Sophie was the only daughter of her parents. Her father was protective, her mother indulgent, and always repeated the same advice:
“The most important thing is to marry well. A wealthy husband means a happy life,” she told Sophie, who nodded in agreement.
But where was this wealthy man? At university, there were decent lads, of course. She even had a fiancé from a good family.
Yet her father kept a strict watchno late-night outings, no student gatherings, no trips to the countryside. Everything was under control.
Before long, her enviable fiancé found another girl, freer and more interesting than Sophie.
Then came her dissertation defense, leaving no time for romance.
After graduation, her father helped her secure a job, while her mother took charge of her personal life.
Her mother knew what she was doing. An only daughter must marry well, and soon a suitor appearedthe nephew of a close friend.
“Sophie, dear, pay attention to this man. Hes older than you, but thats an advantage, not a drawback. Why settle for a boy? Think about it. William is a serious man with his own firm. You wont even need to work.”
“But he was married before, Mum! He has a daughterthat means alimony.”
“Dont let that trouble you. His ex-wife was foolish, and she lives in another city with their daughter. Its no issue.”
The meeting was arranged. Sophies father remained silent. Since shed finished university, he no longer interfered in “womens matters.”
Let them decide.
Surprisingly, Sophie liked William.
The ten-year age gap didnt bother her. With his looks, hed still be handsome in another decade.
Charming, well-mannered, impeccably dressed.
She impressed him too, and they married.
Her mother sighed in relief, her maternal duty fulfilled, and turned her attention to herselfsalons, shopping, trips abroad with her husband, now without Sophie.
Sophie, following her mothers example, indulged herself.
Her husband encouraged her desires. She lived for pleasure.
Her only household duty was directing the housekeeper, who managed perfectly well without instruction.
Then, out of nowhere, disaster struck.
Williams ex-wife passed awaySophie didnt ask howand he was forced to take in his daughter!
Unthinkable. So much for “no issue”! What now? Shed postponed having her own child indefinitely, and now some girl would invade her home, expecting her to play “stepmum,” as William called it.
But there was no choice.
He didnt ask her opinion, simply stated the fact and asked for kindness.
“The child isnt to blame!”
Soon, he fetched the girl, who arrived with a shabby suitcase and a school backpack.
Emily was in Year 3, tall, quietalmost withdrawn, Sophie noted.
She rarely spoke, keeping to herself.
At least she resembled her father. Undoubtedly his child, not some mistake from that foolish ex-wife.
Life in the big house with her father, stepmother, and housekeeper weighed on Emily.
She wasnt used to it!
After dinner, shed rush to wash dishes, ask for the broom to sweep, iron her own clothesall of which irritated Sophie.
Her father, absorbed in work, came home late, with little time for affection.
He lavished it on his wife, but Emily received only a pat on the head and a “How was school?”
Sophie felt her freedom slippingno more spontaneous outings, no leisurely mornings at the gym.
She needed her sleep, her time scrolling through social media.
Then Emily came home, and there was no escape: William expected her to supervise homework.
So Sophie considered suggesting boarding schoolbut didnt dare. Instead, she proposed after-school care.
“Its hard for me to help with her lessons. Im not a teacher. Look, shes getting Cs. At school, she works properly. Its for her own good.”
William was furious, making her regret the suggestion.
And so it continueda joyless household, resentment simmering.
Two years later, Sophie had a son. A nanny was discussed, but Emily, nearly twelve, offered to help care for her brother.
She was the perfect nannyhomework done, Daniel entertained, clothes ironed.
Soon, laundry fell to her too, as Nina, the housekeeper, was past sixty and tiring.
Sophie adjusted, content that Emily assisted Nina, while she maintained her socialite glamour.
Daniel grew up adoring his sister.
When Emily finished school, Daniel was starting Year 1. Again, she took charge of his studies while attending university herself, studying English and tutoring him.
“Dont you think, darling, youve left all the household and parenting to Emily?” William asked one day, as Sophie spent less time at home, busy with friends, cafes, society.
“Whats the problem? Emily handles it perfectly. Nina barely worksjust cooks. Thats all.”
“Thats my point. Everything else falls on Emily, doesnt it?”
Sophie stayed silent.
Yes, it did. But did Emily complain? And Sophie sometimes took Daniel outmuseums, concerts. Wasnt that enough?
When Emily graduated, her father hired her at his firm, now international and in need of a translator.
There, she met James, a sharp salesman.
Their office romance stunned William.
Hed never imagined his quiet daughter would defy convention. It upset him.
But Emily insisted theyd marry. For the first time, she stood her ground. He relented.
Sophie was equally dismayedshed lose her household helper. Nina was retiring, and William delayed hiring a replacement.
Emily took initiative.
“Ill still help, Mum,” she said cheerfully. “Ill come weekly, clean, iron. Im used to it.”
“Not just weeklymore often,” Sophie snapped.
Still, Emily moved in with James after a lavish wedding, building her own life.
James grew complacent.
First, he talked of starting his own business.
He quit his job, hunched over his laptop.
It failed. Starting from scratch wasnt easy.
His furious father-in-law refused help, though he increased Emilys salary.
Unused to spending on herself, she funneled it all into their budget, even slipping money to her now-teenage brother.
She scraped by, managing finances, chores, and still helping her mother.
Then, everything changed.
Williams health declined, and overseas partners withdrew.
The business nosedived.
When he realized he could no longer run it, he sold.
Emily kept her jobWilliam persuaded the new owner to retain her, though her role was nearly obsolete.
Her salary plummeted.
James, idle and despairingespecially after Williams funeralgave up entirely.
Sophie and Daniel struggled too, so Emily moved back, leaving James to ponder her ultimatum:
“Find a proper job and contribute, or we divorce!”
Then she discovered she was pregnant.
She might have rejoiced, but Jamess reaction stunned her.
“A baby? Be serious! No job, no money. Your dad left you with nothingnow you want to raise paupers?!”
She was speechless.
Emily filed for divorce at once, done with that layabout.
She moved in with Sophie and Daniel, who was bright and kind-hearted.
Financially, they struggled. William hadnt left Sophie destitute, but she spent sparinglyexcept on herself.
Emily managed the house, now the sole breadwinner.
When her baby arrived, something shifted in Sophie.
A young grandmother, she blossomeddotting on her granddaughter, learning to care for her. Emily marveled at the change.
Sophie even had a suitor now, clearly happy.
That warmth extended to the baby.
A year later, Sophie remarried and moved in with her new husband and Daniel.
Emily stayed in her fathers house, working remotely.
Sophie and her husband helped with groceries and sometimes took little Lily for weekends.
Daniel visited Emily then, still calling her “the best sister in the world.”
“Sort your life out, Em,” hed say, blushing. “Want me to introduce you to my gym teacher? Great bloke. Single, too.”
Shed laugh, ruffle his hair, and say, “Pipe down, matchmaker!”
Life moved on. No great strife. Each found their own happiness.
Even Emily, who loved her family but secretly dreamed of finding true love.
And soon, she did.
