**Put My Husband’s Brazen Sister in Her Place**
– “Mum said the restaurant is booked,” Susan mentioned casually, seemingly ignoring the tension in Emily’s voice. “And about the money. Did you and Andrew transfer it all?”
Emily paused, trying to find the right words, but Susan continued:
– “It’s not a big amount, honestly. I even thought about adding some of my own, but you know, with my expenses… It’s all for Mum, you understand.”
– “Wait,” Emily interrupted, trying to stay calm. “We never agreed to this. Andrew didn’t tell me anything.”
– “Oh, you know how he forgets everything,” Susan laughed it off. “I told him it’s about four hundred. That’s reasonable for such an occasion, right?”
It sounded as if the decision was made long ago, and any objections were ridiculous. Emily gripped the phone tighter, feeling her frustration grow.
– “Four hundred pounds?” she repeated slowly, almost whispering.
– “Yes, and I even got a discount! There’s cakes and service. You’ll see for yourself. Mum will be thrilled. Anyway, don’t stress, I’ve already paid the deposit. Andrew said you’d transfer everything.”
Susan hung up without waiting for an answer.
Emily sat there, staring at the phone. A lump in her throat, and one thought in her mind: “This game is always one-sided.”
***
That evening, the kitchen felt tense, like a tightly wound string. Andrew opened the fridge, pulled out a bottle of beer, and mumbled without looking at Emily:
– “Sue said you were against giving money for the restaurant.”
Emily froze.
– “Against? Is that what she said?” She stood up, keeping her composure. “Did I refuse? I knew nothing until she called and made this matter a fact.”
Andrew turned, frowning.
– “Oh come on, she’s doing it for Mum. It’s not like Mum celebrates her anniversary every year.”
– “And it’s fine that she’s doing it at our expense? Four hundred, Andrew!” Emily restrained herself, avoiding raising her voice. “Four hundred pounds! Is that acceptable?”
Andrew shrugged, avoiding eye contact.
– “Well, it’s Mum. What do you expect? Sue’s done a great job organizing everything.”
Emily scoffed.
– “Great job, sure. But spending others’ money makes it easy to look good. And you know, Andrew, I don’t get why you agreed so easily. Did we discuss this? No. She decided, and you nodded.”
– “Oh, stop it.” Andrew waved a hand and picked up a glass. “She’s just trying her best.”
– “For whom? For us? For Mum? Or herself?” Emily raised her voice sharply but immediately toned it down to avoid waking their son. “Andrew, I can’t take this anymore. With her, it’s always ‘give, transfer, pay.’ And then she vanishes like nothing happened.”
He paused, staring into his glass.
– “What can I do? She’s like that. If you want, talk to her yourself.”
– “I already did,” Emily replied dryly. “And you know what she said? That it’s our duty.”
– “What did you expect? She’s handling everything. Maybe her life’s tougher than ours.”
– “Handling?!” Emily couldn’t hold back. “Andrew, she’s just using everyone around her. And you play along!”
The conversation hit a wall. Andrew shrugged, muttered something indistinct, and left the room, leaving Emily alone with her thoughts.
***
The next morning started with an unexpected call. Reluctantly, Emily picked up.
– “Em, hi! Are you busy?” Susan sounded surprisingly cheerful.
– “Listening,” Emily replied dryly, bracing for a new “task.”
– “Listen, I need a favor. I started a small project with a neighbor. An online shop, you know how many opportunities there are now. So, I need to pay for something, and I have absolutely nothing. I thought, maybe you could lend me your card. Just for a few days.”
Emily froze for a moment, processing what she’d heard.
– “Sue,” her voice firmed up, “are you serious? My card?”
– “Yeah! What’s the big deal? You know, I’m careful. I’ll calculate everything, return it all, won’t spend anything extra.”
– “No. This isn’t open for discussion.”
Silence hung on the other end.
