The late afternoon sun filtered through the blinds of a cozy Craftsman-style home in Boise, Idaho, casting long shadows across the hardwood floor of Emily Harper’s bedroom. Elizabeth Ann Harper, her mother, paused at the doorway, her heart sinking at the sight of her daughter’s tear-streaked face. It had been barely half an hour since Marina, Emily’s sister, and Michael Carter had left the house, their laughter still echoing in Elizabeth’s mind. While Marina was around, Emily had put on a brave face, masking her pain to spare her mother’s feelings. But now, alone, she let the tears fall freely, her sobs muffled by the pillow clutched to her chest.
- Oh, honey, you can’t keep tearing yourself apart like this, Elizabeth said softly, stepping into the room and settling on the edge of Emily’s bed. The quilt, a patchwork heirloom from her grandmother, felt warm under her hand as she smoothed it absentmindedly.
Elizabeth knew the depth of Emily’s resentment toward Marina. The sisters had always been close, but the rift caused by Michael had torn them apart. Emily’s hatred for Marina was palpable, yet Elizabeth was grateful her daughter at least pretended to keep the peace when Marina visited. It was a small mercy in a family fraying at the seams.
What was the big deal, really? Elizabeth had asked herself that question a hundred times since Emily and Michael broke up. So what if Michael dated Emily first and then fell for Marina? It wasn’t like he was the only guy in Boise—or the world, for that matter. There were plenty of fish in the sea, especially for a bright, beautiful young woman like Emily. When Elizabeth first heard about the breakup, she’d tried to console her daughter with that very logic.
- There are other guys out there, sweetheart, she’d said back then, stirring a pot of chili in the kitchen while Emily sulked at the counter. Maybe it’s for the best that Michael went with Marina. Honestly, I never thought he was right for you. And if I’m being real, he’s not right for her either.
- Why not? Emily had snapped, her voice sharp with hurt, her hazel eyes flashing.
It wasn’t just losing Michael that cut so deep, though Emily had loved him with every fiber of her being. Michael Carter was a catch by any measure: twenty-six, with a boyish grin, a computer science degree from Boise State University, and a solid job at a tech startup downtown. He came from a respectable family, the kind that hosted Fourth of July barbecues in their sprawling backyard and volunteered at the local food bank. His parents, Victoria and Tom Carter, were pillars of their Meridian community, always quick with a smile and a casserole for a neighbor in need. Who wouldn’t want to build a life with a guy like that?
Emily still kicked herself for introducing Marina to Michael. It had been a sunny Saturday last spring, and she’d invited Marina to join them for a hike along the Boise River Greenbelt. She’d thought it would be fun to have her sister tag along, never imagining Marina would catch Michael’s eye. But Marina, with her easy laugh and carefree charm, had a way of drawing people in. When Emily realized Michael’s attention was shifting, she was blindsided. The betrayal stung worse than the breakup itself.
She’d confronted Michael in a parking lot outside a coffee shop on State Street, her voice trembling with rage as she demanded answers.
- How could you do this? she’d shouted, her hands balled into fists. My own sister, Michael? What the hell is wrong with you?
Michael had stammered through his excuses, insisting he wasn’t sure about his feelings for Marina. His words felt like lies, flimsy and rehearsed, but Emily clung to them because letting go was unthinkable. She loved him too much to walk away, so she doubled down, watching his every move. She’d check his phone when he left it on the counter, quiz him about where he’d been, and show up unannounced at his office under the pretense of bringing him lunch. It was exhausting, but she told herself it was worth it to keep him.
If Emily hadn’t been so controlling, Michael might not have drifted toward Marina. The constant tension in their relationship was like a Boise summer day—hot, heavy, and suffocating, with no relief in sight. Marina, by contrast, was a breath of fresh air. Talking to her felt effortless, like a cool evening by the river, the kind where you could lose track of time watching the water ripple. Michael hadn’t meant to fall for her, but somewhere between their casual chats and stolen glances, it happened. Before long, they were sneaking moments together, meeting for coffee or taking walks when Emily thought Michael was tied up with work.