My parents bought my older sister an apartment and gave me theirs. When I insisted on making the arrangement official, I became an outcast in my own family.

For more than ten years, I havent spoken to my parents or my older sister. I realised long ago that I was the unloved daughter. Their way seemed to be: everything for one, nothing for the other. Emily, the main character here, was seventeen when her older sister, Kate, became pregnant and got married. When Emily turned eighteen, her parents decided to gift Kate a two-bedroom flat. Back then, as a wealthy and youthful couple, they didnt hesitate to be so generous with their eldest daughter. They even renovated and furnished it with everything new.

Feeling left out, Emily finally plucked up the courage to ask, Could I have a flat too? Her parents dismissed her, saying, Youre still at university. Well have that conversation when youre ready to settle down and start a family. A few years later, when Emily was twenty-two and had just graduated, she didnt have plans to marry right away, but she did want to live independently. She broached the subject again, but by then, the familys finances had changed. Their business wasnt as successful as before. When were no longer around, this flat will be yours, they assured her. Its even better than your sisters. Its got three bedrooms and is worth a fair bit more. For now, well live together, and you can look after us in our old age.

Emily pondered the arrangement and thought, How can I make this official? My sister is still an heir to this property as well. She asked her parents directly, Would you like me to have the flat put in my name? Do you think Kate will demand her share? She already has her own flat, so why should she want mine too? Deep down, Emily believed you can never have too much living space. Looking back, she realised she had always noticed their clear favouritism towards her sister. When Kates husband hit hard times financially, her parents had supported them, even when they themselves didnt have much. But she, Emily, never received the same sort of help.

A decade later, she remains estranged from her family. Her parents took offense when she said everything needed to be put in writing and insisted they wouldnt do it. With things settled, Emily decided to rent a flat and build her own life. Throughout all these years, her parents have made no effort to reconnect, so now she relies only on herself.

This experience taught Emily that life cannot be lived waiting for the approval or affection of others. Sometimes, choosing to stand on your own is the first real step to finding true happiness and self-worth, no matter how hard the lesson is to learn.