I never thought I’d be this person. Like, that person. But here I am.
I (32F) have no one to talk to, and I know I’ll get judgment right now, but I need opinions and advice. Because I truly can’t tell if what happened recently was forgiveness… or the start of something terrifying. Let me explain.
My name’s Courtney. My sister, Emily (34F), has always been my person. She’s my older sister by two years, and growing up, we were inseparable. Like twin souls. Matching Halloween costumes, same college dorm, same tattoos (yes, we did that).
We even joked we’d raise our kids next door to each other someday. I never meant for anything to happen. I swear.
Emily is married to Jason, they have 3 kids. Last year, he started texting me. Nothing flirty at first — just stuff like “Emily mentioned you got promoted, congrats” or “Hey, do you remember that one summer when you two dyed your hair blue?” Innocent. But then it shifted.
Compliments. Jokes. Memes. Then voice notes. Then late-night phone calls. Then… one night after a family party, it happened. And then it kept happening.
Jason told me Emily didn’t understand him anymore. That she was “always tired, always nagging.” That she’d let herself go (his words, not mine — I thought she looked beautiful). That he was only still there for the kids, and he didn’t even feel like a husband anymore. Just a babysitter with benefits.
He said Emily didn’t attract him as a woman, and he wanted to leave her. I believed him. Or maybe I wanted to. I loved him. I still love him. And three months ago, I found out I was pregnant.
He said all the right things — “Don’t worry, I’m leaving her soon.” “Just give me time.” “This changes everything.” But months went by, and nothing changed. He was still at home. Still living with her. Still saying, “Soon.” And then, a week ago, I got a call from Emily.
She asked if I’d drive out with her to Jason’s family cabin. She said she needed space, time away from the kids, and I was the only person she could talk to. She said she’d been feeling depressed and needed a friend.
I hesitated. Something in her tone felt… off. But this is Emily. My sister and my best friend. I couldn’t say no.
We drove up together that morning. Beautiful spot, quiet, surrounded by trees. A little eerie, honestly. Inside the cabin, there was a table set for two, candles, music playing softly. She asked me to sit.
Then she said, verbatim: “Most women wouldn’t sit at a table with the one who stole their husband. Who broke up a family. Who left three little kids without a full-time dad. But me?
I know what kind of man Jason is. He’s charming. He’s slick. He’s been cheating since before we were even married. So no, Courtney, I don’t hate you. I pity you.”
I froze. She looked me dead in the eye and asked, “How long have you been waiting for him to leave?” I stammered. Said I didn’t know what she meant.
She smiled, “I know you’re pregnant, Courtney. I’ve known for weeks. He doesn’t even try to delete his texts anymore.” And then — here’s the part I can’t stop replaying — she reached across the table and took my hand.
She said, “I think you should keep the baby. I know it’s Jason’s. But I also know that kid is family now. My kids already know they’re getting a little sibling. They’re excited.
We can do this — together. You and me. We can raise all the kids. Let’s leave him behind. You don’t need him. I’m sure you don’t.”
I honestly don’t know what to feel. Was that forgiveness? Was it real? Or was it a setup? A manipulation? A way to trap me emotionally so she could control how the rest of this goes?
