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

«‘That you’re doing well, «‘that you’re building a new life. «‘Does she ever express regret? «‘Mother sighed. «‘In her way.

«‘She gets quiet when your name comes up. «‘My therapy continued in Chicago, «‘my new therapist helping me process the betrayal «‘and build healthier relationship patterns. «‘I learned to recognize my triggers «‘and communicate boundaries effectively.

«‘Slowly, the nightmares about Nathan and Stephanie faded. «‘In June, Zachary surprised me «‘with a weekend trip to Michigan’s wine country. «‘We stayed at a charming bed «‘and breakfast surrounded by vineyards, «‘spent afternoons wine-tasting «‘and evenings watching the sunset over Lake Michigan.

«‘For the first time in years, «‘I felt completely present and happy «‘without the shadow of past betrayal hanging over me. «‘On our last evening, «‘walking through a garden filled with early summer blooms «‘at the Chicago Botanic Garden, «‘Zachary stopped beneath a trellis covered «‘in climbing roses. «‘Rebecca,’ he said, «‘taking both my hands in his.

«‘This past year, «‘knowing you has been the greatest gift of my life.’ «‘When he knelt, producing a ring box from his pocket, «‘panic flashed briefly. «‘Images of Nathan’s proposal «‘threatened to overshadow this moment. «‘But looking into Zachary’s eyes, «‘I saw only sincerity and love.

«‘I’m not asking for an answer today,’ he said, «‘seeming to read my hesitation. «‘I just want you to know that whenever you’re ready, «‘whether that’s tomorrow or next year, «‘I’ll be here.’ «‘Tears filled my eyes, «‘but not from fear or pain. «‘Yes,’ I whispered.

«‘I’m ready now.’ «‘The ring was nothing like the ostentatious «‘diamond Nathan had given me. «‘A simple emerald with small diamonds on either side, «‘elegant and understated like our relationship. «‘That night, «‘I called my parents with the news.

«‘Mother cried happy tears. «‘He sounds wonderful, darling. «‘When can we meet him?’ «‘Soon,’ «‘I promised.

«‘Very soon. «‘We planned a small wedding, «‘only 30 guests at a historic Chicago venue. «‘At Mother’s urging, «‘I sent Stephanie an invitation, «‘more as a gesture toward healing «‘than an expectation of attendance.

«‘Her response came via email, «‘brief and cold. «‘Congratulations on your engagement. «‘Unfortunately, «‘Nathan and I have prior commitments on that date.

«‘Best wishes for your future.’ «‘Mother was disappointed but unsurprised. «‘Give her time, Rebecca. «‘This is progress compared to where you both were.

«‘Our wedding day arrived, «‘intimate and joyful with my parents, «‘new friends, «‘and Zachary’s family in attendance. «‘Father walked me down the aisle, «‘whispering, «‘I haven’t seen you this happy in years, kiddo. «‘Zachary’s vows acknowledged our journey.

«‘Rebecca, «‘I promise to remember that love is both strong and fragile, «‘requiring care and commitment every day. «‘I promise to be worthy of the trust you’ve given me, «‘knowing how precious and hard won that gift is. «‘We built our life together in Chicago, «‘buying a brownstone that we renovated together.

«‘My career continued advancing, «‘eventually leading to a vice president position. «‘Zachary’s investment firm grew, «‘focusing on supporting women-led tech startups. «‘During a dinner with business associates, «‘I learned something that connected past to present.

«‘A venture capitalist mentioned «‘working with Nathan years earlier. «‘Reynolds? «‘Yeah, «‘he and Foster had quite the rivalry «‘in the angel investing space about seven years back. «‘Foster backed the right startup, «‘Reynolds backed the competitor.

«‘Foster’s pick got acquired for millions, «‘Reynolds went bankrupt. «‘Later that night, «‘I asked Zachary about this connection. «‘I was going to tell you eventually,’ he admitted.

«‘I knew who you were when we met at that conference, «‘not the details of what happened, «‘but that you had been engaged to Reynolds. «‘Why didn’t you say anything? «‘I wanted you to know me for me, «‘not as someone connected to your past. «‘I wasn’t angry.

«‘Somehow, the cosmic symmetry felt right. «‘Two years into our marriage, «‘we began trying for a baby. «‘Months passed without success, «‘leading to fertility specialists «‘and difficult conversations.

«‘Through disappointments and medical procedures, «‘Zachary remained my rock, «‘holding me through tears «‘and reminding me that family comes in many forms. «‘Then came the devastating call «‘about mother’s cancer diagnosis. «‘Zachary and I flew to Boston immediately, «‘meeting with oncologists «‘and helping my parents navigate treatment options.

«‘Mother put on a brave face, «‘but the cancer was aggressive and had already spread. «‘I took a leave from work to care for her, «‘moving temporarily back to my childhood home. «‘Zachary flew in every weekend, «‘supporting both me and my increasingly frail father…