The suburban neighborhood of Chicago was bathed in the soft light of autumn twilight as Caroline Foster returned home from the hospital, her hands full with mail. Amid the usual bills and catalogs, one card stood out—a sleek, high-quality invitation from her younger sister, Vanessa. Growing up, Caroline had always been compared to Vanessa: Caroline, the serious, responsible one, and Vanessa, the lively, carefree younger sister. Their parents often reminded Caroline, “You could learn a thing or two from Vanessa.”

Inside, Caroline was greeted by her son, Aidan, rushing over to show off his latest school drawing—a dinosaur he’d been praised for. His enthusiasm was infectious, and Caroline couldn’t help but share a smile with her husband, Jason, who had just come home from work. But Jason’s attention quickly shifted to the invitation. “From Vanessa? What’s she up to?” he asked. Caroline, still processing the surprise, revealed, “She’s engaged… to Richard Grant.” Richard was a successful real estate developer, and the wedding was in just three months. The next day, Caroline called Vanessa to offer her congratulations, but as Vanessa’s excited voice filled the phone, Caroline felt a strange mix of emotions. While she was happy for her sister, the call left her reflecting on her own life—fifteen years of marriage to Jason had brought routine, not the same spark that Vanessa seemed to have found.