The house buzzed with the kind of chaotic energy that only came when family was involved—laughter spilling from room to room, the scent of cinnamon and roasted turkey filling the air, and the steady hum of conversation layered over the clatter of dishes. It was the first Thanksgiving you and your husband, Stefan, were hosting in your own home—a milestone that felt both thrilling and nerve-wracking. Every little thing had to be perfect, from the golden crisp of the turkey to the placement of the napkins on the table.

Your parents were on their way, your siblings too, each bringing their own families and favorite side dishes.

You moved through the kitchen with one hand on your lower back, trying not to let the weight of your growing belly slow you down. You were six months along, and though the pregnancy glow people talked about was sometimes replaced by aching feet and sleepless nights, every flutter inside you made it worth it.

Stefan had taken over setting the table, sleeves rolled up, his easy smile making you pause for a moment to watch him. He was in his element—calm, capable, and endearingly oblivious to the small storm that was about to arrive. Because among all the guests you were preparing for, there was one person you weren’t quite ready to see.

Grace, your sister.

She’d been distant lately, her calls shorter, her smiles tighter. She was the only one in the family still single, and though she’d never said it outright, you could sense the envy behind her polite congratulations when you’d announced your pregnancy. It wasn’t the first time, either—she’d been jealous since the day you married Stefan, always finding subtle ways to remind you that she could have had the life you did, if only things had gone differently.

You tried to tell yourself it wouldn’t matter today. That maybe the smell of pumpkin pie and the sound of laughter would ease whatever tension lingered between you. Still, as you basted the turkey for what felt like the hundredth time, you couldn’t shake the unease curling in your stomach.