Sure, here’s the adapted and rephrased story:
Putting My Husband’s Audacious Sister in Her Place
“Mom said the restaurant confirmed,” Abigail spoke as if unaware of the tension in Emily’s voice. “And about the money. Have you and Andrew sorted everything out?”
Emily was silent for a moment, searching for words, but Abigail continued:
“It’s not a huge amount, honestly. I thought about chipping in myself, but with my expenses… It’s all for Mom, you understand.”
“Wait,” Emily interrupted, trying to remain calm. “We didn’t agree on this. Andrew didn’t mention anything to me.”
“Oh, come on, you know he’s always forgetting things,” Abigail laughed, as if it were the most normal thing. “I mentioned that you guys were covering around four hundred pounds. That’s reasonable for such an occasion, right?”
Her words felt as if the decision was made long ago, making any disagreement seem foolish. Emily tightened her grip on the phone, feeling irritation rise.
“Four hundred pounds?” she repeated, almost whispering.
“Yes, I even managed to get a discount! There’ll be cakes and service; you’ll see for yourself. Mom will be thrilled. So, don’t stress, I’ve already paid the deposit. Andrew said you’d transfer the money.”
Abigail hung up without waiting for an answer.
Emily continued to sit there, staring at the phone. It felt like a lump was caught in her throat, and the same thought echoed in her mind: “It’s always this one-sided game.”
***
That evening in the kitchen, the air seemed to vibrate like a taut string. Andrew opened the fridge, pulled out a bottle of cider, and mumbled without looking at Emily:
“Abby said you’re not keen on giving the money for the restaurant.”
Emily paused.
“Not keen? Is that what she said?” She rose from her chair, trying to keep her composure. “Did I refuse? I didn’t even know about it until she called and sprang it on me.”
Andrew turned and frowned.
“Oh, come on, she’s not doing it for herself. It’s not like Mom celebrates her birthday every year.”
“And it doesn’t matter to you that she ‘did it’ at our expense? Four hundred, Andrew!” Emily restrained herself, not wanting to yell, “Four hundred pounds! Is that okay?”
Andrew shrugged and looked away.
“Well, it’s for Mom. What do you want? Abby’s done a great job organizing everything.”
Emily scoffed.
“Sure, she’s brilliant. But it’s easy to be brilliant with someone else’s money. And you know, Andrew, I don’t understand why you just agreed. Did we discuss this? No. She decided, and you nodded.”
“Come on, stop it.” Andrew waved his hand and took a glass. “She’s just trying to do her best.”
“For whom? For us? For Mom? Or for herself?” Emily raised her voice sharply but then immediately lowered it to avoid waking their son. “Andrew, I can’t do this anymore. It’s always ‘give, transfer, pay,’ and then she disappears as if nothing happened.”
He stayed silent, looking into his glass.
“What can I do? That’s just how she is. If you want, talk to her yourself.”
“I already did,” Emily said curtly. “And you know what she told me? That it’s our duty.”
“And what did you expect? She’s handling everything alone. Maybe her life is tougher than ours.”
“Handling everything?!” Emily couldn’t hold back. “Andrew, she’s just using everyone around her. And you’re playing along!”
The conversation hit a dead end. Andrew shrugged, mumbled something incomprehensible, and left for the room, leaving Emily alone with her thoughts.
***
The next morning began with an unexpected call. Emily reluctantly answered.
“Hi, Em! Are you busy?” Abigail sounded surprisingly cheerful.
“Listening,” Emily replied dryly, bracing herself for a new “request.”
“Listen, I need some help. I started a small online shop project with a neighbor. You know, what opportunities there are now. So, I need to pay for a few things, and I’m flat broke at the moment. I thought you could lend me your card. Just temporarily, for a few days.”
Emily froze for a moment, digesting what she’d heard.
“Abi,” her voice turned firm, “are you serious? My card?”
“Well, yes! What’s the big deal? You know I’m careful. I’ll account for everything, return it all, I won’t spend extra.”
“No. This isn’t open for discussion.”
