Sure, here is the adapted story:
Put My Husband’s Cheeky Sister in Her Place
“Mom said the restaurant reservation is confirmed,” Emily spoke as if she didn’t notice the tension in Laura’s voice. “And about the money, have you and John transferred it all?”
Laura paused for a moment, searching for the right words, but Emily went on:
“The amount isn’t much, really. I was even thinking of adding some from my own pocket, but you know, with my expenses… It’s all for Mom, you understand.”
“Wait,” Laura interrupted, trying to keep her cool. “We didn’t agree on this. John didn’t tell me anything.”
“Oh, come on, you know how forgetful he is,” Emily laughed, as if it were the most ordinary thing. “I told him it’d be about four hundred quid from you guys. That’s a reasonable sum for such an occasion, right?”
Her words made it sound like the decision was long made, and any objections were out of line. Laura gripped the phone tighter, feeling her irritation grow.
“Four hundred pounds?” she asked slowly, almost whispering.
“Yes, and I even got a discount! There are cakes, service, you’ll see for yourself. Mom will be thrilled. Don’t stress, I’ve already paid the deposit. John said you’d settle up.”
Emily hung up before Laura could respond.
Laura sat there, staring at her phone. It felt like a lump was stuck in her throat, the only thought in her mind: “Once again, it’s a one-sided game.”
***
In the evening, the kitchen’s atmosphere was thick with tension. John opened the fridge, took out a bottle of lemonade, and mumbled without looking at Laura:
“Em said you’re against chipping in for the restaurant.”
Laura stopped dead in her tracks.
“Against it? Is that what she said?” She stood up, trying to maintain her composure. “Did I refuse? I didn’t even know about it until she called and dropped it on me.”
John turned and frowned.
“Oh, come on, she’s just trying to do something nice for Mom. It’s not like Mom has a milestone birthday every year.”
“And it’s all on our dime, isn’t it? Four hundred, John!” Laura held back, refusing to shout, “Is that really okay?”
John shrugged and looked away.
“Well, it’s for Mom. What do you expect? Em’s been great, she organized everything.”
Laura scoffed.
“Oh, she’s a star, no doubt. It’s easy being the hero with other people’s money. And you know, John, I don’t understand why you just agreed without even consulting with me. Did we discuss this? No. She decided and you agreed.”
“Oh, stop it,” John waved it off, taking a sip from his glass. “She means well.”
“For whom? Us? Or herself?” Laura raised her voice but quickly calmed it, aware of their son upstairs. “John, I’m at my wit’s end. It’s always just ‘give, transfer, pay.’ Then she disappears as if nothing’s happened.”
He stayed silent, staring into his drink.
“Well, what can I do? That’s just her. Talk to her if you want.”
“I already did,” Laura replied curtly. “You know what she told me? That it’s our responsibility.”
“And what did you expect? She’s doing everything herself. Her life may be harder than ours, you know.”
“Doing everything?! John, she’s just using everyone around her. And you’re playing along!”
The conversation hit a dead end. John shrugged, mumbled something incoherent, and left for the living room, leaving Laura with her thoughts.
***
The next morning started with an unexpected call. Laura reluctantly answered.
“Hi, Laura! Are you busy?” Emily sounded surprisingly upbeat.
“I’m listening,” Laura replied dryly, bracing herself for another “favor.”
“Listen, I need a bit of help. I’ve started a small project with a neighbor—an online shop, you know how it is. I need to cover some costs, but I’m flat broke at the moment. I thought maybe you could loan me your card for a couple of days.”
Laura froze for a second, digesting what she’d heard.
“Em,” her voice firm, “are you serious? My card?”
“Well, yeah! What’s the big deal? You know I’m careful. I’ll account for everything and not spend anything extra.”
“No. It’s not up for discussion.”
Silence fell on the other end.
“I don’t get it,” Emily’s voice was less steady now. “It’s just a card. Why refuse?”
“Em, because my peace of mind matters to me. And my card is my own.”
“Laura, you don’t trust me?” Emily’s feigned indignation sounded more like her typical maneuvering. “We’re family.”
Laura held her tongue, not wanting to speak out of turn.
“Em, let’s end it here. I have work to do.”
She ended the call, feeling both relief and anger. Emily had overstepped yet again.
That evening, as John came home from work, Laura was already prepared for a difficult conversation.
“John,” she began calmly, “your sister called again.”
He took off his shoes, deliberately avoiding her gaze.
“And?”
“She asked for my card. For some project she’s involved in.”
John paused, looking at her with surprise.
“And what did you say?”
“I said no, obviously.”
“Why couldn’t you just help her out?” His tone was sharp. “It’s just Em.”
Laura took a deep breath, fighting back the urge to yell.
“John, is it a family trait not to distinguish between a request and presumptuousness? Can’t she handle things on her own?”
“She wasn’t asking for millions. You always make everything so complicated.”
She looked at him in disbelief.
“Complicated? Me? Do you really think this can go on forever?”
John stayed silent, then mumbled:
“She just needed a hand, that’s all.”
“Sure, and then she vanishes, leaving us to pick up the pieces.”
He waved her off and retreated to the living room.
Laura sat at the kitchen table, feeling something inside her finally break. She couldn’t put up with it any longer. Emily wasn’t just meddling in their lives—she was tearing them apart.
All evening, Laura planned on how to put an end to this. Slowly, a clear, rational, and final solution formed in her mind.
***
The following week, they were invited to a family gathering at John’s relatives. Almost everyone was there: grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins. Emily, as usual, was the center of attention, loudly sharing how she was “investing in the future.” Laura watched the spectacle with a calm, almost emotionless face.
John sat beside her, clearly uneasy, sensing that something uncomfortable was about to unfold.
“So,” Emily continued, addressing everyone, “we’re launching this fantastic project with my neighbor. We’re doing it all on our own, you know how tricky that is these days.”
Laura cleared her throat to get everyone’s attention.
“Em, is it okay that in your project, you’re trying to use other people’s money?”
The table went silent. Emily didn’t immediately understand it was directed at her.
“What do you mean?” Her voice was tense.
“You asked for my card for ‘temporary expenses.’ And before that, John gave you money to fix your car. By the way, did you ever pay that back?”
Emily flushed.
“Well, those are trivial things. Why bring them up here?”
Laura didn’t back down.
“It’s not trivial when you constantly try to live off others.”
“I don’t understand why you’re so bitter,” Emily tried smiling, but it looked forced. “We’re family.”
“Family?” Laura raised an eyebrow. “Is that what you call family, Em? What kind of family takes without returning and then gets offended if told no?”
Everyone around the table remained silent. John tried to interject, but Laura stopped him.
“No, John. Enough covering for her. We’ve already spent plenty on her at our mental and financial expense. Now, let her explain why she wanted my card.”
Emily jumped up, clenching her fists.
“You’re just jealous, Laura! I’m doing this for everyone, and all you do is nit-pick over pennies.”
“Jealous?” Laura smirked. “Of what, your habit of deceiving everyone around you? Don’t make me laugh.”
Emily banged her palm on the table and stormed out of the room.
John got up and looked at Laura with pain in his eyes.
“Why did you have to do that? She’s still my sister.”
“And why do you let her get away with everything?” Laura met his gaze head-on.
He said nothing, just shook his head and followed Emily out of the room.
Laura realized she’d achieved her goal: the truth was out. But it felt more like a loss than a victory. Everyone else remained silent, avoiding her eyes.
That evening, John didn’t come home. He sent a brief message: “I need time to think things over.”
Laura sat on the couch. She knew she’d done the right thing, yet something inside refused to acknowledge it as a win.
