I stood outside the glass doors of the police station, my hand trembling around the envelope with the pregnancy test results. I had planned a quiet dinner with my husband Jason tonight to surprise him.

But all those dreams shattered when I was called by the police to bail him out after he had been caught up in a hotel prostitution sting with my sister Leslie.

My eyes scanned the room until I found them—Jason and Leslie—sitting on a bench behind the glass divider.

Leslie's head was pressed against Jason's shoulder. His arm was wrapped protectively around her, his shirt slightly unbuttoned, revealing a smattering of hickeys across his neck. Leslie’s blouse was askew, and her hair looked like she had just stepped out of a wind tunnel. My stomach turned.

Leslie saw me first. Her lips curved into a smile that wasn’t the least bit apologetic. “Oh, sister, you’re here! What took you so long?”

Jason looked up, his eyes meeting mine for a fraction of a second before he stood, pulling Leslie with him. “You’re late,” he said, his tone sharp, as if I was the one in the wrong. “Leslie isn’t feeling well. We need to get her to a hospital, but the police won’t let us go until we’re bailed out.”

I stared at him. “Why are you even together in a hotel room?”

“That’s not what’s important right now,” Jason snapped. “Just pay the bail.”

I blinked, the reality of the situation clawing at my chest. Jason and Leslie. Together. Hickeys. Disheveled clothes. All I could ask was for how long? I didn’t even realize their betrayal until now.

I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could form the words, Jason reached into my purse and snatched my keys. “Go home alone. I need to bring her to the hospital.” He grabbed Leslie’s hand and led her out of the station, leaving me standing there, stunned.

“Jason!” I called after him, but he didn’t even look back.

The officer at the counter raised an eyebrow as I handed over the cash. “Was that your husband?” he asked.

“No,” I said flatly, my voice colder than I intended.

“Good,” the officer muttered, sliding my receipt across the counter. “Because the talk around here is that he and the woman he was caught with were… intimate when we busted them.”

The words slammed into me, but I refused to let the officer see me flinch. Instead, I nodded, grabbed my receipt, and walked out, my head high. Inside, I was burning.

The cool evening air hit me as I stepped outside, but it did nothing to quell the fire raging in my chest. Jason and Leslie were nowhere in sight, the taillights of my car disappearing down the street. I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I stood on the curb, completely alone.

I flagged down a cab, sinking into the worn leather seat as I gave the driver an address. Not home. Not the station. The hospital.

The envelope still sat in my lap, the edges crumpled from my grip. I stared at it, the weight of its contents suddenly unbearable.

I pulled out my phone and called a number. The clinic receptionist answered after two rings. “Women’s Health Center. How can I assist you?”

I swallowed hard, the words tasting like ash. “I need to schedule an abortion,” I said as tears blurred my eyes.

"Why aren’t you answering your phone?” Jason’s voice cut through the sterile hospital corridor.

I didn’t even think he would see me as he was busy with Leslie. I was here for my abortion.

“Paige!” He called, pulling me to face him. His face was flushed, his eyes frantic. “Leslie needs you,” he said, his grip tightening. “She needs blood because she is anemic due to stress, Paige. There’s not enough supply with her type and you both have the same type.”

I stared at him, cold and unblinking. “Why would I donate blood?”

He blinked, as if the question was absurd. “Because she’s your sister!”

“Sister?” The word slipped out, bitter and biting. A humorless laugh followed. “Right, my sister. I almost forgot about that?”

I felt pain. Memories flooded in, sharp and unforgiving. Leslie wasn’t really my sister. We’d both been adopted, two strangers forced into the same family. But that was where the similarity ended.

Leslie had always been the golden child. The one my parents doted on, showered with love and attention while I was left in the shadows. Even though we were both adopted, I was the extra piece they tolerated. The reminder of a choice they’d rather forget.

And then there was Jason. The man I thought had chosen me. The one person I believed saw me for who I was, not as some charity case. But he, too, had chosen Leslie.

It was always Leslie.

“Paige, she’s not okay,” Jason said, his voice rising in frustration. “You have to do this. You’re her sister. She needs you.”

I met his gaze, steel in my voice. “No.”

The word hung between us.

For the first time, I want to be someone they wouldn’t be able to control.

“I can’t donate blood and that is not the reason why I am here.”

Jason stepped back, stunned. “What do you mean, no? And what reason is that? You’re being selfish!”

“You really have no idea, huh!” I shook my head. “Find another way because I won’t donate!”

I turned to walk away, but the sound of hurried footsteps stopped me in my tracks. My parents.

“Paige!” My mother’s voice rang out. I barely had time to brace myself before her hand connected with my cheek, the slap echoing in the hallway.

“How dare you!” Lady Fely’s face twisted with rage. “How dare you say you won’t save your sister! Do you have any idea how much she’s suffering?”

My cheek burned, but I refused to flinch. “She’s not my sister.”

Her eyes widened, incredulous. “You ungrateful girl! I adopted you, gave you a home when no one else wanted you. And this is how you repay me?”

“I was never part of your family,” I said, my voice shaking but resolute. “Not really.”

Lady Fely’s lips curled in disdain. “If you won’t give blood, I’ll throw you out like the trash you were when I found you. Do you hear me? I’ll make you regret ever coming into my house!”

