Putting an Impertinent Sister-in-Law in Her Place
I set my husbands impulsive sister straight.
“Mum confirmed the restaurant booking,” said Charlotte breezily, blatantly ignoring the tension in Emilys voice. “And about the fundshave you and Edward transferred everything yet?”
Emily hesitated, searching for the right words, but Charlotte carried on.
“Its not a huge sum, honestly. I even considered chipping in myself, but with my expenses Its for Mum, you understand.”
“Wait,” Emily finally cut in, struggling to keep her composure. “We never agreed to this. Edward hasnt mentioned anything.”
“Oh, you know how forgetful he is,” Charlotte laughed, as if it were the most natural thing. “I told him it would come to about thirty thousand pounds. Reasonable for such an occasion, dont you think?”
Her tone made it sound like the matter was already settled, and objections were pointless. Emily clenched her phone, irritation rising.
“Thirty thousand?” she repeated slowly, almost whispering.
“Yes, I even got a discount! The cakes, the serviceyoull see for yourself. Mum will love it. Honestly, dont stress, Ive already put down the deposit. Edward said youd wire the rest.”
Charlotte hung up without waiting for a reply.
Emily sat frozen, staring at her phone. A lump formed in her throat, one thought echoing: *Here we go againanother one-sided arrangement.*
***
That evening in the kitchen, the air was taut with tension. Edward opened the fridge, pulled out a bottle of ale, and without looking at Emily, muttered:
“Charlotte said youre against contributing to the restaurant.”
Emily stiffened.
“Against? Is that what she told you?” She stood up from her chair, fighting to keep her voice steady. “Did I refuse? I wasnt even consulted before she rang and dropped this bombshell.”
Edward turned, frowning.
“Come on, shes not doing it for herself. Mum doesnt celebrate her birthday every year.”
“And how is it normal for her to do this at our expense? Thirty thousand, Edward!” Emily barely held back a shout. “Thirty thousand pounds! Does that seem normal to you?”
Edward shrugged, avoiding her gaze.
“Well, its for Mum. What do you want? Charlottes handled everything.”
Emily scoffed.
“Oh yes, shes done a marvellous jobwith our money. And tell me, Edward, why did you just agree to this? Did we discuss it? No. She decided, and you nodded along.”
“Drop it,” Edward waved a hand, reaching for a glass. “Shes only trying to do her best.”
“For whom? For us? For Mum? Or for herself?” Emilys voice rose sharply, then dropped to avoid waking their son. “Edward, Ive had enough. For her, its always: Give, transfer, pay. Then she vanishes like its nothing.”
He stayed silent, staring into his drink.
“What do you want me to do? Thats just how she is. Talk to her if you want.”
“I already have,” Emily snapped. “And do you know what she said? That its our *duty*.”
“What did you expect? Shes managing everything alone. Maybe her lifes harder than ours.”
“Managing?!” Emily exploded. “Edward, she uses everyone around her. And you encourage it!”
The argument fizzled out. Edward shrugged, mumbled something indistinct, and left the room, leaving Emily alone with her thoughts.
***
The next morning brought an unexpected call. Emily answered without enthusiasm.
“Hi, Em! Free to talk?” Charlotte sounded unnervingly cheerful.
“Im listening,” Emily replied flatly, bracing herself for another demand.
“Look, I need a favour. Ive started a little project with a neighbouronline boutique, you know how it is these days. Thing is, I need to pay for something, and Im short. Thought you might lend me your card. Just temporary, a few days at most.”
Emily froze, struggling to process the request.
“Charlotte,” her tone turned firm, “are you serious? My card?”
“Yes! Why not? Ill be careful, Ill pay you back, I wont overspend.”
“No. Were not even discussing this.”
A heavy silence followed on the other end.
“I dont get it,” Charlottes voice faltered. “Its just a card. Why are you being difficult?”
“Because my peace of mind matters. And so does my card.”
“Em, dont you trust me?” Charlotte sounded offended, but it felt like another ploy. “Were family.”
Emily bit back a sharper retort.
“Charlotte, this conversations over. Ive got things to do.”
She ended the call, feeling both relief and simmering anger. Charlotte had crossed every line.
When Edward came home that evening, Emily knew the talk ahead would be rough.
“Edward,” she began calmly, “your sister called again.”
He unlaced his shoes, in no hurry to meet her gaze.
“And?”
“She asked for my card. For one of her projects.”
Edward paused, finally looking at her, surprised.
“What did you say?”
“I said no, of course.”
“And why couldnt you help her?” he shot back. “Its Charlotte, after all.”
Emily exhaled slowly, fighting not to snap.
“Edward, does your family not see the difference between a request and sheer audacity? Cant she handle her own affairs?”
“Em, its not like she asked for millions. You always make things complicated.”
She stared at him, incredulous.
“*Im* complicating things? Shes the one acting like this can go on forever.”
Edward stayed quiet, then muttered:
“She just needed help, thats all.”
“Yes, and then she disappears, leaving us to deal with the fallout.”
He waved a hand dismissively and headed to the bedroom.
Emily sat at the table, feeling something inside her finally break. She couldnt take it anymore. Charlotte wasnt just meddling in their livesshe was tearing them apart.
All evening, Emily thought about how to end it. A plan formed in her mind: calm, rational, and above all, final.
***
The following week, they were invited to a family dinner at Edwards relatives home. Nearly everyone was theregrandmothers, uncles, aunts, cousins. Charlotte, as always, held court, boasting about her “future ventures.” Emily watched, calm and detached.
Edward sat beside her, tense, as if sensing trouble.
“So,” Charlotte announced to the table, “were launching this brilliant little project with my neighbour. Bootstrapped it all ourselvesyou know how tough things are now.”
Emily cleared her throat.
“Charlotte, arent you forgetting to mention that in this project, youre trying to use other peoples money?”
The room fell silent. Charlotte blinked, as if not quite registering the question.
“What do you mean?” Her voice tightened.
“You asked for my card for temporary expenses. And before that, Edward lent you money to fix your car. Have you paid him back, by the way?”
Charlotte flushed.
“Well, those are details. Why bring it up here?”
Emily didnt back down.
“Theyre not details when you constantly expect others to foot the bill.”
“I dont know why youre so angry,” Charlotte forced a smile. “Were family.”
“Family?” Emily raised a brow. “What kind of family takes without giving and sulks when told no?”
The table stayed silent. Edward tried to speak, but Emily cut him off.
“No, Edward. Stop shielding her. Weve spent enough time and money cleaning up her mess. Now let her explain why she wanted my card.”
Charlotte stood abruptly, fists clenched.
“Em, youre just jealous! I do everything for everyone, and all you care about is money.”
“Jealous?” Emily smirked. “Of what? Your habit of lying to get your way? Dont make me laugh.”
Charlotte slammed a hand on the table and stormed out.
Edward rose, pain in his eyes.
“Why did you do that? Shes still my sister.”
“And why do you let her walk all over you?” Emily held his gaze.
He said nothing, just nodded and followed Charlotte outside.
Emily knew shed achieved her goalthe truth was out. But it felt less like victory than defeat. The others avoided her eyes, the room thick with silence.
That night, Edward didnt come home. A brief text arrived: *”Need time to think.”*
Emily sat alone on the sofa. She knew shed done the right thing. Yet something inside refused to call it a win.
