“Mum, did you make the cordial?” asked Emily as she stepped into the kitchen, where the rich aroma of homemade blackcurrant drink filled the air.
“I did, love,” smiled Margaret, stirring the pot. “Blackcurrant, just how you like it.”
Emily hugged her mother and peered into the pot, the dark berries bobbing in the syrup, their scent bringing back childhood memories.
“Is Sophie coming today?” she asked, sitting at the table.
“She said she’d pop by after lunch. Wants to talk about something important.”
Margaret poured the cordial into glasses and slid one toward her daughter. “Try itsee if its too sweet.”
Emily took a sip and shook her head. “Perfect. Just like I remember.”
Her mother sat across from her, studying her face. “Emily, have you noticed Sophies been acting odd lately? She used to call every day, but now she goes weeks without a word.”
“Mum, shes got work and the kids. Shes busy.”
“Maybe. But somethings off. Yesterday, I saw her at the shopsshe barely looked at me.”
Emily frowned. Her sister had indeed grown distant, skipping family gatherings or leaving early without a word.
“Maybe shes going through something,” Emily offered. “Ill talk to her.”
The doorbell interrupted them. Margaret hurried to answer, her cheerful voice echoing from the hall. “Sophie! So glad youre here!”
“Hello, Mum,” came the flat reply.
Emily heard footsteps, then Sophie appeared in the doorway, her jaw tight, lips pressed into a thin line.
“Hi, Soph,” Emily greeted. “Mum made cordialsit down.”
“No, thanks,” Sophie said sharply, remaining standing.
Margaret hesitated. “Sophie, whats wrong?”
“Nothing,” Sophie cut in. “I need to talk to Emily. Alone.”
Emily blinked. Shed never heard such coldness in her sisters voice.
“Mum, could you give us a minute?” Emily asked.
With a worried glance, Margaret left.
Sophie stepped closer but didnt sit. “Enough pretending youre perfect.”
“What?” Emilys stomach twisted.
“Dont play dumb. I know what youve been up to.”
Emily swallowed. “What are you talking about?”
“Daniel. Ring any bells?”
Emily froze. DanielSophies husband. Theyd had an awkward encounter months ago, but shed thought it was forgotten.
Sophie pulled out her phone, showing photos of Emily and Daniel at a caféone of them embracing.
“Its not what you think”
“Oh, really?” Sophie scoffed. “Then why was *my* sister sneaking around with *my* husband?”
Emily took a breath. “He came to me for advice. Said you were fighting, talking about divorce. He was desperate.”
“And you *helped*? How kind of you!”
“He said he loved you, didnt want to lose the family! I just listened!”
“Why *you*? Why not his mates? His mum?”
Emily faltered. Why *had* he come to her?
“I dont know. Maybe because Im your sisterId understand your side.”
“Liar!” Sophie snapped. “Youve *always* been too nice to him. Even when we were dating!”
“Sophie, thats ridiculous. Yes, we met a few times. I hugged himhe was crying! But nothing happened!”
“Then suddenly he changed his mind about the divorce,” Sophie hissed. “Said we had to save the family. I thought it was *his* idea. Turns out it was *yours*.”
Emily stood, reaching for her. “Soph, I just wanted”
“*Help*?” Sophie stepped back. “You decided *for me*! You meddled in my life without *asking*!”
“But you didnt divorce! Youre still together!”
“And you think that means were *happy*?” Sophies voice cracked. “Now every time we argue, he throws *your* words in my facehow wise Emily says family matters. I feel *trapped*!”
Emily sank onto a chair. Shed had no idea.
“Did you know he *cheated*?” Sophie spat. “I found texts with his ex. And you called that a rough patch?”
Emilys breath caught. Daniel hadnt mentioned that.
“Soph, I didnt”
“Of course not! But you gave *advice* anyway. Now Im stuck with a man I cant trust, thanks to *you*!”
Margaret reappeared, pale. “Girls, whats all this shouting?”
“Not your business, Mum,” Sophie snapped.
“Sophie!” Margaret gasped. “How could you?”
“How *should* I talk?” Sophie shot back. “Smile and pretend everythings fine? Like our *perfect* family taught me?”
“Sophie, leave Mum out of this,” Emily said.
“Oh, shes part of it!” Sophie turned on Margaret. “You *always* said I was too stubborn, that I should listen more. And *she*”she jabbed a finger at Emily”took it and ran with it!”
Margaret trembled. “Emily, is this true?”
“Mum, its not like”
“Its *exactly* like that!” Sophie said icily. “Your golden child was cozying up to my husband, telling him how to fix our marriage. Now Im supposed to *thank* her for trapping me with a cheater?”
Emily reached for Sophie, but she recoiled.
“Sophie, pleaselets talk properly. Ill explain.”
“I dont *want* your explanations.” Sophies voice was steel. “Just know this: from today, youre *nothing* to me.”
Silence. Even Margaret was speechless.
“Sophie, dont be daft,” Margaret whispered. “Youre *sisters*.”
“*Were* sisters,” Sophie corrected. She pulled out her phone, fingers flying.
“What are you doing?” Emily asked.
“Blocking you. Everywhere. I never want to see your name again.”
“Sophie, this is *madness*!” Emily cried. “Over *what*?”
“Over you *ruining my life*!” Sophie shouted. “You made me live with a man I *hate*, and *Im* the one overreacting?”
“Nobody *made* you! You chose”
“Because of *you*! Daniel quoted you *daily*Emily said this, Emily said that. I felt *guilty* for wanting out!”
Margaret clutched her chest. “Girls, *stop*. My heart”
“Then *leave*, Mum,” Sophie said coldly. “This doesnt concern you.”
“How can I *not* care?” Margaret wept. “Youve always been so close!”
“*Were* close,” Sophie said. “But trust ends where betrayal begins.”
“*What* betrayal?” Emily snapped. “I *tried* to help!”
“*Help*?” Sophie laughed bitterly. “You didnt even *ask* if I wanted it! You just *assumed* you knew better!”
Emily winced. Sophie was rightshed never asked for the full story.
“Sophie, Im *sorry*. I messed up.”
“Oh, *now* you get it?” Sophies eyes burned. “*After* six months of hell?”
“Ill fix it. Ill talk to Daniel”
“*No*.” Sophies voice was lethal. “Youve fixed *enough*. Stay *out* of my life.”
She turned to leave, then paused at the door.
“And remember this: never *ever* interfere again. I dont want your help.”
“Sophie, *wait*!” Margaret cried. “Where are you going?”
“Home. To sort my *own* messwithout *her*.”
“And *us*?” Emily asked. “You cant just cut us off!”
Sophie looked back, her gaze icy. “Watch me.”
The front door slammed. Margaret sobbed; Emily stood frozen.
The untouched cordial glasses sat on the tablethe drink Mum made for her girls, just like old times. But childhood was over, and so was the trust that had bound them.
Emily sat, grappling with the wreckage. Some words couldnt be unsaid. Some mistakes couldnt be undone.
And some bonds, once broken, could never be repaired.
“Emily,” Margaret whispered, “what do we do now?”
Emily had no answer. For the first time, her help had shattered the very thing shed meant to save.
The cordial cooled in the glasses, and the family that had gathered around that table for thirty years fell apart in a single afternoon.
**Lesson:** Good intentions are not enough. True help begins with listeningnever assuming you know better than those you love.