Before I could protest, they started dragging me and drew blood until I fainted.

The harsh fluorescent lights blurred as I blinked awake. My throat felt dry, my head pounding. I tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness forced me back down.

“Paige!” Leslie’s voice rang out beside me. “You’re awake. Thank God.”

I turned my head to find her sitting on the edge of my hospital bed.

“I can’t believe you did this for me,” she sniffled, placing a hand over her chest like the damsel she loved to play. “You’ve saved my life. I don’t know how to thank you.”

I said nothing. She reached out as if to hug me, her arms wide and her face expectant. “I mean it, Paige. You’re the best sister anyone could ask for.”

I shifted away, her touch the last thing I wanted.

The movement was small, but Leslie stumbled back with a dramatic gasp, her hand flying to her mouth. “Oh my God, Paige!” Her voice broke into a wail. “You pushed me!”

My eyes narrowed, anger bubbling under my skin. “Leslie, don’t—”

“You hate me, don’t you?” she cried, her tears flowing freely now. “I don’t understand. What did I ever do to deserve this?”

The door burst open, and Jason stormed in, his face twisted with irritation. “What the hell is going on here?”

Leslie immediately turned to him, clutching her chest like a wounded bird. “Jason, I don’t know what I did. I just wanted to thank her, and she—she pushed me.”

I stared at her, my jaw tightening as rage clawed its way up my throat.

Jason turned to me. “Paige, what the hell is wrong with you? She’s your sister!”

That did it. I broke.

“Sister?” I scoffed. “You want to talk about sisters? What about me, Jason? What about me? Am I not your wife?” I faced him. “Because I don’t feel it anymore. So how about we get a divorce?”

“You’re overreacting,” Jason said, his arms crossed as he stared me down. “Talking about a divorce over this? Come on, Paige.”

“Overreacting?” I shot back, my voice sharp.

“Yes,” Leslie added. “Please, don’t be mad. It’s clearly my fault. Don’t say divorce because surely Jason will get hurt. He loves you. He just cares for me and I don’t want to be the reason you’re getting a divorce.”

“Is that so? Then, tell me, why were you at the hotel together?”

His face froze, the deflection he had ready dying on his lips. Leslie shifted uneasily beside him, her hands fidgeting with the hem of her dress.

Jason’s silence spoke louder than words.

Leslie glanced between us, her lips parting as if to speak. “It’s because…” She hesitated, then blurted, “Jason was comforting me. My boyfriend broke up with me, and I didn’t know who else to call.”

“Comforting you?” My voice cracked with disbelief. “Why him, Leslie? Why not me? I’m supposed to be your sister.”

She avoided my gaze, her tone turning defensive. “You were busy,” she said quickly. “I didn’t want to bother you, and I was scared—”

“Scared of what?” I demanded.

Her mouth opened and closed, her face pale. “Scared of you. I thought you’d get mad if you found out…” She trailed off, her voice barely above a whisper. “That I’m pregnant.”

Her words hit like a slap, leaving me stunned. “Pregnant?” I repeated, my voice cold. “Why would I get mad? That doesn’t make sense! Unless, did Jason get you pregnant?”

Leslie let out a nervous laugh, the sound too forced to be genuine. “Of course not,” she said, glancing at Jason. “It’s my ex-boyfriend’s. Please, sister, don’t stay mad at me. I’m sorry.”

Her attempt at an apology rang hollow, her eyes darting to Jason for support. Something in her tone snapped the thin thread of restraint I had left.

My palm connected with her cheek, the sharp crack echoing in the small hospital room.

Leslie gasped, stumbling back as she clutched her face. “Jason!” she cried, her voice trembling with exaggerated pain. “She hit me!”

Jason lunged forward, his hand grabbing my arm. “What the hell is wrong with you, Paige?” His voice was furious. “What if something happens to her baby?”

I yanked my arm free, glaring at him. “I don’t care. I’m just done with your pathetic lies.” My words were ice, cutting through the air between us. “Do whatever you want. Stay with her, take care of her, hell, raise her baby together for all I care. This is the last time you’ll see me.”

I turned on my heel, my chest burning. Behind me, Jason’s voice rose, but I didn’t listen. Leslie’s sobs filled the air, but I didn’t look back.

They didn’t seem to hear me as I walked out, the door clicking shut behind me.

When I reached the clinic, the cold air was biting at my skin.

I pushed the door open and walked inside. It was time to let go.

There is no way I’ll let a child be born in this world with a father who cheated on her mother.

Two days later, I lay in the hospital bed, staring at the ceiling. The sterile white walls felt suffocating, but not as much as the silence. Not a single call or text from Jason. Not even a token message to ask if I was okay.

That was the final straw.

I reached for my phone, scrolling through my contacts until I found the number. “Hi,” I said when the attorney picked up. “I need to finalize my divorce papers.”

The words came out cold, detached, but inside, I felt the weight of years crumbling away.

“Of course,” the attorney replied. “I’ll prepare everything and send it to you for review.”

I hung up, staring at the blank screen. The emptiness was suffocating, but not for long. My phone buzzed, breaking the silence.

“Miss Hill?” a polite voice said on the other end. “Your request to rent a yacht has been approved. When would you like to set sail?”

I didn’t hesitate. “Tomorrow evening.”

“Very well. Everything will be ready.”