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

«‘Some friends sided with me, «‘others with Nathan, citing his influence in the business community. «‘Several admitted they’d noticed flirtation between Nathan and Stephanie, «‘but hadn’t wanted to get involved. «‘Their cowardice stung almost as much as the betrayal.

«‘Mother became my lifeline during those dark months. «‘She brought food when I couldn’t eat, «‘listened to my tearful rants, «‘and stayed overnight when the loneliness became unbearable. «‘She tried repeatedly to mediate between Stephanie and me, «‘inviting us both to family dinners that inevitably ended «‘in tense silence or bitter arguments.

«‘During one such dinner, «‘Stephanie snapped after I refused to pass her the salt. «‘You always got everything first, Rebecca. «‘The grades, the job, the apartment.

«‘For once, I got something before you did. «‘My fiancé wasn’t a prize to be won, «‘I replied, my voice shaking. «‘He was the man I loved and trusted.

«‘Mother put her fork down. «‘Stephanie Marie Thompson, «‘apologize to your sister right now.’ «‘For what? «‘Being honest? «‘Nathan chose me. «‘He loves me now.

«‘I stood, napkin thrown onto my plate. «‘I can’t do this anymore, Mom. «‘I’m sorry.

«‘It was the last family dinner I attended «‘with Stephanie present.’ «‘Father’s heart problems worsened «‘from the stress of his daughter’s feud, «‘requiring medication adjustment «‘and additional doctor visits. «‘Mother aged years and months, «‘the lines around her eyes deepening «‘as she tried desperately to hold her family together. «‘Six months after discovering «‘Nathan and Stephanie’s betrayal, «‘I hit rock bottom.

«‘My therapist diagnosed me with depression «‘and recommended medication. «‘Work suffered as I struggled to focus, «‘eventually losing a major client «‘after a disastrous presentation «‘where I broke down crying. «‘My boss suggested a leave of absence, «‘but I knew staying in Boston, «‘where memories lurked around every corner, «‘would only prolong my suffering.

«‘When a marketing director position opened «‘in our Chicago branch, «‘I applied immediately. «‘The interview went surprisingly well, «‘my desperation for change «‘perhaps reading as enthusiasm. «‘Two weeks later, «‘I received the offer.

«‘Mother helped me pack my apartment, «‘carefully wrapping photos «‘and mementos in tissue paper. «‘As we sorted through my belongings, «‘deciding what to keep and what to donate, «‘she broached the subject that hung between us. «‘Will you ever consider forgiving Stephanie?’ «‘She asked, sealing a box with packing tape.

«‘I continued folding sweaters without looking up. «‘I don’t know, mom. «‘Not now, maybe not ever.

«‘Forgiveness isn’t about them deserving it,’ «‘she said softly. «‘It’s about freeing yourself. «‘I am freeing myself.

«‘I’m moving to Chicago. «‘Mother sat beside me on the bed, «‘taking my hands in hers. «‘Running away isn’t the same as healing, «‘sweetheart.

«‘Tears filled my eyes. «‘I need space to even begin to heal. «‘Can you understand that?’ «‘She nodded, pulling me into a tight hug.

«‘Promise you’ll call. «‘Promise you won’t shut us out completely. «‘I promise.

«‘Saying goodbye to my parents «‘was harder than I anticipated. «‘Father held me longer than usual, «‘his voice gruff with emotion. «‘You show them, kiddo.

«‘Build a life so good «‘they’ll choke on their regret. «‘My first weeks in Chicago «‘were lonely and doubt-filled. «‘My studio apartment felt sterile and unfamiliar.

«‘I worked long hours «‘to avoid going home to empty rooms, «‘eating takeout at my desk «‘and falling into bed exhausted each night. «‘Then came the news «‘that twisted the knife deeper. «‘Mother called one Sunday morning, «‘her voice cautious.

«‘Rebecca, I feel you should hear this from me «‘rather than social media. «‘Stephanie and Nathan got married yesterday. «‘The small civil ceremony «‘had been featured in Boston Magazine’s society pages.

«‘Nathan’s business connections «‘ensuring coverage despite the modest scale. «‘The accompanying photo showed them «‘beaming outside the courthouse. «‘Stephanie wearing a simple white dress, «‘my former engagement ring «‘prominently displayed on her finger.

«‘That night was my lowest point. «‘I drank an entire bottle of wine alone, «‘scrolled through old photos of Nathan and me «‘and cried until my eyes swelled shut. «‘I called in sick to work the next day, «‘unable to face the world.

«‘But something shifted during those dark hours alone. «‘As morning light filtered through my blinds, «‘I made a decision. «‘This would be the last day «‘I gave them power over my happiness.

«‘I deleted all photos of Nathan from my phone, «‘blocked both him and Stephanie on social media, «‘and took a long shower, «‘imagining my pain washing away down the drain. «‘At work, I threw myself into projects «‘with renewed focus. «‘My boss noticed the change, «‘assigning me to more significant clients.

«‘I developed a reputation for creativity and dedication, «‘earning respect in my new office. «‘My first real Chicago friend «‘was Madison Reynolds, our HR director, «‘who invited me to join her book club. «‘Through her, I met other women, «‘slowly building a social circle…