At the charity gala, my father handed the community center proposal I’d spent days building to my stepsister, Chloe. In front of everyone. The entire room applauded her. My husband, Liam, stood beside her, smiling as if they were the stars of the evening, not me. During intermission, Chloe came over with a glass of champagne and lowered her voice. “Ava, don’t look so sad.” “Even though you’re his wife, when he has to choose, he always chooses me.” In that moment, a wave of exhaustion washed over me. I didn’t want my father’s favoritism anymore. I didn’t want Liam anymore either. I looked at her, then at the man who was finally starting to panic. “If you want him that badly, he’s yours.” “Liam, my lawyer will contact you tomorrow.” That was it. From now on, I wouldn’t wait for anyone to choose me. ... At the Caldwell Foundation, the community center project was all anyone could talk about. Everyone knew my father had framed it as the final test for his successor. The office was buzzing with whispers. “Ava’s obviously more qualified. She went to Columbia for architecture, her résumé is impeccable. But the chairman clearly favors Chloe.” “Chloe’s better with donors. She’s a natural at these kinds of events.” “Then there’s Liam. Ava’s husband is on the board now, too. But I saw him having lunch with Chloe at The Modern last week. It didn’t look like a project meeting.” I walked past them with my coffee, and they fell silent, their gazes following me as I passed. My heart sank. A few hours later, I was summoned to my father’s study. Chloe was already there. She sat beside my father’s favorite armchair, looking completely at ease. My father tapped his fingers on the desk. “Ava, Chloe,” he said. “The board has approved the launch of the community center project. You will each prepare a proposal. At next month’s charity gala, the board and our guests will evaluate both.” After he spoke, he l......
