You’re perfect in our eyes, I said, halfjoking, halfserious. Want to know why? Because Im fed up always being secondbest! I shouted, feeling the heat rise in my cheeks. Youve always been top of the class, teachers fawning over you. At university you walked away with a firstclass degree, while I was just scraping through retakes. At work youre getting promotions and bonuses, and Im stuck in the same spot! I want a good salary and the bosss respect too. Got it? I want to be first!
—
Great, another slap on the wrist from the boss, I muttered, slamming my laptop shut and flopping back in my swivel chair. Emily glanced up from her screen, raised an eyebrow, and smirked.
You made a mistake in the report, didnt you? They werent going to pat you on the head for that.
I pursed my lips and turned toward the window, my cheeks flushing with annoyance. Emily ignored my sour look, started gathering her things. Finally the workday was over the files were neatly stacked in a folder, my coffee mug headed for the sink.
I stayed silent as we walked down the corridor to the exit. Only when the office doors closed behind us did Emily speak again.
Easy for you to laugh. Youre the perfect one, arent you?
I sighed. These arguments had become way too common lately. Emily used to brush off the bosss comments with a joke and move on. Now there was a bitterness in every word.
I’m just doing my job well, Imogen. You can too.
Sure, of course.
Wed both been at the same big retail firm in the procurement department for three years. Id landed the job first, and half a year later helped Imogen get in. Wed always been close, supporting each other through everything. The only problem was that our work styles were night and day.
Id stay late, poring over supplier markets, comparing terms from dozens of companies before making a decision. Imogen preferred a laidback approach get the minimum done on time, then spend the rest of the day scrolling on her phone or chatting in the breakroom. I never judged her for seeing things differently; to each their own.
A month ago something that should have been a family celebration happened. The directors called me into the managers office and offered a promotion senior procurement manager with a nice bump in salary. I was taken aback, but accepted straight away. Years of painstaking work finally paid off.
Imogen gave me a hug and congratulated me, but I saw her smile fade quickly, heard the tension in her voice. That evening we went to a café to celebrate, yet the mood was odd. Imogen kept steering the conversation toward salaries, asking how much more Id be earning, how many extra hours Id have to put in.
Youre just lucky the boss noticed you, otherwise youd still be stuck in the same place, I said offhand.
Lucky? I asked, surprised. I spent two months on that project without a day off.
Right, of course.
Six months later they made me head of the whole department. The news spread like wildfire around the office. Colleagues shook my hand, wished me well. Imogen was the last to come over, hugged me, and whispered in my ear, Congrats, youre a real star now. There was no warmth in those words. I looked straight into her eyes and saw something cold and unfamiliar, like a snake coiled under the surface.
—
In the weeks that followed, the office atmosphere around me shifted subtly but steadily. First, Emily stopped inviting me to lunch. James from the neighbouring department no longer popped by with a morning coffee. Colleagues gave dry nods and turned away as soon as I walked by. Whispers and faint giggles followed me down the hallway, and anyone I turned to seemed buried in work.
I was baffled. What had changed? Id always been open, helpful, and willing to share my expertise. Had my promotion really turned everyone against me? I wasnt shouting at anyone, I wasnt demanding the impossible, I wasnt sabotaging anyone.
One evening, as I was packing up, Claire slipped into my office, looking nervous and fidgety.
Come in, I said. Whats up?
She closed the door, sat opposite me, and fidgeted with her hands. I need to tell you something. Im really embarrassed, but you deserve to know the truth.
I set my pen down and gave her my full attention. She swallowed hard. Imogen has been spreading rumours about you for months. She tells everyone that the ideas in your projects are actually hers, that youve been stealing her work, that you only got the promotion because youre a brownnoser. She says you look down on the rest of us, that you think were all idiots.
Imogen? My own sister, the one Id helped get a job? The one whose work Id quietly covered when she fell short? Was she turning the whole office against me?
Are you sure? Youre not mixing anything up? I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
Absolutely sure. At first I thought maybe it was a misunderstanding, but shes been saying it nonstop, to anyone wholl listen. People are starting to believe her. You know how fast gossip spreads, especially when its juicy.
I didnt remember how Id said goodbye to Claire, but I knew I was driving home with a storm of thoughts rattling around my head. Why? Why now? Wed always been there for each other. Id covered for her, defended her. And now this?
