Returned from Sick Leave — Only to Find My Sister-in-Law in My Office Chair

Emily had just returned from a twoweek sick leave when she discovered that her desk in the accounts department was being occupied by her husbands sister.

Michael, youve left the tap running again! Look at the ruststained water on the sink! Emily shouted from the bathroom, eyeing the orangebrown tracks on the white porcelain.

Emily, I wasnt even in the kitchen this morning, Michaels voice drifted from the hallway, irritated. Did you maybe forget to turn it off yourself?

Ive been on sick leave for a month. Im not about to go fiddling with taps for fun!

Michael poked his head out of the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel.

Maybe its just broken. We could call a plumber.

Emily waved a hand. Arguing felt pointless. After the operation she still lacked strength; every movement was a chore. She shuffled to the kitchen, eased herself onto a chair, and Michael set a bowl of porridge in front of her.

Eat. The doctor said you need proper nutrition.

I know. She began to chew slowly. The porridge was bland, but she forced herself down. Her body was healing at a glacial pace.

It had been almost a month since the ambulance had whisked her away with a complicated appendix rupture. Two weeks in hospital, another two at home. Shed lost weight, looked pale, and felt as if she were sixty, though she was only fortyfive.

Mike, hows work going? Who have you been talking to? she asked between spoonfuls.

I spoke to Mr. Arthur Bennett. He told me to take it easy, not to rush.

And thats it?

Yeah. Anything else?

Emily frowned. Something in Michaels tone sounded off. She watched him more closely; he avoided her gaze and busily scrubbed a frying pan.

Mike, youre holding something back.

No, nothing. Stop making a story out of it!

Im not imagining it.

Michael sighed, set the sponge down, and turned to her.

Theres something I need to tell you, but dont worry, you dont have to lose any sleep over it.

Emilys heart thumped faster.

What is it?

Well Christine has started at your office. Temporarily, while youre on sick leave.

Silence fell. Emily stared at him, unable to believe her ears.

Christine? Your sister? In the accounts department?

Yes. She was looking for work, remember? Mr. Bennett had a vacancy and she filled it as a temp.

So you mean my place, Emily muttered.

Technically, yes, but its only for now. Youll be back and everything will be as it was.

She pushed the bowl away; her appetite vanished. Christine. Michaels younger sister a twentysevenyearold with long legs, a dazzling smile and ambitions as tall as the Shard.

Emily had never liked her. From the moment Michael introduced the two of them, Christine had given her a chilly stare, as if Emily were unworthy of her brother. After the wedding the disdain only grew.

Mike married an accountant, shed mutter to friends, and Emily could hear it. Can you imagine? An accountant! How boring!

But Michael loved Emily or at least he seemed to. Theyd been together fifteen years, and throughout all that time Christine lingered at the periphery, showing up for family gatherings, bringing the occasional gift, then disappearing back into her own life.

Now she had taken Emilys spot.

Why didnt you tell me? Emily asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

I didnt want to upset you. You were still recovering.

When did this happen?

About two weeks ago.

Two weeks! And you kept it secret?

Emily, calm down! Its not permanent. Youll get better, youll return, and Christine will move on.

Christine, Emily repeated bitterly. Always Christine.

She trudged up to the bedroom, while Michael stayed in the kitchen, muttering under his breath.

Later, lying in bed, she pictured Christine at her desk, in her office, chatting with Mr. Bennett, flashing that perfect smile. Emily closed her eyes and recalled the day shed first joined the firm twenty years earlier: a bright-eyed assistant, moving up to senior accountant, knowing every ledger line, every tax code.

Now a stranger albeit a relative occupied her place.

She spent another week on sick leave; the doctor extended it, saying it was still early to go back. But Emily was eager to return, to reclaim her desk and evict Christine as one would boot an invader.

Michael tried to persuade her:

Stay a bit longer. Health is more important than a desk.

Emily sensed he was hiding something. He arrived home later than usual, answered questions evasively, and spent evenings glued to his phone, smiling.

One day, who are you talking to? she asked.

Christine. Shes asking about work, Im explaining things.

Why doesnt she ask me?

Probably doesnt want to bother you.

Emily said nothing.

Finally her sick leave ended. She dressed carefully a sharp navy suit, a touch of makeup, hair in a neat bun and stared at herself in the mirror, seeing a pale, slightly aged version of herself, but she refused to show weakness.

Im off to work, she announced over breakfast.

Emily, maybe you should rest a little longer? Youre still a bit weak.

Im fine. The sick note is over, Im going back.

