Just think about yourself, her sister pleaded, please, dont leave me. I cant get Ian on his feet without you! I have no money, Im not working, and you earn quite well Emma, lend me at least ten pounds! Ill pay you back, I promise. Just a little later
Emma had never been closer to her cousin Diana than she was now. Their relationship with their mother had long since broken down, and contact with her younger sister had faded because of an old family feud. Sophie had always felt shortchanged by the strife. She funded her own university education, spent years searching for her place in the world, and once she started earning a decent salary she first secured her own home she took out a mortgage and bought a flat not far from the city centre.
Sophie was diligent, never shying away from extra tasks, often hauling projects and reports home and working weekends. Her cousin Diana, strikingly beautiful, preferred lavish holidays and lived largely off men, regularly asking Sophie for cash until her next paycheck. At first Emma saw nothing wrong with that.
One evening the phone rang. The screen displayed Dianas name.
Hey, Sophie! Hows it going?
Hey. All good, busy at work. You?
Diana sighed heavily.
Listen, Ive got a small problem. My landlord suddenly hiked the rent and I need fifty pounds straight away or Ill be evicted!
Emmas heart jumped.
What? Why did they raise it?
She says its because everythings getting more expensive. Can you help me out?
Sophie hesitated, weighing the request.
I had set aside that money for a vacation
Emma, please! Ill pay you back in a couple of days. A handsome fellow promised to lend me, and Ill return it to you.
Diana, Im saving for a holiday, and
Emma, can you wait a few days? Please!
Sophie sighed.
Fine but only for a few days. I dont want my holiday to be ruined because of your irresponsibility.
Oh, thank you so much! You have my card number, right? Send it over!
Emma transferred the money. She never saw those pounds return.
***
Three months later, gathering courage, Sophie called her cousin.
Diana, hi! How are you?
Oh, Sophie, hi! Im fine. What did you want?
A flush of shame rose on Emmas cheeks.
Diana, remember you borrowed money from me?
Yes, of course. So?
I really need it back now. My phone broke, clients keep calling and I cant hear them. I need a new one but Ive got no cash Please repay the loan.
Diana scoffed.
Emma, do you really think a brandnew phone is necessary? Maybe something cheaper would do?
Emma tried to justify herself.
Tech is pricey these days, and I need a reliable device for work, otherwise the programs wont run.
Sophie, I just cant pay you back right now. I moved into a pricier rented flat, you know how the bills add up.
But you promised
I remember, I remember! As soon as I sort my finances Ill pay you, I swear!
Sophie, recalling the previous disappointment, exhaled heavily. After several direct appeals and the usual excuses, she resigned herself to the loss.
***
A few months later Diana called again.
Sophie, I need your help urgently!
What now?
I need money. Anything.
Sophie, I told you Im short on cash. My quarterly bonus still hasnt come through.
Give me at least a little! My wallets empty and Im starving!
Have you seen a doctor?
No time for that!
You havent been working for two months.
So what? Stop talking to me, just give the money.
Sophie sighed.
The most I can spare is five or six pounds.
Five pounds? Are you kidding?
Thats all I have, Diana.
Alright, send it.
Sophie tried to avoid Dianas calls, but the cousin kept reminding her of her presence.
***
An unexpected pregnancy added more strain. Diana was dating a promising young man and was convinced the child would secure a comfortable future. Sophie disagreed. One afternoon, over tea, she gently voiced her doubts.
Diana, maybe you shouldnt count on this bloke so much?
Why not? He loves me!
Youve only known him a week. How can you be sure?
He loves me, thats all. Hell marry me as soon as he hears about the baby.
I think youre being reckless. What if he doesnt?
Hell support us; hes a decent fellow!
Better to rely on yourself
Stop it, Sophie! Youre jealous because I have a man. When the baby arrives everything will be fine.
A few months later Diana turned up at Sophies door, tears streaming.
He he he left me!
Who left you?
The man.
Diana nodded, choking on sobs.
He said the child wasnt his. He has plenty of girls and even threatened me if I tried to blackmail him.
I told you
Dont say anything! Im already in a terrible spot. What do I do now?
If youre not confident, maybe consider ending the pregnancy?
Diana erupted.
Youre insane! Its five months! I delayed on purpose so hed think I wasnt after money! Where do I go now?
But you said youre scared you cant cope. What will you live on? You have no job, no money. He walked out, the baby is coming.
Enough, Ill give birth and see what happens. Maybe Ill write a letter to the father or hell change his mind. Can you lend me some cash for the early weeks? The doctor prescribed expensive vitamins and Im broke!
Sophie sighed, opened her banking app, and transferred what she could.
***
Diana collected her son from the hospital and immediately began shifting her problems onto Sophie, constantly demanding help under the pretense of caring for the child, even for trivial tasks. She would call from morning till night.
Sophie, can you pop into the shop? Were out of milk and Ian is crying.
Its nine at night, Diana. Cant you go yourself? The shops just down the road.
I cant, my back hurts and I cant even dress Ian. Please!
Sophie exhaled.
Fine, but this is the last time.
Oh thank you, love! Also grab a pack of nappies, oat milk, a bag of chicken breast and some sausages. Ill be waiting!
When Dianas son fell ill, she would demand that Sophie rush to the outofhours pharmacy at midnight.
Diana, whats wrong?
Sophie, Ian has a fever! I need help now!
What? We just talked a few hours ago and everything was fine!
I dont know. Hes screaming, cant breathe. I need a fever reducer. I called a paediatrician friend, she recommended a product. Go and buy it from the night pharmacy.
Sophie, are you kidding? Thats reckless without seeing a doctor! Call an ambulance!
No, the ambulance will just take him to hospital. The paediatrician sells these supplements, I trust her.
Thats too much. Why should I drive across town in the dead of night?
But hes crying! You dont want anything to happen to him, do you?
Sophie swallowed her irritation.
Alright, Ill be there, but remember, this is the final time.
Any request Diana made, even if unrelated to the child, was framed as essential for the baby. Sophie fed, clothed, and tended to Ian for more than a year and a half.
Eventually she reached her limit. The final straw was another demand.
Sophie, I need a new dress, I have nothing to wear, and Ian needs new shoes
Diana, enough! I cant keep doing this. You constantly demand things for the baby and Im exhausted. I have my own life!
What do you mean, exhausted? Who will help me then? Do you want my child to starve and go naked?
I want you to take responsibility for your life and your child. Im not going to fund you forever!
You you selfish! All you think about is yourself! What am I supposed to do now?
Do whatever you like, but without me.
Sophie hung up. Diana spent the rest of the day sending abusive messages, demanding money and apologies. Sophie stood firm; the brazen cousin never received what she wanted. The next morning, the first thing Sophie did was go to her office, change her phone number, and finally breathe a sigh of relief. She now had to reflect on how shed ended up here and what steps to take next.
The experience taught her that constantly giving without limits only breeds dependence and resentment. By setting healthy boundaries and demanding selfreliance, she reclaimed her own future and discovered that true strength comes from caring for oneself before trying to rescue others.
