Envy on the Edge

Envy on the Edge

Yes, thats it! Hell never realise hes not looking at his own fiancée

Alice stands before her dressing table, inspecting her reflection with meticulous care. She lifts a stray lock of hair and tucks it behind her ear, heart thumping with anticipation what she sees in the mirror has surpassed all her hopes. The makeup, the hairstyle, her very expression every detail is a flawless imitation. Alice catches herself holding her breath. If she puts on her sisters favourite dress, even their own mother would struggle to tell them apart.

The thought makes her smile, but she quickly glances at the clock perched on the shelf. The hands are ticking ever closer to the appointed hour in twenty minutes, Samuel will arrive. A flutter of nerves twists within her. Everything must go exactly to plan: no unnecessary gestures, not a single note out of place in her voice. If Samuel suspects anything, her carefully laid scheme will collapse in an instant. And then her sister would win again.

Taking a steadying breath and willing her fingers to stop trembling, Alice heads for the door. At that very moment, the bell rings, and she is already poised in the hallway, ready to play her part. She flings open the door and, seeing Samuel, transforms instantly. Her lips form a soft, almost weightless smile, and her eyes glimmer with familiar warmth.

Sam, hello! she says gently, her voice just shy of a whisper, like every word is chosen deliberately.

Without waiting for a reply, she rises on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. It must be just as shes practised not too much, not too little. No unnecessary intimacy, everything exactly scripted.

Come in, fancy a coffee? she offers, stepping aside with a welcoming gesture. Her tone is effortlessly caring, as if its just another ordinary evening, not a carefully rehearsed charade.

For a moment, Samuel frowns, searching for a hidden truth behind her words and manner. But within seconds a light smile dances on his lips he suddenly catches on. Still, it only fuels his curiosity. What could his fiancées sister hope to achieve by impersonating Natalie? Deciding to play along, he nods and follows Alice into the living room.

Meanwhile, Alice darts around the kitchen, her cheeks beginning to ache from holding that easy, angelic smile so uncharacteristic for her. She moves briskly, setting out cups, saucers, teaspoons, glancing now and then at a bottle of fine claret quietly resting on the shelf. Shes saved it for the right moment when she might invite Samuel to relax over a glass.

Alice knows Samuel rarely drinks; alcohol never sits well with him. But in pleasant company, sometimes, hell allow himself a single glass. Thats all she needs: for Samuel to let down his guard ever so slightly. Then she might actually see her plan through.

As she fiddles with the coffee pot, Samuel sits at the table, arms crossed, scrutinising her movements with a mixture of curiosity and faint amusement. At last, he breaks the silence:

Alice, why are you doing all this? he asks calmly. And, by the way, wheres Natalie? If this is some kind of prank, its not terribly original.

She freezes, searching for the right words. For a fleeting moment, confusion flickers in her eyes, but she quickly composes herself.

How did you guess, if you dont mind me asking? she replies, forcing a light smile, her tone casual. And no, it isnt a joke. Its more like an experiment. Natalie knows nothing about it.

Samuel quirks an eyebrow, thoughtfully turning his coffee cup between his fingers. Curious as he is to know Alices game, he keeps his expression neutral.

You two are so different, even though youre twins, he says, tilting his head slightly. How does anyone even mix you up?

Without waiting for her answer, he pulls out his mobile and quickly types a short message to his fiancée, asking where she is. The screen lights up his face, and then he slips the phone away again.

So whats the point of this experiment? he repeats, putting his phone back in his pocket.

Alice shuffles in her chair, gaze falling into her teacup. She takes a small sip for courage, then starts, surprising herself with a surge of emotion.

You see, she says, were always getting mistaken for each other. You say were different, but even our own mother cant tell us apart if were dressed the same. Same hair, same dresses its like were two peas in a pod.

She pauses, as if recalling some awkward memory, then goes on:

Sometimes its just uncomfortable. Especially when someone you care about cant tell the difference. It gets us into trouble. Once, my boyfriend asked me to meet him, but he ended up greeting Natalie she just happened to be closer. Or the other way round: Natalie wanted a word with your mate, and he confused her with me and said some things she wasnt meant to hear.

