Chapter 1

My life in Philadelphia with Ethan felt perfect.

Five years married, and he still looked at me like I was the only woman in the world.

He was wealthy, a big real estate developer, charismatic. I was just a graphic designer from a working-class background.

But he said he loved me, deeply.

I believed him.

Our first baby was on the way, a little girl. Ethan was ecstatic.

He' d cancel important meetings if I felt unwell. He' d rush home from "business trips," always with a small gift, always saying he missed me too much.

My older sister, Olivia, raised me after our parents died. She was a jazz musician, talented but always struggling. She lived in New Orleans now.

Ethan said Olivia was like a sister to him too. He always spoke of her with respect.

Today was my birthday. Ethan had a huge real estate conference in Chicago. He' d been planning it for months.

"I'm so sorry, baby," he'd said, kissing my forehead. "I'll make it up to you. We'll celebrate properly when I'm back."

I understood. His work was demanding.

I decided to treat myself to a spa day. I called a rideshare.

The rain started suddenly, a torrential downpour.

The driver was going too fast.

I remember shouting. Then a crash. Darkness.

I woke up in a hospital. Pain everywhere.

A doctor was talking. "Emergency surgery... the baby is stable... you were lucky."

My first thought was Ethan. He needed to know.

A nurse helped me find my phone. It was cracked but working.

Before I could call Ethan, a notification popped up. A gossip blog.

The headline: "Philly Mogul Ethan Reed's Secret Proposal in New Orleans?"

My heart stopped.

I clicked.

There was a photo. Grainy, but unmistakable.

Ethan, on one knee, on a New Orleans street.

He was holding a ring box.

In front of him, smiling, was Olivia.

My sister.