Your parents really splashed out on this place, Emma said with a hint of envy as she looked around the flat.
Can you believe it, Sophie? Charlottes parents bought her a flat! Olivia twisted a strand of her honey-blonde hair nervously, the phone pressed to her ear.
What a grand flat your parents bought you, she thought bitterly, eyeing her brothers wifes new home.
Her manicured nailssoft pink, always immaculatebetrayed her habit of maintaining appearances despite a modest salary. And not just any flata three-bed in a new development! In Meadowview, you know? With a courtyard fountain and underground parking!
Thats lovely, Im happy for Charlotte, Sophie replied calmly. Shes a sweet girlshe deserves it.
Deserves it? Olivia stopped short in the middle of her rented flat. How, exactly? By still relying on her parents at twenty-seven? Earning peanuts at that university library?
Liv, come on
No, listen! Olivia marched to the window and tugged back the polyester curtainscheap but decent. My Jamestheir own son, mind youworks himself to the bone. Hes a senior manager at a major firm! And were still stuck in this one-bed rental. Can you believe the upstairs neighbours flooded us again yesterday, and the landlord wont lift a finger?
Have you spoken to his parents? Maybe they dont realise youre struggling?
Olivia hesitated, studying her reflection in the glass. At thirty-two, she looked impeccableslim figure, sleek bob, designer lipstick. No one would guess her blouse was a high-street sale find.
I tried mentioning it to my mother-in-law. At James birthday last month, remember? She made that cake everyone raved about. I said, Wouldnt it be nice to host in our own place someday? And she just smiled and passed round second helpings.
What does James say?
James! Olivia scoffed. Know what he told me yesterday? Darling, lets pick up a houseplant for Charlottes new place tomorrow. Im so pleased shell finally have her own home!
Well, thats nice, that he and his sister
Nice how? Olivia cut in. His sister gets a three-bed in a luxury complex, and hes over the moon! You shouldve seen it when we viewed it before they bought it. Ninety square metres, high ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows! And the en suiteChrist, my bedrooms smaller than her bathroom!
Liv, Sophies tone sharpened, youre winding yourself up. Maybe you shouldnt
No, Soph, Olivia hissed, Im saying my piece at the housewarming tomorrow. Let them see what its like when favourites are picked. Ill ask outrightwhy does one child get everything and the other nothing?
Olivia! Dont! Youll cause a scene!
Ive kept quiet for five years! For my birthday, my mother-in-law gave me a handbag. A handbag! And her daughter gets a flat! Olivia smoothed her perfectly styled hair. James earns well, but it all goes on rent and my upkeep. I have to look the partIm a managers wife! I cant turn up to his work do looking shabby!
The key turned in the lock.
Thats James, Olivia whispered. Talk tomorrowIll tell you how it goes.
She hung up and turned, forcing a smile as James walked intall, dark-haired, with warm hazel eyes and a days stubble. Tired, but smiling.
Hi! Grabbed dinner on the way. Sorry, meetings ran late. Got your favouritealmond croissants.
Lovely, darling. She pecked his cheek, eyeing the supermarket bag. How was your day?
Brilliant! You know, Im chuffed for Charlotte. Shes saved for years, and our parents helped her over the line! He began unpacking groceries.
Olivia bit her lip. Fine, she thought. Tomorrows conversation will be very different. Im done pretending.
The next morning, Olivia took two hours to get ready. She tried on every smart outfit before settling on a cream shift dresslast months sale find, understated but elegant.
Liv, well be late! James called from the kitchen. Charlotte asked us to come early to help arrange furniture.
Coming, Olivia said, giving her hair a final brush. Cant your sister manage on her own?
James appeared in the doorway.
Liv, why say that? She just needs a hand.
Of course, Olivia pursed her glossed lips, why lift a finger when big brother can do it? As usual.
Whats got into you today? He rested his hands on her shoulders. Youre wound up.
Olivia met his eyes in the mirror. His concern was genuine. For a second, she waveredthen remembered Charlottes spacious rooms.
Im fine, she said stiffly. Lets gowouldnt want to keep your sister waiting.
The development was impressivemodern glass-fronted buildings, manicured lawns, a concierge desk. Olivias stomach clenched as they crossed the marble lobby.
Two concierges! James said cheerfully in the lift. And secure parking. Pretty swanky, eh?
Very. The word gritted between her teeth.
Charlotte greeted them at the doorpetite, chestnut-haired, in jeans and a loose blouse. Not what Olivia expected of someone with a luxury flat.
Jamie! Liv! Charlotte hugged her brother. So glad youre here!
Were happy too, Olivia said tightly, stepping into the spacious hall.
Come in! Ignore the messstill unpacking.
Olivia glanced around. No messjust neatly stacked boxes, protective floor coverings. The air smelled of fresh paint and new furniture.
Your halls huge, Olivia remarked, slipping off her heels. Must be nice having all this space.
Yes, theres even a walk-in, Charlotte gestured to sliding doors. Though Ive no idea how to fill it.
Dont worry, Olivia smiled coldly, youll accumulate things. Now youve somewhere to put them.
James shot her a look. She ignored it.
