28October2025
Dear Diary,
It feels like the whole world keeps reminding me that Im forever the secondbest. You want to know why? Lily shouted at me this morning, her voice echoing down the cramped openplan office. Because Im sick of always being the runnerup! In school you were the star pupil, teachers sang your praises. At university you walked away with a firstclass honours degree while I barely scraped through my resits. At work youre racked with promotions and bonuses, and Im stuck in the same role! I want a decent wage and a bit of respect from the bosses, understand? I want to be first too!
She slammed her laptop shut, flung herself back into her swivel chair and muttered, Great, another scolding from the manager. I glanced up from my screen, a faint smile tugging at my lips.
Didnt you just mess up the report? Theyre not handing out gold stars for that, you know. I teased.
Lilys face flushed, her cheeks turning pink with embarrassment. She turned toward the window, lips pursed, and I ignored the sour look she gave me, beginning to pack my things as the workday finally drew to a close. The stack of papers slipped neatly into a folder, the coffee mug clinked into the sink.
We walked down the corridor in a strained silence, only speaking again once the office doors were behind us.
You find it easy to laugh, dont you? Lily said, bitterness slicing through her tone. Youre perfect for us.
I sighed. These arguments have been looping on repeat lately. Lily used to brush off the bosss criticism with a joke and move on. Now every word seemed to carry a hint of resentment.
Im just doing my job well, Lily. You can too.
Sure, of course, she replied, the sarcasm unmistakable.
Weve been at Whitfield & Co., a midsize trading firm in the procurement department, for three years now. I started there first; six months later I helped Lily get a foot in the door. Weve always been close, leaning on each other through thick and thin, though our approaches to work couldnt be more different.
I stayed late, poring over supplier contracts, comparing terms from dozens of firms before signing anything. Lily favoured a more relaxed tempogetting the bare minimum done before the deadline, then whiling away the rest of the day on her phone or chatting in the staff kitchen. I never judged her for it; everyone has their own way.
A month ago the management called me into the directors office and offered a promotion: senior procurement manager with a solid £8,000 raise. I was startled but accepted straight away. All those years of grind finally paid off.
Lily gave me a quick hug and congratulated me, but I caught the fleeting flicker of envy in her eyes, the way her smile tightened. That evening we went out to celebrate at a café, yet the atmosphere felt off. Lily kept steering the conversation toward salaries, asking how much more Id be earning and how many extra hours Id have to put in.
Youre just lucky the bosses finally noticed you, she snapped. Otherwise youd still be stuck in the same rut.
Lucky? I asked, surprised. I spent two months on that project without a day off.
Right, of course, she muttered.
Six months later they made me head of the whole department. Word spread like wildfire; colleagues shook my hand, offered their best wishes. Lily was the last to come over, hugging me and whispering, Congrats, youre topdog now. There was no warmth in that whisper. I looked straight into her eyes and saw something cold and foreign, like a snake coiled in the grass.
In the weeks that followed, the office vibe shifted subtly. Tania stopped inviting me to lunch. Oliver from the neighbouring department no longer dropped by with his morning coffee. People greeted me with clipped nods and turned away quickly. Behind my back I could hear hushed chuckles and murmurs. Whenever I turned, everyone pretended to be buried in paperwork.
I wondered what Id done to deserve this. Id always been open, willing to help, sharing my experience. Was the promotion really enough to change everyones attitude? I wasnt screaming at subordinates, nor demanding the impossible.
One evening, as I was about to leave, Claire from accounts lingered at my door, fidgeting nervously.
Come in, I said. Whats up?
She shut the door behind her and sank into the chair opposite me, looking embarrassed.
I have to tell you something, Emma. Im ashamed, but you deserve to know the truth.
I set my pen down, eyes fixed on her. She swallowed hard.
Lily has been spreading rumors about you for months now, Claire whispered. She tells anyone wholl listen that the ideas in your projects are actually hers, that youve stolen her work, that you only got the promotion because youre a brownnoser. She says you look down on the rest of us, that you think were all idiots.
Lily? My own sister, the one Id helped get a job here? The one whose mistakes Id quietly fixed for the sake of the team? Was she turning the whole office against me?
