It was for me he would change, she had once believed.
“If you invite Nicholas to your birthday, dont expect me there. Not just the partyanywhere. I cant stand the sight of him!”
“Emily, wait…” Julia faltered. “How can I not invite him? Hes my husbands brother. Were family.”
“Oh, spare me. Family!” Emily scoffed. “Since when were you so close? You managed perfectly fine without him before. Is he really so important to you?”
Julia bit her lip. She knew Emily and Nicholas had never gotten along, but this? An ultimatum”him or me”was new.
The truth was, she and Nicholas had never been more than civil. No, he wasnt important to her. But her husband, William, was.
“Emily, do you even realise what youre asking? Its you or William. Hes”
“Right, I see how it is,” Emily cut in. “Williams feelings come first. Got it.”
The conversation ended sourly, leaving Julia cornered, accused of betrayal.
She understood Emilys pain, yet still felt wronged. Why couldnt Emily see her side? Why force her to choose between family and a friend whod been there her whole life?
They had been inseparable since childhoodsame nursery, same school. Their families were close. Summers were spent at Emilys grandparents cottage by the sea. Once, theyd even holidayed together in Brighton.
As a girl, Julia had been self-conscious about her weight, teased relentlessly until Emilybold and fiercestepped in. Shed defend Julia with sharp words, even sharper fists. Soon, no one dared mock her.
In return, Julia helped with homework, shared sweets, lent clothes when needed. Their families remained close. Just last month, Julias mother had praised Emilys parents for helping with home repairs.
Emily wasnt just a friend. She was a part of Julias lifeone that couldnt be erased.
Once, theyd nearly been family. Or so Emily had dreamed.
“Listen,” shed said one day. “What if we made it official? Introduce me to Nicholas. Your brother-in-law. Good men are scarce these days, and heres one right under our noses.”
Julia had hesitated. In theory, it sounded perfect. But she knew Nicholashandsome, charming, popular with womenwas hopelessly fickle.
“Emily, good might be a stretch,” shed warned gently. “Hes not the settling type.”
Emily had waved her off. “He just hasnt met the right girl. I can change him.”
Julia hadnt arranged anything, but it didnt matter. Theyd crossed paths at family gatherings, and soon Emily was messaging him. Before long, they were dating.
At first, it was all sweetnessromantic walks, matching profile pictures. Emily was over the moon. Then, predictably, it crumbled.
“Julia, have you seen Nicholas?” Emilys voice was frantic over the phone. “He hasnt answered since yesterday.”
Julia sighed. “Emily… I warned you. You know what hes like.”
“Its probably work. Or his phone. Hell change for me, youll see.”
But he didnt change. He cheated. When Emily found photos on another girls page, she raged for months, recounting her hatred to Julia at every chance.
At first, she still attended gatherings, never missing a chance to snipe at him.
“Pass the salad, please,” Nicholas would ask calmly.
“Get it yourself. Or ask your harem,” shed retort.
He endured it silently, but tension thickened the air. Eventually, Emilys barbs turned to indifference. She stopped checking his socials, stopped reacting. Julia thought it was overuntil Emily learned Nicholas had a new girlfriend.
This wasnt just another fling. Theyd been together half a year. Hed even introduced her to his parentssomething hed never done for Emily.
The bitterness spilled out. “So, he wouldnt lift a finger for me, but for some plain Jane, hes reformed?” Emily hissed. “Ive seen her photos. Dresses like a boy, nose like a potato. Whats so special about her?”
Julia knew it was pain talking. But why take it out on her? She hadnt betrayed Emily. And what could she even do? There was no clean way out. Someone would be hurt.
That evening, she confided in William. He scratched his head and sighed.
“Honestly, this is childish. But if you want to invite her, I understand. Nicholas doesnt have to come. Its your day.”
And in that moment, Julia realised something simple. This was how love should beno ultimatums, no demands. If roles were reversed, shed never put Emily in such a position.
Once, she might have cavedchanged plans, made excuses to Nicholas. But not this time.
The night before the party, she texted Emily:
“Are you coming? Id like to know if I should expect you.”
“If you invited *him*, then no,” came the stubborn reply.
“Emily, I didnt invite your ex. I invited my brother-in-law. And I invited you, my best friend. Id love to see you. But if not, I understand.”
Emily didnt come. Just a terse birthday message in the morning. Julia didnt lash out. She simply thanked her.
The party was surprisingly light. Nicholas brought his girlfriendquiet, unassuming Daisy. There was laughter, toasts, warmth. Williams grateful glance said everything.
Yet Julia kept glancing at her phone. *What if?*
It hurt. Amidst the joy, she felt a piece of her life missing. But as she tidied up with William that night, she steadied herself. Yes, it achedbut shed done right. Shed chosen herself, her family.
Real friendship shouldnt force you to choose.
