**Two Ungrateful Daughters**
«We didnt just buy that three-bed flat for no reason, you know,» Mum leaned in, her eyes sparkling with glee. «We let it out to studentsroom by room. Five of them in there already! The rents so good, well be sorted for retirement.»
Emma nodded, happy for them. Her parents had worked their fingers to the bone all their livestheyd earned a quiet old age. But then Dad, William Carter, whod been silently reading his paper at the table, finally spoke up.
«Bet youre wondering wholl get the flat when were gone. Three kids, one propertycourse youve thought about it. Perfectly normal, really.» He folded the newspaper, eyes sharp.
Emma shook her head. The idea hadnt even crossed her mind. Her parents were alive and wellwhy worry about inheritance? But Mum, Margaret Carter, cut in with a voice so dripping with disdain it sent a chill down Emmas spine.
«Oh, dont play innocent! Youre fretting over who gets it, arent you? Admit it, love!»
Emma opened her mouth to protest, but Mum steamrolled right over her.
«Anyway, your dad and I talked it over. The flat goes to whoever looks after us best. Fairs fair, right?»
The kitchen fell silent. Emma stared at them, stunned. Was this some sort of twisted competition? Dad cleared his throat and went on, eyes fixed somewhere above her head.
«We spent our lives raising you, feeding you, denying ourselves everything. Now its time for a change. Youll have to prove yourselves. And if we dont like what we see» He let the pause hang, heavy. «you can kiss that inheritance goodbye.»
Emma sat there, shell-shocked. Her parents watched her expectantly, like they were waiting for applause. Her throat tightened. She stood, muttered something about an appointment, and bolted for the door.
On the bus home, her thoughts spun like a hamster on a wheel. What even was that? An auction? Highest bidder gets the flat? She pulled out her phone and dialled her older sister, Lucy.
«Lu, you wont believe what Mum and Dad just said»
«About the flat and inheritance?» Lucy sighed tiredly. «They hit me with it yesterday. Still reeling.»
«What do we even do?» Emma pressed the phone closer, straining to hear over the bus noise.
«No clue. Weve always helped them. Paid bills, brought groceries, dropped everything when they called. And baby brother Daniel? Always too busywork, girlfriend, whatever.»
«But how do they decide whos best?» Emma stepped off at her stop, still talking. «Scorecards? A spreadsheet?»
Lucy laughed bitterly.
«Pretty much. Maybe its a blessing. Well finally see where we stand. Though, lets be honestwe already know wholl win.»
The next few weeks were hell. The calls came like clockwork. First, late on a Wednesday:
«Emma, sweetheart,» Mums voice was razor-sharp. «Weve got a doctors appointment tomorrow, and we need to pop by the shops after. Could you drive us? Your cars fixed now, isnt it?»
She had a 9 AM meeting.
«Mum, what about a taxi?»
«Dont be ridiculous! Taxis cost a fortune!» Mum huffed. «Are we strangers to you? Cant your own daughter help out?»
Emma sighed. Like always, she caved. She took the morning off, ferried them around, and listened to them gush about golden boy Daniel.
On Friday, buried in quarterly reports at work, Dad rang.
«Love, the new sofas arrived. Need help shifting it. Movers charge an arm and a leg. Six handsll do it.»
«Dad, Im at work»
«What kind of job keeps you from helping your parents?» His tone was pure disapproval.
Again, she left early, lugging furniture under her colleagues judging stares. Her back ached for days.
On her day off, finally booked in for a facial, Mum called.
«Emma, were doing a deep clean. Curtains down, chandeliers washed. Too much for us at our age»
The facial got cancelled. She spent the day scrubbing their flat while they sipped tea and waxed lyrical about Daniel.
«Dannys so thoughtful,» Mum cooed as Emma scraped grease off the hob. «Called us yesterdaysuch a long chat!»
«When was the last time he actually helped?» Emma straightened up, wiping sweat from her brow.
Her parents exchanged glances. Mum pursed her lips.
«Watch your tone. Dannys busy. Important jobunlike you girls. Youre future wives, homemakers. Helping your parents is your duty. Hes a man.»
Emma bit her tongue, fury simmering.
A week later, she was backjarring pickles and tomatoes while her parents supervised.
«Less vinegar! More dill!» Mum barked.
«Danny loves these,» Dad mused. «Hell be thrilled when he visits.»
«And whens that?» Emma twisted another lid shut.
«Dunno not seen him in a month,» Mum admitted grudgingly. «Very busy.»
Emma stopped. Wiped her hands. Turned. The dam broke.
«So, the flat goes to me and Lucy, then? Since were the ones helping, and Dannys busy?»
Mums face flushed scarlet. She shot up, knocking over her tea.
«You selfish girl! Money-grubbing, just like your sister! No thought for your brother! Hes the man! Hell bring a wife home! He needs it more! The inheritance should go to himhes the heir! The family name carries on through him!»
Something inside Emma snapped. Years of sacrificesmeaningless. She untied her apron. Turned off the stove. Left the half-filled jars.
«Heir? What are we, chopped liver? We drop everything for you. But its never enough, is it?»
She walked out. Her parents scrambled after her.
«Emma, wait! Youve got it all wrong!» Dad pleaded.
«The pickles, love! Finish them! Wholl clean this up?» Mum wailed.
Emma paused at the door. Not angry. Just tired.
«Im busy. Like Danny. Find someone else. Sort it yourselves. Im done.»
She left, shutting the door softly. Pulled out her phone. Lucy answered instantly.
«Lu, thats it. I cant do this anymore.»
«What happened?»
Emma relayed the heir speech. Lucy was silent. Then a heavy sigh.
«You know what? Lets act like our dear brother. If hes the golden child, let him handle them. Lets be ungrateful daughters.»
«Exactly what I was thinking.» Emma breathed in the crisp air.
From then on, they stuck to the script. Every call: «Sorry, busy. Try Danny.» Mum sulked. Dad ranted. No matter.
«Give the flat to Danny. Let him be your hope and pride,» Emma would say coolly.
A month later, crunching through autumn leaves in the park, Emma smiled. Shed done so much for herself lately.
Her phone buzzedMum. She glanced at the screen, slipped it back into her pocket.
Let them call Danny.
She had her own life to live now.
