The day before her wedding, my sister smiled and said the best gift I could give her was to disappear for a while. So I did exactly that. I sold the condo she already thought was hers, placed an envelope at every guest’s table, and by the time dinner began, the truth was ready to open.

If she truly believed I was standing in the way of her happiness. Gavin spoke before she could answer. He stepped forward just enough to block a portion of her reflection in the mirror.

He said Evelyn deserved peace on her big day, and that sometimes family members caused problems without meaning to. He said that I tended to stir things up. He even mentioned a time years ago when I suggested Evelyn take a job she hated, and he framed it like it was proof that I always complicated her life.

Evelyn nodded along to every word he said. I realized then that the sister I loved was not standing in front of me anymore. Or maybe she was, but buried under layers of insecurity and influence I had never noticed creeping in.

I whispered that if she truly wanted me out of her life, she should say it herself instead of letting Gavin translate her feelings. She finally looked at me with impatience and said that if I really loved her, I would give her the one gift she asked for and step away quietly. Something in me hardened.