Her Husband Chose Her Sister in the Rain

CHAPTER 2 - The Sister Who Wanted Her Place

Henry took Jessica to the hotel where he lived after his wife's death.

Jessica had not entered the building in four years.

She left because Henry opposed her marriage to Michael. Henry believed Michael wanted access to the Collins hotel group.

Jessica accused him of controlling her life.

Michael encouraged the argument.

He told Jessica that Henry would never respect her choices. Then he gradually separated her from her father.

Jessica resigned from her official position but continued helping Michael privately.

She trained managers, repaired relationships with unhappy hotel owners, and designed the expansion plan that made Michael appear successful.

Michael presented her work.

Jessica stayed home.

At first, she believed they were a team.

Eventually, Michael stopped saying "we."

Across town, Sarah demanded answers from Michael.

"You said Dad had disowned her."

"He did."

"You saw him tonight. That was not a father who had disowned his daughter."

Sarah had grown up believing Jessica was Henry's favorite.

After Sarah's mother died, Henry brought her into the family home. Jessica shared her bedroom, introduced Sarah as her sister, and protected her at school.

But Sarah remembered the differences.

Jessica was invited into business meetings.

Jessica knew the employees.

Jessica was trusted.

Michael used that resentment.

He told Sarah that she possessed the confidence Jessica lacked. If Jessica disappeared, Henry would finally recognize Sarah as his natural successor.

Sarah wanted to believe him.

The next morning, Henry prepared to remove Michael from the leadership meeting.

Jessica stopped him.

"If you dismiss him only because he betrayed me, everyone will think this is family revenge."

"He threw you into the street."

"And tomorrow, he will claim an emotional father destroyed his career."

Jessica wanted Michael judged by his ability.

That evening, Michael was scheduled to present his three-year expansion plan to senior managers and hotel partners.

He believed Sarah could help him deliver it.

Sarah opened the presentation on his laptop and stared at the financial projections.

"What do these numbers mean?"

Michael hesitated.

"You attended Jessica's planning sessions."

"I attended dinners. You told me you created the plan."

For the first time, Sarah understood why Michael always called Jessica before important meetings.

Michael had not replaced his wife with a more capable woman.

He had replaced her with someone easier to flatter.

Tomorrow, Michael would have to prove he could lead without the wife he had erased.