I only wished to help my sister, yet it ended with her words: “From this day on, you’re a stranger to me.”
“Mum, have you made the cordial?” asked Olivia as she stepped into the kitchen, where the rich scent of stewed fruit filled the air.
“I have, love,” smiled Margaret, stirring the pot. “Blackberry, just as you like it.”
Olivia wrapped her arms around her mothers shoulders and peered into the pot. The dark berries floated in syrup, their familiar fragrance stirring memories of childhood.
“Is Sophie coming today?” she asked, settling at the table.
“She said shed stop by for lunch,” Margaret replied, ladling the cordial into glasses. “Wants to talk about something important.” She pushed a glass toward Olivia. “Try ittell me if its too sweet.”
Olivia took a sip and shook her head. “Perfect. Just like I remember.”
Margaret sat across from her, studying her daughters face. “Olivia, have you noticed Sophies been odd lately? She used to call every day, now weeks pass without a word.”
“Mum, shes busywork, the children. She hasnt time for long chats.”
“Perhaps. But somethings not right. Yesterday, I saw her at the grocersshe barely looked at me.”
Olivia frowned. It was trueher sister had grown distant these past months, replying late to messages, slipping away early from family gatherings.
“Maybe shes got troubles,” Olivia murmured. “Ill talk to her.”
The doorbell rang, cutting them short. Margaret hurried to answer.
“Sophie, darling! How lovely youve come!” her voice carried from the hall.
“Hello, Mum,” Sophie replied flatly.
Olivia heard footsteps, then her sister appeared in the kitchen doorway, her jaw tight, her posture rigid.
“Hello, Sophie,” Olivia greeted. “Sit downMums made cordial.”
“No, thank you,” Sophie said curtly, remaining standing.
Margaret frowned. “Sophie, whats the matter? You seem”
“Im fine,” Sophie interrupted. “I need to speak with Olivia. Alone.”
Olivia blinked. Shed never heard such coldness in her sisters voice.
“Mum, perhaps give us a moment?”
With a troubled glance, Margaret left.
Sophie stepped closer but didnt sit. “Enough playing the saint,” she said icily.
“What?” Olivia faltered.
“Your little games. Did you think I wouldnt find out?”
A chill ran down Olivias spine. Fragments of memory surfaced, but nothing clear.
“Sophie, explain properly. Whats happened?”
“Remember Andrew, do you?” Sophies tone sharpened.
Olivia froze. AndrewSophies husband. There had been an awkward encounter months ago, but shed thought it forgotten.
“What exactly do you mean?”
“Dont act clueless!” Sophie snapped. “I know about your little café meetings. How you comforted *my* husband when we were having troubles. How you hugged him in the car park.”
She pulled out her phone, thrusting it forward. Photos of Olivia and Andrew at a café, one of them embracing.
“Sophie, its not what you think”
“Oh, isnt it?” Sophie sneered. “Then enlighten me. Why was *my* sister sneaking about with *my* husband?”
Olivia exhaled. Shed dreaded this conversation.
“Andrew came to me for advice,” she began. “He said you were arguing, talking of divorce. He was desperate.”
“And you decided to help?” Sophies voice turned brittle. “How *generous* of you.”
“Sophie, he was heartbroken! He loves you, didnt want to lose the family. I only tried to understand”
“Understand?” Sophie finally sat, spine stiff. “Why you? Why not his mates? His mother?”
Olivia faltered. Why *had* he come to her?
“I dont know. Perhaps because Im your sisterId know your side.”
“Liar!” Sophie exploded. “He came to you because youve *always* been too eager to listen! Even when we were dating, you hovered about him!”
“Sophie, thats nonsense! Theres nothing between us. Yes, we met a few times. Yes, I hugged himhe was in tears. But nothing more!”
“And then,” Sophie continued bitterly, “he suddenly changed his mind about divorce. Started insisting we save the marriage. I thought it was his own realisation. Turns out it was *your* doing!”
Olivia stood, moving toward her. “Sophie, I know youre upset. But I only wanted to help. It hurt seeing you both suffer.”
“*Help*?” Sophie recoiled. “You decided *for* me whether my marriage should continue! You meddled without my leave!”
“But you didnt divorce! Youre managing now!”
“And you think that means were *happy*?” Sophies eyes glistened with angry tears. “Andrew quotes you constantlyOlivia says family matters, Olivia says we must endure. I live with a man who parrots *your* words to shame me!”
Olivia sank back into her chair. The enormity of her mistake dawned.
“Sophie, I never called you”
“Shut up!” Sophie shouted. “Youve no idea what Ive endured! Andrew throws your wisdom in my facesays Im selfish for wanting out! Im a stranger in my own home!”
“Sophie, I never meant”
“What *did* you mean?” Sophies voice cracked. “Tell me exactly what you *advised* him!”
Olivia saw no escape. Every word would dig the hole deeper.
“I said you loved each other. That you had children, a shared life. That temporary strife wasnt worth destroying everything.”
“*Temporary*?” Sophie shot to her feet. “He *cheated* on me! I found messages to his ex! And you call that *temporary*?”
Olivias stomach dropped. Andrew had never mentioned infidelityonly arguments.
“Sophie, I didnt know”
“Of course not! Yet you *advised* him! Now Im trapped with a man I loathe because my *clever* sister told him to stay!”
Margaret appeared in the doorway, pale. “Girls, whats all this shouting?”
“Not your concern, Mum!” Sophie snapped.
“Sophie!” Margaret gasped. “How can you speak to me like that?”
Sophie turned, and Olivia saw raw pain in her eyes.
“How *should* I speak?” Sophie whispered. “Smile politely, pretend alls well? Like our *perfect* family taught me?”
“Sophie, leave Mum out of this,” Olivia cut in. “This is between us.”
“Between us?” Sophie laughed harshly. “Youve *all* decided for me! Mum always said I was too stubborn, should listen more. And you took up the chant!”
Margaret looked helpless. “I dont understand. Whats happened?”
“Your eldest,” Sophie said coldly, “has been meeting *my* husband in secret, advising him on *our* marriage.”
Margaret gasped. “Olivia, is this true?”
“Mum, its not”
“It *is*,” Sophie spat. “And now Im to *thank* her? For binding me to a cheater in the name of *family*?”
Olivia reached for her, but Sophie stepped back.
“Sophie, lets talk calmly. Ill explain”
“I dont *want* your explanations,” Sophie said, voice trembling. “Just know this: from today, youre nothing to me.”
Silence fell. Even Margaret stood mute.
“Sophie, dont be absurd,” Margaret finally whispered. “Youre sisters.”
“*Were*,” Sophie corrected. She pulled out her phone, fingers stabbing the screen.
“What are you doing?” Olivia asked.
“Erasing you. From my contacts, my socials, everything. I never want to see your name again.”
“Sophie, stop this!” Olivia cried. “Why blow things out of proportion?”
Sophies eyes burned. “*Im* overreacting? *You* interfered, trapped me with a man I despise, and *Im* the hysteric?”
“No one *trapped* you! You chose”
“Under *your* influence! Andrew repeated your words dailyOlivia says this, Olivia says that. I felt *guilty* for wanting freedom!”
Margaret clutched her chest. “Girls, stopmy blood pressure”
Sophie barely glanced at her. “Mum, go rest. This doesnt concern you.”
“How can I *rest*?” Margaret wept. “Youve always been so close!”
“Close?” Sophie gave a bitter smile. “Loyalty ends where betrayal begins.”
“*Betrayal
