The flat was spacious, the kind of place that made you stop and stare. «Your parents really splashed out, didnt they?» Emma said, her voice tinged with envy as she took in the high ceilings and polished floors.
«Can you believe it, Sophie? Olivias parents bought her a flat!» Jessica twisted a strand of her highlighted blonde hair around her finger, the phone pressed to her ear.
She couldnt shake the thoughther brothers wife, standing there in her new home, while she and Mark were still stuck in their rented one-bedroom.
Her manicured nailssoft pink, always perfectbetrayed the effort she put into appearances, even when money was tight. «And not just any flat, Sophie. A three-bed in a new development! Royal Gardens, you know the one? With a courtyard fountain and private parking!»
«Well, good for her,» Sophie replied evenly. «Olivias lovely. She deserves it.»
«Deserves it?» Jessica stopped dead in the middle of her rented living room. «How? By still living off Mummy and Daddy at twenty-seven? Working part-time in that little bookshop?»
«Jess, come on»
«No, listen.» Jessica yanked back the cheap but presentable polyester curtains. «My Marktheir own sonworks himself to the bone. Hes a senior manager! And were still stuck in this place. The upstairs neighbours flooded us again last week, and the landlord wont lift a finger!»
«Have you spoken to his parents? Maybe they dont realise how hard it is for you?»
Jessica hesitated, catching her reflection in the window. At thirty-two, she still looked impeccableslim, styled, her lipstick expensive. No one would guess her blouse was from a high-street sale.
«I tried. At Marks birthday last month. His mum made that cake everyone loved. I said, Wouldnt it be nice to host in our own place one day? And she just smiled and offered seconds.»
«What does Mark say?»
«Mark!» Jessica scoffed. «You know what he said yesterday? Lets get Olivia a houseplant for her new place. Im so glad shes got somewhere proper now!»
«Well, thats nice»
«Nice?» Jessica cut her off. «His sister gets a three-bed in a luxury block, and hes thrilled? You shouldve seen it when we viewed it. Floor-to-ceiling windows, marble countersmy entire bedroom is smaller than her ensuite!»
«Jess,» Sophies voice turned firm, «youre winding yourself up. Maybe dont»
«No.» Jessica dropped her voice to a whisper. «Im saying something tomorrow at the housewarming. Let them see what favouritism looks like. Ill ask them, right in front of everyonewhy does one child get everything and the other nothing?»
«Jessica! Dont! Youll cause a scene!»
«I cant stay quiet anymore! Weve scraped by for years. For my birthday, his mum gave me a handbag. A handbag! And for her daughtera flat!» She smoothed her hair. «Mark earns well, but it all goes on rent and my upkeep. I have to look the partIm a managers wife! I cant turn up to his work dos looking shabby!»
The key turned in the lock.
«Thats Mark.» Jessica whispered quickly. «Talk tomorrow.»
She hung up and forced a smile as Mark walked intall, dark-haired, tired but smiling.
«Hey. Grabbed dinner on the way. Got your favouritealmond croissants.»
«Lovely.» She kissed his cheek, eyeing the supermarket bag. «How was your day?»
«Brilliant! So chuffed for Olivia. Shes saved for years, and Mum and Dad helped her out.» He unpacked the groceries.
Jessica bit her lip. «Its fine,» she thought. «Tomorrow, everything changes.»
The next morning, she spent hours perfecting her lookcream dress, flawless hair, just the right amount of makeup.
«Jess, well be late!» Mark called. «Olivia asked us to help move furniture.»
«Coming.» She gave her hair one last flick. «Cant your sister manage on her own?»
Mark appeared in the doorway.
«Jess, whats got into you? She just needs a hand.»
«Of course.» Jessica pressed her lips together. «Why lift a finger when big brothers around?»
«Are you alright?» He touched her shoulder.
She met his eyes in the mirror. For a second, guilt flickeredthen she remembered Olivias spacious flat.
«Im fine. Lets go.»
The complex was pristineglass towers, manicured lawns, a concierge at the door. Jessicas stomach twisted as they crossed the lobby.
«Two concierges!» Mark said brightly in the lift. «Brilliant, isnt it?»
«Brilliant,» Jessica muttered.
Olivia greeted them at the doorpetite, in jeans and a loose shirt, nothing like the owner of a luxury flat.
«Mark! Jess! So glad youre here!»
«Us too,» Jessica said stiffly.
Inside, the flat was immaculateboxes stacked neatly, new furniture gleaming.
«Your hallways massive,» Jessica remarked, kicking off her heels. «Must be nice having space.»
«Theres even a walk-in.» Olivia gestured. «Not that Ive much to fill it.»
«Dont worry,» Jessica smiled coldly, «youll accumulate things now youve got somewhere to put them.»
Mark shot her a look.
«Come on, Ill show you!» Olivia led them through. «Look at these windows! And the balcony!»
«Incredible,» Jessica breathed. «How much does a place like this cost?»
«Jess!» Mark warned.
«What? Maybe well get lucky one day.»
Olivia froze. «Jess, you know our parents worked hard»
«Right. And somehow, youre the only one who got a flat. Funny, that.»
Silence. Olivia glanced between them, tugging at her sleeve.
«Jess, a word.» Marks voice was hard.
«Why? Im just saying what everyones thinking.» She strode across the room. «Your brother and I rent a one-bed. Five years! And you get thisjust like that.»
«Jess, I didnt»
«Of course you didnt! Mummy and Daddy handle everything for you!»
«Thats enough!» Mark grabbed her arm, steering her onto the balcony.
«What are you doing?» he demanded.
«Telling the truth! One light fixture here costs more than our rent!»
«You dont know anything,» Mark said wearily.
«What dont I know? That your parents spoil their golden child?»
«They offered me a flat three years ago.»
Jessica froze.
«I turned it down. Said Olivia needed it more. Shes a womanshould have security. Id earn mine.»
«Youwhat? Why didnt you tell me?»
«Would you have understood?» He gave a bitter laugh. «Judging by todayno.»
«Butwe shouldve discussed it!»
«Discuss what? That my sister lived in a shared house on a bookshop wage? That she saved half her pay while you blew ours on salons?»
Jessica stepped back. «Dont you dare! I have to look presentable!»
«Presentable?» Mark ran a hand through his hair. «Olivia wears the same dress for years. And she doesnt complain.»
«Oh, so you prefer her? Little miss modest?»
«Its not about that. Its about youtoday, humiliating her in her own home.»
The doorbell rangguests arriving. Inside, Olivia wiped her eyes, accepting congratulations.
«We should join them,» Jessica said.
«No. We finish this.»
«Finish what? I overreacted, it happens»
«It doesnt.» His voice was hollow. «Youve never been happy for her. Not when she got into uni, not when she published her research.»
Jessica said nothing.
«Today, you shamed my family. And for that, Im grateful.»
«Grateful?»
«Yes. Because now I knowwere done.»
Jessica paled.
«I cant do this anymore. I wont spend my life with someone who only envies and demands.»
Inside, his mother called for them.
Mark opened the door. «Stay or go. Your choice.»
He left her there.
She watched him hug Olivia, saw their parents relax.
Jessica called a taxi.
One last glance at the happy familythen she slipped out.
The lobby mirrors reflected a flawlessly dressed woman with empty eyes.
Outside, rain drizzled. She touched up her lipstick out of habit.
For the first time in years, she didnt care if it was perfect.