Why not just change your hairstyle? Samuel asks, leaning in. He remembers chatting with his fiancée Natalie had often mentioned that Alice absolutely refused to alter anything about her look. Seemed to him that Alice revelled in the confusion, while her sister simply went along with it.

Alice wrinkles her nose, discouraging the thought.

Thats boring, she replies, shaking her head. We vowed not to change our appearance until we graduate. Its our unspoken rule. Besides she trails off for a second and grins slyly sometimes it works to our advantage. The lecturers mistake us for each other as well!

She laughs, the sound light and ringing, pleased with their clever tricks.

Hmm, I see, Samuel muses, watching her closely. At that moment his phone emits a chirp. He glances at the message and nods. Natalie says shes waiting for me at our spot. Doesnt sound like she has a clue where I am right now.

He looks at Alice. Theres a flicker of sympathy in his gaze.

Dont worry, I wont mention your experiment to her. I get why youre anxious. I wouldnt want to spoil things between you and your sister because I couldnt keep my mouth shut.

Alice relaxes perceptibly, letting out a relieved sigh. She nods, smiling gratefully.

Thank you, Sam. Youre a genuinely good man.

Alright, see you then, he says, standing up. Ill try not to be long, so Natalie doesnt start getting anxious.

With a quiet click, the door closes and Alice is left alone once more. The silence in the flat suddenly feels immense as if the whole world has gone still, leaving her alone with her bitter disappointment. She slumps into the chair, clutching the edge of the table to keep from crying. Why hadnt it worked? Why didnt he fall for it? How could her carefully crafted plan, built on so many hours and hopes, crumble so swiftly?

Thoughts swirl about, dragging her back to when Samuel had first entered their lives. The first meeting: his open smile, easy conversation, assured way of carrying himself all of it instantly captivated her. Every time he came near, Alices pulse quickened, her palms damp with nerves. She would rehearse conversations in her head, imagining how easily theyd chat or laugh. But something always held her back: fear of rejection, lack of confidence, dread of upsetting the fragile balance between her and her sister.

Natalie, meanwhile, was so much bolder. One day she simply brought Samuel home, as though it were the most ordinary thing in the world. Everyone, this is Sam, shed said with a breezy smile, and their parents beamed, delighted their daughter had found such a charming young man.

Alice remembers that evening in vivid detail. She lingered at the drawing room door, watching Samuel chat freely with her family, laugh at her fathers jokes and answer her mothers questions with well-mannered patience. Inside, a cauldron boiled, but outwardly she presented a polite, serene smile. It was so hard to keep it together, when inside a storm was raging!

He should have been with her! She had noticed him first, felt that unexpected, thrilling pull. She was the one dreaming of him, picturing walks together, conversations, a future. But Natalie just swooped in, hardly glancing back, as if Alices feelings didnt exist.

Alice draws a trembling breath, striving to control herself. She knows she mustnt allow these thoughts to take over. She has to pull herself together. But how, with her heart still aching from disappointment?

Men always gathered around Natalie. She was like a sunbeam bright, lively, with a magnetic smile and playful spirit. She cherished parties and chatting endlessly, yet her university record was spotless somehow, she aced every exam without burning the midnight oil.

Alice, by contrast, was the reserved one thoughtful, quiet, always weighing things up. She preferred an evening with a book or a close conversation over crowds. When Natalie invited her out, Alice would usually decline. I havent time for empty frivolity, shed say, convinced her time was better spent preparing for classes or reading up.

Looking back now, Alice often wonders was she right? Perhaps she should have joined her sister just once, gone to a party, chatted freely with someone new. Maybe then Samuel would have noticed her serious, diligent, with a sense of balance. But no he fell for Natalie, unpredictable yet irresistibly charming.

Deep down, Alice knew it was more than just lifestyle choices. Natalie had a way of drawing attention effortlessly. She never tried to please she just was herself, and that sufficed. Alice, on the other hand, always agonised, scared of saying something wrong, fretting over every detail. And so she remained in the background.

These thoughts wouldnt leave her in peace. She told herself her way would be valued one day, that her seriousness would be appreciated eventually. But on dark evenings, when the house was silent, Alice imagined how life might have been, if shed only been a little more like her sister.

