**Diary Entry 12th May**
I went to collect my things from my ex today and found my sister there, wrapped in a dressing gown.
What do you even know about love? My voice shook, my phone nearly slipping from my damp fingers. Three months of fancy restaurants, flowers, and then you vanish like it was nothing!
Listen, I never promised you forever, Daniel replied, his tone maddeningly calm. We just had fun together, thats all.
Fun? I exhaled sharply, swallowing the tremor in my voice. Brilliant. Just brilliant. You know what? Ill come by tomorrow to pick up my things. Then youll never see me again.
Tomorrow wont work. Ive got plans.
What plans? Another date with some poor girl who doesnt know better?
Emily, dont start. Im busy till evening. Come after eight.
No. Ill be there at noon. And I dont care about your *plans*. Itll take ten minutes, and then you can go back to your perfect life without me.
I jabbed the end call button before he could reply, threw my phone onto the sofa, and sank beside it, pressing my palms into my eyes. The tears Id held back all week finally broke free. Why does this always happen? Why do I keep choosing men who treat me like temporary amusement?
A soft knock at the door.
Emily, are you all right? Mum peeked in, holding a mug of tea.
Fine, I muttered, wiping my face. Just tired.
She set the tea down and sat beside me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. I heard. Daniel again?
I nodded, unable to speak.
Love, how much longer? Four months of pining for someone who doesnt appreciate you.
Im not *pining*, I snapped. I just want my things so I can move on.
Whats even left there? A few books? A jumper?
My favourite perfume, two blouses, and Grandmas photo album. I cant just leave them.
Mum sighed, stroking my hair. Shall I go? Or Grace?
At the mention of my older sister, I scowled. Absolutely not Grace! Im barely speaking to her as it is.
Goodness, whats happened now?
Nothing. She just *always* knows best. Told me Daniel was shallow and I was wasting my time. Bet shes thrilledshe was right.
She only wants whats best for you, Mum said gently.
I shook my head. Grace was perfectstraight-A student, first-class degree, successful career, picture-perfect marriage. Easy for her to lecture from her pedestal. Meanwhile, at thirty-two, I had a broken heart, a rented flat, and a job I hated.
Ill get my things myself, I said firmly. And close this chapter.
—
The next morning, I woke with a headache, groggy from a sleepless night rehearsing the meeting with Daniel in my head. I wanted to look flawlesslet him regret losing me. I did my makeup carefully, slipped into a new dress and heels, then took a cab to his place.
His building was quiet. The lift carried me to the seventh floor, my heart hammering so loudly it echoed in the hallway. A deep breath, then I pressed the buzzer.
Silence. Maybe hed left for his *plans* after all? I jabbed it again, holding it longer. Footsteps approached. I straightened, ready.
The door opened. My breath caught.
Grace stood there. My sister. In a dressing gown, damp hair clinging to her neck, confusion flickering across her face.
Emily? She stepped back. Whatwhat are you doing here?
My voice vanished. Fragments of thoughts spun, none forming sense.
What are *you* doing here? I finally choked out. In a dressing gown. In my exs flat.
Grace dragged a hand over her face. Its not what you
Who is it, Grace? Daniel appeared behind her, buttoning his shirt. Seeing me, he froze, something between surprise and irritation flashing in his eyes.
Oh. You. I said after eight.
I looked between them, something inside me snapping.
Youre together? My sister and my ex?
Grace stepped forward. Emily, lets talk. Not here
Talk? About what? How you laughed behind my back? How long has this been going on? While we were still together?
Daniel sighed, crossing his arms. Nothing happened while we were together. Grace and I met after
By *chance*? I let out a bitter laugh. Ended up in bed by *chance*?
Stop, Grace said sharply. Youve got this all wrong.
Then explain it! My voice rose. How else am I supposed to take my sister standing in my exs flat in a dressing gown?
I couldnt finish. My throat closed like a fist had clenched around it. I spun and bolted for the lift, stabbing the button like itd make it come faster.
Emily, wait! Grace rushed after me, clutching the gown. Let me explain!
Dont touch me! I lurched back. I saw everything. What explanation could there *be*?
The lift doors opened. I leapt in, jamming the ground-floor button. The last thing I saw before they shut was Graces stricken faceand Daniels hand on her shoulder.
—
Outside, sunlight mocked my devastation. I stumbled down the pavement, blind to everything. My phone buzzed relentlessly in my bagGrace, no doubt. I wouldnt answer. Ever.
I ducked into a café, ordering coffee I wouldnt drink, just needing to sit before my legs gave out. My hands shook so badly I had to clamp them between my knees.
The waitress eyed my pallor. You all right, love?
