For a moment, everything blurred. The announcements overhead, a baby crying somewhere behind me, the line at the coffee stand—none of it felt real anymore. All I could focus on was Ethan’s hand resting possessively on her hip and the way she leaned into him like this wasn’t new.
I should have screamed. I should have hurled my bag at him. Instead, something colder took over.
I walked straight toward them with a smile so steady it unnerved even me.
When Ethan looked up and saw me, all the color drained from his face. The girl turned too, blinking at me with wide blue eyes, confused for a split second—until I stopped in front of them and said sweetly, “What a surprise… big brother, aren’t you going to introduce me?”
Her face went completely white.
Ethan’s hand dropped from her waist so fast it was almost ridiculous. “Claire,” he said, his voice tight, “what are you doing here?”
I tilted my head slightly. “Flying to Chicago. Same as you, apparently. Although I didn’t realize this was a family trip.”Family
The young woman took a shaky step back. “Wait,” she whispered, looking between him and me. “You said—”
“I know what he said,” I interrupted, still smiling. “That I was his sister? His unstable ex? A roommate from years ago? Go ahead, Ethan. I’d love to hear which version you gave her.”