When Natalie proudly announced her engagement at dinner, Alice felt something inside her snap. She smiled mechanically, offered congratulations and even hugged her, but her mind screamed: No, it cant be true! All evening, she kept the mask on, but felt utterly hollow.

For days, Alice barely slept. She turned things over and over in her mind, looking for a way out. At last, a plan struck her as foolproof.

If Samuel is with me instead of Natalie if he falls for me, and then Natalie walks in on us, itll all be over. Shell never forgive such a betrayal. And if hes lost, then no one wins thats only fair.

She thought through every detail. She had prepared that special claret Samuel sometimes sipped enough to loosen inhibitions, not enough to look suspicious. She learned her lines, her gestures, the way the light should fall in the room. Alice practised before the mirror, copying Natalies signature half-smile and her effortless grace.

The day of her operation arrived. Alice was so nervous, her hands sweaty and her throat dry. But she was determined to see it through to the end. Everything seemed nearly perfect right up to the moment Samuel stepped in and instantly saw through the ruse.

The failure was complete. Not only did he fail to fall for her, he politely unravelled her plot and left to meet his true fiancée.

Now, Alice sits alone in her room, staring blankly ahead. The plan she had pinned her hopes on collapsed in minutes. Worry gnaws at her: time is running out, the wedding draws near, and no way out presents itself.

I need to think of something quickly. Before its too late. Fragmented thoughts whirl through her mind, none convincing. She knows: one more attempt, and she may not have another chance…

***

A couple of weeks later, Natalie, radiant with happiness, gathers the family and announces shes expecting a child. Her eyes shine with pure joy, her voice trembles with excitement as she shares how long shes dreamt of this moment. Their parents cant stop smiling, showering her with questions about the future.

Alice sits silently, gripping her mug of tea gone cold. She struggles to maintain a neutral expression, forcing out a smile and nodding at the congratulations. But inside, a sharp pain faces her. Every word, every proud glance from her parents, stings like a hundred tiny pricks.

She pictures what life will now become: regular family meals with Samuel beaming by Natalies side, celebrations with him holding her hand, glowing with pride at her growing bump. Alice envisions every scene, each more unbearable than the last. She isnt ready for this. Seeing him; knowing hes hers no longer its more than she can take.

Her mind turns frantically: she must act, now. Theres still time to change their fate.

Thats when a new plan emerges, unbidden but clear. What could wound Natalie and Samuel more than the loss of a longed-for child? The thought is cruel, merciless, but in her anguish Alice sees it as the only option.

She catches Natalies gaze warm, trusting, filled with love for the baby. For a heartbeat, Alice hesitates. But resolve stiffens her heart. She knows a doctor who, for the right sum, could prescribe something. Nothing strictly criminal just a small tablet, enough to cause complications…

She stifles a bitter laugh silent, yet harsh with determination. Natalie, catching the noise, smiles, thinking her sister is sharing her joy.

Your happiness wont last, Alice thinks, cold and focused, as she surveys the couple. She is already set on her new course…

***

Would you like some juice? Alice asks, her tone everyday, steady, rehearsed. She even smiles that effortless, everyday smile shes practised so many times.

Oh, thank you! Natalie beams, reaching to squeeze Alices hand. Youre the best sister ever!

For a moment, Alice freezes. Something stirs inside her. She pulls herself together.

Ill just fetch it, she says, making sure her voice doesnt waver.

She walks into the kitchen, takes the juice from the fridge and pours it carefully. Her hand reaches for her pocket, grasping the tiny pill. Suddenly, she stops.

What is she doing? She looks at the glass, then the tablet. Images flash through her mind: Natalie, laughing and radiant; their parents, filled with hope; Samuel, gently supporting his wife…

Could she really go through with it? Could she really commit such a betrayal? The horror of what she was about to do crushes her. This isnt just cruel its monstrous.

No! This isnt her. Or is it? For a moment, shes gripped by a chill like madness. But she knows she cant wont do it.

Her hand opens, and the tablet clinks harmlessly onto the countertop. Alice breathes deeply, fighting the tremor in her fingers.

