**Diary Entry**
If only you knew what your precious sister was really up to in the city, you wouldnt dare mention her namelet alone brag about her.
*”My daughters an absolute genius!”* boasted Olivia to the neighbours. *”Straight As this term! Shes even got a part-time jobdoesnt ask us for a penny!”*
*”I envy you, Olivia,”* sighed one of the women. *”Mine only know how to beg for money. Emily says shell marry right after collegelet her husband take care of her. And my son”* She waved a hand in defeat. *”But your Sophienow theres a girl with a head on her shoulders.”*
*”Oh, sure she is,”* muttered Michael under his breath, stepping away from the gossiping women. Hed have gladly walked home, but his mother hadnt finished her shopping. And with Dad at work, the prestigious title of “bag carrier” fell squarely on his shoulders. *If only you knew what Sophies really doing in London*
*”Did you say something?”* Olivia shot him an irritated glance. Couldnt he wait five minutes? She hadnt even finished listing Sophies accomplishments.
*”Just that Ive got a presentation and an essay due tomorrow,”* Michael replied calmly. *”Maybe save the bragging for another time?”*
*”Honestly, you and your father! Wont let a woman speak!”* She huffed. *”Fine, lets go.”*
Michael shrugged, catching the relieved looks from the neighbours. Theyd had enough of Olivias endless praise for her golden child. Sophie might as well have been carved from marble, the way his mother went on.
But he knew the truth. Knewand kept quiet. The last thing Mum needed was another worry.
***
*”Does Sophie Wilson live here?”* The disdain in the womans voice threw Olivia off. Two stern-faced men lingered behind her, arms crossed.
*”My daughters at university in London,”* Olivia answered proudly. *”What business do you have with her?”*
*”University? Sophie?”* The woman scoffed. *”She was kicked out after her first term. Failed every examhardly surprising, since she never attended a single lecture. Too busy chasing after wealthy men.”*
*”How dare you slander my daughter!”* Olivias voice trembled. *”Ill sue you for defamation!”* The murmurs behind neighbouring doors made her hesitate. Letting this woman inside meant admitting she might be right. But turning her away? Gossip would spread regardless.
*”Let them in.”* Michaels voice cut through the tension. *”No sense giving the neighbours more to whisper about. Mum, step aside.”*
*”But”*
*”Let them in.”*
At sixteen, Michael carried himself like a man twice his age. He ushered the strangers into the living room, gesturing to the sofa. The woman claimed the armchair instead, while her companions remained standing.
*”Michael! How could you invite them in? Did you hear what she said about Sophie?”*
*”I did. Thats why I let them in.”* His tone was sharp. With Dad away, he was the head of the householdand damage control was his job now.
*”What”*
*”You must know your sister better,”* the woman sneered. *”Care to share where she is?”*
*”London, like Mum said. But shes not in student housing.”* Michaels smile was bitter. *”Shes in a flat paid for by her gentleman friend. A married man, twenty years her seniorwealthy, with three grown children.”*
*”His name wouldnt happen to be Gregory, would it?”*
*”Let me guessyoure his wife?”* Michael tensed. What mess had his sister stumbled into?
*”Thank God, no. His sister. My brother has a *wonderful* wifedaughter of our biggest business partner. And shes rather upset about his little distractions. Divorce would be inconvenient.”*
*”And we cant have that, can we?”*
*”Clever boy.”* The woman smirked. *”Any idea where your sister is now?”*
*”No. But her friend might. Ill call herbut first, I want to know your plans. Shes still my sister.”*
Olivia swayed, face pale. *”Michael, what is this? What flat? Whats happened to my Sophie?”*
Michael bolted for the bathroom where Mum kept her pills.
*”Should I call an ambulance?”* The woman sounded almost guilty.
Hed already dialled 999. Dr. Victoria Parker, their kind-hearted GP, promised to be there in minutes.
*”Michael how did you know all this?”* Olivias voice was a whisper.
*”Last time Sophie came home, her phone broke. She used my laptopleft her messages open. I read them. Confronted her. She didnt deny itjust begged me not to tell you.”*
His chest ached for her. Mum was good-hearted to a faulther only flaw was bragging about her children. Hed lost count of how many times hed cringed as she prattled on about his trophies.
Later, once the doctor had settled Olivia in bed, Michael faced the woman again.
*”So what now?”*
*”Nothing drastic. Ill give her money, introduce her to some *eligible* bachelors. If shes smart, shell land a proper husband.”*
With a heavy sigh, he called Sophies frienda sharp-tongued girl whod need careful handling. He spun a story about celebrating Sophies “stellar grades,” needing a courier for a gift.
*”Here.”* He handed the woman a slip of paper. *”Hope you keep your word.”*
*”I will.”*
On her way out, the woman raised her voice deliberately for eavesdropping neighbours:
*”Apologies for the fussjust needed a private word. I trust no nasty rumours will start. If they do well, Ill apologise to Sophie personally. But Im sure your neighbours are decent people.”*
Gossip did spread, but weakly. Olivia shut it down fast, defending her daughters namethough she rarely left the house now, let alone boasted.
Michael and his father made a decision: theyd move. Olivia couldnt bear the neighbours knowing looksthe shame of having lied all along.
One bright morning, the family left. *”London,”* Michael told the nosy women. *”Better doctors there. Mum hasnt been well lately.”*
Sophie never visited. She married welland forgot her family entirely.
**Lesson learned:** Pride paints pretty lies. But the truth? It always comes collecting.
