He Would Change for Me
“If you invite Nicholas to your birthday party, dont expect me there. Not just the partyanywhere. I cant stand the sight of him!”
“Annie, wait…” Emily faltered. “How can I not invite him? Hes my husbands brother. Were family.”
“Oh, come off it. Family!” Annie scoffed. “Since when were you so close? You managed perfectly fine without him before. Is he really that important to you?”
Emily bit her lip nervously. She knew Annie and Nicholas had never exactly seen eye to eye, but this? An ultimatumhim or herwas new.
There was no real friendship between Emily and Nicholas, just a quiet neutrality. No, he wasnt important to her. But her husband Williams feelings were.
“Annie, do you even realise what youre asking? Its you or William. He”
“I get it,” Annie interrupted. “Williams needs come first. Fine.”
The conversation ended there, leaving a bitter aftertaste. Emily felt cornered, accused of betrayal.
She understood Annies pain, yet she couldnt shake the unfairness. Why couldnt Annie see her side? Why force her to choose between family and a friend whod been there her whole life?
Theyd been inseparable since childhoodfirst nursery, then school. Their families were close. Summers meant Emily spending weeks with Annies grandparents by the seaside. Once, theyd all holidayed together in Brighton.
As a girl, Emily had been self-conscious about her weight, teased relentlessly by classmates. Annie, bold and protective, stood up for herverbally or otherwise. Soon, everyone learned: Emily was off-limits.
In return, Emily helped Annie with homework, shared sweets, and lent clothes. Their families remained friends. Just last month, Emilys mother had gushed about Annies parents helping with home repairs. Emily was always welcome in their home, treated like family.
Annie wasnt just a friendshe was part of Emilys life. Impossible to erase.
Once, theyd nearly become family. Well, not quite. But Annie had believed otherwise.
“Listen,” shed said one day. “Why dont we make it official? Introduce me to Nicholas. Your brother-in-law. Decent men are rare these dayswhy not keep it in the family?”
Emily had hesitated. In theory, it sounded lovely. But she knew Nicholas too well. Handsome, charming, popularbut hopelessly fickle. He cycled through women without a second thought.
“Annie, decent is a stretch,” Emily warned gently. “Hes a proper flirt. Not your type.”
“Oh, he just hasnt met the right one,” Annie dismissed. “Theyre all like that until they settle down. Ill change himyoull see.”
Emily tried to dissuade her, but Annie wouldnt listen.
She didnt need an introductiontheyd met at family gatherings. Soon, Annie messaged him, and they began dating.
At first, it was all sweetness: shared photos, romantic posts, matching profile pictures. Annie was over the moon. Then, predictably, it crumbled.
“Em, have you seen Nicholas?” Annies voice was frantic over the phone.
“No. Why?”
“He hasnt answered since last night. I hope hes alright.”
*Hes likely far happier than you are right now*, Emily thought with a sigh.
“Annie… I warned you. You know what hes like.”
“Something mustve happened with work. Or his phone. Hell change for meyoull see.”
But Nicholas didnt change. He cheated. When Annie found proof on another girls page, she erupted. For months, she ranted to Emily, seething at any mention of him.
At first, she still attended gatherings but never missed a chance to snipe at him.
“Annie, pass the crab salad, please,” hed say calmly.
“Get it yourself. Or ask one of your harem,” shed snap.
Nicholas endured it silently, but tension hung thick. One spark, and the room would ignite.
Eventually, Annies barbs faded into indifference. She stopped checking his socials, stopped reacting. He might as well not exist. Emily thought it was overuntil recently.
Annie learned Nicholas had a new girlfriend. Normally, that wouldnt matterhed had plenty. But Daisy was different. Six months in, he still only had eyes for her. Hed even introduced her to his parentssomething hed never done for Annie.
The news cut deep.
“So, he wouldnt lift a finger for me, but for *that* cow, hes suddenly a saint?” Annie hissed. “Whats she got that I havent? Ive seen her photosdressed like a boy, potato nose, chin like a nutcracker.”
Emily recognised the venom masking hurt. But why take it out on *her*? She hadnt betrayed Annie. Worse, she didnt know how to fix it. No matter what, someone would be hurt.
That evening, Emily confided in William. He scratched his head and sighed.
“Honestly, this all feels a bit childish. But if you want to invite her, I understand. Nicholas doesnt *have* to come. Its *your* day.”
In that moment, Emily realised something simple. This was how loving people behaved: no ultimatums, no demands. What would *she* do in Annies place? Endure it for her friend. Or decline politely, claiming a headache. Never make her choose.
Once, Emily wouldve cavedchanged plans, made excuses to exclude Nicholas. But not this time.
The night before the party, she texted Annie:
“Are you coming? Id love to see you.”
“If *hes* invited, then no,” came the stubborn reply.
“Annie, I invited my brother-in-lawnot your ex. And I invited *you*, my best friend. Id be happy if you came. If not, Ill understand.”
Annie didnt come. Just a dry morning text: *Happy Birthday. Wishing you the best.* Emily didnt lash out. She simply replied, *Thank you.*
The party was surprisingly joyful. Nicholas brought Daisya quiet, kind girl. Everyone laughed, toasted, joked. William never said a word, but his warm glance said everything: *Thank you.*
Still, Emily kept glancing at her phone. *Maybe…?*
It hurt. Despite the warmth, she felt like shed lost somethinga piece of her life. But as she tidied up with William that evening, she caught herself. Yes, it ached. But shed done right. Shed chosen not peace at any cost, but herselfand her family.
After all, true friendship shouldnt force you to choose.