Michael walked her to the front door, planted a quick kiss on her cheek, and said, Good luck.

Emily took the bus to the office, nervous about what awaited her. The firm was in a refurbished Victorian building in the City of London. She climbed to the third floor, turned the familiar handle, and entered the reception where Sally, the secretary, was waiting.

Emily! Youre back! How are you?

Fine, recovered. Wheres Mr. Bennett?

Hes in his office. Come in.

She passed the accounts department, catching a glimpse of Christine at her former desk, dressed in a sleek dress, hair down, laughing with Marina, a colleague. Emily turned away and headed for Mr. Bennetts office.

Come in!

Arthur Bennett looked up from a stack of papers, rose, and smiled.

Emily Bennett! How are you feeling?

Fine, thank you. Heres my fitnote.

He skimmed it. Good, so youre back as of today?

Yes.

He paused, then said, Emily, theres something I need to discuss. While you were away I placed Christine Mihailova in your role. Shes your sisterinlaw.

Emilys mouth went dry.

Your… sisterinlaw?

Yes. She was looking for work, remember? The vacancy opened up, and she proved capable.

And you think Ill just what? Accept this?

Arthur leaned back, hands clasped. Youre a brilliant accountant, but at your age, after such an operation, perhaps a lighter role would suit you better?

Emily felt a chill.

Youre firing me?

No, no! Im offering a transfer to HR. Same salary, less pressure.

And my desk? Christine stays?

Short answer: yes.

Emily rose, fists clenched. Arthur, Ive been here twenty years. No complaints, no mistakes. And you think I should be pushed aside for a twentysevenyearold newcomer?

Arthur held up his hands. Its just business, Emily. Nothing personal.

Nothing personal? she snapped. Youre taking my place!

Im proposing an alternative. HR assistant. After twenty years as senior accountant, you could try something new.

Arthur shrugged. Think about it.

Emily left the office, trying not to cry, and walked back through the accounts bay. Christine looked up, her face blooming into a saccharine grin.

Emily! Hi! Feeling better?

What are you doing here? Emily asked coldly.

Ive been offered a position by Arthur. I accepted. Youre not opposed, are you?

Hardly.

Christines smile hardened. Emily, its just business. Nothing personal.

Youve heard that line before, Im sure.

She turned back to her former coworkers, who avoided eye contact, shifting uncomfortably.

Is anyone going to say something? Emily called into the empty space. Is everyone okay with this?

Silence.

She walked out, down to the street, and called Michael.

Emily, hows the office?

Theyve moved me to HR. Your sister took my desk. Did you know about this?

Christine told me Arthur was pleased with her work

You knew they wanted to push me aside?!

Its not a push, just an offer.

You and your sister, together against me!

Dont be like that, Emily! I didnt plan this!

She hung up, stared at passersby, at the steady hum of traffic, and felt the weight of a betrayal she hadnt expected.

She remembered how she and Michael had met both thirty, both a bit weary of the dating scene, him an engineer, her a young accountant. Theyd married after a short courtship, bought a flat in Camden, then a house in a suburb, lived a quiet life. No children, due to her health, but Michael always said she was enough.

Christine had been at the wedding, the younger, cheeky sister, flashing a sarcastic smile at Emily and whispering, Hope you can handle a husband like this.

All those years Christine kept her distance, hopping from job to job, Michael supporting her financially, while Emily kept quiet.

Now that same sister had claimed her place.

Emily spent the evening at home, watching Michael try to cook, both of them avoiding each others gaze.

Emily, can we talk? he pleaded.

I dont want to talk.

Please, I didnt want it to turn out like this.

What did you want? she snapped. You wanted me to hand over my desk to your sister and smile?

I thought it would be temporary, until you were better.

Arthur offered me a role in HR. An assistant. Thats an insult after twenty years!

Ill speak to her. Ill ask her to leave.

Its too late. Shes settled in. Arthurs happy, the teams quiet. Im alone against everyone.

Im with you! Michael said.

Emily laughed bitterly. You, who knew and said nothing? Who allowed my sister to sit in my chair?

He lowered his head. I found out after it happened.

She retreated to the bedroom, lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling, feeling an icy void inside.

The next day she returned to the office, this time to the HR department. She filled out forms, sorted personnel files, a far cry from reconciling ledgers. Christine strutted around in designer dresses, high heels, perfectly coifed hair, greeting Emily sweetly: Morning, Emily! How are you?

Emily turned away, saying nothing.

Marina, a colleague, leaned in later and whispered, Emily, stay strong. Its unfair.

No one defended her.

