**Overhearing My Husbands Sister Plotting to Take My Flat I Gave Her an Unexpected Surprise**
Emily shoved the dirty dishes into the dishwasher and switched on the quick-wash cycle. The Friday dinner had gone well: Tom devoured her signature shepherds pie with relish. Even Sophie, who usually wrinkled her nose at whatever “that upstart” cookedas she called Emily behind her backhad two helpings.
“Im off for a shower,” Tom called from the hallway. “Football with the lads tomorrowneed an early night.”
“Go ahead,” Emily waved, wiping down the counter.
Sophie lounged in the sitting room, glued to her phone. Shed arrived the night beforeas usual, unannounced, with piles of shopping bags and her usual sour expression. “Just popping in for the weekend,” shed said, like always.
“Fancy a cuppa?” Emily asked, poking her head through the doorway.
“No,” Sophie snapped, not looking up.
Emily shrugged and returned to the kitchen. After three years of marriage, shed learned to ignore her sister-in-laws barbs. Tom always said, “Sophs just pricklyshell come round. Dont take it to heart.”
The sound of running water came from the bathroom. Emily switched on the kettle and reached for her favourite mug. Then she caught Sophies voice from the sitting room:
“Mum, how are you? Yeah, Im at theirs No, she cooked her usual rubbish Listen, I spoke to the solicitor.”
Emily froze, mug in hand. Sophie lowered her voice, but in the quiet flat, every word carried.
“Yes, through the courts Since the flat was left to Tom, not both of them No, that idiot doesnt even know she can be removed from the deed Tomll sign anything if you phrase it right”
The mug slipped from Emilys fingers and smashed on the tiles.
“What was that?” Sophies voice sharpened.
“Dropped a mug,” Emily replied, ice flooding her veins.
The flattheir three-bedroom in Kensington, a gift from Toms grandmother. “For the newlyweds,” shed said. And now this viper wanted her thrown out?
“Clumsy as ever,” Sophie appeared in the doorway.
“Sorry, just distracted,” Emily bent to pick up the pieces, glad Sophie couldnt see her face.
“Use the dustpan, for heavens sake.”
Emily fetched it, hands trembling.
“Why are you shaking? Its just a mug,” Sophie scoffed.
“Startled, thats all,” Emily lied.
“Our delicate little flower,” Sophie snorted, retreating.
One thought looped in Emilys mind: *They want me out. Thats why Sophies here.*
Tom emerged, whistling.
“Broke a mug? No worries, well get another.”
“Right,” Emily forced a smile.
Tom kissed her head and headed to bed.
Emily didnt sleep a wink. While Tom snored, she stared at the ceiling. Tell her husband? He adored Sophie. Complain to her mother-in-law? She was clearly in on it.
*I have to handle this myself.* But how?
At dawn, she crept to the kitchen, hands shaking as she spooned coffee.
“Think,” she whispered.
Her gaze landed on a solicitors card pinned to the fridgeMr. Davies had helped their neighbour with a property dispute. She dialled.
“Mr. Davies? Emily Whitmore here, from flat 3B. I need urgent advice. Today at one? Perfect.”
Tom shuffled in, pillow crease on his cheek.
“Up early?”
“Couldnt sleep. Tom, Im meeting a friend todayLucy. Ages since we caught up.”
“Alright. Im taking Soph to the cinemashe asked last night.”
*Of course she did*, Emily thought.
The solicitors office smelled of leather and paper. Mr. Davies, a spectacled man, listened intently.
“The flat was a gift from your husbands grandmother. Are you on the deed?”
“I dont know. Tom handled it.”
“First, confirm ownership. If its solely his, youre vulnerable. If joint, Sophie cant touch you.”
“How?”
“Request a Land Registry update. Today.”
Emily returned with a plan. Sophies heels littered the hallway.
“Back so soon?” Sophie smirked. “We missed you.”
