The Rich Life She Deserved - Chapter 1: Chapter 1

Everyone said I hit the jackpot—fresh out of college, I married into money. Unlimited credit cards, a life of luxury, my days filled with floral arrangements, spa treatments, and elegant high teas. To the world, I was the picture of effortless grace.
My best friend, Vivian Palmer, thought so too.
Unlike me, she'd been grinding away at a factory job since graduation, pulling endless overtime. She married an average guy, and over the years, the stress piled on—both on her waistline and her face. At our college reunion, the contrast between us was brutal.
"You two look like you belong in different universes now," someone joked.
Vivian's smile froze. Before the night was over, she slammed her glass down and stormed out.
Guilt gnawed at me. I'd been trying to reach her, to smooth things over—but before I got the chance, I woke up in her body.
Staring into the mirror, my stomach dropped.
Puffy, sallow skin. Dark circles sagging under bloodshot eyes. Greasy hair plastered to her scalp like it hadn't seen shampoo in weeks. A stale, sour smell clung to her clothes.
What the hell happened to her?
I needed to get home. But this body—my body now—was a lead weight. By the time I staggered to the villa gates, my lungs were on fire. Sweat soaked through my shirt, my face slick with a disgusting mix of oil and perspiration.
I'd begged Vivian for years to take care of herself.
"Life's hard enough without starving myself," she'd always snap. Now, trapped in her neglected shell, every movement felt like wading through molasses.
Bracing myself against the gate, I doubled over and retched.
"Got no manners? Puking on people's doorsteps?" A maid's sharp voice cut through my nausea.
I looked up—and froze.
Behind her stood me.
A cold realization slithered into my mind. If I'm in Vivian's body… who's in mine?
"Vivian?" I called out as she dismissed the maid and stepped closer.
For a split second, her face twitched.
I was right.
We'd switched.
Before I could demand answers, her lips curled into a vicious grin. "From today on, you're Vivian. And I'm Jeanette Yates. This life? It's mine now."
Rage burned through me. "What did you do?!"
"Just a little trick," she sneered. "Your happiness belongs to me now. And you? You get to rot in my miserable existence. Don't even think about switching back—I'll never let you. Scream the truth all you want—no one will believe you. And if I decide to erase you?" She leaned in, eyes gleaming. "It'll be easier than stepping on an ant."
I went silent, staring at the twisted version of my own face.
We'd been friends for years. The betrayal stung.
But I wasn't done fighting.
I grabbed her wrist, voice soft. "Vivian, my life isn't what you think. And yours doesn't have to be this way. We can fix this."
She shoved me back, snarling. "Stop lying! This is the happiest I've ever been!"
I studied her—the face that used to be mine—and sighed. "Are you sure this is what you want?"
"Absolutely. I'd rather die than give this body back!"
I nodded slowly. "Alright."
Her smirk faltered as I straightened, my voice calm, final.
"Then Jeanette's life is yours."