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

«‘In her final weeks, «‘mother and I had precious conversations about life, «‘love, and family. «‘One evening, as I adjusted her pillows, «‘she broached the subject of Stephanie. «‘I wish you girls could find peace with each other,’ «‘she said, her voice weak but determined.

«‘Life is too short for such distance between sisters. «‘I know, mom,’ I replied, swallowing back tears. «‘Promise me you’ll try, Rebecca.

«‘Not for her, but for yourself, «‘and maybe a little bit for your old mother.’ «‘I promised, not knowing if I could keep it, «‘but wanting to give her peace. «‘Mother passed peacefully three days later, «‘Zachary, father, and I at her bedside. «‘I called Stephanie immediately, «‘the first direct communication we’d had in years.

«‘Mom’s gone,’ I said when she answered. «‘Her sharp intake of breath «‘was the only sound for several seconds. «‘I’ll be there in an hour,’ she finally replied, «‘her voice breaking.

«‘We met at our parents’ house, «‘hugging briefly and awkwardly «‘before turning our attention «‘to father and funeral arrangements. «‘The real test would come at the funeral itself, «‘where years of hurt and anger would collide «‘with fresh grief and mother’s final wish. «‘The morning of mother’s funeral «‘dawned gray and drizzly, «‘fitting the somber occasion.

«‘I stood before the mirror «‘in my childhood bedroom, «‘adjusting my black dress «‘and wondering how I would survive the day ahead. «‘Zachary appeared behind me, «‘handsome in his dark suit, «‘placing his hands gently on my shoulders. «‘I’m right beside you today,’ he said, «‘meeting my eyes in the reflection.

«‘Whatever happens, downstairs, «‘father sat at the kitchen table, «‘staring blankly at his untouched coffee. «‘The past week had hollowed him out, «‘his tall frame suddenly stooped with grief. «‘At 72, he seemed to have aged a decade «‘since mother’s diagnosis.

«‘Ready, dad?’ I asked softly, «‘touching his shoulder. «‘He nodded, rising slowly. «‘Eleanor always said funerals aren’t for the dead.

«‘They’re for the living. «‘Never understood that until now. «‘The funeral home was already filling «‘with extended family and friends when we arrived.

«‘I stayed close to father, «‘greeting people with mechanical smiles «‘and accepting condolences from faces «‘I barely recognized. «‘Cousins from California, «‘mother’s college roommate, «‘neighbors from throughout my parents’ «’40 years in their home. «‘You look just like Eleanor at your age,’ «‘my great-aunt Patricia said, «‘patting my cheek.

«‘She would be proud of the woman you’ve become. «‘How have you been, dear?’ «‘Asked my mother’s friend Judith. «‘Eleanor mentioned you moved away.

«‘Chicago, was it? «‘Yes, almost five years now.’ «‘I replied, not adding that my sister’s «‘betrayal had prompted the move. «‘As I guided father to his seat in the front row, «‘Zachary at his other side, «‘a murmur rippled through the gathering. «‘I turned to see Stephanie and Nathan entering, «‘their appearance causing heads to turn «‘and whispers to spread.

«‘Stephanie wore an expensive black dress «‘that highlighted her slender figure, «‘diamond earrings catching the light. «‘Nathan looked uncomfortable «‘in his perfectly tailored suit, «‘his arm around my sister’s waist «‘in a show of support. «‘Her left hand rested prominently on her purse, «‘the massive diamond engagement ring «‘and wedding band impossible to miss.

«‘Father stiffened beside me. «‘Thomas, breathe. «‘I whispered, concerned about his heart.

«‘They made their way forward, «‘stopping to speak with various attendees. «‘I kept my eyes front, «‘focusing on the large photo «‘of mother displayed beside her closed casket, «‘her warm smile easing some of my anxiety. «‘Eventually, they reached the front.

«‘Stephanie embraced father, «‘who returned the hug stiffly. «‘Nathan shook his hand, «‘receiving only a curt nod in response. «‘Rebecca,’ Stephanie said, «‘turning to me with an expression «‘I couldn’t quite read…