**Diary Entry 12th May**
What a grand flat your parents bought you, my brothers wife said bitterly, scanning the place with envy in her eyes.
«Can you believe it, Emily? Charlottes parents bought her a flat!» Sophie twisted a strand of her bleached blonde hair, the phone wedged between her shoulder and ear. The words stung, her voice thick with resentment.
What a grand flat your parents bought you, she thought, eyeing her sister-in-laws new home with a knot in her stomach.
Her nails were perfectly manicuredsoft pastels, always kept immaculate despite her modest salary. «And not just any flata three-bed in a new-build! In *Willow Grove*, you know? The one with the courtyard fountain and underground parking!»
«Thats wonderful,» Emily replied calmly. «Charlottes a lovely girl. She deserves it.»
«Deserves it?» Sophie stopped dead in the middle of her rented one-bed. «How? By still living off her parents at twenty-seven? Earning pennies at that research library?»
«Soph, honestly»
«No, listen!» Sophie marched to the window, yanking back the cheap but presentable polyester curtains. «My Olivertheir *own son*works himself ragged. Hes a senior manager at a top firm! And were stuck renting this shoebox. The upstairs neighbours flooded us *again* last week, and the landlord wont lift a finger!»
«Have you asked his parents for help? Maybe they dont realise youre struggling.»
Sophie hesitated, studying her reflection in the windowpane. At thirty-two, she still looked strikingslim, stylish, her designer blouse (bought on sale) hugging her frame. No one would guess the effort it took to keep up appearances.
«We*I*tried. At Olivers birthday last month. Remember? His mother made that cake everyone loved. I said, ‘Wouldnt it be lovely to host in our *own* flat rather than a rental?’ She just smiled and offered seconds.»
«And what does Oliver say?»
«Oliver!» She scoffed. «You know what he told me yesterday? ‘Darling, lets get Charlotte a housewarming plant tomorrow. Im so happy shes got her own place at last!'»
«Thats nice, that he and his sister»
«Nice how?» Sophie cut in. «His sister gets a three-bed in a luxury development, and hes *thrilled*! You shouldve seen itwe viewed it before they bought. Ninety square metres, floor-to-ceiling windows! My *bedroom* is smaller than her *bathroom*!»
«Soph,» Emilys voice turned firm, «youre spiralling. Maybe you shouldnt»
«No, Em,» Sophie dropped to a whisper, «Im saying everything at the housewarming tomorrow. Let them see what favouritism looks like. Ill ask outrightwhy does one child get everything and the other nothing?»
«Sophie! Dont! Youll start a row!»
«I cant stay silent! Five years weve lived like poor relations. For my birthday, his mother gave me a *handbag*. A *handbag*! For her daughtera *flat*!» She smoothed her hair. «Oliver earns well, but rent and my upkeep swallow it all. I have to look the partIm a managers wife! I cant turn up to his office do looking shabby!»
The key turned in the lock.
«Thats Olivertalk tomorrow,» she whispered, hanging up.
He walked intall, dark-haired, stubble shadowing his jaw. Tired but smiling. «Hi, love. Grabbed dinner on the way. Your favouritealmond croissants.»
«Lovely,» she kissed his cheek, eyeing the supermarket bag. «How was your day?»
«Brilliant! Charlottes saved for years, and Mum and Dad chipped in. Shes over the moon!»
Sophie bit her lip. *Fine. Tomorrow, the truth comes out.*
—
The next morning, she took two hours to dress. Cream sheath dressconservative but striking.
«Soph, were late!» Oliver called. «Charlotte asked us early to help with furniture.»
«Coming,» she said, brushing her hair. «Cant your sister manage on her own?»
Oliver appeared in the doorway. «Soph, why? She just needs a hand.»
«Of course,» she forced a smile. «Why lift a finger when big brother can do it?»
«Whats got into you?» He touched her shoulder. «Youre wound up.»
She met his eyes in the mirror. His concern was genuine. For a second, she waveredthen remembered Charlottes spacious rooms.
«Im fine. Lets go.»
The complex was sleekglass, steel, manicured lawns. Sophies stomach clenched as they passed the concierge.
«Two concierges!» Oliver said cheerfully. «And secure parking. Impressive, eh?»
«Very.»
Charlotte greeted thempetite, in jeans and a loose shirt, nothing like a luxury flat owner. «Ollie! Sophie! So glad you came!»
Sophie forced a smile, stepping into the vast entryway.
«Mind the mess,» Charlotte said, glowing.
No messjust neatly stacked boxes, pristine floors. The air smelled of fresh paint.
«Your hallways huge,» Sophie remarked, slipping off her heels. «Must be nice having space.»
«Theres a walk-in too,» Charlotte gestured. «Not that Ive much to fill it.»
«Dont worry,» Sophies smile didnt reach her eyes, «youll accumulate *plenty* now.»
Oliver shot her a look.
«Come see!» Charlotte led them through. «Living roomlook at these windows! And the balcony!»
«Stunning,» Sophie breathed. «How much does *this* happiness cost?»
«Sophie!»
«What? Maybe *well* get lucky someday.»
Charlotte froze. «Soph, my parents worked their whole lives»
«Did they? And yet *youre* the one with the flat. Odd, isnt it?»
Silence. Charlotte paled. Olivers jaw tightened.
«Sophie, outside. *Now*.»
She followed, chin high.
«Youve no idea,» he said coldly. «They offered *me* a flat three years ago. I refused. Charlotte needed it more.»
«*What?*»
«Shes on a librarians wage, saved half her salary for years. You? Salons every week.»
«I have to look presentable!»
«Charlotte wears the same dress for years and doesnt complain.»
Sophie scoffed. «So you *prefer* her frugality?»
«Its not that. Its *you*counting others money, never satisfied.»
Inside, guests arrived. Charlotte, tearful, greeted them.
«Remember what you said to Mum at my birthday? Wouldnt it be lovely to have our own place? She *cried* after. Thinks Im in a rental because of her.»
Sophie stiffened. «They couldve bought *two* flats.»
«They saved for *twenty years*. Dad took extra shifts. Mum tutored nights. And youyou tally their money.»
«I just»
«Today, you humiliated my sister. Insulted my parents.» His voice broke. «Im done.»
«Done?»
«I cant wake up in twenty years beside someone who only envies.»
Inside, his mother called, «Oliver? Sophie? Where are you?»
He turned. «Stay and apologise. Or leave. Your choice.»
He walked back. Sophie watched him hug Charlotte, saw his parents relax.
In the lobby mirror, her reflection was flawlesshair, makeup, dress. Only her eyes were hollow.
She called a taxi. The lift descended. «*Ninety square metres,*» she thought. «*Some get a flat. Some get a divorce.*»
Outside, rain drizzled. She touched up her lipstick out of habitthen stopped. For once, she didnt care if it was perfect.
**Lesson learned:** Envy steals joy. Sometimes the cost is more than youre willing to pay.
