My Sister-in-Law Wanted to Celebrate Her Anniversary at Our Place and Demanded We Vacate the Flat

Emily, has Tom told you anything yet? the motherinlaw asked, her voice brisk. Listen, were expecting up to twenty guests, so well start the preparations in the evening. Ill be there early, around six oclock.

What? In the evening? Emily replied, raising an eyebrow. I never agreed to that.

Hold on, Im not finished, the woman continued. Ive already sent Tom a shopping list; he promised to buy everything.

Tom had always looked after his older sister, Sophie. By the time she turned thirty she had married twice and divorced twice, each time blaming the wrong man. Their mother, Margaret, had been telling her son since childhood, You must help your sister. And Tom did. He handed over cash when Sophie was temporarily out of work, repaired the flat she rented, and drove her belongings after every split.

Eventually Tom married.

Emily put up with it at first, but when Sophie, for the fifth time in a year, asked to borrow the car for a few days because it had broken down again, Emily said firmly, Tom, isnt that enough? We need the car this weekend ourselves. I thought we had plans

What do you expect? Walking? Tom asked.

No, we cant walk to my parents cottage. Theyre sending us two buckets of cucumbers and I thought youd heard me mention it.

I know theres an emergency with Sophie, Tom muttered. She needs something more.

Not this time, Emily snapped. Either you stop catering to your sister, or you buy me a car. Im tired of the trolleybus when you could easily drive me wherever I need to go.

Tom hesitated, about to refuse Sophie, when Margaret interjected, Are you really going to abandon your sister for your wife? Who else will help her?

So Tom kept helping, despite the arguments with Emily. After a few days of silence, Tom finally broke the quiet, Why are you so quiet? Did I upset you?

Really? It took you three days to notice? Emily retorted. Im not the one who left you to drive all weekend because Sophie needed to get to a friends cottage. I thought youd just drop her off, and you stayed there for two days. Does that bother you?

Not at all, Tom said. I just had a few drinks with her expartner. I needed to celebrate somehow. Why should I have driven?

You could have at least called, Emily said.

You could have called too, Tom shot back.

I did! Your phone was off. Imagine what I was supposed to think? I was on edge, not knowing where my husband was, while he decided to take a break from me, Emily snapped.

Tom waved his hand, Dont make stories up. He walked to the balcony, picked up the phone therehe knew Emily wouldnt like another chat with his sister.

Hey, bro! Sophie chirped. My anniversary is in two weeksthirty years! You get it, right?

Tom glanced at Emily, who was stirring soup. What do you want? he asked.

I want to celebrate at your place! Your living room is huge. My rented flat is cramped and the landlord would object. A restaurant is pricey, Sophie laughed.

Maybe we could do it at a café? Ill add whatever you need, Tom suggested.

Youre joking! Sophie snapped. Its an anniversary! You expect me to pay for a venue when you have a flat of your own? Im not a millionaires daughter, after all.

Ill speak to Emily first. Its her flat as well. Maybe she has other plans, Tom said.

Its too late! Sophie interrupted. Ive already told everyone the party will be at your house. Clear the flat for the whole day, okay? Mum says shell handle the cooking.

Tom sighed, covering his face with his hand, while his mind raced for a way out. The phone buzzed againthis time a message from Margaret: Sophie has drafted a menu. Heres the list of dishes. We need to buy the ingredients. Ask Emily to help with the cooking.

Emily, unaware of Sophies anniversary, was settled in her favourite armchair, remote in hand, ready to watch her series. When Tom entered the room, eyes downcast, she sensed something.

What now? she asked calmly, pausing her show.

Emily, listen Sophies anniversary is coming upthirty years. She wants to celebrate, Tom explained.

Emily lifted her head. Well, let her celebrate. Are we going to stop her?

The problem is she wants to do it at our flat.

What? Here? Emily stood up, surprised. For just one evening? She says the restaurant is too expensive and her home is too small

So youre okay with it? Tom asked.

