You’re perfect in our eyes, Lucy said, leaning back in her chair and slamming her laptop shut. Want to know why? Because Im fed up always being the runnerup! Its the same everywhere. In school you were top of the class, teachers sang your praises. At university you graduated with firstclass honours, while I barely scraped through my resits. At work you keep 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 number one!
***
Great, another slap on the wrist from the boss, Lucy muttered, pushing herself back in the swivel chair with a sigh.
Hannah looked up from her screen, a halfsmile playing on her lips. You messed up the report, didnt you? Did anyone pat you on the head for that?
Lucy pursed her lips and turned to the window, her cheeks flushing with annoyance. Hannah ignored the sour look and started gathering her things. The workday was finally over; the papers were neatly tucked into a folder, her mug slid into the sink.
Lucy stayed silent as they walked down the corridor. Only after the office doors closed behind them did Hannah speak again.
You find it easy to joke, dont you? Youre our perfect little sister.
Hannah exhaled. These fights had become a regular thing lately. Lucy used to brush off the bosss critiques with a joke, but now there was a bitterness in every word.
I just do my job well, Lucy. You can too.
Sure, of course.
Theyd both been in the purchasing department of a big retail firm for three years. Hannah got there first, and half a year later helped Lucy land a spot. The sisters were always close, backing each other up, but their work styles were poles apart.
Hannah stayed late, poring over supplier markets, comparing terms from dozens of firms before signing anything. Lucy favoured a laidback rhythm get the minimum done on time, then spend the rest scrolling on her phone or chatting in the staff kitchen. Hannah never judged Lucys approach; everyones got their own way.
A month ago something meant to be a family celebration happened. The senior management called Hannah into the directors office and offered her a promotion to Senior Purchasing Manager, complete with a hefty pay rise £12,000 more a year. Hannah was taken aback but said yes straight away. Years of diligent work finally paid off.
Lucy gave her a hug and a quick congrats, but Hannah saw the smile fade from Lucys face, the forced tone in her words. That evening they went out to a café to mark the occasion, but the vibe was off. Lucy kept steering the chat back to salaries, asking how much more Hannah would be earning, how many extra hours shed have to put in.
Youre just lucky the boss noticed you, otherwise youd still be stuck at the same pay, Lucy jibed.
Lucky? Hannah asked, surprised. I spent two months on that project without a day off.
Right, sure.
Six months later Hannah was named head of the whole department. The news spread like wildfire. Colleagues shook her hand, offered congratulations, and wished her luck. Lucy was the last to approach, gave a quick hug, and whispered in Hannahs ear, Congrats. Youre the top dog now. There was no warmth in those words. Hannah stared straight into Lucys eyes and saw something cold and foreign, like a snake coiled behind a smile.
In the weeks that followed, Hannahs office life started to shift subtly but steadily. She stopped getting lunch invites from Tessa. Oliver from the neighbouring team no longer swung by with his morning coffee. The usual banter turned dry, and people turned away as soon as she looked at them. Whispered jokes and muffled snickers floated around her whenever she turned her back. It was as if everyone pretended to be busy the moment she entered the room.
Hannah was baffled. What had changed? Shed always been open, helpful, and eager to share her experience. Had the promotion turned her colleagues against her? She hadnt altered a thing no yelling, no impossible demands, no sabotage.
One evening, as Hannah was about to leave, Marina knocked on her office door, fidgeting nervously.
Come in, Hannah said. Whats up?
Marina slipped into the chair opposite, looking embarrassed. I have to tell you something. Im really sorry, but you deserve to know the truth.
Hannah set her pen down and gave Marina her full attention. Marina swallowed hard.
Lucys been spreading rumours about you for months now. She tells everyone that the ideas in your projects are actually hers, that you stole her work, that you only got the promotion because you were a kissup. She says you look down on the rest of us and think were idiots.
Lucy? The little sister Hannah had helped get a foot in the door? The one shed quietly corrected when needed? The whole office being turned against her?
Are you sure? Youre not mixing things up? Hannah asked, her voice tight.
Its 100percent true. At first I didnt want to believe it, thought maybe there was a misunderstanding. But she repeats it to everyone, all the time. People start believing it. And gossip spreads like wildfire, no matter how ridiculous.
