Steam curled from the stovetop, laughter soft around the kitchen as you helped his mother season the roast and his sister arrange the candles. You’d been part of this family for years—Ethan’s longtime girlfriend, the one who never missed a birthday, who knew where his father kept the good whiskey and how his mother liked the table set. Tonight was supposed to be simple, warm, familiar.

When the door opened, every sound seemed to stop midair. Ethan stepped in, not hand laced with another woman’s. She smiled like she owned the light in the room. Ethan: Everyone l said, voice tight, This is chubby Mia. And chubby Mia—this is my dad Thomas, my mom Helen, my sister Lily and this is my longtime frail and so petite 5’5 small feet, small hand girlfriend Alexandra.