They both happened to be too busy for Sunday brunch on the same weekends. Text messages that made Darren smile in a way my messages hadn’t in months. Linda wearing a new perfume that smelled familiar, though I couldn’t place where I’d smelled it before.

I started paying attention in ways I never had before. Checking Darren’s credit card statements—nothing suspicious; he was too smart for that. Watching their body language at family dinners—careful, controlled, like actors who’d rehearsed their parts.

«You’re being weird,» my mother said one Sunday, catching me staring at Darren and Linda as they looked at wedding cake designs. «Is everything okay?»

«Everything’s perfect,» I said, hating that word more with each passing day.

My mother patted my hand. «Wedding planning is stressful for everyone. Just remember, Linda needs you right now. Being a bride is overwhelming.»

I smiled and nodded, playing my part as the supportive sister. But inside, something dark was taking root. Not quite suspicion yet, but the fertile ground where suspicion grows.

Three weeks before the wedding, I was at my annual checkup when I ran into Dr. Patricia Morse in the hospital corridor. Patricia had been Linda’s gynecologist since college, and we’d become friendly over the years.

«Grace,» she said warmly. «How’s the wedding planning going? Linda must be so excited.»

«She’s over the moon,» I replied. «Though between you and me, I’ll be glad when it’s over. I’m exhausted.»

Patricia laughed. «I bet. These big weddings are such productions.» She paused, then lowered her voice. «I probably shouldn’t say this, but make sure she takes it easy. First trimester and all that.»

The world tilted. «First trimester?» I repeated faintly.

Patricia’s face went white. «Oh God. She hasn’t told you? I assumed. I mean, with the wedding so close, I thought the family knew.»

«Of course,» I said, forcing a smile. «I just didn’t know you knew. You know how private Linda can be about these things.»

«Right, yes.» Patricia looked relieved. «Well, I should go. Give her my best.»

She hurried away, leaving me standing in the sterile hospital corridor with my world crumbling around me. Linda was pregnant. My sister was pregnant, and she hadn’t told me.

But that wasn’t what made my blood run cold. It was the timeline. If she was in her first trimester now, three weeks before the wedding…

I did the math. Once. Twice. Three times. The engagement party. That night on the porch with Darren.

No. No, I was being crazy. James was the father. Of course James was the father. But why hadn’t she told me? Unless…

I became a detective in my own life. Not the clumsy kind who leaves evidence of their snooping, but the careful kind who covers their tracks.

I started with Darren’s home office. He kept it locked—attorney-client privilege, he said—but I’d had a key made years ago when he’d lost his. He didn’t know I still had it.

His computer was password protected, but Darren wasn’t as clever as he thought. His password was our anniversary date. How romantic. How stupid.

I found nothing in his emails. His browser history was clean. But then I remembered something from a true crime podcast: people always forget about the cloud.

His photos were backed up automatically. Thousands of them. Work events, client dinners, family gatherings. I scrolled through them methodically, not sure what I was looking for until I found it.

A folder marked «Legal Research.» Inside were photos that had nothing to do with law. Linda at the beach, her hair whipping in the wind. A selfie of them at what looked like a hotel bar. Her hand on his chest, his arm around her waist.

Photo after photo of moments that shouldn’t have existed. But it was the last photo that broke me.

A pregnancy test. Positive. Dated two weeks after the engagement party. The timestamp showed it was taken in our bedroom. In our home. On our bed.

I stared at that photo until my eyes burned, until the image was seared into my brain. Then I carefully closed everything, cleared the browser history, and locked the office door behind me. I made it to the bathroom just in time to vomit.

The next two weeks required the greatest performance of my life. I smiled at breakfast. Kissed Darren goodbye. Helped Linda with last-minute wedding preparations.

I attended the rehearsal dinner. Gave a touching speech about love and loyalty.

«Grace is the best sister anyone could ask for,» Linda said, hugging me after my speech. «I’m so lucky to have you.»

I hugged her back, feeling the slight swell of her stomach against mine. A baby. My husband’s baby growing inside my sister.

«How are you feeling?» I asked carefully. «Any pre-wedding jitters? Nausea?»

She pulled back, eyes wide. «Why would you ask about nausea?»

«Just wondering. Lots of brides get nervous stomachs.»

«Oh. Right. No, I’m fine. Perfect, actually.»