Hannah didnt remember how she said goodbye to Marina and walked to her car. The drive home was a tumble of thoughts about Lucy. Why? Theyd always been together. Hannah had always defended her, helped her out. And now this betrayal?
Lucy opened the front door, surprise flashing across her face. Hannah? Whats going on?
Hannah stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, stood facing Lucy and stared straight into her eyes.
Why?
What are you doing, Lucy? Why are you trashing my name? Hannah asked, voice cold and detached.
Lucy flinched, crossing her arms, her face flushing with a strange mix of anger and something else.
Did Marry tell you?
Does it matter who said it! Answer me!
Dont shout at me in my own house! Keep it professional!
Im not shouting, Lucy. Im demanding answers. How could you do this? Were sisters!
Lucy took a step forward, her eyes flashing with a fury Hannah had never seen.
You want to know why? Because Im sick of always being second! she shouted. Always everything! In school you were the star, teachers adored you. In university you got a firstclass degree, I was barely passing resits. At work you get promotions and bonuses, and Im stuck here! I want a high salary and the bosss respect too, understand? I want to be first!
Hannah stayed silent as Lucy kept ranting, not stopping.
You were always ahead, perfect, Lucysmart, Lucybeautiful, Lucyhardworking. And me? Just a shadow, a useless little sister who always messes things up!
So you should have worked harder, Hannah replied calmly. Put in the effort, not spend time watching videos at work or gossiping in the kitchen. You wanted respect? Earn it. But dont drag me through the mud for it.
Lucy opened her mouth, but Hannah cut her off, turned and walked out. The door clicked shut. Tears streamed down Hannahs cheeks, but she swiped them away. Hold on, she whispered to herself, hold on.
The next morning Hannah handed in a transfer request to a branch in Manchester. The HR manager was surprised but signed the paperwork without fuss. Hannah was a valued employee; they didnt want to lose her. The move was approved within two days.
Lucy found out from coworkers and called Hannah that evening. Hannah stared at the caller ID before picking up.
Youre transferring? Lucy said, no greeting.
Yes.
So youre running away.
No. Im just going to a place where no one will plot against me behind my back.
Youre betraying me! Traitor! Youre a sister, you know?
Hannah didnt answer. She hung up. There wasnt anything left to say.
Three months in the new branch flew by. The team welcomed her warmly, projects ran smoothly, and Hannah started to forget the nightmare. Then one night Marina called.
Hannah, have you heard? Theyve sacked Lucy.
Hannah froze, phone pressed to her ear.
What?
Last week. She missed deadlines on three contracts, messed up reports. Management had been patient, but finally they let her go. Without you, everything fell apart. Its what happened because you left; her mistakes finally came to light.
Hannah put the phone down and sat in stunned silence.
The following day Lucy turned up at Hannahs flat, hair a mess, eyes red, clothes rumpled. She burst into the hallway, shouting:
Are you happy now? Theyve fired me! You moved just to sabotage me! Did you do this on purpose?
Hannah looked at her calmly.
What am I to blame, Lucy? You had a chance to prove yourself. I didnt stop you. What did you do? Ruined everything.
Its you, its you!
No, its you who caused this. And now stay out of my house.
Hannah opened the front door wide. Lucy froze, unable to believe her sister was actually sending her away. Lucy turned and bolted down the stairwell, the door slamming shut with a deafening bang.
An hour later, their mother rang, shouting.
What have you done?! Youre the reason Lucy got sacked! You abandoned her! Youre selfish! Youve ruined our family!
Hannah tried to explain the rumours, the betrayal, that Lucy herself had set the stage for her dismissal. Mother just kept screaming, accusing, demanding Hannah fix everything.
Youve betrayed the family, Hannah. Remember that. Its a sin.
The line clicked.
Hannah was left alone. The family turned away just when she finally defended herself, when she stopped sacrificing everything for Lucy.
Shed manage. Hannah was always strong, and now she needed that strength more than ever.
She opened an email from senior management a promotion to a role in London, a brandnew city and a fresh start. If shed been hesitant before, now she answered with confidence.
When everyone else had turned their backs, there was nothing holding her down in this new place. Time to think only of herself.
Weeks of moving chaos passed. In London Hannah settled quickly, didnt look back, didnt try to fit in. Family ties remained only as formal holiday greetings. She no longer worried about their opinion. Theyd walked away, after all.
