“You’re so independent!” her parents said, before secretly gifting a three-bedroom flat to her younger sister.
Anna was pushing her trolley through the shopping centre when someone called out:
“Annie! Hi!”
She turned to see Marissa, her sisters friend, grinning broadly and reaching for a hug.
“How are you? Listen, I meant to askwhat should we get Lydia for her housewarming? The flats absolutely gorgeous, three bedrooms right in the city centre!”
“What housewarming?”
The trolley stopped on its own.
“What do you mean? Shes moving into Grans old place! Says your parents gave it to her. Lucky girl, your sister!”
Anna felt everything inside her tighten. That flat had been rented out for three yearsshe even recognised the tenants by sight.
And shed secretly hoped that one day theyd sell it, split the money, and she could pay off her mortgage early.
“Has she moved in yet?”
“Not yet, just packing. But shes throwing a housewarming next week.”
An hour later, Anna stood outside Lydias one-bed flat in a quiet suburban estate. The buzzer didnt work, so she knocked.
“Annie?” Lydia opened the door in paint-splattered overalls, her face flushed, a cloth in hand. “What are you doing here unannounced?”
“Ran into Marissa. She asked what to get you for your housewarming.”
The cloth dropped to the floor. Lydia snatched it up, wiped her hands, and stepped back inside.
“Hang on a sec, I justneed the loo.”
The bathroom door shut, but the walls in the old council flat were paper-thin. Anna heard every word.
“Mum? Annie knows about the flat Shes here What do I do?”
Anna glanced around. Boxes everywhere”Kitchen,” “Books,” “Misc.” A stack of papers sat on the sofa.
Lydia emerged, tense.
“Look, dont make a fuss over a flat. Youre a grown woman, youve got your own place.”
“Lyd, you got nearly three hundred thousand quid. Just like that!”
“So what? They gave it to meI took it. Would you have refused?”
“I might not have. But I wouldnt have lied to my sisters face.”
“I didnt lie! I just didnt mention it.”
“And thats better?”
Lydia slumped onto the sofa, covering her face.
“Annie, what do you want? The flat back? Ive already booked renovations, hired a designer!”
“I dont want anything. I just finally see where I stand in this family.”
“Oh, come off it! Youre strong, independent. Im married, Max lost his jobwe needed it more.”
“Max lost his job? When?”
“Last year. We told Mum and Dad, and they decided to help.”
Anna nodded slowly. So even their parents had been fed lies.
“Did you even consider my mortgage when you decided who deserved it more?”
“God, Annie, drop it! The flats mine, end of. Stop counting other peoples money.”
Anna turned and walked to the door.
“Thats it? Youre just leaving?”
“Im not angry, Lyd. I just know who you really are now.”
At home, Anna called her mother.
“Mum, we need to talk.”
“Lydia already told me. Why are you making such a drama? Its a gift, thats all.”
“Remember when you said youd split Grans money when you sold the flat?”
“I did but things changed. Lydias married, Max has work troubles.”
“And my mortgage isnt trouble?”
“Youre coping fine on your own. Youre so capable.”
Half an hour later, her father rang.
“Love, dont fret. Its awkward, I know.”
“Awkward, Dad? You looked me in the eye for three years and let me hope.”
“We thought youd understand. Youre so independent.”
Right. Independent. So she could pay two grand a month without complaint.
Sunday lunch at her parents was sacred. Anna arrived as usual. Her daughter, Sophie, played on her tablet; Lydias husband, Max, told jokes; her mother bustled with pots.
Everyone pretended nothing had happened.
“Lydia and I are thinking of buying another flat,” Max said, serving salad. “A new-build. Well rent Grans outgot the deposit sorted.”
Anna froze, fork in hand.
“Rent it? What about the housewarming?”
“Plans changed,” Lydia said, cutting meat without looking up. “The citys too noisy, no parking. Well get something modern.”
The fork clattered onto the plate.
“So you gave her a flat worth nearly three hundred grandjust so she could buy another?”
Her father choked on his drink. Her mother spun from the stove:
“Whats wrong with that? Young people should better themselves!”
“Mum, and Im ancient? My mortgage runs till Im fifty!”
“You chose to take the loan!”
Anna stood.
“Sophie, were leaving.”
“You havent finished!” her mother protested.
“Were done. Finished long ago.”
In the hallway, Anna spotted the open bedroom door. Papers piled on the dressera gift deed on top.
She checked the date: 15th March 2021.
In the car, Sophie asked:
“Mum, why did we leave?”
“Because grown-ups sometimes lie. And wont admit it.”
At home, Anna scrolled to a photo from her own housewarming. One candle, a cheap bottle of wine, caption: “Home at last!”
15th March 2021.
The same day her family stood in a solicitors office, handing Lydia three hundred grand.
Now she knew her worth to them.
For a week, her parents called nonstopAnna ignored them. Then a text: “Have you lost your mind? Breaking the family over money!”
“Mum, Im not breaking anything. Just done pretending.”
“Pretending what?”
“That you have two daughters. Not one favourite, and one whos just convenient.”
A month later, her parents asked to meet. A café, solemn faces.
“Annie, weve talked,” her father began. “Well give you fifty grand towards your mortgage.”
“Where from?”
“Lydia will lend it from the rent,” her mother said.
Anna stirred her coffee slowly. So even this crumb was Lydias mercy.
“No thanks.”
“What? You wanted help!”
“I wanted honesty. Not handouts.”
Next day, Anna left the family group chat, un-saved their numbers. That evening, Sophie asked:
“Mum, why dont we see Grandma anymore?”
“Because they decided we can manage on our own.”
“Can we?”
“Of course, love. Were strong.”
Six months passed. Anna refinanced her mortgage, took on extra work. Skipped family gatheringstoo busy.
Then, in the same shopping centre, she bumped into Lydia, her trolley full of luxury groceries.
“Annie!” Lydia beamed. “How are you? Weve moved! The new place is stunningseventy square metres, designer finish.”
“Congratulations.”
“The old ones rentedtwenty-five hundred a month, pure profit. Why so cold? Mum and Dad are worried.”
“Worried?”
“Well, yes. They say you abandoned the family over a flat. Isnt money more important than blood?”
Anna studied her sisterdesigner coat, handbag worth half her salary.
“Lyd, do you really think this is about money?”
“What else?”
“That for three years, you all lied to my face. But you wouldnt get it.”
“Suit yourself! Stay bitter with your principles!”
That night, Anna stared at her housewarming photo. Back then, shed felt alone.
Now she understoodshed always been alone in that “loving” family. Now, she was just free.
She opened her banking app. One hundred fifty grand left on the mortgage. Six more years at two grand a month.
But every penny was paymentfor no longer pretending. For knowing her true worth. And that worth was far higher than her family had ever believed. Let them judge.
As they say: You cant force affection.
