The Heart of the Matter

Everyone in the D.C. social scene knew that Bennett Sterling, the golden boy of the city, had a soft spot for his "little sister," Avery. She was the daughter of a fallen hero, a military big shot who’d died saving Bennett's life. Avery was fragile, with a heart condition she’d had since birth.

The day I, Clara, married Bennett, Avery had a heart episode. The day I gave birth to our daughter, she had another one. It felt like a morbid, annual tradition. Then, Bennett wanted our daughter's heart for Avery. That's when I finally snapped.

"Why," I demanded, "should my daughter pay for your debt?"

1.

This morning, the familiar hashtag was trending again.

#AverySterlingHeartConditionHospitalized

#HowFarCanALoveStoryGoWithoutTheGroomAtTheWedding?

I'd gotten used to Avery's yearly medical dramas. It was always around our anniversary or my kid's birthday. It was like she had the timing down to a science.

On our wedding day, Bennett had ditched me at the altar for the hospital, leaving behind our guests and my parents who were less than happy about it. Old Mrs. Sterling was frazzled, but she didn't even try to give me an explanation.

Avery, perched on the edge of death, left a dramatic note:

Benny, I can't imagine you walking down the aisle with her. Forgive me.

It made their relationship seem… complicated, to say the least. My parents wanted to pull out of our deal with Sterling Enterprises, but I convinced them not to. We needed that partnership to move our business overseas.

Besides, I really did love Bennett. At least I used to.

2.

For three years, I'd become an expert at handling the older generations in our families. When Bennett used to come home from the hospital, he'd look exhausted and tell me, "Thanks for holding down the fort."

But today, he just looked at our family photo and said, "Avery's not doing well. She needs a heart transplant to survive, and Lily is a perfect match. I’ll find another heart for Lily.”

I stared, my eyes wide. He was a monster. He handed me a folder and I realized tears were streaming down my face and onto my shirt.

The gossip flooded my mind: Bennett was in love with Avery, but they'd only ever been allowed to pretend to be siblings. My wedding was just a smokescreen to make him look good.

My lips quivered as I shook my head, pushing his hand away. His phone lit up with a picture of him handing Avery flowers after a competition.

I laughed, a harsh, bitter sound.

Of course, Avery was the center of Bennett’s universe.

3.

I’d lowered my standards time and time again in this messed-up relationship, and all it did was give him an excuse to walk all over me.

He’d barely acknowledged Lily’s existence these last three years. If the school called about her, he was MIA. Now, he wanted her heart!

I’d begged him countless times to connect with Lily. At this age, kids need their fathers.

He’d say, "It's not necessary.”

But it was necessary for Avery to get my daughter’s heart?

The nanny took care of everyt...