**Tuesday, 14th March**
I went to collect my things from my ex today and found my sister there in a dressing gown.
*”What do you even know about love?”* My voice shook, my grip slick with sweat as my phone nearly slipped from my fingers. *”Three months of dinners, flowers, then you vanish like it meant nothing!”*
*”Look, I never promised you forever,”* Daniel replied, infuriatingly calm. *”We had fun. Thats all it was.”*
*”Fun?”* I exhaled sharply, forcing the tremor from my voice. *”Brilliant. Just brilliant. You know what? Ill come by tomorrow for my things. Then youll never see me again.”*
*”Tomorrow wont work. Ive got plans.”*
*”Plans? Another naïve girl to string along?”*
*”Emily, dont start. Im busy till evening. Come after eight.”*
*”No. Ill be there at noon. I dont care about your *plans*. Ten minutes, and you can get on with your perfect little life without me.”*
I hung up before he could reply, tossing my phone onto the sofa before burying my face in my hands. The tears Id held back all week finally broke free. Why was it always the same? Why did I keep choosing men who treated me like a temporary distraction?
A soft knock at the door.
*”Emily, love, are you alright?”* Mum peeked in, a steaming mug of tea in hand.
*”Fine,”* I wiped my cheeks quickly. *”Just tired.”*
She set the tea down and sat beside me, squeezing my shoulder.
*”I heard. Daniel again?”*
I nodded, throat too tight to speak.
*”Sweetheart, how long will you let this man hurt you? Four months of pining for someone who doesnt value you.”*
*”Im not pining,”* I muttered. *”I just want my things back so I can move on.”*
*”Whats left there? A few books? A jumper?”*
*”My favourite perfume, two blouses, Grans photo album. I cant just leave them.”*
Mum sighed, smoothing my hair. *”Shall I fetch them? Or Charlotte?”*
At the mention of my older sister, I scowled. *”Dont drag Charlotte into this! Were barely speaking as it is.”*
*”Goodness, what now?”*
*”Nothing. She just *knows* how I should live my life. Told me Daniel was a waste of time. Bet shes thrilled she was right!”*
*”She means well,”* Mum said gently.
I shook my head. Charlotte was perfectstraight-A student, first-class degree, high-flying career, picture-perfect marriage. Easy for her to lecture from her pedestal. Meanwhile, Im thirty-two with a broken heart, a rented flat, and a job I despise.
*”Ill get my things myself,”* I said firmly. *”And close this chapter for good.”*
—
The next morning, I woke with a headache, having tossed all night dreading the encounter. I wanted to look impeccablemake him regret losing me. I did my makeup carefully, slipped into a new dress and heels, and rehearsed icy composure in the taxi.
Daniels flat was silent when I arrived. The lift carried me to the seventh floor, my pulse loud in my ears as I rang the bell.
No answer. Maybe hed actually left for his *plans*? I pressed again, holding it longer. Footsteps approached. I straightened, ready.
The door opened.
And there stood Charlotte.
My *sister*. In a dressing gown. Hair damp, face stunned.
*”Emily?”* She stepped back. *”Whatwhat are you doing here?”*
I gaped. *”What are *you* doing here? In my exs flat. In a *robe*.”*
She dragged a hand over her face. *”Its not what you”*
*”Who is it, Char?”* Daniel appeared behind her, buttoning his shirt. He froze when he saw me, annoyance flickering across his face. *”Oh. I said after *eight*.”*
My gaze darted between them. Something inside me snapped.
*”Youre together? My *sister* and my *ex*?”*
Charlotte stepped forward. *”Emily, lets talk. Not here”*
*”Talk? About *what*? How youve been laughing behind my back?”* Nausea rose. *”How long? Were you seeing him while we were still?”*
Daniel sighed. *”Nothing happened while we were together. Charlotte and I only met *after*”*
*”Met?!”* I laughed bitterly. *”Is that what you call it?”*
*”Stop,”* Charlotte cut in. *”Youve got this all wrong.”*
*”Then *enlighten* me! How else do I interpret my own sister in a robe in *his* flat?”*
I turned and stabbed the lift button, ignoring Charlottes pleas as the doors shut between us.
—
Hours later, at my best friend Sophies flat, I recounted everything between shaky breaths.
*”I cant believe it,”* I finished. *”Charlottethe one who *lectured* me about self-respectis now with *him*?”*
Sophie stirred her tea thoughtfully. *”Maybe theres another explanation. This doesnt sound like her.”*
*”Youre *defending* her? I *saw* them!”*
*”Im just sayinghear her out. If its what you think, you can cut ties *after*.”*
But I refused. Until Charlotte showed up at Sophies door that evening, eyes red, holding a bag of my things.
*”Its not what you think,”* she whispered. *”I went to collect your stuff so you wouldnt have to face him. Daniel spilled coffee on meI borrowed your old robe to shower. Thats *all*.”*
I stared at the silk robe*mine*, the one Id left thereand the perfume, blouses, album. The truth uncoiled slowly: my sister, trying to protect me.
*”Im sorry,”* I choked out. *”I shouldve listened.”*
We talked for hours. Charlotte admitted her own struggleshow her “perfect” marriage nearly collapsed last year. *”No ones flawless, Em. Not even me.”*
By dawn, the anger had dissolved into something softer.
*”Funny, isnt it?”* Charlotte smiled. *”You went to close one chapter and ended up rewriting another.”*
She was right. Sometimes the messiest misunderstandings lead you back to what truly matters.