Alice? Are you alright? Natalies voice is close. Her big sister is hovering at the kitchen door, worry written plain across her face. Youre so pale! Should I call someone?

Alice looks up, meeting her sisters eyes. And finally, she sees what shes refused to acknowledge for so long genuine love, absolute trust, and pure happiness in simply being together. Such ordinary, simple, priceless things.

No, just felt a bit dizzy for a second, Alice says, forcing a lopsided smile. Im fine. Ive made your juice. Ill just get some tea for myself and we can have a natter.

She turns to the sink, filling the kettle, hands just slightly unsteady. Each movement is a conscious effort, as though shes pushing through a dense fog.

Still inside, her feelings swirl. She thinks of the moment she held the pill how close she came to crossing that final, irreversible line. How easy it is to slip into darkness if you feed those thoughts long enough, if you let them fester inside.

She spoons tea leaves into her mug, pours the boiling water, and stirs. The familiar scent soothes her a little. She watches Natalie drink her juice, chatting busily about weekend plans, bubbling with serene happiness. That joy makes Alices own heart heavier.

How could I? How could I even contemplate hurting her? Shes my sister my closest family.

She realises, with abrupt clarity, that this wasnt about an impulse. This pain has been building for years jealousy, bitterness, injustice all buried deep. And now, these festering emotions nearly drove her to disaster.

Alice breathes out, feeling the tension. She needs to admit: shes gone too far. Her feelings need real help not just endless self-reflection but proper support, maybe from someone with perspective.

What are you thinking? Natalie leans in, smiling fondly. Youre so quiet today.

Oh, just work theres lots piling up. I should probably talk to someone about how best to handle it, Alice replies, managing a broader smile.

Its halfway to the truth, but Natalie is content. As she continues talking about her plans, Alice listens, nodding, adding the odd comment. Gradually, a new feeling grows within her not relief, exactly, but a determined resolve.

She will not let these dark thoughts rule her. She wont allow jealousy to tinge her life any longer. Theres too much at stake her bond with Natalie, her own peace of mind, her future.

Step one is honesty: admitting she needs help. Not to hide or be ashamed, but to say to herself and perhaps to another: Im lost. Im struggling. I want to change…

***

Natalie gives birth to a beautiful little girl instantly the darling of the family. The baby arrives quietly on a June night, and by morning, the grandparents peer at her through the hospital window: tiny, rosy-cheeked, with thick, dark eyelashes, snoozing peacefully. No one can help but smile.

The first days at home are filled with touching moments. Natalie and Samuel take turns at the cradle, learning to swaddle, to feed, to rock her back to sleep. The new grandparents bring bags of babygros and teddies; granny knits tiny socks, and granddad gleefully tells the neighbours that hes a grandad at last.

Especially devoted is Aunt Alice. After her turning-point, she spends more and more time with the baby. At first, she just pops round to help holding the baby while Natalie naps, cooking a meal, or running to the shops. But then she starts staying longer marvelling at tiny fingers, imitating the babys frowns or beaming at her toothless smiles.

Alice soon masters lifting the little girl, soothing her with soft songs she invents herself. She lovingly selects outfits: a pink babygro with embroidered daisies, or a blue suit with teddy bears, then watches fondly as her niece parades in them.

Over time, Alice becomes more than just an aunt shes a true friend. She hosts pretend tea parties with toy cups, looks through picture books, teaches first words. When the girl takes her first steps, Alice supports her, cheers each milestone, claps when she toddles after a toy all on her own.

Natalie notices the bond and is genuinely grateful. One evening, after putting the baby to bed, she finds Alice tidying away toys and quietly says:

Thank you. I see how much you love her. It makes all the difference, you know, having an aunt like you.

Alice only smiles, feeling a bit shy. She never expected that caring for her niece would bring such joy. In these simple moments in the babys giggles, first words, and trusting cuddles Alice finds everything shed been lacking: belonging, warmth, and unconditional love.

Now, watching her happy niece, Alice realises: sometimes life offers us unexpected gifts. And often, its through caring for others that we truly discover the path to our own peace and happiness.