Amber stood in the doorway, flanked by two women I recognized as her college friends, Bridget and Kayla. My sister wore skin-tight white jeans, a pink silk blouse, and heels that put her three inches above my height. Her recently highlighted blonde hair cascaded in perfect waves past her shoulders.
“Are you lost?” she continued, her voice carrying through the quiet store. “Isn’t this place a bit out of your league?”
Tara’s eyebrows rose slightly, but her professional demeanor remained intact. “Your sister is looking at our diamond collection. Would you care to join us, sister?”
Amber laughed, striding toward us with her friends trailing behind. “Yes, unfortunately, we share DNA, though you’d never guess it looking at us.”
The implied comparison hung in the air. Amber had always been the pretty one with her blonde hair and blue eyes.

I took after our father’s side with darker features and a more athletic build.
“I didn’t know you were shopping today,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “Are you looking for wedding bands?”
“Just browsing,” Amber shrugged, peering into the case. “Trevor and I will probably go to Cartier in Scottsdale. What are you buying? Costume jewelry?”
Tara cleared her throat. “Actually, your sister has excellent taste. She’s considering these half-carat diamond studs.”
Amber’s eyes narrowed as she examined the earrings Tara held. “Half-carat? With your salary? That seems excessive.”
“I got a promotion,” I said, feeling heat rise to my face. “I can afford them.”
“A promotion at that little print shop. Impressive.” Amber’s tone dripped with sarcasm. “What does that mean? An extra dollar an hour?”
Bridget snickered behind her hand while Kayla pretended to examine a bracelet display.

I noticed an older couple across the store watching our interaction with disapproving expressions.
“It’s a graphic design agency, not a print shop,” I corrected, though I knew the distinction meant nothing to Amber. “And the raise is substantial.”
“Well, good for you,” Amber replied, picking up another pair of earrings from the display. “Though, if you had any financial sense, you’d invest that money instead of blowing it on jewelry. But that’s always been your problem, hasn’t it? Poor decision-making.”
Five years of therapy had taught me not to take Amber’s bait. But her words still stung.
Tara, sensing the tension, attempted to redirect. “These would complement your complexion beautifully,” she said, holding up the earrings to my ear. “The princess cut catches light magnificently.”
“They’re perfect,” I agreed,

deliberately ignoring Amber. “I’ll take them.”
“Seriously?” Amber stepped closer, her perfume overwhelming. “You’re going to spend thousands on earrings right after I announced my engagement. This is so typical of you.”
The accusation blindsided me. “What does my buying earrings have to do with your engagement?”
“You can’t stand that I’m the center of attention. For once, you’ve always been jealous of me.”
Amber’s voice rose, causing a security guard near the entrance to glance our way.
“For once?” I laughed incredulously. “You’ve always been the center of attention. I’ve spent my life in your shadow.”
“Ladies,” Tara interjected. “Perhaps we could—”
“In my shadow?” Amber cut her off. “That’s rich. You’re the one Mom and Dad brag about with your scholarship and career. Poor Amber can’t compete with perfect Jessica.”


The distortion of reality was so complete it momentarily stunned me. Had we grown up in the same household? Had she not noticed the countless times our parents had prioritized her needs, her wants, her dramas?
“That’s not true, and you know it,” I said quietly, conscious of the audience we’d attracted. Two more sales associates had paused their activities to watch, and an elegant woman browsing necklaces had stepped back from her display. “You know what? I don’t have to listen to this.”
I turned to Tara. “I’d like to purchase the earrings now.”
“Don’t you dare walk away from me.” Amber grabbed my arm, her manicured nails digging into my skin.
I pulled away. “Don’t make a scene, Amber. This is embarrassing.”
“I’m embarrassing? You’re the one buying jewelry you can’t afford just to upstage my engagement.”
“Not everything is about you,” I said, my patience finally snapping. “This has nothing to do with your engagement. I earned this money. I saved for months, and I’m buying something nice for myself for once.”
Tara discreetly slid the earrings into a velvet box and moved toward the register, clearly hoping to expedite the transaction before the situation escalated further.
Amber followed, her face flushing. “How much are those earrings anyway?”
Tara hesitated, looking at me for permission. I nodded.
“These are priced at $2,800,” she said calmly.
Amber’s jaw dropped. “$3,000? Are you insane? That’s what Mom and Dad spent on my entire semester of college.”

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