Are you sure youre not mixing things up? I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
Absolutely. I didnt want to believe it at first, thought maybe it was a misunderstanding. But shes saying it to everyone, day after day. And people are starting to believe it. Gossip spreads like wildfire, and soon you start to think its true.
I didnt remember the exact moment I left Claires office, but the drive home was a blur of racing thoughts. Why would Lily do this? Wed always been there for each other. Id supported her, defended her, patched up her errors without anyone noticing. Now gratitude felt like a faroff memory.
When I knocked on Lilys flat door, she opened it with a startled look.
Emma? Whats wrong? she asked.
I stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, turned to face her, and stared straight into her eyes.
Why are you turning the whole office against me? I asked, my voice cold. Why spread lies that Im stealing your ideas? Why the betrayal?
She flinched, crossing her arms, her face flushing with angry colour.
Whats this, Claire told you? she snapped.
Doesnt matter who said it! Answer me!
Dont yell at me in my own flat! This is personal!
Im not shouting, Lily. Im demanding an explanation. How could you do this? Were sisters!
She took a step forward, eyes flashing with a mix of anger and something Id never seen before.
You want to know why? Lily cried, voice cracking. Because Im fed up with always being second! In school you were the star, teachers adored you. At university you graduated with honours while I struggled to pass. At work you get promotions and bonuses, and Im stuck in the same position! I want a good salary and respect from the bosses, got it? I want to be first too!
I stayed silent, watching her rant.
You were always ahead, perfect in every way. Emmasmart, Emmabeautiful, Emmahardworking. And what am I? A shadow, a useless little sister who keeps messing things up!
Then you should have worked harder, I replied. Put in the effort, not spent time watching videos at work or gossiping in the kitchen. You wanted respect? Earn it. But dont drag me through the mud for it.
Lily opened her mouth, but I cut her off, turned, and walked out. The door clicked shut behind me, and tears welled up, which I brushed away fiercely. I reminded myself to stay strong.
The next morning I handed in my request to transfer to the Bristol branch. HR was surprised but signed the paperwork without fuss. They valued me and didnt want to lose a competent employee. The move was approved within two days.
Lily heard about it from a colleague and called me that evening. I stared at her name on the screen before answering.
Youre moving? she said, tone flat.
Yes.
So youre running away then.
No. Im just going where I wont have to watch my back.
Youre betraying me! Traitor! How could you?
I didnt reply, just hung up. There was nothing left to say.
Three months in Bristol flew by. The team welcomed me warmly, projects ran smoothly, and I began to forget the nightmare. Then, one night, Claire called.
Emma, have you heard? Lilys been sacked.
My heart stopped. What?
She missed deadlines on three contracts in a row, made mistakes in reports. Management gave her one last warning, then let her go. Without you, everything fell apart. Thats what happened
But I didnt
Emma, you covered her errors for years, quietly. When you left, the cracks became visible. She just couldnt cope without your safety net.
I put the phone down and sat in stunned silence.
A day later Lily showed up at my doorstep, hair a mess, eyes red, clothes rumpled. She stormed into the hallway and shouted,
Youre happy now, arent you? You moved just to ruin me! Did you do this on purpose?
I looked at her, calm.
What am I to blame, Lily? You had a chance to prove yourself. I never stopped you. What did you do that ruined everything?
This is your fault! You!
She turned and fled down the stairwell, slamming the door behind her.
Later that night Mom called, voice shrill.
Emma, what have you done? Youre responsible for Lilys dismissal! You abandoned her! Youre selfish! Youve destroyed our family!
I tried to explain the rumours, the betrayal, Lilys own role in her downfall. She just screamed, accusing me of betraying the family. Youve sinned, girl, she hissed, then the line went dead.
I was left alone, the weight of every accusation crushing me. Yet I knew Id survived. Id always been strong, and now that strength was needed more than ever.
A few weeks later an email arrived from headquarters: a promotion to senior manager in London, with a £12,000 salary increase and relocation to the capital. I hesitated at first, but now I typed my acceptance without secondguessing.
Everything that once tied me to that place had been cut. It was time to look after myself.
The move was chaotic, but I settled in London quickly. I stopped looking back, stopped trying to please a family that only offered hollow greetings on holidays. They might not love me much, but I no longer needed their approval.
So here I am, in a new city, with a fresh start. The past still haunts me, but Im learning to carry it as a lesson, not a burden.
Emma.
