23May2025 I woke up before the alarm, already feeling the weight of the night before. Emily burst out of our flat on the first floor, her eyes wild. Are you pregnant? I asked, bewildered as Charlotte emerged from the bathroom, clutching a steaming mug. Why are you here?
Emily flinched when Charlotte slammed her laptop shut with a sharp snap. Did anyone ever tell you you cant take other peoples things without asking? Charlottes tone was icy, and I could see Emily shrinking back into the spare bedroom.
That night, as the house fell silent, Emily whispered that the only way out was to leave the flat. Charlotte had been digging for a recipeone she claimed was for Emily, but the tension was palpable.
At twentythree, Emily met the love of her life on a rainy London street. A stranger handed her a white rose with a long stem, smiling shyly and asking if they could talk. He was nothing flashandbrim, yet his presence held a quiet charisma, and he proved surprisingly caring.
A month later, Emily confessed that life without James felt unimaginable. He felt the same, and within another month she moved from her rented room into his onebed flat in Manchester. Six months after that, he bent one knee and asked for her hand.
Shes shes, Emily stammered when trying to describe me to Charlotte. I adore him, and he adores me.
Congratulations, Charlotte replied flatly, her voice devoid of warmth. Emily didnt linger on the tone; after Moms death, Charlotte was the only family left.
Thank you, Emily sighed. Only problem is James is off for three months, earning extra pounds for our honeymoon.
Right, Charlottes voice remained impassive. Ill let you know when the wedding is set. Youre invited, of course.
Sure, Emily muttered.
We always seemed to be the opposite pair: Emily, tender, impressionable, delicate; Charlotte, stern, hardnosed, selfsufficient. Emily feared introducing me to Charlotte, worrying she might not like me.
James called: Love, its only about 800miles to my familys place. Ill pop over on weekends or you can come to me. Yet we managed only one meeting a month; his work swallowed his time. The faster they set up the new place, the quicker hed return. Emily was willing to wait forevershe knew I struggled to contribute much beyond my modest assistantaccountant salary.
In the second month of my assignment, strange messages began arrivingfirst as texts, then as voice notes from a robotic tone. The voice warned Emily not to do anything that might upset him, hinting that the wedding would bring trouble. The messages vanished after a few hours, and the number was untraceable. Emily kept it to herself, nerves trembling.
One evening a wooden doll appeared on her doorstep. It had long chestnut hair, a face cut from a photograph, and a needle piercing its chest, clutching a paper with threats mirroring the messages. The sight made Emily sick; she skipped work, claiming a fever that didnt exist. She never complained to anyone, though I could see she was terrified.
A motorbike rider nearly ran her down in the courtyard two days later. He swerved at the last second, but the shock sent Emily sprawling onto the curb, her head cracking against the pavement. A passerby called an ambulance despite her protests. At the hospital, doctors found a mild concussion, bruises, andunexpectedlya pregnancy.
She refused to tell anyone about the crash, claiming shed simply slipped. When she left the ward, she realized she could no longer return to my flat. Someone was clearly out to ruin her. She needed to protect the baby.
Can I stay with you for a few days? she asked me over the phone. I was irritated at first. What happened? Did someone kick you out? I muttered. James is on a work trip, and she trailed off.
Fine, come over. Tell me everything. She poured out the messages, the doll, the nearaccident. I dont want to distract you, James. I want to tell the babys father himself, nicelyhe loves something presented beautifully.
I tried to be gentle, Its not a student hall, Emily, but you can stay a couple of weeks, no more. That was a relief. James had mentioned taking a couple of days off soon, promising to sort everything once he was back.
After Mums death we sold the family house, split the proceeds. Charlotte secured a mortgage on a new property thanks to her stable job, while Emily could only buy a tiny studio still under construction. The house was supposed to be handed over six months ago, but delays lingered, leaving Emily with nowhere to go. She tried to stay out of Charlottes sight, buying groceries, cooking, keeping the flat tidy, yet she sensed Charlottes irritation.
Ten days later, Emilys phone froze, the battery dead. Charlotte, can I borrow your laptop? she shouted from the bathroom. She opened the laptop, typed the first letters of a search, and the browser suggested pregnancy termination.
Are you pregnant? Charlotte asked, eyes wide as she reentered. Why are you here?
Its your fault for taking my laptop without asking! Charlotte snapped, closing the lid. Emily retreated to another room, deciding the flat was no longer safe. She slipped out early the next morning, telling herself James would return in a few days and she could manage.
When James finally came back, his face was sour. Whos the babys father? he demanded, eyes flashing.
Its you, of course! What are you thinking? Emily snapped, genuinely frightened. How do you even know?
He stared at her, silent for a long moment, then lunged forward, gripping her tightly. Im sorry. I almost lost it when I got that bizarre message from an unknown number. Im sorry, I was a complete idiot!
She broke down, tears spilling, then steadied herself and recounted the months horrors. His expression shifted from shock to pallor, then to embarrassment.
Im sorry, he whispered again. I should have told you everything from the start.
He confessed that three months before meeting Emily, hed dated Charlotte. Shed hinted at marriage, but something held him backturns out, for good reason. I drove Charlotte to meet you, asked her to introduce usshe refused. I didnt leave, saw you, fell in love instantly. I knew you were the one, not your sister.
Silence hung heavy.
I told Charlotte the next day we were over, then arranged to meet you, James continued. Everything you know now happened after that.
Emilys trembling hand dialed Charlotte. Is this true? Was it you? she asked, voice steady.
You thought you could steal my fiancé? Charlotte replied after a pause, a bitter smile forming. I was actually pregnant with him once, had an abortion. I hoped hed ditch you too, but nowedding, baby, the whole lot. What makes you any better than me?
Emily hung up, eyes dry, staring at the wall.
They married a month and a half later, no fanfare, and their daughter was born on schedule. Emily and Charlotte never spoke again.
Looking back, I realise how easily fear and misunderstanding can drive a wedge between people who should be supporting each other. Ive learned that honesty, even when painful, is the only way to keep those you love from being torn apart. This diary serves as a reminder to speak the truth early, before secrets turn into shadows that choke us all.
