Cheatingsis

It read: “Meet me at Mom’s. I have to tell you something about Jake. And I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”

That hit Lena like a gut punch. Because it was true. Growing up, Mia was the golden girl—valedictorian, effortlessly beautiful, the one their parents introduced first. Lena was just “Mia’s little sister.” Jake was the first person who ever looked at Lena and saw someone more than the shadow. The problem was that he was supposed to marry the sun.

On the forum, her post from last night still glowed with new comments. “He says he’ll call it off if I say the word. But she’s my sister. I can’t destroy her. I also can’t stop. What’s wrong with me?” The replies were a wildfire of judgment and unexpected kinship. One user, LostAndFound , had written: “You’re not a villain. You’re an addict. And the drug is feeling chosen over her for once.” cheatingsis

Inside the church, the organ started. Lena slipped into the back pew just as Mia began her walk down the aisle. Their eyes met for a second—Mia’s full of happy tears, Lena’s full of something else. Guilt. Fear. A sick, thrilling secret.

Jake smiled, kissed her cheek like a brother would, and walked away. It read: “Meet me at Mom’s

“She’s your wife now,” Lena whispered back, not looking at him.

“A technicality.” His hand brushed her lower back for half a second. “The plan hasn’t changed. Give me six months. I’ll leave her. We’ll go to Portland. Just like we said.” I’m so, so sorry

The first time Jake kissed her, it was a rain-soaked Tuesday. He’d come over to pick up a casserole dish Mia had left at his place. Lena answered the door in an oversized hoodie, hair a mess. “Mia’s still at work,” she’d said. He lingered. He always lingered. And then his hand was on her cheek, and she didn’t pull away.