Silence lingered on the other end.
“I don’t understand,” Abigail’s voice no longer sounded confident. “It’s just a card. Why are you refusing?”
“Abi, because I value my peace of mind. And my card.”
“Em, what, you don’t trust me?” Abigail sounded indignantly, but it was more like another maneuver. “We’re family, after all.”
Emily held back from saying too much.
“Abi, let’s end this here. I have things to do.”
She hung up the call, feeling both a sense of relief and anger. Abigail was crossing all the lines.
In the evening, when Andrew returned from work, Emily already knew the conversation would be difficult.
“Andrew,” she began calmly, “your sister called again.”
He removed his shoes, not rushing to look her way.
“And what?”
“She asked for my card. For some project she’s doing.”
Andrew stopped, looking at her with surprise.
“And what did you say?”
“That it’s a no, obviously.”
“Why couldn’t you just help her?” He spoke sharply. “It’s Abby.”
Emily took a slow breath, trying not to explode.
“Andrew, is it a family trait to not see the difference between a request and audacity? Can she not manage on her own?”
“Em, she didn’t ask for millions. You always make things so complicated.”
She looked at him, incredulous.
“Complicated? I’m making things complicated? Do you really think this can go on forever?”
Andrew stayed silent for a moment, then muttered:
“She just needed help, that’s all.”
“Yeah, and then she disappears, and we’re left to deal with the consequences.”
He gestured dismissively and went to his room.
Emily sat at the kitchen table, feeling something break inside her for good. She could no longer endure it. Abigail wasn’t just interfering in their life—she was destroying it.
All evening, Emily considered how to end it. In her mind, she formed a plan: calm, rational, and, above all, final.
***
The following week, they were invited to a family gathering at Andrew’s relatives’. Almost everyone was there: grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins. Abigail, as usual, was the center of attention, loudly sharing how she was “investing in the future.” Emily observed the spectacle with a calm, nearly detached face.
Andrew sat nearby, visibly nervous, as if he anticipated something unpleasant was about to happen.
“So,” Abigail continued, speaking to everyone, “we’re launching an exciting project with a neighbor, all on our own. You know how challenging things are now.”
Emily cleared her throat to gain attention.
“Abi, does it matter to you that in your project, you’re trying to use other people’s money?”
Everyone around the table froze. Abigail didn’t immediately realize Emily was addressing her.
“What do you mean?” Her voice sounded strained.
“You asked me for a card for ‘temporary expenses.’ And before that, did Andrew give you money for car repairs? By the way, did you return that money?”
Abigail blushed.
“Well, those are trivial matters. Why bring them up here?”
Emily persisted.
“It’s not trivial when you constantly try to live off others.”
“I don’t understand why you’re so angry,” Abigail attempted a smile, but it was unconvincing. “We’re family.”
“Family?” Emily raised an eyebrow. “What kind of family takes and doesn’t return, then gets upset if refused?”
Everyone at the table remained silent. Andrew tried to say something, but Emily stopped him.
“No, Andrew. Enough covering for her. We’ve already spent a lot of money and nerves on her. Now let her explain why she needed my card.”
Abigail jumped from her seat, clenching her fists.
“You’re just jealous, Em! I’m doing my best for everyone, and all you do is count pennies.”
“Jealous?” Emily chuckled. “Of what? That you’re accustomed to deceiving everyone around you? Don’t make me laugh.”
Abigail slammed her hand on the table and rushed out of the room.
Andrew stood up, looking at Emily with pain in his eyes.
“Why did you do that? She’s still my sister.”
“And why do you let her get away with everything?” Emily replied, not breaking eye contact.
He said nothing, only shook his head and left to find Abigail.
Emily realized she had succeeded: the truth was out. But it felt less like a victory than a defeat. Everyone else avoided her gaze and remained silent.
That evening Andrew didn’t return home. He sent a brief message: “I need time to think things over.”
Emily sat on the sofa. She knew she had done the right thing, but something inside refused to acknowledge it as a victory.
