When Sasha’s newly divorced sister-in-law moves in, she expects healing, not mimicry. But as Abby begins to dress like her, speak like her, and slip deeper into her family’s rhythm, Sasha realizes that she’s not hosting a guest, she’s housing a woman who’s trying to reclaim a life that was never hers.
Abby, my sister-in-law, was freshly divorced. My husband, Michael, didn’t even blink before inviting her to stay.
Suitcases on a porch | Source: Midjourney
“Fine,” I agreed. “The air mattress will have to do for now. I’ll clear out the guest room tomorrow. I’ll change the bedding and all of that.”
“Thank you, love,” Michael said. “I don’t know what else to do. I don’t know how else to help her. She’s… my responsibility since our father died.”
A black air mattress on a carpet | Source: Midjourney
“I know,” I replied. “I get it. We need to tell the girls that Abby is coming.”
I cleared out the guest room. I fluffed pillows. Dusted the curtains. Picked up all the toys the kids had thrown around the room. I set a vase of flowers on the windowsill.
And all the while I pretended like I didn’t feel the walls tightening.
What I didn’t know was that I was about to be replaced in my own life.
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