Perfect. There was that word again.

Darren found me on the hotel balcony later that night, after everyone else had gone to bed. «Beautiful speech,» he said, handing me a glass of wine. «Did you think so? Made me fall in love with you all over again.»

He kissed my temple, and I fought not to flinch. «I know things have been distant between us lately. Work’s been crazy. But after this wedding, let’s take a vacation. Just the two of us. Start fresh.»

«That sounds nice,» I said, sipping the wine. It tasted like ashes.

He put his arm around me, and we stood there looking at the city lights. The perfect couple having a perfect moment. I wondered if he could feel the rage radiating from my skin. If he could sense the storm building inside me.

But no, Darren saw what he wanted to see. He always had.

«I love you,» he said.

«I know,» I replied. It was the last honest thing I would say to him.

The morning of the wedding dawned bright and clear. Perfect weather for a perfect day.

I helped Linda into her dress, a stunning mermaid-style gown that would hide her pregnancy for a few more weeks. Her something old was our grandmother’s pearl necklace. Her something new was the life growing inside her. Her something borrowed was my husband. Her something blue was the garter James had picked out.

«You look beautiful,» I told her, because it was true and because it was what sisters say.

«I’m so happy,» she said, tears threatening her carefully applied makeup. «Everything is exactly how I dreamed it would be.»

«Is it?» I asked, adjusting her veil. «Everything you dreamed of?»

Something flickered across her face. «Of course. Why would you ask that?»

«No reason. Just making sure my baby sister is getting everything she deserves.»

She hugged me then, careful not to wrinkle her dress. «I love you, Grace.»

«I love you too,» I said. And despite everything, I meant it. That was the worst part. I still loved them both, even as I planned their destruction.

The photographer burst in then, wanting photos of the bridal party getting ready. I smiled and posed, the devoted sister, while inside I counted down the hours until the reception. Until my moment.

The ceremony was held in a historic church downtown, all stained glass and soaring ceilings. Three hundred guests packed the pews, a sea of pastel dresses and dark suits.

I walked down the aisle first, clutching my bouquet of white roses and baby’s breath. Darren was already at the altar with the other groomsmen, looking handsome in his black tux. He winked at me as I took my place.

The music changed, and everyone stood for Linda’s entrance. She was radiant, glowing in a way that had nothing to do with the professional makeup. James watched her approach with tears in his eyes, this good man who had no idea what was growing inside his bride.

«Dearly beloved,» the minister began, and I let the words wash over me. Love. Honor. Cherish. Forsake all others.

I watched Darren during that last part. He was staring at Linda with an expression I recognized. It was the way he used to look at me.

When it came time for the rings, James’s hand shook slightly as he slipped the band onto Linda’s finger. Her hands were steady as stone.

«You may kiss the bride,» the minister announced, and the church erupted in applause. I clapped too, my smile never wavering. The happy sister. The devoted wife. The woman with dynamite strapped to her chest, waiting for the right moment to pull the pin.

The reception was held at the Riverside Country Club, an elegant venue with crystal chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the water. No expense had been spared. Ice sculptures, a ten-piece band, flowers on every surface.

Darren and I were seated at the head table with the rest of the wedding party. He kept touching me—hand on my back, fingers brushing mine—little gestures of affection that would have thrilled me six months ago. Now they made my skin crawl.

«You look beautiful tonight,» he murmured during the salad course.

«Do I?» I asked. «As beautiful as the bride?»

He laughed, missing the edge in my voice. «No one’s as beautiful as the bride on her wedding day. That’s the rule.»

«Ah yes. The rules. You’ve always been so good at following those.»

He gave me a strange look but was distracted by the best man starting his speech. The speeches went on forever. Funny stories about James and Linda. Wishes for their future happiness. Jokes about babies and growing old together.

I noticed Linda’s hand drift to her stomach during that last part. Then it was my turn.

I stood, tapping my champagne flute with a spoon. The room quieted, hundreds of eyes turning to me.

«Good evening, everyone. For those who don’t know me, I’m Grace, Linda’s older sister and maid of honor.»

Polite applause. I waited for it to die down.

«Linda and I have been through everything together. Childhood adventures, teenage heartbreaks, adult challenges. I’ve watched her grow from a wild little girl who used to steal my Halloween candy into the beautiful woman standing before us today.»