**Diary Entry**
*I can still hear her voice, faint but desperate. My son, promise me youll care for your sister. You mustnt abandon her. She whispered it through ragged breaths, each word a struggle. The illness had withered her awayonce so full of life, now barely a shadow in the bed. I barely recognised her.*
*She clutched my hand with surprising strength. Edward, promise me youll look after Emily. Shes fragile. Different, but shes ours. Her grip tightened, as if willing me to understand.*
*I glanced at Emily, my older sister, sitting cross-legged in the corner of our tiny flat in Manchester. Though she was past forty, she still played with dolls, humming tunelessly. She smiled as if oblivious to our mother dying mere feet away.*
*My life was settleda thriving construction firm, a sleek Range Rover, a grand house by the Thames. But there was no place for Emily there. My children were afraid of her, and my wife, Charlotte, called her the mad one. Yet Emily was harmless, just lost in her own world.*
*Its just I have a family now, I stammered, trying to pull my hand free. Emily shes difficult.*
*Mothers voice grew urgent. Your fathers house is yours. But Ive left Emily a three-bed flatall legally hers. Promise me youll watch over her.*
*How? Charlotte and I exchanged greedy glances. Where did the money come from?*
*I cared for old Mrs. Thompsonbrought her meals, her medicine. She was kind. Never thought shed leave the flat to me. Its in Emilys name, so shell always have shelter. But youyou must look after her. Later, itll go to your children.*
*That night, Mother died.*
*Emily didnt seem to grasp she was alone. I took her in and began renovating the flat almost immediately.*
*Why does she need all that space? Charlotte argued. Let her stay here. We can rent it out.*
*At first, she tolerated Emilywho just played quietly, humming to herself. But her oddities unnerved Charlotte. Shes calm today, but what if she snaps?*
*Just be patient, I pleaded. Yet six months later, with the help of a solicitor friend, I transferred both the family home and Emilys flat into my name. Tricked her into signing papers without explanation.*
*Then the real cruelty began.*
*While I was at work, Charlotte tormented herlocked her in rooms, gave her cat food, hurled insults. Once, she struck her. Emily, terrified, wet herself.*
*Not just a lunatic, but a filthy one too? Out of my house! Charlotte shoved her belongings into a bin bag and threw her out.*
*That evening, I stretched in bed and asked, Wheres Emily?*
*Gone! Charlotte snapped. Pissed herself, then bolted out the door. Im not chasing after her!*
*I said nothing. Flipped on the telly. Found tenants for the flat, by the way.*
*That night, guilt gnawed at me. Where was she? Helpless as a child. I barely slept, dreaming of Mother rising from her coffin, pointing at me. I begged you, Edward*
*Two months later, I called my godmother, Margaret. Finally feeling guilty? she hissed. Good. I found Emily terrified, took her in. Ill care for herkeep your flat. Live with your shame.*
*Relief washed over me. At least she was safe.*
*But two months later, Emily diedsame illness as Mother. I skipped the funeral. Urgent business.*
*Now, ten years on, I lie here, sick and abandoned. Charlottes moved on with another man. My children visit grudgingly, wrinkling their noses. You smell like death.*
*Today, Charlotte dropped papers on my bed. Sign these. For the firm.*
*I did. Later, I realisedId signed away the house, the business. Too late. Memories of Mother and Emily flooded back. Tears rolled down my cheeks.*
*Forgive me I whisper into the emptiness swallowing me whole.*
