The door clicked shut behind them as Emilys sister-in-law, Sophie, took in the spacious flat with wide eyes. Bloody hell, Sophie muttered under her breath, her polished accent cracking just slightly. Your parents actually bought you this place?
Across London, Charlotte gripped her phone tighter, her perfectly manicured nailspainted in a chic nude shadedigging into her palm. Can you believe it, Lily? she hissed into the receiver. Olivias parents just bought her a flat! Not some dodgy studio, mind youa proper three-bedder in Canary Wharf! One of those new builds with a concierge and a gym!
Lilys voice was calm, measured. Thats lovely for her. Shes a sweet girl.
Sweet? Charlotte scoffed, pacing her cramped rented flat in Clapham. The synthetic curtainscheap but presentableswayed as she yanked them aside. Shes twenty-seven and still works part-time at the British Library! Meanwhile, my Jamestheir actual sonslaves away as a director at a Fortune 500 company, and were stuck in this shoebox while she gets handed the keys to a bloody penthouse?
Lily sighed. Have you spoken to his parents?
Charlotte bit her lip, studying her reflection in the rain-streaked window. At thirty-two, she still turned headsher blonde highlights freshly touched up, her lips painted in Chanel Rouge. No one would guess her designer blouse came from a TK Maxx sale.
I tried, she admitted. At James birthday last month. His mum made that gorgeous Victoria sponge everyone raved about. I slipped in a commentWouldnt it be nice to host in our own place one day?and she just smiled and offered more tea.
And James?
James! Charlotte let out a bitter laugh. Last night, he said, Luv, lets get Olivia a houseplant for her new place! Im chuffed for her!
Lily hesitated. Thats nice of him.
Nice? Charlottes voice sharpened. His sister gets a three-bed flat with floor-to-ceiling windows, and hes thrilled? We went to view it before they bought it. The master bath alone is bigger than our bedroom!
Charlotte, youre spiralling.
No, listen, she hissed, dropping her voice. Im saying something tomorrow at the housewarming. Let them explain why one child gets everything and the other gets sod all.
Charlotte, dont! Youll start World War Three!
Im done pretending! Her grip on the phone tightened. Five years weve scraped by in rentals. For my birthday, his mum gave me a bloody Radley handbag. For Olivia? A £900,000 flat! And James earns well, but between rent and keeping up appearancessalons, outfits, eventsweve got nothing left!
The front door rattled.
Thats James, Charlotte whispered. Talk tomorrow.
She hung up just as James strode in, his tall frame filling the doorway. His brown eyes were tired but warm as he held up a Tesco bag. Got your favouritealmond croissants. Meeting ran late.
She forced a smile, pecking his cheek. Youre sweet.
Brilliant news, he said, unpacking groceries. Olivias finally got her own place! Mum and Dad helped with the deposit.
Charlottes jaw tightened. Tomorrow, she decided, the gloves were coming off.
The next morning, she spent two hours preeningstraightening her hair, contouring her cheeks, slipping into a cream Diane von Furstenberg dress shed snagged on clearance.
Charlotte, well be late! James called from the kitchen. Olivia asked us to come early to help arrange furniture.
Wouldnt want Her Highness to lift a finger, Charlotte muttered, swiping on her Nars lipstick.
James appeared in the doorway, frowning. Whats got into you?
She met his gaze in the mirror. Nothing. Lets go.
The flat was everything shed dreadedgleaming marble floors, a private lift, panoramic Thames views. Olivia greeted them in jeans and a striped Breton top, her dark hair in a messy bun.
Jamie! Char! She pulled them into a hug. Ignore the messstill unpacking.
Charlottes smile was razor-thin. What mess? This place is spotless.
Olivia beamed, leading them through the open-plan living area. Look at the kitchengranite countertops! And the balcony
Mustve cost a fortune, Charlotte cut in.
James shot her a warning look.
Olivia flushed. Mum and Dad saved for years
Funny how they only saved for you, Charlotte said sweetly.
Silence. Olivias smile faltered.
James seized Charlottes arm. Outside. Now.
On the balcony, the city sprawled beneath them.
What the hell was that? James hissed.
Charlotte folded her arms. Just stating facts. Your parents couldve bought two flats. Instead, princess gets a palace, and were stuck in a mouldy rental.
James face darkened. They offered me a flat three years ago. I turned it down.
Charlotte froze. What?
Olivia needed it more. Shes on a librarians salary. I said Id earn mine.
Her stomach dropped. You never told me.
Would you have understood? His laugh was hollow. You just humiliated my sister in her own home.
Inside, guests were arriving. Olivias forced laughter drifted through the glass.
James exhaled sharply. Im done, Charlotte. Done with the jealousy, the pettiness. Were getting a divorce.
Her breath caught. You cant
Watch me. He turned away.
Charlotte stared at her reflection in the floor-to-ceiling windowsflawless makeup, designer dress, hollow eyes.
She called an Uber and slipped out unnoticed.
Rain drizzled over Canary Wharf as she walked away. Some got penthouses. Others got nothing at all.
For the first time in years, she didnt check her reflection.
