His Initial on Her Replacement

When I returned home, I found him kneeling before the shattered remains of his guitar, dragging a sharp sliver of wood across his palm again and again.

I rushed forward to stop him.

He looked up at me, his eyes filled with a hollow remorse.

I pulled him into the room. Emboldened by the sorrow hanging in the air, my fingers fumbled for the buckle of his belt.

"Finn… it's not your fault. This is on me. It’s all my fault."

Finn pulled me into his arms, offering no resistance.

From that moment on, we were siblings in public and lovers in secret.

I thought that one day, we could finally be a real couple, out in the open.

It was only today that I understood… that had only ever been my dream, not his.

I swept all the photos into the trash can, grabbed my suitcase, and marched out the door.

Just as I was about to hail a cab, I heard Finn's voice.

"Say goodbye to Juliet before you go."

I followed the sound and saw, for the first time, the woman standing beside him.

Juliet smiled gently. "Cora, long time no see."

I forced a stiff smile. "Juliet."

She slid closer, taking my hand and guiding me toward her coffee shop. She purred about how much she had missed Finn while she was away.

Every story she told ended the same way. "I thought about Finn every single day."

I just smiled and nodded.

Then Juliet leaned in, her tone playful but her eyes sharp. "Cora, tell me… has your brother been seeing anyone all these years?"

Her voice was laced with a subtle challenge, her gaze flicking to the unique flower tattoo on my neck—one half of a matching set, the other inked on Finn's ribs.

I instinctively covered the spot.

Juliet raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk playing on her lips. "Maybe Finn hasn't been dating… but it looks like you have a boyfriend?"

Finn sat down in the chair beside her and let out a low chuckle.

"Cora's engaged. We'll be attending her engagement party soon."

Their intimacy was so effortless, a perfect little world that had no room for me.

I couldn't stay there a moment longer. Panic rising, I shot to my feet.

"Finn… I—I should go."

Juliet paused, studying me for a moment before standing. "Your bag looks heavy. Let me help you."

Before I could refuse, she snatched my suitcase. Smiling, she linked her arm with mine and led me outside.

Along the way, she chattered breezily about funny stories from her and Finn’s past.

We didn't stop until we reached the curb.

Juliet suddenly cried out, "Oops!" With a clumsy lurch, she sent the cup of scalding latte tipping over, spilling directly onto her own arm.

The skin instantly flared red.