You’re the Older Brother, So You Must Help Your Younger Sister: You Own Two Flats, Give One to Your Sister! Not long ago, we celebrated my sister-in-law’s birthday. Emily has never cared for me, and I’ve felt the same. All our relatives gathered for the event, from grandparents and nieces to the birthday girl herself. Each family member congratulated my husband on his sister’s birthday and spoke admiringly of his supposed generosity. My husband and I received everyone’s congratulations, but we were quite confused. We held an envelope containing our £100 birthday gift – a decent present for such an occasion, but hardly something you’d call extravagant. It all became clear when my mother-in-law began her speech to the birthday girl. “David, your sister’s birthday is today. She’s still single and without a partner, so as her elder brother, you must look after her and ensure her safety. You now own two flats, so gift one to Emily.” Everyone started clapping, and I nearly fell off my chair, stunned by such boldness. But that wasn’t the end. “Big brother, make it the flat in the new building! When can I move in?” Emily chimed in. My husband and I actually own two flats. One I inherited from my nan—we’ve fixed it up a bit and now rent it out. The money from the rent goes towards our mortgage on the new flat, where we currently live. My husband has no legal claim to my inherited flat, which I plan to leave to our child—never to my sister-in-law. “Forget it, Emily; the flat we rent is mine, and the one you’re dreaming of is our home.” “Darling, you’re my son’s wife, so everything you own is part of the family and your husband should manage all the property,” my mother-in-law insisted. “I’m fine with supporting others as you like, but not by handing over my property!” I said. “David, do you have anything to add?” “Love, you and I will earn more and buy a third flat, and let’s gift this one to Emily—it’s her birthday, after all,” my husband replied. “Are you serious?” I gasped. “If it ever comes to that, you can give her part of our shared home—after we get divorced!” “How dare you speak to your husband like that? If you want a divorce, you’ll have it!” my mother-in-law declared. “Son, I think you should pack your things and come home to me. As for you, you’re nasty and greedy!” After her outburst, I left that crazy house—I won’t stay among people who think they have a right to my property.

I suppose being the elder brother comes with its burdenspeople expect you to step up and do more for your younger sister. Theres this persistent idea floating around my family that, since I own two flats now, I should simply hand one over to my sister!

Just the other week, we all gathered at my sister-in-laws birthday party. Lydia has never hidden her dislike for me, and truth be told, Ive never sought to win her over either. Our relatives crowded the sitting roomgrandparents, nieces, nephews, and Lydia front and centre, the birthday girl. Everybody congratulated my husband, as if having a sister was some great feat, and they showered him with praise about his apparent generosity.

We graciously accepted their congratulations, both of us equally baffled, clutching an envelope gifted by the family. Inside, there was a £100 notea perfectly pleasant present for the occasion, but hardly extravagant. The real confusion unraveled when my mother-in-law began her toast.

Matthew, your sisters celebrating her birthday today. Shes still without a partner, so as her elder brother, you need to care for her and make sure shes secure. Youre lucky enough to own two properties now, so its only right that you give one of your flats to Lydia.

Everyone started clapping as if this was a moment of stunning generosity, and I nearly fell off my chair from sheer disbelief at her presumptuousness. Worse, it didnt even end there.

Brother, youre giving me the one in the new block, right? When can I move in? Lydia piped up with her usual bold expectation.

I realised it was time to clarify the situation. My husband and I do have two flats: one came to me after my grandmother passed, and after some small refurbishments, weve been letting it out. The rent covers the mortgage on our flat in the new building, where we actually live. That inherited property is in my name onlyIve always intended it would one day go to our child, not my sister-in-law.

Dont even think about it, I said firmly. The flat were renting out belongs to me, and the one youre dreaming of is where we live.

My mother-in-law bristled, Youre wrong, my dear. You married my son, so your assets are shared, and he ought to oversee them.

I shrugged. Hes free to help as he likes, but my property isnt up for grabs. Matthew, do you have anything to say?

My husband tried to soothe everyone, Darling, well work hard, earn more, and buy another flat. We can give the old one to Lydiaits her birthday, after all!

You cant be serious, I replied incredulously. If you feel obliged, you can give Lydia a part of our joint flat but only after we file for divorce!

The room froze. How dare you talk to your husband like that? If divorce is what you want, that’s what youll get! Matthews mother snapped at me. Son, you should pack your things and come home to your mum! And you, youre nothing but greedy and spiteful!

After her tirade, I walked out of that madhouse. I refuse to spend another moment with people who think theyre entitled to dictate the fate of whats mine.