**Overhearing My Husbands Sister Plotting to Take My Flat I Gave Her an Unexpected Surprise**
Emily shoved the dirty plates into the dishwasher and switched it to the quick wash cycle. The Friday dinner had gone wellThomas had wolfed down her signature beef and ale pie with relish. Even Charlotte, who usually turned her nose up at anything that little upstart cooked (as she called Emily behind her back), had taken two helpings.
Im off for a shower, Thomas called from the hallway. Got football with the lads tomorrowneed an early night.
Go on then, Emily waved him off, wiping down the countertop.
Charlotte lounged in the living room, eyes glued to her phone. Shed turned up the night beforeas usual, unannouncedwith a pile of shopping bags and her usual sour expression. Just popping in for the weekend, shed said. Like always.
Fancy a cuppa? Emily asked, leaning through the doorway.
No, Charlotte snapped, not looking up.
Emily shrugged and returned to the kitchen. She was used to it by now. Three years of marriage had taught her to ignore her sister-in-laws barbs. Thomas always said, Charlies got a sharp tongue, but she means well. Dont let it bother you.
The shower hissed in the bathroom. Emily flicked the kettle on and reached for her favourite mug. Then she heard Charlottes voice drifting from the living room:
Mum, how are you? Yeah, Im at theirs No, shes cooked her usual rubbish Listen, I spoke to the solicitor.
Emily froze, mug in hand. Charlotte dropped her voice, but in the quiet flat, every word carried.
Yes, through the courts Since Nan left the flat to Thomas, not both of them No, that silly cow doesnt even know she can be taken off the deeds Thomasll sign anything if you phrase it right
The mug slipped from Emilys fingers and smashed on the tiles.
What was that? Charlottes voice sharpened instantly.
Dropped a mug, Emily managed, ice flooding her veins.
The flat The three-bedroom in Kensington theyd lived in for three years. A gift from his grandmother. For the two of you, the old woman had said. And now this snake wanted to kick her out?
Typical, Charlotte appeared in the doorway. Butterfingers, arent you?
Sorry, just clumsy, Emily bent to pick up the pieces, glad Charlotte couldnt see her face.
Use the dustpan, for Gods sake.
Emily fetched it obediently, hands shaking.
Whats wrong with you? Charlotte narrowed her eyes. Its just a mug.
Just startled, Emily lied.
Oh, right. Our delicate little flower, Charlotte scoffed and flounced back to the sofa.
One thought hammered in Emilys head: *They want me out. Out of my own home. Thats why shes here.*
Thomas emerged from the bathroom, humming some tune.
Oh, broke a mug? he grinned. No worries, love. Well get another.
Yeah, Emily forced a smile.
He kissed her forehead and wandered off to bed.
Emily didnt sleep a wink. Thomas snored beside her while she stared at the ceiling, thinking. Tell him? But he adored his sister, always made excuses for her. Complain to her mother-in-law? She was clearly in on it. The woman had never warmed to Emily, though she hid it well.
*I have to handle this myself,* Emily decided by dawn. But how?
She was up first, creeping to the kitchen. Her hands shook so badly she missed the coffee mug twice with the sugar.
Right. Think, she whispered.
Her eyes landed on a solicitors card pinned to the fridgeJames Whitmore had helped their neighbour with a property dispute. She snatched her phone.
Morning! James Whitmore? Its Emily Carter, Sarahs neighbour.
She spoke in a hushed rush, eyes darting to the door.
I need urgent advice. Today? One oclock? Perfect.
Thomas shuffled in, sleep-rumpled, a crease from the pillow on his cheek.
Morning, he leaned in for a kiss. Youre up early.
Couldnt sleep, Emily avoided his gaze. Thomas, Im seeing a friend today, alright? Been ages.
Who?
Lucy, she blurted the first name that came to mind.
Oh, right, he yawned. Taking Charlie to the cinema later. She asked last night.
*Of course she did,* Emily thought.
The solicitors office smelled of leather and coffee. James Whitmore, a greying man in wire-rimmed glasses, listened intently.
So, the flat was a gift from your husbands grandmother Youre on the deeds?
Yes, since we married.
And whose names on the title?
Pardon?
The ownership documents. Deed of gift? Will?
Emily blinked. I dont know Thomas handled it.
The solicitor sighed.
First stepfind out who legally owns it. If its just your husband, youve a problem. If its both of you, his sister cant touch you.
How?
Request a title register from the Land Registry. Do it today.
Emily returned home with a plan. In the hall, she tripped over Charlottes heels.
Oh, youre back! Charlotte smirked from the kitchen. We wondered where youd got to.
With a friend, Emily kept her voice steady.
Went to the flicks with Thomas, Charlotte leaned against the doorframe. Still loves those awful action films, like a schoolboy.
Emily nodded and slipped past. In the bedroom, she shut the door and pulled out her phone. Found the Land Registry site, ordered the title register. Paid. Now to wait.
That night, once Thomas was asleep and Charlotte was holed up in the spare room, Emily checked her email. The document had arrived. Her fingers trembled as she opened it.
**Owner: Carter, Thomas James.**
Emilys breath caught. Charlotte was rightlegally, the flat was his alone. She was just a name on the deeds. Fear twisted into anger. *Not a chance.*
At dawn, she rang the solicitor again.
James, listen
If youve been there over three years, youve rights, he cut in. Furniture, appliancesall marital assets. And if youve proof you paid for renovations
We redid the kitchen! Ive got receipts.
Then youve a strong case. Gather everything. And dont sign *anything* they give you.
Thank you.
Emily you should tell your husband.
She sighed. Not sure hed believe me.
The next two days, Emily moved like a ghost. She smiled, cooked, pretended nothing was wrong. Meanwhile, she gathered evidence: receipts for furniture, the new boiler, the kitchen refit. Bank statements showing transfers. Their prenup, stating joint assets.
On Monday, Charlotte announced she was staying the week.
Suddenly got leave, she told Thomas sweetly. You wouldnt kick your own sister out, would you?
Stay as long as you like! Thomas laughed.
Emily clenched her jaw.
That evening, she overheard Charlotte whispering:
Mum, its all sorted Yes, Ill stay No, the daft cow suspects nothing Papers are nearly ready Thomasll sign, he hasnt a choice
Emilys blood boiled. *Not if I can help it.*
The next day, she took leave and went to the solicitor. Then the Land Registry. By evening, she had a folder of documents and a plan.
Love, why not invite your parents this weekend? she asked Thomas over dinner. Its been ages.
Charlottes head jerked up, eyes sharp.
Brilliant idea! Thomas beamed. Charlie, Mumll be chuffed youre here too.
Cant wait, Charlotte muttered.
Saturday, Emily cooked like it was her last supper. Roast beef, Yorkshire puddings, treacle tartthe works. *Might as well be,* she thought bitterly.
By six, the table groaned. Thomass parents arrivedDavid and Margaret. Her mother-in-law gave her the usual once-over.
You look well, Emily dear, she said, saccharine-sweet.
Thanks, Emily smiled back.
Once seated, Thomas raised his glass:
To family!
To family, Emily echoed.
Charlotte caught her eye and smirked. *Not for long.*
Actually, Emily said loudly, theres something I need to discuss.
All eyes turned.
Thomas, I overheard Charlotte and your mum plotting.
Silence. Charlotte went pale.
What? Thomas frowned.
Theyre planning to convince you to transfer the flat