Let me show you round! Charlotte led them through. Thisll be the living room. Look at these windows! And the balcony!
Stunning, Olivia breathed, taking in the view. How much does this sort of happiness cost?
Liv! James warned.
What? She fluttered her lashes. Just curious. Maybe well luck out one day get a place like this.
Charlotte froze, cheeks pink.
Liv, you know our parents worked hard
Oh, of course, Olivia cut in. They worked, and somehow youre the one with the flat. Funny, isnt it?
Silence fell. Charlotte glanced between them, fiddling with her sleeve. James forehead creased.
Olivia, a word. His tone was firm.
Why? She spread her hands. Im just saying what everyones thinking. Tell me, Charlotte, dont you find it odd your parents bought only you this place? Wouldnt two smaller flats have been fairer?
Liv, enough, James said sharply.
But Olivia was unstoppable. She paced the living room, heels clicking on the protective covering.
Your brother and I have rented a one-bed for five years. Five years! And you get all this she gestured wildly, just handed to you. For nothing.
Liv, Charlottes eyes welled up, I didnt think
Of course you didnt! Why would you? Mummy and Daddy sort everything! And we she broke off, swiping at an invisible tear, scrimp every month for a deposit. Thenbang!a three-bed in a luxury block falls into your lap!
Thats it! James gripped her elbow. Were talking. Now.
Dont touch me! She wrenched free. Charlotte needs to hear that
Char, sorry, James cut in. Back in a minute.
He half-dragged Olivia onto the balcony, shutting the glass door firmly.
What. Are. You. Doing? he ground out.
Olivia crossed her arms. Telling the truth. One light fitting here costs more than our rent!
You dont know anything, James rubbed his face.
What dont I know? That your parents favour their precious daughter? That she gets everything while we
They offered me a flat three years ago.
Olivia froze.
What?
I turned it down, he said evenly. I said Char needed it more. Shes on a librarians wage. Id earn mine myself.
Youwhat? Olivia paled. Why didnt you tell me?
Would you have understood? He smiled bitterly. Judging by todayno.
Butwe shouldve discussed it! Im your wife!
Discuss what? He shook his head. That my sister lived in a shared flat, saved half her salary while you booked weekly salon appointments?
Olivia stepped back.
Dont throw that at me! I have to look presentableIm a managers wife!
Presentable? James calm cracked. Chars worn the same dress for three years. Never complains.
Oh, so thats it? Olivia leaned in. You like your sister playing the martyr? And Im the shallow one?
Its how youre acting, he said. Do you even realise what youve done?
Through the glass, Charlotte paced, tearful and lost.
How should I act? Olivia raised her voice. Throw a party? Oh, fabulous, my sister-in-law got a half-million-pound flat while we rent a leaky one-bed!
The worst part, James said quietly, isnt your jealousy. Its that you dont care about anyone else. Have you ever asked about Chars life? Her dreams?
Olivia sniffed. Whats to ask? She stamps books all day
She finished her PhD last year, James said. On medieval manuscripts. Wrote it nights after work. By day, she gave library tours to pay rent.
So? Olivia shrugged, but doubt crept in.
So when our parents offered me the flat, I knew Char needed it. She dreams of opening a calligraphy schoolhas since we were kids. And you he stopped.
Say it! Olivias eyes flashed.
You only care about status, he said wearily. I kept hoping youd grow out of it.
The doorbell rangfirst guests. Charlotte hurried to answer.
What are you saying? Olivia stepped closer.
Remember what you said to my mum at my birthday? About hosting in our own place?
So?
Mum cried after. Because she remembers I refused the flat. Now she thinks Im struggling because of her.
Olivia recoiled. Dont guilt me! Your mother knows
No, you listen, James gripped her shoulders. Mum said, Son, did we do wrong? Should we have made you take it? And I had no answer. Because my wife resents them for helping their daughter!
Inside, guests laughed, glasses clinked. Charlotte, forcing smiles, greeted their parents. Their motherpetite, in a simple dresskept glancing at the balcony.
They couldve bought two flats, Olivia muttered.
They couldve, James agreed. But they saved twenty years for this. Dad worked overtime. Mum tutored evenings. They went without. And you waltz in counting their money.
I just wanted fairness
I know what you wanted, he cut in. To play the victim. But he paused, Im done.
Done how? Olivias hand trembled on her hair.
Done with your bitterness. Your tallying. How you treat my family.
Their mothers voice floated out:
James? Olivia? Whats keeping you?
James turned to the door.
Im going back. You can leave. Or stay and congratulate Char properly. Your choice.
He stepped inside, leaving Olivia alone on the balcony. She watched him hug Charlotte, whisper in her ear. Saw their parents relax as she smiled.
Olivia checked her reflectionflawless hair, makeup, dress. Only her eyes were hollow.
She called a taxi. One last glance at the family behind the glass, then she slipped out quietly. The lobby mirrors multiplied her lonely click of heels.
Ninety square metres, she thought as the lift descended. Some get ninety metres. Some get divorce papers.
Outside, drizzle fell. Olivia touched up her lipstick out of habit. But for the first time in years, she didnt care if it was perfect.