I said Id talk to you first, but Sophies already invited everyone, and Mum is already planning the menu, Emily replied, closing her eyes and breathing heavily. Tom, are you a grownup or just a conduit for Sophies wishes?

Where are you going with this? Tom asked, irritation rising.

Im tired of being a footnote in my own house, a sidekick for your mothers and sisters whims, Emily said, her voice steady. If you want to be a good son and brother, go back to your mother and help her with the party. Im sure shell gladly give you a corner in her living room.

Youre serious? Tom stepped closer. Im not going back.

Absolutely serious, Emily affirmed. Ive put up with enough that I now have to ask myself why I stay. Thats enough. If you cant learn to respect me in three years, things will only get worse.

Emily you cant ruin everything in one moment! Tom pleaded.

Impossible to ruin whats already broken, Emily said.

Tom tried to protest, but Emily covered his face with a bag, gathered his shirts and jeans from the wardrobe, and slung them into a large sports bag. She then walked out of the bedroom, opened the fridge, grabbed a bottle of lager, and settled in front of the TV as if nothing had changed.

He thought she would cool off and that life would go on as usual. He even turned on a football match, expecting Emily to call him for dinner. He was wrong.

Half an hour later Emily stood in the hallway with a shopping bag, a sports bag stuffed with his belongings beside her. When Tom tried to head to the kitchen, he saw her and asked, Whats this? What kind of drama is this?

Emily looked at him coldly. Its not drama, Tom. Its the end. Im done being a shadow in my own life, a servant in my own flat, a background for your mothers and sisters demands. If you want to be a good son and brother, go back to your mother. Help her prepare for the party. Im sure shell gladly spare you a corner in her lounge.

Youre serious? he stepped forward. Im not going back.

Completely serious, she replied. Ive tolerated enough that now I even question myself. Thats enough. If you cant learn to respect me within three years, the future will only get darker.

Emily you cant just tear everything apart in a heartbeat! he shouted.

Its already fallen apart, Emily said softly.

She opened the front door, and Tom stood there, his face flushed with anger, his cheeks burning, lips clenched. He still hoped she would relent, but her calm only fueled his fury.

Fine then! he snapped. Think youll find someone better? Youll be looking forever for someone like me!

Emily sighed and took a step back. Finding someone like you thank heavens.

Youll regret this! Tom yelled, snatching at the bag. Youll be on your knees when you realise no one wants to talk to you! Without me youre nothing!

If nothing means a person who lives in their own flat, works, doesnt cater to overbearing relatives and refuses to endure rudeness, then Im happy being nothing, Emily replied.

Tom left, and Emily was left alone. She took a deep breath, moved to the window, drew back the curtain, and watched as her exhusband shoved the bag into a taxi boot.

Months passed.

The divorce was messy. Tom tried to paint Emily as selfish and greedy, fighting over the car theyd bought together. He claimed hed paid for it alone, while Emily proved with bank statements, receipts and a signed deposit agreement that shed contributed.

I paid the full amount, the registration is in my name, Tom insisted in court. My wife contributed nothing.

Emily calmly spread the documents on the table, showing the transfers and the contract shed signed. Im not asking for his share, but I wont give up whats mine, she said.

The judge ruled fairly.

Tom was furious. He left the courtroom with a scowl, feeling the world had turned against him. At home his mother shouted, Youve given her everythingcar, flat, even a decent solicitor! What a fool!

On top of that, Tom had taken out a loan to fund Sophies anniversary dinner at a restaurant, after promising her a venue. Now he was left with a cramped spare room in Margarets house.

Emily finally slept peacefully, realizing she was still young enough to leave a man like Tom behind. Good partners were plenty; the key was to recognise who truly belonged in your life.

The whole ordeal taught her that sacrificing ones own peace for the endless demands of others only leads to resentment. True respect is earned, not demanded, and a life lived for oneself is the only one worth keeping.