Lets splash your huge bonus on Graces 30th birthday! Shell be over the moon! Mum said, deadserious.
Emily stared at the numbers on her screen for the third time, hoping they might magically shift. The bonus was even bigger than shed imagined. Two years at a government agency, endless meetings, late nights buried in paperwork and this was the payoff. Shed just closed the biggest deal of the year.
Emily, you alright? her colleague Rachel popped her head into the office. You look a bit off.
Theyve finally paid the bonus, Emily replied, eyes glued to the monitor.
And its a small one? Rachel teased.
Massive. Huge.
Rachel whistled when she saw the figure.
Congrats! Now you can finally afford everything youve been dreaming about.
Emily opened a new tab and stared at pictures of the Greek islands white sand, crystalclear water, whitewashed houses perched on cliffs. Shed spent years scrolling through travel blogs, picturing herself there.
The Greek islands? Rachel guessed. Sounds perfect! Youre 27 now, time to get your own place, live independently.
Emily nodded. Living with Mum and older sister Grace was getting tighter, especially since Grace, at thirty, still hadnt landed a steady job and kept finding excuses why it wasnt her fault.
That evening Emily walked into the kitchen, where Mum was washing dishes in her familiar floral apron.
Mum, Ive got news, Emily said, grabbing a yoghurt from the fridge.
What kind of news? Mum turned, drying her hands on a towel.
They paid me a bonus. A big one, for the deal I closed.
Mums eyes lit up.
Emily, youre brilliant! How much?
Emily named the amount about thirtythousand pounds. Mum even plonked herself into a chair.
Oh my God thats a fortune! She paused, then a grin spread across her face. You know what? Lets give your bonus to Grace for her birthday. Shell be thrilled!
Emily choked on her yoghurt.
What?
Think about it, Mum said, as if it were the most natural thing. Thirty is a big milestone. Let Grace remember it with a proper celebration. She could finally afford a trip abroad.
Mum, are you serious? Emily set the cup down slowly.
Whats so funny? Money should stay in the family. Grace is the eldest daughter. Besides, youve got a good salary, youll earn more.
Just then Grace breezed in, fresh from a walk with friends.
Whats the chat about? she asked, hanging her coat.
Emily got a massive bonus, Mum announced. Were thinking of giving it to you for your birthday.
Were not thinking, Emily snapped. Thats you thinking.
Grace raised an eyebrow. How much are we talking about?
Mum proudly read out the figure. Grace whistled, just like Rachel had done earlier.
Emily, what are you up to? Grace said, sitting next to her sister. I could really use that gift for my thirtieth. Ive never traveled anywhere. And youre still young, youve got plenty of opportunities.
Plenty of opportunities? Emily felt heat rise. Grace, Im twentyseven! I did a fouryear degree, two years of unpaid internships, then another two years grinding for this role. I earned this money myself!
Emily, dont raise your voice at your sister, Mum scolded.
Why can she raise her voice at me? Why is she demanding money I earned?
Grace crossed her arms. I didnt raise my voice. I just said the gift would be useful. You know how hard it is to find a decent job these days.
Hard to find, right? Emily shot back. How many interviews did you have last year? Three? Four?
Mum! she snapped. How are you talking to your sister? Grace is looking for a job in her field, not clawing at anything.
Emily, Im in my field too. I spent two years jobhunting, going to interviews every week, getting rejected dozens of times before landing this role.
So what now? Grace interjected. Youve got the position, youve got the bonus. Cant you feel a bit sorry for your sister?
Feel sorry? Emilys voice rose. Grace, I feel sorry for you every month! Who pays the internet? Who buys the groceries? Who covers the bills? Mum and I! And what do you do?
Im looking for work!
Youre out with friends! On your phone! Sleeping in till noon!
Girls, enough! Mum stepped between them. Emily, Grace is right. Its tough to find a job now, and youve got such a big bonus Are you really unwilling to share with the family?
Unwilling? Emily felt tears sting. Mum, I planned to use that money for a Greek island holiday. Ive dreamed of it since university. Then I wanted to rent a flat and finally live on my own.
The Greek islands? Grace scoffed. Emily, throwing that kind of cash on two weeks of sunbathing?
Its not throwing it away! Its my dream!
My dream is to get to Brighton at least, Grace said. Im almost thirty. If not now, then when?
When you earn it yourself!
Mum sighed heavily. Emily, youve become so harsh, so selfish. Has success changed you that much?
Selfish? Emily felt something crack. Mum, am I selfish? Ive been paying for everything in this flat for two years. I buy your meds, I get you presents for every holiday. And when I want to spend my own hardearned money on myself, Im called selfish?
Youre exaggerating, Mum said. We all contribute.
What does Grace contribute?
Grace helps around the house.
Helps? Emily laughed bitterly. Mum, when was the last time you saw Grace mop the floor or clean the bathroom without being reminded?
Grace is depressed because she cant find work, Mum whispered. Its hard for her.
Is it easy for me? Do you think its easy for me to work twelvehour days, come home and hear you making plans for my money?
Grace stood up. You know what, Emily? If you treat us like that, then keep your money. Ill manage somehow.
Grace, dont say that, Mum placed a hand on her eldest daughters shoulder. Emily is just exhausted. Shell understand and share.
No, I wont understand or share! Emily shouted. I earned this! Ill spend it on what I need!
Mum stared at her a long moment. Alright, Emily. If you dont want to help Grace voluntarily, Ill make you.
How?
Youll pay much more for the flat. Much more. Grace isnt working, Im retired. If youre so independent, then foot the whole bill yourself.
Mom
Either share the bonus with Grace, or pay for everything. Your choice.
Emily stood in the kitchen, feeling her world crumble. The family shed supported was giving her an ultimatum: give up the money or become the familys cash cow forever.
I understand, she said quietly. Everythings clear.
She turned and headed to her room. From the hallway she heard Mum say to Grace, Dont worry, shell come around. She just needs time.
Emily closed the door, grabbed her