“Just seeing Lucy,” Emily kept her tone even.
“Tom took me to the cinema. Still loves those silly action flicks.”
Emily nodded, slipping into the bedroom. She pulled up the Land Registry site, paid the fee, and waited.
That night, with Tom asleep and Sophie in the guest room, the email arrived. Her stomach lurched as she opened it.
“Owner: Thomas Henry Whitmore.”
Sophie was rightthe flat was his alone. Fear twisted into anger. *Not happening.*
At dawn, she called Mr. Davies again.
“Mr. Davies, its worse”
“Listen. Have you lived there over three years?”
“Nearly.”
“Then youve rights. Plus, marital assetsfurniture, renovationsare joint. Do you have receipts?”
“Every one.”
“Gather proof. And *dont* sign anything they give you.”
“Thank you.”
“And Emily tell your husband.”
She sighed. “Im not sure hell side with me.”
For days, Emily played alongsmiling, cooking, pretending. Meanwhile, she gathered evidence: receipts, bank statements, their prenup.
On Monday, Sophie announced she was staying.
“Got unexpected leave. You wont toss your own sister, eh?”
“Stay as long as you like!” Tom laughed.
Emily bit her tongue.
That evening, Sophies whispers drifted again:
“Mum, its sorted Yes, Ill stay Shes clueless Papers are ready Tom will sign”
Emilys blood boiled. *Think again.*
Next day, she visited a notary, then the council offices. By evening, she had a folder and a plan.
“Tom, lets invite your parents this weekend,” she suggested over dinner.
Sophies head snapped up.
“Brilliant!” Tom beamed. “Mumll love seeing you too, Soph.”
“Of course,” Sophie muttered.
Saturday morning, Emily cooked fiercely. *The last supper*, she thought, chopping vegetables.
By six, the table groaned with food. Toms parents arrivedMargaret with her tight smile, Charles quiet as ever.
“You look well, dear,” Margaret said thinly.
“Thanks. Sit, please.”
Tom raised his wine. “To family!”
“To family,” Emily echoed.
Sophie smirked. *Not for long.*
“Actually,” Emily said loudly, “theres something we need to discuss.”
All eyes turned.
“Tom, I overheard Sophie and your mum plotting.”
Silence. Sophie paled.
“What?” Tom frowned.
“Theyre planning to convince you to remove me from the deed. Kick me out.”
“Ridiculous!” Margaret gasped.
“Emily, whats this about?” Tom looked between them.
“I heard it all. Sophie said, She doesnt even know she can be removed, and that youd sign anything if asked right.”
Sophie shot up. “You eavesdropped?!”
“Overheard while cleaning. But the point isthey want me *out*.”
Margaret cut in. “The flat is *Toms*! His grandmother left it to *him*!”
“Em, this is mad,” Tom took her hand.
“Heres the truth,” Emily slid the folder to him.
Tom flipped throughreceipts, bank transfers, solicitors notes.
Sophies voice turned shrill. “You saw a *solicitor*?”
“Right after I heard your plan,” Emily said coolly. “I wont lose the home Ive poured my savings into.”
Toms face darkened. “Soph Mum is this true?”
Margaret waved a hand. “We just wanted to protect your assets”
“By *deceiving* me?” Toms voice cracked.
“Tom, *think*,” Sophie hissed. “What if you divorce? Shell take half!”
“So you *planned* for our divorce?” Tom stared.
Silence.
Emily spoke softly. “Ive filed for my share30%, at least. Fight me if you want, but I wont back down.”
Tom rubbed his temples. “Why didnt you tell me?”
“Would you have believed me? You always defend Sophie.”
Toms gaze hardened. “Both of youleave. Now.”
“Tom!” Margaret gasped.
“*Go.*”
Sophie fled. Margaret shot Emily a venomous look and followed. Charles lingered.
“Son, I had no idea.”
Alone, Tom sank into a chair.
“Im sorry. I never thought they
