Chapter 1: Anniversary Lights
779 Words
The steak is still sizzling when the doorbell rings.
Stella smooths her apron, checks the wine glasses, and forces her lips into a hopeful smile. “Please be in a good mood," she whispers to herself, then hurries to the door.
It opens—and she freezes.
Andrew stands at the threshold, tall and sharp in a charcoal suit. Behind him is someone she hasn't seen in three years.
“Ella?" she breathes.
“Hey, sis," Ella says, flipping her hair over one shoulder like it's a casual Sunday visit. “Surprised?"
Stella's eyes dart to Andrew, but he doesn't meet her gaze.
He steps inside. “It's late. I'm hungry."
He walks past the candlelit table, past the roses she trimmed an hour ago, and pulls out a chair.
“Sit, Ella."
Ella slips in with a smirk. “Thanks, Andrew. You didn't have to."
“I did."
Stella stands motionless at the door. In her hand, the small black box—cufflinks engraved with their wedding date—feels heavier than stone.
“I made dinner," she says softly, finally shutting the door.
“Smells great," Ella says brightly. “Hope there's enough for three?"
Andrew pours water into Ella's glass. “She just got in from the airport. I told her she could stay here until she figures things out."
Stella blinks. “Here?"
He finally looks at her. His tone is brisk. “We'll talk later."
Ella waves her hand. “If this is a bad time, I can find a hotel—"
“No," Andrew says. “You're fine."
He gestures for Stella to sit. She moves automatically, setting a third plate in place. Her hands tremble.
“So," Ella says, spearing a piece of asparagus, “this place is just as gorgeous as I imagined. You've got an eye for decor, Stella."
Stella stares at her. Same voice. Same face. But behind Ella's perfect makeup is something brittle.
“I didn't know you were back in the country," Stella says.
Ella shrugs. “Things fell apart. Figured it was time."
“Fell apart how?"
Ella stabs her steak. “The drummer. He bailed. Took the car, my guitar, and three years of my life. I got tired of sleeping on couches and pretending I was still in a band."
A pause.
Andrew says nothing.
Stella forces a swallow. “You could've called."
“I thought about it." Ella smiles faintly. “But I figured you were too busy living the life I walked away from."
The table goes still.
Andrew sets down his fork. “I'm glad you're safe."
Ella leans back in her chair, eyes flicking between them. “Anyway, I'm not here to cause trouble."
“You left," Stella says, voice tight. “You were the one who disappeared. I had to—"
“She knows," Andrew interrupts. “We've talked."
Stella's stomach drops. “When?"
“Recently."
Ella picks up her wine. “Let's not make tonight heavy, okay? It's your anniversary, isn't it?"
Stella flinches. “Yes. It is."
Ella smiles. “Then let's celebrate. I mean, I did kind of start this whole story, didn't I?"
Andrew lets out a dry chuckle—small, low, the sound of familiarity.
Stella watches the laugh ripple between them and feels like a ghost.
She pushes back from the table. “I'll get dessert."
In the kitchen, she leans against the counter, hands bracing the granite.
They talked.
How long had Andrew known? Days? Weeks? Had she been setting the table for a man who'd already chosen to seat her sister?
Behind her, the door creaks.
“Hey." Ella leans on the doorframe, wine glass in hand. “Don't look so pale. I said I'm not here to ruin anything."
Stella turns. “You already did that once."
Ella sighs. “I didn't ask for this mess, you know."
“No," Stella says, voice sharpening. “You made it."
“I ran," Ella admits. “You stepped in. That was your choice."
Stella narrows her eyes. “I stayed. I made a home. I tried."
Ella lifts her glass. “So did I. Just in a different direction."
Stella crosses her arms. “Why now?"
“Because I have nowhere else to go," Ella says, suddenly small. “Because I thought… maybe I could fix something."
The words are sugar over rust. They taste false.
Andrew appears behind Ella. “Everything okay?"
Ella turns, expression melting into something soft. “Just catching up."
He steps between them, gently guiding Ella back toward the dining room.
Stella watches them go, then opens the drawer and places the cufflink box inside.
- Writer