Fine, I forced a smile. Just didnt sleep well.
Alone, I stared into the coffee, watching ripples from my trembling hands. How was this possible? Graceprincipled, perfect Gracelectured me on relationships, yet here she was with *Daniel*?
My phone rang again. Mum this time. I hesitated, then answered.
Emily? Whats happened? Grace called in tears
What did she say? I cut in.
That youd had a misunderstanding. That it wasnt what you thought
A *misunderstanding*? My voice cracked. I found my sister in Daniels flat in a dressing gown! What other interpretation is there?
Silence. Then, quietly: Grace said she was helping you.
Helping? I laughed, startling nearby diners. How?
I dont know the details. She begged you to hear her out. Said it wasnt what it looked like.
I shook my head. I dont want to hear it. Dont call me about this again.
I hung up, turned off my phone, paid, and left.
Home was unbearableMum would be there, ready to mediate. Or worse, Grace herself. So I went to my friend Sophies, the one whod always said, I dont trust that Daniel. Somethings off.
She pulled me into a hug. Christ, you look awful. What happened?
I spilled everything between ragged breaths. Sophie listened, only shaking her head occasionally.
I just cant believe it, I finished. Graceshes always been so *moral*. And now this?
Sophie stirred her tea. Look, might there actually be an explanation? This doesnt sound like Grace.
Youre taking *her* side? I flared. I *saw* them!
Im not on anyones side, she said calmly. Just sayingdont burn bridges yet. Hear her out. If its what you think, you can cut ties then.
I stayed the night. In the morning, I switched my phone onneeded to call work for emergency leave. Dozens of missed calls from Grace, a few from Mum, and one message from Daniel.
*Emily, youve got it wrong. Grace was helping you. Let her explain.*
I deleted it. What excuse could they possibly have?
—
That evening, a knock at Sophies door. Graces voice, raw: Is Emily here? I *need* to talk to her.
Sophie glanced at me. I shook my head.
Sorry, shes not up to talking, Sophie said gently.
Please, Grace begged. She has to know the truth.
I couldnt stay silent. What *truth*? I saw everything!
Grace stood there, pale, eyes red-rimmednothing like the composed sister I knew.
May I come in?
Sophie stepped aside.
Grace sat on the sofas edge, twisting her bag strap. Im not with Daniel. Never was.
Then why were you there? In a dressing gown?
It wasnt *his*. It was *yours*.
I blinked. The silk dressing gown from my birthdaylight blue, embroidered with birds. A gift from colleagues.
And the shower?
Grace sighed. Because he spilled coffee on me.
What?
I went to see him last night. After you told Mum you were collecting your things. I wanted to hear his side. Why hed hurt you.
Why? I snapped.
Because youre my sister, she said simply. Ive watched you suffer. I wanted to understand.
She explained: Daniel reluctantly let her in. They talked in the kitchen. She insisted on taking my things so I wouldnt have to face him. Thenan accident. Coffee splashed across her blouse.
He offered me your dressing gown while mine dried. Id just showered when you arrived.
I sat back. It sounded absurdyet Grace never lied to me.
She pulled a bag from her bag. Here. Your perfume, blouses, album. And the gown. Everything you left.
I stared at it, then at her. Her eyes were raw with honesty.
Why didnt you tell me you were going?
Because youd refuse. Youre so proud, Em. Youd never admit it hurt. I just wanted to spare you.
The lump in my throat swelled. All this time, Id believed the worst of herwhen shed only tried to help.
I dont know what to say.
Say you believe me, she whispered. Because its true. Id never betray you. Never.
Shame washed over me. My anger, my hurtit all dissolved into something softer.
Why didnt you explain right away?
I *tried*. You ran.
She was right. I remembered her calling after me*Let me explain!*and me refusing to listen.
Im sorry, I murmured. I shouldve let you speak.
Grace sagged in relief, tears spilling. I hugged her, silent apologies in the tightness of my grip.
Later, over tea at home, she admitted her own strugglesher near-divorce last year, the loneliness shed hidden.
I gave you all that advice, she said wryly, while my own marriage almost fell apart.
We talked till dawn. And in the morning, Mum hugged us both, sighing, Honestly, I thought I was done playing referee. Youre grown women!
Grace smiled. Maybe its for the best. Now you *know* Daniel isnt worth your tears.
I nodded. And that Ive got a sister wholl always have my back. Even when Im being an idiot.
*Especially* then, Grace laughed.
As I unpacked my thingsperfume, blouses, album, gownI realised something. Id gone to collect scraps of my past, but found something far more precious: the unshakable love of family. Maybe that was the point all along.
