Chapter 6: Sister’s Sin
Sophie's POV
All of this was not what I intended to happen. That's what I kept telling myself over and over while I sit by myself in my apartment, sipping a glass of wine and mentally reliving the last few months' events. How did I get to be the other woman, the one who betrayed her own sister, here?
It all began quite casually. Diane had asked me to assist in organizing a birthday surprise party for Liam. I was a professional event planner and his sister-in-law, so it felt like the ideal job for me. I was keen to improve the relationship between my sister and her husband, so I was pleased to help.
The initial meeting with Liam to discuss party details was ordinary. We met at a café near his office, and our chat was solely about the upcoming event. But when we finished up, Liam's hand lingered a little too long on mine as he thanked me for my assistance. I dismissed it as insignificant, but I couldn't shake the slight thrill that shot through me at his touch.
Our meetings gradually increased in frequency over the next few weeks. We'd talk about the party plans, but our chats would frequently detour into more personal topics. Liam told me about the responsibilities of operating his firm and the long hours that kept him away from home. I found myself opening up about my own problems - failed relationships, worries about living in Diane's shadow.
"You shouldn't compare yourself to Diane," Liam advised one evening as we sat in his office reviewing the guest list. "You're amazing in your own right, Sophie."
His comments thrilled me in ways that I knew they shouldn't. I attempted to shift the conversation, but Liam persisted.
"I mean it," he said, his gaze fixed on mine. "Sometimes I wonder if I married the wrong sister."
I should have shut it down right then. I should have reminded him of Diane, our family, and the limits that we were dangerously near to violating. Instead, I felt a forbidden sensation run through me.