At first, they were practical.

He hasn’t eaten. I stayed.
I’m helping with bills.

Then they shifted.

He listens to me better than anyone.
I know how she did things. He responds when I do them the same way.
Adrienne was just a placeholder.

I felt sick.

“This wasn’t grief,” I said. “She replaced my mother.”

Grandma nodded, crying. “I should have stopped it.”

“They’re getting married today,” I whispered.

“I have to tell him.”

When we returned, the ceremony had already begun. Lena stood in white, smiling at my father.

“Wait,” I said.

The room froze.

“Dad,” I said, holding up the tablet. “This isn’t love. It’s replacement.”

Lena denied it. My father looked at her—and stepped back.

“Oh God,” he said. “It’s true.”

The officiant lowered his hands.

“I can’t do this,” my dad said.

Lena whispered, “This was supposed to be my chance.”