– “I don’t understand,” Susan’s voice lacked its usual confidence. “It’s just a card. Why refuse?”
– “Sue, because my peace of mind is precious. And my card.”
– “Em, don’t you trust me?” Susan seemed outraged, but it sounded like another ploy. “We’re family.”
Emily held back from saying too much.
– “Sue, let’s end it here. I have things to do.”
She hung up, feeling both relieved and angry. Susan was crossing all boundaries.
In the evening, when Andrew returned from work, Emily knew the conversation would be tough.
– “Andrew,” she began calmly, “your sister called again.”
He took off his shoes, not rushing to meet her gaze.
– “And?”
– “She asked for my card. For some project of hers.”
Andrew paused, surprised.
– “And what did you say?”
– “Of course I said no.”
– “Why couldn’t you just help? It’s Sue.”
Emily sighed slowly, trying not to explode.
– “Andrew, is this typical in your family—to not see the line between a request and audacity? Can’t she handle things herself?”
– “Em, it’s not like she asked for millions. You always make everything so complicated.”
She looked at him, disbelief in her eyes.
– “Complicated? Me? Do you really think this can continue forever?”
Andrew hesitated, then mumbled:
– “She just needed a bit of help, that’s all.”
– “Sure, then she disappears, and we’re left to sort things out.”
He waved dismissively and walked away into the room.
Emily sat at the kitchen table, feeling something inside finally breaking. She couldn’t stand it anymore. Susan wasn’t just interfering in their lives; she was destroying them.
The whole evening Emily pondered how to put an end to this. A plan formed—a calm, sensible, and most importantly, final plan.
***
The following week, they were invited to a family gathering at Andrew’s relatives. Just about everyone was there: grandmas, uncles, aunts, cousins. As usual, Susan was the life of the party, loudly describing how she was “investing in her future.” Emily observed the spectacle with a calm, almost stoic demeanor.
Andrew sat beside her, clearly anxious, as if sensing something unpleasant was forthcoming.
– “So,” Susan continued to everyone, “we’re starting such a cool project with my neighbor. Doing it all by ourselves, you wouldn’t believe how tough it is these days.”
Emily cleared her throat to gain attention.
– “Sue, isn’t it true that you’re trying to use others’ money for your project?”
Everyone at the table paused. Susan didn’t immediately realise Emily was addressing her.
– “What do you mean?” her voice sounded tense.
– “You asked me for my card for ‘temporary expenses.’ Plus, earlier Andrew gave you money to fix your car. By the way, did you pay that back?”
Susan turned red.
– “Well, those are minor things. Why bring them up here?”
Emily stood her ground.
– “They’re not minor when you’re constantly trying to live off others.”
– “I don’t get why you’re so bitter,” Susan tried to smile, but it was insecure. “We’re family.”
– “Family?” Emily raised an eyebrow. “What sort of family takes but doesn’t return, then gets upset when refused?”
Everyone at the table was silent. Andrew attempted to speak, but Emily stopped him.
– “No, Andrew. Stop covering for her. We’ve spent plenty on her already, stressed out enough. Now let her explain why she needs my card.”
Susan jumped from her seat, clenching her fists.
– “You’re just jealous, Em! I’m trying for everyone, and you just sit and count pennies.”
– “Jealous?” Emily laughed. “Of you deceiving everyone around? Don’t make me laugh.”
Susan slammed her hand on the table and ran out of the room.
Andrew stood up and looked at Emily with pained eyes.
– “Why did you do that? She’s still my sister.”
– “And why do you let her get away with everything?” Emily replied, not breaking eye contact.
He said nothing, just shook his head and went after Susan.
Emily knew she’d achieved her aim: the truth was out. But it didn’t feel like a victory, more like a defeat. Everyone else remained silent, avoiding her gaze.
That evening, Andrew didn’t come home. He sent a brief message: “I need time to think.”
Emily sat on the sofa. She knew she was right, but something inside refused to claim it as a victory.
