I can’t blame Sophie for how she feels. She’s right. I feel like my stomach is full of rocks. I can’t pinpoint the moment when I changed; that’s not how people work. You turn molecule by molecule until suddenly, you’re a different person. You’re the kind of girl whose ambition drives her to risk her company, her reputation, her own family’s well-being. I suddenly don’t recognize myself or my choices. I don’t like everything I’ve done recently, but I can take control of at least one piece. I can do one good thing.

“No, you’re right. This is important. Let’s give you that raise. And we’ll just find a way to increase our revenue somehow,” I say.

I know it’s the only appropriate decision to make, but it hurts to say the words out loud. More financial pressure is the last thing we need right now.

Her lip quavers. “Really?”

I hug her tightly. “Yeah. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I can’t promise everything—I can’t guarantee that if you take the money, we’ll be able to make it up in sales.”

She wilts again.

“But I can promise you I’ll do everything in my power to make this business a success so that the risk will be worth it.”

Her shoulders shake with a silent sob. “Thank you,” she whispers.

“I know you want a family more than anything. I’m not going to be the person to stand in the way of that,” I say.

“I don’t want to stand in the way of us, though,” she says, wiping away a sniffle.

I take a deep breath. I don’t know what else there is to say to her.

“We’ll make it work,” I repeat.

She peers at me through watery eyes and smiles. Then her face falls.

“Also, not to ruin the moment, but that dress is awful,” she says. “Go try on the one I picked for you.”

I do. And like magic, it’s exactly right. Sisters always know best.

• Chapter 12 •