**Diary Entry**
Olivia raced through the bustling streets of Manchester, gripping the steering wheel until her fingers ached. Her heart pounded with anger—neighbours had complained again about her brother-in-law, who’d turned her inheritance into a den of chaos. But what she discovered inside the flat shattered her completely. Her husband’s brother revealed a truth far worse: her husband’s infidelity. Now, her world was crumbling. Olivia stood torn between forgiving betrayal or starting anew.
“Liv, it’s my brother—he’s got nowhere else to go,” Oliver had pleaded when it all began. “He’s divorced from Laura. Where’s he supposed to stay?”
“I don’t want him in Gran’s flat,” Olivia muttered uncertainly.
“He won’t wreck the place,” Oliver insisted. “He can’t move back in with Mum and Dad, can he?”
“Why not?” she shot back.
“Come on, he’s forty-five—it’s embarrassing. Plus, he’s got his own life,” Oliver said, giving her a pleading look.
“Fine, he can stay. But if the neighbours complain, he’s out,” Olivia relented after a long silence.
“Brilliant!” Oliver grinned, rubbing his hands together.
He had his own plans for the flat—using it as a cover for his secret affair, something Olivia, at thirty-four, never suspected.
“I’ll take Simon over now—he’ll be thrilled!” Oliver exclaimed, snatching the keys and rushing out.
“In such a hurry, you’d think *he* was moving in,” Olivia scoffed before turning to her chores.
Oliver returned three hours later. Spotting his headlights, Olivia darted outside.
“Where were you? I was about to send out a search party,” she joked half-heartedly.
“Just showing Simon around,” Oliver dodged, hiding the real reason.
“Listen, is he even going to pay for utilities?” Olivia pressed.
Oliver hesitated, eyes darting. He hadn’t discussed it with his brother.
“It’s a bit harsh charging family, especially when he’s down on his luck,” he chided. “We’re covering the rent anyway—he won’t rack up much.”
Relenting, Olivia agreed it seemed petty to charge him. But once Simon moved in, chaos followed. Loud music, raucous gatherings, strangers coming and going at all hours—the neighbours called the police, but fines did nothing.
Simon complained to Oliver.
“The neighbours are a nightmare,” he grumbled. “We’re quiet as mice, and they still call the cops. Sort it out, or if I’m kicked out, you’re banned too.”
“I’ll handle it, but keep it down,” Oliver warned. “If Liv finds out, we’re done.”
“Sure, sure,” Simon promised—yet the police were back that very night.
Fed up, a neighbour tracked Olivia down online. *Do you know what’s happening at your flat?* The message stunned her—she knew nothing.
An hour later, Olivia stormed in, fury blazing.
“Alright?” Simon smirked as he opened the door.
“Simon, the neighbours are furious! You need to leave,” she demanded.
“Leave?” He feigned shock. “You’ve let us down, Liv.”
“*You’ve* let *me* down. Get out!”
“Oh, is that how it is?” He sneered. “Maybe you should hear about your husband.”
“What are you on about?” Her voice wavered.
“I’m not the only one causing a scene here,” Simon snorted. “Oliver’s been bringing his mistress round. Three months, and you had no clue!”
The words hit like a thunderbolt. Olivia’s legs almost buckled.
“Get out!” she shouted, pointing at the door.
“What’ll you do about Oliver?” Simon taunted.
“Not your concern! Go!”
Chuckling, Simon packed his things and vanished twenty minutes later. Olivia stood alone in the wrecked flat. Gran’s home was unrecognisable—filthy walls, scattered rubbish, the stench of smoke screaming of deceit. She flung open the windows, as if to air out the betrayal.
That evening, Oliver denied everything—until cornered. Then came the begging. Olivia listened, but her heart was steel. His lies and callousness had erased their years together. She filed for divorce and maintenance, refusing to let anyone trample her dignity again.
Sitting in the empty flat, staring at the city lights, tears streamed down her face—but they carried more than pain. She’d lost her illusions but found strength. Her life began anew now, and she wouldn’t let the past drag her back.
**Lesson learned: Trust is fragile, but self-respect is unbreakable.**
