Six years ago, my sister stole my millionaire fiancé, the man I was about to marry.…

«‘That afternoon, «‘I began the painful task «‘of sorting through Mother’s closet. «‘Each dress held memories, «‘the blue one from my college graduation, «‘the floral print she wore to Sunday brunches, «‘the elegant gray she’d chosen «‘for my engagement party. «‘I found myself talking to her as I worked, «‘telling her about my life in Chicago, «‘my work, my happiness with Zachary.

«‘In her bedside drawer, «‘I discovered a journal bound in soft leather. «‘Inside, Mother had written periodic entries «‘over the past decade. «‘Many mentioned her daughters, «‘her hopes for our reconciliation, «‘her sadness at the rift between us.

«‘The final entry, «‘dated just two weeks before her death, «‘read, «‘My greatest regret is leaving «‘with my girls still estranged. «‘Eleanor always fixed things, «‘but I couldn’t fix this. «‘I pray they find their way «‘back to each other somehow.

«‘The doorbell rang as I wiped away tears. «‘Through the front window, «‘I saw Stephanie standing alone on the porch, «‘no sign of Nathan’s car in the driveway. «‘Father had gone to his brother’s house for dinner, «‘leaving me to face my sister alone.

«‘I opened the door, «‘uncertain what to expect. «‘Hi,’ she said simply. «‘Can I come in? «‘In the kitchen, «‘I made coffee while Stephanie «‘sat silently at the table.

«‘She looked different without Nathan beside her, «‘smaller somehow, «‘less artificially composed. «‘Where’s Nathan?’ «‘I finally asked, «‘placing a mug before her. «‘At home.

«‘He doesn’t know I’m here. «‘She wrapped her hands around the mug, «‘but didn’t drink. «‘I told him I needed space after the funeral.

«‘The silence stretched between us, «‘years of unspoken words «‘creating an almost physical barrier. «‘I’m sorry about yesterday,’ «‘she finally said. «‘What I said in that room at the funeral home, «‘it was cruel and completely inappropriate.

«‘I nodded, «‘acknowledging her apology «‘without immediately accepting it. «‘I saw mom’s journal,’ «‘she continued. «‘Dad showed it to me last night.

«‘Her last wish was for us to reconcile. «‘I found it too,’ «‘I replied. «‘But reconciliation requires «‘more than just proximity, «‘Stephanie.

«‘It needs honesty.’ «‘She looked up, «‘tears filling her eyes. «‘You want honesty? «‘Here’s honesty. «‘I’m Ms. Rebel, Rebecca…