Chapter 2

MIA'S POV

Dad doesn't speak to me for the rest of the day. He sends me home with a curt text that says "You've embarrassed the family enough."

I drive to my apartment in silence, and the whole way I replay Ethan Black's words. "You're lying." Like he could see straight through me to the pathetic truth underneath.

Jason is waiting outside my building with flowers. Red roses, my favorite. Except they're not really my favorite—I just told him that once and he never bothered to learn otherwise.

"Happy birthday, beautiful." He pulls me into a hug that smells like expensive cologne and lies.

I know what happens next. I let him inside. We order takeout. He stays over and tomorrow morning Lily will text asking how my night was, fishing for details she'll use later.

"Actually, I'm really tired, Jason. Can we reschedule?"

His smile falters. "But it's your birthday. I took off work early for this."

The guilt rises automatically, trained into me like a reflex. "I know, I'm sorry, I just—"

"Is this about what happened at your dad's meeting? Baby, everyone makes mistakes." He cups my face, thumb stroking my cheek. "Don't push me away because you're upset."

And just like that, I'm apologizing. Letting him inside. Ordering the Thai food he likes even though I hate it. Sitting through dinner while he talks about his cases and his promotion track and barely asks me a single question.

He kisses me goodnight at the door, and I let him, tasting nothing but my own cowardice.

The party starts at eight. I wear the dress Mom picked out—too tight, too young, not my style at all. Lily looks perfect in something simple and elegant that makes me look like I'm trying too hard.

Jason arrives with wine. Expensive bottles that Lily immediately gushes over. "You have such good taste, Jason. Mia's so lucky."

"I'm the lucky one," he says, but he's looking at Lily when he says it.

I watch it happen in real time. The way his eyes linger. The way Lily touches his arm when she laughs. The way she positions herself near him all night.

At nine fifteen, exactly like I remember, Jason bumps into Lily and red wine cascades down her white dress.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry!" Jason grabs napkins, dabbing at the stain on her chest while Lily laughs it off.

"It's fine, really. These things happen."

"Take my jacket at least. You must be freezing." He drapes it over her shoulders.

I stand there holding my drink, watching the beginning of their affair, and say nothing.

Sophie, my roommate from college, appears at my elbow. "Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost."

"I'm fine."

"Liar." But she says it gently, not like Ethan Black did. "Come on, let's get some air."

We step onto the balcony. The February night is cold enough to hurt. Sophie lights a cigarette and offers me one. I quit smoking three years from now after Dad comments that it's unladylike. Tonight, I take it.

"Your sister is flirting with your boyfriend," Sophie says bluntly.

"I know."

"And you're just going to let it happen?"

I take a drag and taste ash and failure. "What am I supposed to do?"

"Uh, say something? Tell her to back off? Dump his ass?" Sophie stares at me like I'm insane. "Mia, what the hell? You're acting like you're already defeated."

Because I am. I've already lost this fight. I lost it five years from now when I drank poisoned champagne and died on my bathroom floor.

"I'm just tired, Soph."

She doesn't believe me, but she drops it. We finish our cigarettes in silence and go back inside where Lily and Jason are laughing together in the corner.

The party ends at midnight. Everyone leaves except family. Dad pulls me aside while Mom and Lily clean up.

"The Black deal fell through because of you."

"I know. I'm sorry."

"Sorry doesn't fix it, Mia." He pours himself whiskey, not offering me any. "Lily secured a meeting with the Richardson Group today. She's already bringing in opportunities while you're costing us partnerships."

My throat tightens. "I can fix it. I'll reach out to Mr. Black and apologize."

"Don't bother. I'm having Lily take point on new acquisitions from now on. You'll support her."

Support her. The same words he used in my first life right before making her VP.

"Dad, please. Give me another chance."

"I've given you twenty years of chances, Mia. When are you going to start taking initiative instead of waiting for opportunities to be handed to you?" He drains his glass. "Be more like your sister. She doesn't make excuses."

He walks away and I stand there, hands shaking again, hating him and hating myself more.

Lily finds me in the kitchen five minutes later. "Hey, are you okay? Dad seemed upset."

"I'm fine."

"You know he doesn't mean it, right? He's just stressed about the merger." She touches my arm, her eyes wide and sympathetic. "You're amazing, Mia. Don't let him make you feel bad."

This is what she does. Twists the knife while offering comfort. Makes you grateful for crumbs while she steals the whole meal.

"Thanks, Lily."

"Of course. We're sisters." She hugs me, and over her shoulder I see Jason watching us with something warm in his eyes.

They're perfect together already. The sweet, supportive sister and the charming boyfriend. And I'm the pathetic obstacle they'll remove in five years.

I drive home at one AM, and the streets are empty enough that I think about just keeping driving. Leaving everything behind. Starting over somewhere Dad's disappointment can't reach me.

But I don't. I go home. I wash my face. I crawl into bed.

My phone buzzes with a text from an unknown number.

"You're still a coward. I'm almost disappointed. I thought rebirth might have given you a spine. -EB"

I stare at the message, my heart stopping.

Ethan Black.

How does he know?