A week passed. Emily kept working, speaking little at home, Michael trying to bridge the gap.

Emily, can we at least try to discuss this?

Theres nothing to discuss.

Fine, but you cant keep this up forever!

She nodded, feeling the weight of her silence.

One evening her old friend Lucy rang.

Emily, I heard about the office drama. Is it true?

Yes, they moved me.

What? How could they?

Emily explained.

Lucy, thats nasty! Your husbands sister!

I know.

Dont just sit there. Fight back!

I cant. The boss is on her side, the team is quiet, my husband hes stuck.

Emily, youre a fighter! Dont give up.

I’m tired of fighting, love. I just want peace.

Not on someone elses throne. Lets meet, talk it through.

They met at a café the next day. Lucy, a bubbly teacher, sipped her latte and said, Theres got to be something off about this. Arthur wouldnt replace a veteran for a junior without a reason.

What do you mean?

Maybe Christine has something up her sleeve. Maybe a favour, a promise.

Emily considered it.

Observe, Lucy advised. Watch them. Something will surface.

Emily began arriving early, staying late, eavesdropping. One afternoon she heard Christines voice near Arthurs office, the door ajar.

Arthur, Im confident I can handle the extra responsibilities, Christine said.

And the promotion we discussed?

Exactly, the raise after a month.

Emilys stomach dropped. Christine wasnt just a temp; she was eyeing a permanent upgrade.

She retreated, mind racing.

Lucy called later, Did you hear anything?

Yes. Christine is angling for a raise.

Exactly what I thought. Shes not here for a short stint.

Emily returned to HR, stared at the blank wall, wondering what to do.

She decided to doublecheck Christines work. Scouring the tax returns shed prepared over the years, she found a small miscalculation in a recent VAT filing that Christine had overseen. It was minor, but if an audit caught it, the firm could be fined.

She printed the document and marched to Arthurs office.

Arthur, Ive found an error in a VAT return that Christine submitted. The rate used is incorrect, and the total is off.

Arthur looked up, eyebrows knitting.

Youre right that is a mistake.

It could cost us a penalty if the tax authorities spot it.

Arthur nodded. Ill ask Christine to correct it.

Emily waited, hoping for a confession, but Arthur simply said, You may go now.

She left, feeling the sting of disappointment. One mistake wasnt enough. She dug deeper, uncovered a handful of other small errors in Christines submissions. She compiled them into a folder and returned.

Arthur, there are several inaccuracies in Christines work this month.

He stared at the stack. Emily, what are you doing? Spying on a colleague?

Im just doing my job. I cant stand watching the firms reputation slip.

Arthur folded his hands, sighed. The decision has been made. Christine stays. You can stay in HR, or you could look elsewhere.

Emily felt the floor drop out from under her.

Are you firing me? she asked.

No, just offering you a way out if you wish.

She stood, heart pounding, and walked out of his office, down the corridor, past the familiar desks that now felt alien. She sat at her new HR desk, head in her hands.

That evening she told Michael, Im resigning.

He stared at the TV, then at her.

What?

Im quitting. Arthur made it clear Im not welcome.

He tried to protest, but she was resolute. Im done fighting for a place thats been taken by your sister.

Michael embraced her. Im sorry, Emily. Its my fault.

She replied, Its not just you. I should have spoken up sooner.

The next day she handed in her resignation, worked her twoweek notice, and colleagues said goodbye with genuine sadness. Marina even cried.

Christine gave a polite farewell, All the best, Emily.

Emily left the building on her final day, pausing to look at the Victorian façade one last time. Twenty years of hard work, loyalty, and memories lay behind those doors.

Leaving felt oddly liberating; the burden finally lifted. She returned home, set her box aside, and browsed job listings on her phone. Plenty of openings for an experienced accountant. Within days she secured an interview at a boutique firm in Shoreditch that prized expertise and offered a higher salary.

A week later she started there, enjoying a supportive boss, friendly colleagues, and a workload she could manage.

A month after her start, Marina called, Emily, you wont believe it Christines been sacked!

What? Why?

She made a major error, a client complained, and Arthur finally let her go. Theyre looking for a new accountant now.

Emily smiled. Well, thats that.

Do you want to go back? Marina asked. Arthur asked if he could call you.

No, thanks. Im happy here.

Are you sure?

Absolutely.

Emily hung up, feeling a satisfying sense of poetic justice. Christine had arrived like a whirlwind and vanished just as quickly. Emily had lost a desk but gained a fresh start. Life went on, and sometimes losing something turned out to be the beginning of something much better.