Chapter 2

The town buzzed with the news of the Fuller sisters' weddings. The contrast between the two arrangements was immediate and stark.

The Lesters, true to their old-money reputation, were discreet but incredibly generous. A lawyer delivered the papers to our house, along with a cashier's check for a dowry that made my father's eyes water. The next day, a brand-new sedan was delivered, along with a truckload of household appliances-a refrigerator, a washing machine, a dryer, things my mother had dreamed of for years. They were for my new life at the Lester estate.

Brian Hughes, on the other hand, provided nothing. His pride, puffed up by Sabrina choosing him over a fortune, was his only contribution. He swaggered around town, telling everyone how Sabrina had fallen for his blue-collar charm, not some rich boy's money.

The sight of the new appliances sitting in our driveway sent my mother into a frenzy.

"Jocelyn," she said, cornering me in the kitchen. Her eyes were red with envy. "You can't possibly need all of this. You'll be living in a mansion. They have staff. Sabrina, on the other hand, is starting with nothing. It's only fair you give these things to your sister."

Sabrina stood behind her, a smug look on her face. "She's right, Jocelyn. What are you going to do with a washing machine? The Lesters probably have a whole laundry room."

In my first life, I would have given in. I would have handed over everything to keep the peace.

Not this time.

I smiled, a slow, sweet smile that didn't reach my eyes. "You're right, Momma. Sabrina shouldn't have to start her marriage with nothing. That wouldn't be right at all."

My mother's face relaxed, thinking she had won.

"That's why," I continued, my voice suddenly loud enough for our nosy neighbors to hear through the open windows, "I'm going to give these gifts directly to Brian's family! The Hugheses are such good, hardworking people. They deserve a little help. I'm sure they'll be so grateful to have a new fridge and washer for their son and my dear sister to start their new life with."

The effect was instantaneous. My mother's face went from triumphant to horrified. Giving the gifts to Sabrina was one thing; giving them to the dirt-poor Hughes family was a public declaration that their son-in-law couldn't provide for their daughter. It was a small-town scandal in the making.

Mrs. Gable from next door was already peering over the fence.

"That's so generous of you, Jocelyn!" she called out. "The Hugheses could surely use the help!"

My mother' s face turned a shade of mottled purple. "You wouldn't dare," she hissed under her breath.

"Why not?" I asked, my voice full of false innocence. "It's for Sabrina. You said so yourself."

She and Sabrina exchanged a panicked look. They were shamed into silence. Later that day, my father quietly told me that he and Mom would be buying Sabrina her own set of identical appliances. They couldn't afford it, but the cost of public humiliation was higher.

As I watched them load the new boxes into my father's old truck, a grim satisfaction settled in my chest. This was only the beginning.