**Diary Entry 15th March**
I went to collect my things from my ex today and found my sister in his flat, wearing a dressing gown.
*»What do you even know about love?»* My voice shook, nearly dropping my phone from my trembling hands. *»Three months of dinners, flowers, then you vanish like it was nothing!»*
*»Listen, I never promised you forever,»* Oliver said, infuriatingly calm. *»We were just having fun.»*
*»Fun?»* I exhaled, steadying my voice. *»Right. Brilliant. FineIll come tomorrow to get my things. Then youll never see me again.»*
*»Im busy till evening. Come after eight.»*
*»No. Ill be there at noon. I dont care about your plans. Ten minutes, and you can go back to your perfect life without me.»*
I hung up before he could reply, hurling my phone onto the sofa. The tears Id held back all week finally broke through. Why does this always happen? Why do I pick men who treat me like some passing amusement?
A soft knock.
*»Emma, love, are you alright?»* Mum peered in, holding a steaming mug of tea.
*»Fine,»* I wiped my cheeks quickly. *»Just tired.»*
She sat beside me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. *»I heard. Oliver again?»*
I nodded, throat too tight to speak.
*»Sweetheart, enough. Four months pining for a man who doesnt deserve you.»*
*»Im not pining,»* I snapped. *»I just want my things so I can move on.»*
*»Whats left there? A jumper, some books?»*
*»My favourite perfume, two blouses, Grans photo album. I cant just leave them.»*
Mum sighed. *»Shall I fetch them? Or maybe Sophie?»*
At the mention of my older sister, I scowled. *»Dont drag Sophie into this! Were not speaking.»*
*»Lord, what now?»*
*»Nothing. She just thinks she knows best. Told me Oliver was a waste of time. Bet shes thrilled she was right.»*
*»She means well,»* Mum said gently.
I shook my head. Sophie was perfectstraight-A student, first-class degree, glossy career, perfect husband. 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. *»Then this chapters closed.»*
The next morning, I woke with a pounding headache, having barely slept. I rehearsed the conversation all through the cab ridecool, composed, no tears. Take my things, walk out, head high.
Olivers building was quiet. The lift carried me to the seventh floor, my pulse loud in my ears. I rang the bell.
Silence. Maybe he *had* gone out. I pressed again, longer. Footsteps. Then the door opened.
My stomach dropped.
Sophie stood theremy *sister*in a dressing gown, hair damp, eyes wide.
*»Emma? Whatwhat are you doing here?»*
*»What am *I* doing here?»* My voice cracked. *»Why are *you* in my exs flat? In a dressing gown?»*
She rubbed her face. *»Its not what you think»*
*»Sophie, whos there?»* Oliver appeared behind her, buttoning his shirt. He froze when he saw me. *»Oh. I said after eight.»*
I looked between them, something inside me snapping. *»You twoyoure together? My *sister* and my ex?»*
Sophie stepped forward. *»Emma, lets talk somewhere else»*
*»Talk? About what? How youve been laughing behind my back?»* Nausea rose. *»How long has this been going on? While we were still dating?»*
Oliver crossed his arms. *»Nothing happened while we were together. Sophie and I met after»*
*»Met?»* I let out a bitter laugh. *»Met in his bed?»*
*»Stop,»* Sophie said sharply. *»Youve got this all wrong.»*
*»Then explain!»* My shout echoed in the hall. *»Because from where Im standing, my *perfect* sister is shagging the man who broke my heart!»*
I turned and stabbed the lift button, ignoring Sophies pleas. The doors closed on her stricken faceand Olivers hand on her shoulder.
Outside, sunlight mocked my devastation. I stumbled into the first café, ordering coffee I wouldnt drink just to sit down. My hands shook violently.
The waitress eyed me with concern. *»Everything alright, love?»*
*»Fine. Just didnt sleep well.»*
Alone again, I stared into the untouched cup. How? Sophieprincipled, flawless Sophiewith *Oliver*?
My phone buzzedMum this time. I answered grudgingly.
*»Emma? Sophie rang me in tearsshe says you misunderstood»*
*»Misunderstood?»* My voice cracked. *»I saw her in his flat, Mum! In a dressing gown! Whats to misunderstand?»*
A pause. *»She said she was helping you.»*
*»Helping? Howby sleeping with him?»*
*»I dont know details. But she begged me to tell youits not what it looks like.»*
*»I dont want to hear it.»* I hung up.
That evening, Sophie showed up at my friend Charlottes, where Id been hiding.
*»Please,»* she begged, red-eyed. *»Just listen.»*
She wasnt with Oliver. Shed gone to fetch my things*my* blue silk dressing gown, left there months ago. Oliver had spilled coffee on her; shed showered while her clothes dried. Thats all.
*»Id never betray you,»* she whispered. *»Never.»*
The weight of my anger crumbled. All this time, Id assumed the worst of hermy sister, whod only ever tried to protect me.
Later, over tea, Sophie confessed her own strugglesher near-divorce last year, the loneliness behind her perfect marriage. *»No ones got it all figured out,»* she admitted.
I hugged her tight. Funny, isnt it? I went to collect my things from a man who didnt love meand rediscovered the one person who always would.
