Last Tuesday. That was the same day I’d called Sofia to confirm our dinner plans. Her voice had been low, almost hushed.
“I can’t talk right now,” she’d said. “I’m… at a jewelry store. Not alone.”
Sofia had always been secretive about her elusive boyfriend, never telling the family much. But this… this didn’t feel right. My breath caught as I read the signature at the bottom.
It was my husband’s signature. Max? But how?
Why is his name on a receipt for an extravagant necklace hidden in my sister’s coat? ***
Christmas had arrived, filling my mother’s house with an almost magical warmth. Laughter echoed from the living room, mingling with the clinking of glasses and the cheery sound of holiday music.
The scent of cinnamon and pine drifted through the air, making everything feel cozy and perfect. Perfect for everyone but me. I sat in the corner, absently swirling the drink in my hand, my eyes glued to Sofia and Max.
They were just themselves—on the surface. But I noticed everything. The way their eyes met for just a moment too long.
The fleeting smiles they shared when no one else was looking. Then there was the disappearing act. First, Max slipped out of the room, muttering something about needing to grab his phone.
A few minutes later, Sofia casually excused herself to check on the pie in the kitchen. Am I imagining things? When they didn’t return, I couldn’t sit still any longer.
Pregnant?!
Sofia and Max… together? My husband and my sister. It can’t be!
My legs felt like jelly as I made my way to the front door, needing to escape the suffocating warmth of the house. The cold evening air hit me hard, making me gasp. My mind screamed that it wasn’t true, but my heart ached with doubt.
They thought I didn’t notice. They thought I was blind. But it was time to prove them wrong.
I stopped at a store on the way back, grabbing a few things. My plan formed with every step, sharp and precise. I had no desire to be a fool.
***Continue reading…
