Moscow.
Still there. Still real. For one foolish second, hope touches me.
Then I see them.
Lev and Vika.
My heart sinks.
He’s taking her in my place? And they’re leaving early?
They stand near the premium check-in counters with matching black luggage and passports in hand, as if this was always the plan. As if my trip was simply transferred from one sister to another.
Vika is wearing cream.
I don’t know why but that’s the part that enrages me most. She’s always wanted what I wanted. She made beige her personality when I decided I like it. Lev is no different. Unfortunately, he’s too vain to see through that.
Lev says something to her, and she laughs, leaning into his shoulder.
The sound reaches me through the terminal noise and lands like a slap.
They are going to Russia. They are taking my place.
For a second, I can’t move. I just stand there with my overnight bag cutting into my palm, watching the life meant for me continue without me.
Then Lev turns his head.
I step behind a group of passengers before he can see me. My pulse pounds in my throat.
No.
No, I’mnotgiving them this too.
I go to the nearest counter, not the premium one. I keep my head down, hand over my passport, and force my voice to work.
“Moscow,” I say. “I’m checking in.”
The woman behind the counter types. Her polite smile flickers. She types again. Then she looks at me with the careful expression people use before ruining your day.
“I’m sorry, ma’am. This booking has been cancelled.”
The floor seems to move beneath me.
“What?”
“This ticket was cancelled earlier this evening.”
“No.” I grip the edge of the counter. “No, that’s not possible. Please check again.”
“I have checked, ma’am. The reservation is no longer active.”
“I need to be on that flight,” I say.
“I understand, ma’am, but the ticket was cancelled. You can purchase a new one, subject to availability. The flight youoriginally booked is full, but we can put you on an available flight leaving… in two hours.”
“Yes. Fine. I’ll buy one.”
She checks again. Her expression tightens. “There are no economy seats left.”
