I had planned a surprise. A real one. I wanted to remind him that we were still us. I arranged for the kids to stay at my mother’s. I cooked his favorite meal. Candles, soft music, the works. I even wore the dress he once told me made me look like the woman he fell in love with.
I came home early—just to set everything up before he arrived.
The front door opened quietly.
And there they were.
Daniel, sitting on our couch. My sister Kara leaning against him, laughing softly, her hand resting far too comfortably on his thigh.
My sister.
My own blood.
Time stopped. I remember the sound of my heart pounding in my ears, the room spinning, the way the air suddenly felt thick and hard to breathe.
“Meredith… you’re home early,” Daniel stammered, jumping to his feet.
Kara’s face went white.
I didn’t scream. I didn’t cry. I didn’t throw anything.
