, dropping her phone, losing keys.

The day Brenda won $200, Tiffany got food poisoning and soiled herself on the subway. She was mortified. "I haven't gone to work in days!"

"Who cares about work?" Brenda waved her hand. "Once you have Harper’s face, you’ll make millions just by standing there!"

They began fantasizing about mansions, cars, and kicking my dad to the curb.

I turned to leave, but then I heard a name.

"I've been online dating Chad for months. Once I’m skinny, I’ll meet him in person and leave Harper with nothing!"