**Diary Entry 22nd March**
I cant believe what happened today.
I went to pick up my things from my exs place, only to find my sister standing there in a dressing gown.
*»What do you even know about love?»* My hands were shaking so badly I nearly dropped my phone. *»Three months of dinners, flowers, and then you vanish like it meant nothing!»*
*»Listen,»* Olivers voice was maddeningly calm. *»I never promised you forever. We had fun. Thats all it was.»*
*»Fun?»* I clenched my jaw. *»Brilliant. Just brilliant. You know what? Ill come by tomorrow and collect my things. And you can go on with your perfect life without me.»*
*»Not tomorrow. Ive got plans.»*
*»Plans? Another girl already?»*
*»Emily, dont start. Im busy till evening. Come after eight.»*
*»No. Ill be there at noon. I dont care about your *plans*. Itll take ten minutes, and you can go back to pretending I never existed.»*
I hung up before he could reply, tossing my phone onto the sofa. The tears Id held in all week finally spilled over. Why does this always happen? Why do I keep picking men who treat me like a temporary distraction?
A soft knock at the door.
*»Emily? Are you alright?»* Mum peeked in, holding a cup of tea.
*»Fine,»* I wiped my cheeks hastily. *»Just tired.»*
She sat beside me, resting a hand on my shoulder. *»I heard. Oliver again?»*
I nodded, throat too tight to speak.
*»Sweetheart, how long are you going to let this man hurt you?»*
*»Im not letting him. I just want my things. Then its done.»*
*»Whats even left there? A couple of jumpers? A book?»*
*»My favourite perfume, two blouses, and Grans photo album. I cant just leave them.»*
Mum sighed, smoothing my hair. *»Should I go? Or Charlotte?»*
At the mention of my older sister, I stiffened. *»Dont drag Charlotte into this! Were not exactly speaking right now.»*
*»Oh, what now?»*
*»Nothing. She just *knows* everything. Told me Oliver was a waste of time. Bet shes thrilled she was right.»*
*»She cares about you,»* Mum said gently.
I shook my head. Charlottes always been perfecttop grades, high-flying career, picture-perfect marriage. Easy for her to lecture me. Meanwhile, Im thirty-two, heartbroken, renting a flat, and stuck in a job I hate.
*»Ill get my things myself,»* I said firmly. *»Time to move on.»*
Next morning, I woke with a headache, having barely slept. I wanted to look flawlessmake him regret losing me. I wore a new dress, heels, full makeup.
The taxi ride felt endless. I rehearsed cool, detached lines in my head. No tears, no anger. Just grab my things and walk away, head high.
Olivers building was quiet. My heart pounded as the lift climbed to the seventh floor. I rang the bell.
Silence.
Had he really left? I pressed again. Footsteps.
The door opened.
And there stood Charlotte.
My sister. In a dressing gown. Hair damp, face pale.
*»Emily?»* She stepped back. *»Whatwhat are you doing here?»*
I couldnt speak.
*»What are *you* doing here?»* I finally choked out. *»In my exs flat. In a dressing gown.»*
She dragged a hand over her face. *»Its not what you»*
*»Who is it, Charlie?»* Oliver appeared, buttoning his shirt. He froze when he saw me. *»Oh. Youre early.»*
I stared between them. Something inside me snapped.
*»Youretogether? My sister and my ex?»*
Charlotte stepped forward. *»Emily, lets talk. Not here»*
*»Talk? About what? How youve been laughing behind my back?»* My stomach twisted. *»How long has this been going on? While we were still dating?»*
Oliver sighed. *»Nothing happened then. We met *after*»*
*»Met?»* I laughed bitterly. *»Is that what you call it?»*
*»Stop,»* Charlotte said sharply. *»Youve got this all wrong.»*
*»Then *explain* it to me.»*
But I couldnt stay. I turned and ran for the lift, ignoring the shouts behind me.
Outside, the sun mocked me. I stumbled into a café, ordered coffee I wouldnt drink. My phone buzzedCharlotte, no doubt. I ignored it.
Later, at my best friend Sophies, I spilled everything between sobs.
*»I just cant believe it,»* I finished. *»Charlotteof all people!»*
Sophie stirred her tea. *»Are you sure there isnt another explanation?»*
*»What, youre on *her* side now?»*
*»Im on *your* side. Just hear her out.»*
I refused. But the next evening, Charlotte showed up at Sophies, red-eyed, desperate.
*»Please,»* she begged. *»Just listen.»*
And finally, I did.
She hadnt been with Oliver. Shed gone to collect my thingsto spare me the pain. Shed spilled coffee on herself, borrowed my dressing gown (left there months ago), and Id walked in at the worst possible moment.
Oliver? Hed just woken up. That was it. No affair. No betrayal.
I felt like an idiot.
We talked all night. She admitted her own strugglesher perfect marriage nearly fell apart last year. Shed been too ashamed to tell me.
By morning, the anger had melted into something else. Relief. Shame. Gratitude.
I went home with my thingsperfume, blouses, Grans album. And that blue silk dressing gown, embroidered with birds.
*»Maybe its for the best,»* Charlotte said softly. *»Now you know Oliver wasnt worth your tears.»*
I smiled. *»And that Ive got a sister wholl fight for meeven when Im being a complete prat.»*
*»Especially then,»* she laughed.
Funny, isnt it? I went to close one chapter and found something far more precious instead.
