I’ve never minded being in the background, so I didn’t care much at first. But as my relationship with Mark grew more serious, Amanda’s behavior toward me shifted from casual superiority to blatant disregard.

It was as though she couldn’t stand that her brother had chosen me, and she made little digs whenever she could.

Still, I kept the peace. I told myself she was family, and once we were all married and settled, things would ease. I was wrong.