“He’s still dragging his feet on the wedding,” she continued. “I know it’s because of the girls. But once he adopts them, they’re legally his problem, not mine. That’s why I need them gone. We have an interview coming up with the social worker soon.”
I pressed my hand against the wall to steady myself.
“The house? The insurance money? It should be for us! I just need James to wake up and smell the coffee… and put my name on the deed. And after that, I don’t really care what happens to those girls. I’ll make their lives miserable until he gives in. And then this naïve man will think it was his idea all along.”
My breath caught.
“I’m not raising someone else’s leftovers, Karen. I deserve so much more than this.”
I backed out quietly and closed the door behind me.
In the car, I sat frozen, staring at my reflection. Pale. Hollow. Furious.
It hit me all at once.
This wasn’t a moment of weakness.
It was a plan.
Every lunch she packed. Every braid she tied. Every kind word.
All of it was an act.
None of it was love.
I thought of Maya’s journals—carefully stacked, filled with stories she never showed anyone.
I pictured Lily’s dirt-covered hands, planting marigolds beside the fence, whispering to them like they were magic.
Their soft, synchronized “goodnights.”
Jenna had seen all of that—and only saw a burden.
I gripped the steering wheel, my jaw tight, my chest aching.
This wasn’t going to be a fight.
This was the end.
I drove around for a while, picked up pizza, and walked back into the house like nothing had happened.
“Hey, honey! I’m home.”
Jenna rushed over, smiling, kissing me like everything was normal. She smelled like coconut and lies.
That night, after the girls were asleep, I sighed.
“Jenna… maybe you were right, babe.”
“About what?”
“About the girls. Maybe… maybe I can’t do this. Maybe I should give them up. Maybe we should find a family who will take care of them. They need a mother… not us… we’re substitutes, nothing more.”
Her eyes lit up.
“Oh, sweetheart,” she said. “That’s the mature thing to do. It’s the right thing for all of us.”
“Yes, Jen. And maybe… we shouldn’t wait on our wedding. Losing my mom made me realize that we don’t have time to waste. So let’s just do it. Let’s get married!”
“Are you serious, James?”
“I am. I really am.”
“Oh my goodness! Yes, James! Let’s do it. This weekend — small, simple, whatever we want.”
I shook my head.
“No, let’s do it bigger. Let’s invite everyone! And make it a fresh start for us, honey. Your family, my mom’s friends, the neighbors, colleagues… everyone!”
Her smile widened beyond reason.
The next morning, she was calling florists before brushing her teeth.
She booked a ballroom. Posted online: “Our forever starts now. James & Jenna, forever.”
Meanwhile, I made my own calls.
And I made a promise to my sisters.
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