Grace Mitchell

She had always been proud of supporting her family. Especially her brother, whom she helped with everything. When he announced that he was getting married soon, she was genuinely happy for him. But the joy turned to anxiety the moment she first saw his future bride. She was too beautiful, too confident, too alluring.

At first, it was casual glances during family gatherings. Too long, too attentive. She tried to convince herself that it was all just a figment of her imagination. But the bride seemed to be deliberately searching for her gaze. Sometimes she would linger her hand on her wrist longer than she should have. Sometimes she would come too close and whisper something that sounded almost like a challenge.

She hated herself for waiting for these moments. The closer the wedding day came, the more tension there was. Everything could collapse in an instant, and yet she couldn’t stop.

One evening, they were alone in the kitchen. The brother's future wife leaned over and whispered, "You know I shouldn't be with you, right?" It sounded like a death sentence. But there was something else burning in her eyes. "That's why I want you even more," came next.

From that day on, choice was no longer an option. She could no longer retreat.