**Diary Entry**
I went to collect my things from my exs place and found my sister there in his robe.
*»What do you even know about love?»* My voice shook as I gripped my phone, my palms damp with anger. *»Three months of dinners, flowers, then you vanish like none of it mattered!»*
*»Listen, I never promised forever,»* Daniel replied, infuriatingly calm. *»We had fun, thats all.»*
*»Fun?»* I exhaled sharply, steadying myself. *»Brilliant. Just brilliant. You know what? Ill come by tomorrow to get my things. And youll never see me again.»*
*»Tomorrow wont work. Ive got plans.»*
*»Plans? Another girl to charm?»*
*»Emma, dont start. Im busy till evening. Come after eight.»*
*»No. Ill be there at noon. And I dont care about your *plans*. Itll take ten minutes, then you can carry on with your perfect life without me.»*
I hung up before he could respond, tossing my phone onto the sofa. The tears Id held back all week finally spilled over. Why did this always happen? Why did I keep choosing men who treated me like a temporary distraction?
A soft knock at the door.
*»Emma, love, are you alright?»* Mum peeked in, holding a cup of tea.
*»Fine,»* I wiped my cheeks hastily. *»Just tired.»*
She set the tea down and sat beside me, squeezing my shoulder.
*»I heard. Daniel again?»*
I nodded, throat too tight to speak.
*»Sweetheart, how long will you let him upset you? Four months over a man who doesnt value you?»*
*»Im not upset,»* I muttered. *»I just want my things so I can move on.»*
*»Whats even left? A few books? A jumper?»*
*»My favourite perfume, two blouses, Grans photo album. I cant just leave them.»*
Mum sighed, stroking my hair. *»Should I go? Or Charlotte?»*
At the mention of my older sister, I scowled. *»Dont involve Charlotte! Im not speaking to her anyway.»*
*»Goodness, what now?»*
*»Nothing. She just *knows* how I should live my life. Said Daniel was a waste of time. Bet shes thrilled she was right.»*
*»She means well,»* Mum said gently.
I shook my head. Charlotte was perfecttop grades, first-class degree, successful career, picture-perfect marriage. Easy for her to lecture from her pedestal. Meanwhile, at thirty-two, I had a broken heart, a rented flat, and a job I loathed.
*»Ill get my things myself,»* I said firmly. *»And close this chapter.»*
—
The next morning, I woke with a throbbing head, having barely slept. I rehearsed the encounter in my mind as I dressed carefullyflawless makeup, a new dress, heels. Cold and composed. No tears. No scene.
Daniels building was quiet. The lift to the seventh floor felt like an eternity. My pulse pounded as I rang the bell.
Silence.
I rang again, longer. Footsteps. The door openedand I froze.
Charlotte stood there. *In a robe.* Hair damp, face startled.
*»Emma? Whatwhat are you doing here?»*
*»Me? What are *you* doing here? In *my* exs flat?»*
She rubbed her forehead. *»Listen, this isnt what it»*
*»Who is it, Char?»* Daniel appeared behind her, buttoning his shirt. He blinked at me. *»Oh. I said after eight.»*
My stomach dropped. *»You two*together*?»*
Charlotte stepped forward. *»Emma, lets talk somewhere else»*
*»Talk? About what? How youve been laughing behind my back?»* Nausea rose in my throat. *»How long has this been going on?»*
Daniel crossed his arms. *»Nothing happened while we were together. Charlotte and I met after»*
*»Met? *Met*?»* I laughed bitterly. *»Is that what you call it?»*
*»Stop,»* Charlotte said sharply. *»Youve got this all wrong.»*
*»Enlighten me, then.»*
She inhaled. *»I came to get your things.»*
I scoffed. *»And that required a shower and his robe?»*
*»Not his. *Yours.*»* She gestured to the pale blue silk robe*my* birthday gift from colleaguesdraped over her shoulders.
My breath hitched.
*»Daniel spilled coffee on me yesterday. I washed up while my clothes dried. You walked in as I was leaving.»*
Daniel nodded. *»She was helping. Thats all.»*
The room spun. All this time, Id assumed the worst. And Charlotteperfect, irritating Charlottehad just been trying to spare me pain.
*»Why didnt you tell me?»*
*»Because youd refuse. Youre too proud to admit youre hurting.»* She pulled a bag from her tote. *»Here. Your perfume, blouses, the album. And your robe.»*
I stared at it, then at her red-rimmed eyes. The anger dissolved into shame.
*»Im sorry,»* I whispered.
She hugged me tightly. *»Id never betray you. Never.»*
Later, over tea at home, Mum sighed. *»Honestly, girls. I thought I was done mediating your squabbles.»*
Charlotte grinned. *»At least now Emma knows Daniel wasnt worth the tears.»*
I smiled. *»And that Ive got a sister wholl fight for meeven when Im being an idiot.»*
*»Especially then,»* she laughed.
Funny how life teaches you. I went to reclaim what Id left behindand found something far more precious instead.
