Her Husband Chose Her Sister in the Rain

CHAPTER 5 - The Seat Beside Jessica

Six months later, Jessica remained with the hotel group.

She did not take Michael's old title permanently. Instead, she spent several months working with department leaders before accepting the position through an open selection process.

Henry had wanted to hand her everything immediately.

Jessica refused.

"I came home because I needed my father. I did not come home to become dependent on him again."

Henry respected the boundary.

Michael found work with a smaller property company. Without Jessica's knowledge or the Collins name, he had to begin again at a lower level.

He and Jessica spoke only through their divorce attorneys.

Sarah moved into a modest apartment and began working for an event company unaffiliated with her father.

For the first time, she earned a position without using the Collins name.

She attended counseling and stopped asking Jessica to forgive her.

Instead, she sent one message before Henry's birthday dinner.

May I come? If Jessica says no, I will understand.

Henry showed Jessica the message.

"The choice is yours."

Jessica thought about the night in the rain.

She was not ready to welcome Sarah back as if nothing had happened. But she also remembered the younger girl who once crawled into her bed after nightmares about losing her mother.

"She can come for dessert."

Sarah arrived late and stood uncertainly near the restaurant entrance.

She wore a simple black dress. There was no Michael beside her and no performance prepared.

Henry greeted her, but Sarah looked at Jessica.

"Thank you for letting me come."

"This is not forgiveness."

"I know."

"It may take years."

Sarah nodded.

"I know that too."

There was one empty chair at the table.

Sarah did not assume it belonged to her.

Jessica pulled it out with her foot.

"Sit down before Dad blows out the candles."

Sarah sat beside her.

Henry looked at both daughters but wisely said nothing.

After dinner, rain began tapping against the windows.

Sarah had arrived by bus and had no umbrella.

Jessica opened hers at the hotel entrance.

Sarah hesitated.

"Does this mean I can ride with you?"

"It means it is raining."

They stepped beneath the umbrella.

Sarah gave a small, nervous smile.

Jessica did not smile back yet.

But she did not walk away.