Linda smiled at me, tears already forming. If only she knew.

«When she first introduced us to James, I knew he was special. The way he looked at her, the way he made her laugh, the way he brought out the best in her while loving her exactly as she was. That’s rare in this world. That kind of pure, honest love.»

I paused, letting the words sink in. James was beaming. Darren was watching me with pride. Linda was dabbing at her eyes with a tissue.

«But the thing about love,» I continued, my voice steady, «is that it requires trust. Complete, absolute trust. The kind where you can share your deepest secrets, your biggest fears, your most precious dreams.»

The room was silent now, hanging on every word.

«Linda has always been good at keeping secrets,» I said, smiling at my sister. «Even as a little girl, she could keep a secret better than anyone I knew. Some might say too good.»

A nervous laugh rippled through the crowd. Linda’s smile faltered slightly.

«But tonight, as we celebrate this union, I want to toast not to secrets, but to truth. To honesty. To the courage it takes to build a life with someone based on complete transparency.»

I raised my glass. «So here’s to James and Linda. May your marriage be built on a foundation of truth. May you never have secrets between you. And may you always remember that the people who love you most deserve your honesty, even when it’s hard.»

The crowd raised their glasses. I sat down, my heart pounding. That was just the warm-up. The real show would come later.

Darren leaned over and kissed my cheek. «Beautiful speech, baby. You always know just what to say.»

«I learned from the best,» I replied, squeezing his hand hard enough to hurt.

The band struck up the first dance song, and James led Linda onto the floor. They swayed together under the twinkling lights, the picture of newlywed bliss. The photographer circled them, capturing every moment.

«They look happy,» Darren said, his breath warm against my ear.

«Looks can be deceiving,» I replied.

After the traditional dances, the floor opened to all guests. Darren pulled me up, insisting we dance.

«I meant what I said earlier,» he murmured as we moved together. «About the vacation. Maybe Hawaii? Or Paris? Wherever you want to go.»

«Somewhere far away?» I asked. «Somewhere we can pretend to be different people?»

He frowned. «What’s that supposed to mean?»

«Nothing. I’m just tired. Wedding stress.»

«The wedding’s over now,» he pointed out. «You can relax.»

«Oh, Darren,» I said, looking up at him. «It’s just beginning.»

Before he could ask what I meant, someone tapped his shoulder. Linda stood there, radiant in her wedding gown.

«Mind if I steal him for a dance?» she asked. «I want to dance with all my favorite people tonight.»

The irony was so thick I could choke on it.

«Of course,» I said, stepping back. «I need to powder my nose anyway.»

I watched them move onto the dance floor, maintaining a careful distance between their bodies. To anyone watching, it was innocent. A bride dancing with her brother-in-law. Nothing to see here.

But I saw the way his hand trembled on her waist. The way she bit her lip when he whispered something. The way they both glanced around to see if anyone was watching. I was watching. I was always watching now.

I didn’t actually go to the bathroom. Instead, I went to the bar and ordered a shot of whiskey. Then another. I needed liquid courage for what came next.

«Rough night?» the bartender asked sympathetically.

«You have no idea,» I said, downing the second shot.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and turned to find my mother, resplendent in navy blue. «Darling, are you all right? You seem tense.»

«Just emotional,» I said. «My baby sister is married.»

«I know. It seems like yesterday she was running around in pigtails.» Mom’s eyes misted. «At least we’ll have grandchildren to look forward to soon.»

The whiskey burned in my stomach. «Sooner than you think.»

«What?»

«Nothing. Just agreeing with you.»

Mom studied me with the laser focus only mothers possess. «Grace, what’s wrong? And don’t say nothing. I know my girls.»

For a moment, I wanted to tell her everything. To collapse in her arms like I had as a child and let her fix it. But some things couldn’t be fixed. They could only be burned to the ground.

«I’m fine, mom. Really. Just overwhelmed.»

She didn’t look convinced but let it go. «Well, try to enjoy yourself. It’s a happy day.»

After she left, I ordered one more shot. For courage. For strength. For the ability to do what needed to be done.

The music had shifted to something slow and romantic. Couples swayed on the dance floor, lost in their own worlds. I spotted Darren back at our table, checking his phone. Probably deleting messages. He’d gotten sloppy lately, but not that sloppy.

It was almost time. The band leader tapped the microphone. «Ladies and gentlemen, the bride and groom would like to share a special announcement.»

James and Linda made their way to the small stage, hands clasped. Linda was glowing, and not just from the spotlight.

«We weren’t going to say anything tonight,» James began, his voice thick with emotion. «But we’re too happy to keep it to ourselves.»

The room held its breath. I held mine too, but for different reasons.

«We’re having a baby!» Linda announced, and the room exploded in cheers and applause.

I watched Darren’s face carefully. He was clapping and smiling, but there was something else there. A tightness around his eyes. A muscle jumping in his jaw. Was it jealousy? Regret? Fear?

My parents rushed the stage, embracing the happy couple. Other relatives followed. I stayed in my seat, waiting.

«Aren’t you going to congratulate them?» Darren asked.