When I knocked on Imogens flat, she opened the door, eyes wide with surprise.
Emily? Whats wrong? she asked.
I stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, turned to face her, and stared straight into her eyes.
Why are you turning the whole office against me? Why are you spreading lies that Im stealing your ideas? I said, my voice cold but steady.
Imogen stumbled back, arms crossing her chest, her face flushing with a strange mix of anger and embarrassment.
Did Claire tell you something? she snapped.
It doesnt matter who said it! Answer me!
Dont shout at me in my own flat! This is ridiculous!
Im not shouting, Imogen. Im demanding an explanation. How could you do this? Were sisters!
She took a step forward, eyes flashing with something Id never seen before rage? Hurt? Something darker.
You want to know why? she snapped. Because Im sick of always being secondbest! Always everything you did better than me. In school you were the star, teachers loved you. At university you got a first, I was barely scraping through. At work youre climbing the ladder, and Im stuck in the same spot! I want a good salary and the bosss respect too. Got it? I want to be first!
I stayed silent as she ranted on, her words spilling out without pause.
Youve always been ahead, perfect, Imogen brilliant, beautiful, hardworking. And what am I? A shadow, the useless little sister who always messes things up!
Then you should have worked harder, I replied. Put in the effort, not just scrolling videos at work and gossiping in the kitchen. If you wanted respect, earn it. But dont drag me through the mud for it.
She opened her mouth, but I cut her off and walked out, the door closing with a soft click. Tears welled up, and I brushed them away quickly. I had to keep it together.
—
The next morning I handed in a transfer request to move to the companys branch in Birmingham. HR was surprised but signed off without many questions they didnt want to lose a valuable employee. The transfer was approved within two days.
Imogen heard the news from a colleague, called me that evening. I stared at the caller ID before picking up.
Youre moving? she said, tone flat.
Yes.
So youre running away, then?
No. Im just going somewhere where you wont be plotting behind my back.
Youre betraying me! Traitor! What kind of sister are you?
I didnt answer. I hung up. There was nothing left to say.
Three months in the Birmingham office flew by. The team welcomed me warmly, projects ran smoothly, and I started to forget the nightmare Id lived through. Then one evening Claire called.
Emily, have you heard? Imogens been sacked.
I froze, phone pressed to my ear.
What?
Last week she missed deadlines on three contracts, made errors in reports. Management gave her a final warning and then let her go. Without you covering for her, everything fell apart.
But I
Emily, you spent years fixing her mistakes behind the scenes. When you left, everything came crashing down. She just couldnt cope on her own.
I put the phone down and sat in silence for a long while.
—
The next day Imogen turned up at my doorstep, hair a mess, eyes red, clothes rumpled. She burst into the hallway and started shouting.
Are you happy now? You got me sacked! You moved just to ruin me! Did you do it on purpose?
I looked at her calmly.
What am I to blame, Imogen? You had the chance to prove yourself. I didnt block you. What did you do? You blew it all.
This is your fault! You!
No, its you who caused this. And now, stay away from my house.
I opened the front door wide. Imogen froze, unable to believe I was actually kicking her out. She turned and fled down the stairwell, the door slamming shut with a deafening bang.
An hour later Mum called, screaming.
What are you doing? Youre to blame for Imogens dismissal! You abandoned her! Youre selfish! You should have helped her, not run off to another office! Youve ruined our family!
I tried to explain, telling her about the rumours, the betrayal, how Imogen herself had dragged herself into this mess. She wouldnt listen, only shouted, demanding I fix everything instantly.
Youve betrayed the family, Emily. Remember that. Its a sin.
The line clicked.
I was alone. My family turned their backs the moment I defended myself, when I stopped sacrificing for my sister.
Shed manage. Emily had always been strong, and now that strength was needed more than ever.
A few days later an email arrived from senior management: a transfer to London, a senior director role, a fresh start in a new city. If Id ever doubted whether to take it, now I was typing the acceptance with confidence.
When everyone turns away, theres nothing left holding you back. Time to think about myself.
The chaos of the move lasted weeks, but I settled in London quickly. I didnt look back, didnt try to fit back into the old family dynamics. They only sent dry holiday cards now. I wasnt hurt any more theyd given up on me, and that was fine.
