You’re the Big Brother, So You Have to Help Your Little Sister—You’ve Got Two Flats, Give One to Her! Not long ago, we celebrated my sister-in-law’s birthday. Alina has never been friendly toward me, and I’ve always felt the same. The entire family turned up: grandparents, nephews, and the birthday girl herself. Every relative congratulated my husband on his sister’s birthday and went on about his generosity. We graciously accepted the congratulations, but couldn’t understand what all the fuss was about. We held an envelope containing a £100 gift; I thought that was fine for the occasion but hardly extravagant. Everything became clear when my mother-in-law started giving her birthday wishes. “Mark, it’s your sister’s birthday today. She’s still on her own, without a partner, so as her big brother you have to look after her and make sure she’s secure. Now you own two flats, so give one to Alina.” Everyone started clapping, and I nearly fell off my chair at the sheer cheek of it. But it didn’t end there. “Brother, you’re giving me the one in the new building! So, when can I move in?” I decided to set the record straight. My husband and I do have two flats. One I inherited from my grandmother—we spruced it up and rent it out. The rent pays off the mortgage for the flat in the new building, which is where we actually live. My husband has no claim on my inherited flat; I plan to leave it to our child, and my sister-in-law is out of the question. “Forget it—the flat we rent out is mine, and the one you dream about is our home.” “Dear, you’re mistaken,” said my mother-in-law, “since you’re married to my son, all the property is joint and your husband should manage everything.” “I’m happy for you to help, but keep your hands off my property! Mark, do you have anything to say?” “Darling, you and I can make more money and buy another flat—let’s give this one to Alina, it’s her birthday.” “Are you serious?” I asked. “If it ever comes to that, you can give her a share of our joint home—but only after filing for divorce!” “Aren’t you ashamed to speak to your husband like that? If you want a divorce, you can have it! Son, I think you should pack up and move back in with me—and you, you’re just spiteful and selfish!” declared my husband’s mother. After that, I left the madhouse—no way would I stay among people who think they have the right to claim my property.

You know, just the other week we got together for my sister-in-law’s birthday party. Olivia and I have never exactly been best mates, and honestly, the sentiments mutual. The whole family turned up: grandparents, nephews, nieces, and of course the birthday girl herself. Everyone sort of felt obliged to congratulate my husband on his sisters big day, but what really stood out was how everyone kept going on about his generosity.

Wed just received the usual congratulations and couldnt figure out what the fuss was about. We were holding an envelope with a gift of £100 inside. Not bad for such a gathering, I thoughtnot over the top, but perfectly sensible all the same. It all started making sense when my mother-in-law finally piped up with her birthday speech.

She said, Matthew, its your sisters birthday today. Shes still single, hasnt found anyone, so as her eldest brother you really ought to look after her and make sure shes safe. Now you have two flats, so its only fair to give one to Olivia.

The whole room burst out in applause, and I nearly dropped my drinkI just couldnt believe the cheekiness! But of course, it didnt end there.

Olivia piped up, Come on, bro, I want the one in the new building! So, when can I move in? I thought I had to set the record straight.

The truth is, Matthew and I do have two flats. One I inherited from my granits had a quick spruce-up, and were renting it out. The rent money goes straight to paying the mortgage for the new flat, which is where we actually live. The thing is, Matthew doesnt have any claim to the inherited flat. Ive always intended for it to go to our child one daynever even considered Olivia.

So I told her, Not a chance. The flat were renting out is mine, and the one youre dreaming about is where we live.

But my mother-in-law wouldnt let it drop. Oh, darling, youre mistaken, she said. As Matthews wife, everything you have is family property, and your husband should get to make those decisions.

I just answered, I dont mind you helping out, but I draw the line at using my belongings for someone else! Then I turned to Matthew: Anything you want to say about this?

Matthew, ever keen to please, says, Love, well work together, earn a bit more, maybe buy another flat, then we can give Olivia this one as a giftafter all, its her birthday.

I was gobsmacked. Youre joking, right? If it ever comes to that, you can give your sister half of OUR flatafter weve gone through a divorce!

Thats when my mother-in-law lost her temper. How dare you speak to my son like that! If you want a divorce, youll get one. Matthew, you should pack your things and come back to your mum, and you, youre just mean and greedy! That was her parting shot.

After that, I walked straight out of that madhouse. Honestly, Im not sticking around with people who think they can help themselves to whats mine.