«In a moment,» I said. «I want to let the grandparents have their moment.»

The truth was, I was counting. Watching people’s faces. Seeing who looked surprised and who didn’t. Making mental notes of every reaction.

Finally, when the initial chaos died down, I made my way to the stage. Linda saw me coming and reached out her arms.

«Grace! Can you believe it? You’re going to be an aunt!»

I hugged her tightly, feeling the slight tremor in her body. «Congratulations,» I whispered in her ear. «How far along are you?»

«Eight weeks,» she whispered back. «We just found out for sure last week.»

Eight weeks. I’d done the math so many times I could recite it in my sleep. Eight weeks ago was two weeks after the engagement party. The night I’d found them on the porch.

«That’s wonderful,» I said, pulling back to look at her face. «James must be over the moon.»

«He is. He’s already planning the nursery.»

Sweet, innocent James. Planning a nursery for a baby that might not be his.

«When did you find out?» I asked, keeping my voice light.

«About two weeks ago. I wanted to tell you, but with the wedding and everything…»

«Of course,» I said. «It’s your news to share when you’re ready.»

Darren appeared at my elbow. «Congratulations, Linda. James. This is wonderful news.»

His voice was perfectly calibrated. Happy but not too happy. Surprised but not shocked. He’d missed his calling as an actor.

«Thanks, Darren,» James said, pumping his hand enthusiastically. «Maybe you and Grace will be next.»

The silence that followed was deafening. At least to me.

«Maybe,» Darren said finally. «When the time is right.»

I excused myself then, claiming I needed air. But I didn’t go outside. I went to the bridal suite where Linda’s things were stored. Where her phone was charging on the dresser.

I knew her passcode. Sisters share everything, remember? Everything except the things that matter most.

Linda’s phone was a treasure trove of secrets. She’d been careful—no texts to Darren, no obvious evidence. But she’d made one crucial mistake. She’d kept the photos.

Hidden in a locked folder, buried in her camera roll. Photos from that night two weeks after the engagement party. The night the baby was conceived.

They were in a hotel room. The Marriott downtown, judging by the bedding. Champagne on the nightstand. Her wedding planning binder open on the desk—she’d told me she was meeting with the florist that night.

But the most damning photo was a selfie. Both of them in bed, sheets pulled up to their chests, her head on a shoulder. The timestamp read 11:47 p.m.

At 11:52 p.m., Darren had texted me that he was leaving the office and heading home. At 12:15 a.m., he’d climbed into our bed, smelling like hotel soap instead of his usual body wash. I’d noticed but hadn’t said anything. Hadn’t wanted to be the nagging wife who questioned everything.

I forwarded the photos to myself, then deleted the evidence of what I’d done. My hands were steady as I placed the phone back exactly where I’d found it.

The door opened, and I spun around. It was one of Linda’s bridesmaids, looking for her purse.

«Oh. Grace. You scared me.»

«Sorry,» I said smoothly. «Just needed a moment of quiet. It’s so loud out there.»

«I know, right? But isn’t it wonderful about the baby? Linda’s going to be such a great mom.»

«The best,» I agreed, following her out of the room.

The reception was in full swing when we returned. The cake had been cut, the bouquet tossed, the garter thrown. People were getting drunk and sloppy, ties loosened, high heels abandoned. Perfect. In chaos, there was opportunity.

It was during the father-daughter dance that I knew it was time. Linda was dancing with our father, both of them crying happy tears. The photographer was capturing every moment. Most of the guests were watching, phones out to record the touching scene.

I found Darren at the bar, ordering another scotch.

«There you are,» I said, sliding my arm through his. «I’ve been looking for you.»

«Just needed a refill,» he said, holding up his glass. «Want one?»

«No. I want to talk to you. Privately.»

Something in my tone must have alerted him because his eyes sharpened. «Now? During the reception?»

«Now,» I confirmed. «Unless you’d prefer I say what I need to say here, in front of everyone.»

His face paled. «Grace, what’s going on?»

«Outside,» I said. «The terrace. Five minutes.»

I walked away without waiting for his response. I knew he’d follow. Guilty people always follow when they think they’re about to be exposed.

The terrace was empty, most guests preferring the air-conditioned comfort of the ballroom. String lights created pools of golden light in the darkness. The river glittered in the distance. It was beautiful. Perfect for what was about to happen.

Darren appeared exactly five minutes later, his face carefully composed. «What’s this about?» he asked, trying for casual and missing by miles.

I turned to face him, no longer bothering to hide my rage. «How long?»

«How long what?»

«Don’t.» My voice was sharp enough to cut glass. «Don’t you dare stand there and pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about. How long have you been fucking my sister?»

The word hung between us like a blade. He opened his mouth, closed it, opened it again. «Grace, I don’t know what you think…»

«I have photos,» I interrupted. «From the hotel. From that night eight weeks ago. The night you told me you were working late.»

His shoulders sagged. The fight went out of him all at once. «How did you…?»

«Does it matter? The question is, how long? Was it just that once? Or has this been going on longer?»