“When you moved away from home and never replied to my letters,” I say,my voice matching the family name for once, “I told myself it was yourschedule.That was easier than the truth—that you just didn’t care.”
She stiffens, her fingers hovering over her keyboard.
“When we won the high school state championship, I searched the standsfor you even though I knew you wouldn’t be there.”
Her mouth tightens.
“Where is this coming from?”
“My graduation day was the last time I waited for you to show up.”
Exhaling sharply, she leans back in her chair.
“So I’m not the greatest sister. What else is new? Why are we having thispity party? I have a meeting in twenty minutes.”
“Because I’m done,” I say. “I thought I was only done with our parents, butI’m done with you too.”
I meet her gaze. She flinches, I don’t. The dynamic between us has shifted,and she knows it.
“Unless you fix what you did to Sophia Bennett.”
She looks away, her gaze locking onto the diplomas on the wall.
“I know I handled it badly.”
“Handled it badly?” I repeat. My voice stays calm, which I know infuriatesher more than shouting ever could.
“You threw a resident under the bus to protect your illusion of perfection.”
“What’s it to you, anyway?”She turns back to me, her eyes narrowing.“How do you even know her? She’s a resident, and four years older thanyou. You’re a law student living in an idealistic bubble.”
“It doesn’t matter how I know her,” I point out.
I weigh my words carefully, then decide to let her see exactly what I’mprotecting.
“She’s someone my boyfriend cares deeply about. Which makes her someoneI care about, too.”
This time, the surprise is so strong it takes her a second longer to hide it.
“I didn’t know you were seeing someone.”
The words slip before I can stop them.
“Do you care?”
Instead of replying, she rubs her forehead, looking every bit the exhaustedsurgeon she must be.
“I admit it was a poor judgment call,” she says, like that should be enough.“Anyway. The report’s been filed. It’s done.”
“Then undo it.”
She gives a bitter laugh.
“It could ruin my career.”
“True. But if you don’t fix it, you’re definitely ruining hers. She’s workedhard for her future.”
Her shoulders sag, showing a crack in the armor.
