Emily, you cant just shoo a child out of the house! Shes little, in a town she doesnt know. Do you realise what could happen to her? Andrew said, his voice trembling with anger. Youre her mother! Imagine if anyone treated Kyle the way youve treated him!
I dont see Kyle acting that way, Emily retorted. Shes only fourteen, but her rudeness is that of a grownup. If she can be bold enough to confront an adult aunt, shell manage to get to the station on her own.
Emily knew she might be overreacting. She had no train tickets for Andrews daughter, no acquaintances in Manchester, and was effectively sending the girl into nowhere. By now she didnt care. She was fed up with the brat in a skirt.
Once, Andrew had seemed to Emily like a breath of fresh air. Her first marriage wasnt a total disaster, but there was no love in it. She had married Stephen for practical reasons. He was the heir of a welloff family, lived in a lavish house, never worried about money, and looked after Emily.
She decided that such a man was perfect for building a family because their children would never want for anything. Her own feelings were the last thing on her mind. There was no spark, but life isnt a fairytale; not everyone falls head over heels. At least he was a decent chap and wouldnt hurt her.
In a way Emily was right: their only son, Kyle, truly never lacked anything. Yet when he grew up and became more independent, his parents suddenly realised they were almost strangers to each other. They shared no interests, no topics for conversation. Emily even took holidays alone, away from Stephen. Stephens infatuation had faded, and he no longer felt any affection.
At first they tried to live side by side as good friends. The attempt collapsed spectacularly. Everything about Stephen annoyed Emily the puddles he left in the bathroom after a shower, his snoring, the way he ate, even the way he breathed. Stephen, for his part, started flirting with younger women, calling it a pill for boredom.
Eventually they divorced. Stephen left one flat to his exwife and their son. At first Emily got used to living alone, to a new routine, and then she wanted love. Just once, in her life.
She signed up to an online dating site, but didnt stay long. The men she met were all over the map. Some were still looking for themselves at forty and unemployed, some insulted their exes, and the seemingly decent ones vanished after the first coffee. Emily didnt understand why until one of the new acquaintances lifted the veil.
The next date was a disaster. An hour in, the man began to press her, tried to kiss her despite her clear thats too fast. He kept urging her to come over. She said she had to pick up her son from school and fled. Later she received a message:
Why didnt you say it all at once? I wasted my time. Im not interested in divorced women with a sidecar.
The label divorcee had killed any chance of a new relationship, even though Kyle was fifteen and, in the summer, earned more than many prospective suitors.
Emily thought she would have to bury her hopes, but something pleasant arrived unexpectedly.
She met Andrew at a friend Megans birthday party. He was courteous, poured champagne, served salads, laughed at Emilys jokes, and, as the evening ended, asked for her number.
Megan warned, Emily, be careful. Hes got an ex and a daughter.
Emily shrugged, So what? Im no maiden either. Life throws all sorts of things at us.
Later Andrew explained that he couldnt stay with his wife, but Emily learned that his ex, Victoria, constantly sparked arguments. That surprised her Andrew seemed gentle, calm, the sort of person you wouldnt expect to have drama.
Soon the reason became clear. Victoria kept asking Andrew to pick up her bike for little Katie, to change a lightbulb, to fix a tap. It was the third time that week hed been delayed because of her. Emily tried to be understanding after all, Victoria had only recently divorced and was adjusting, just as Emily once had. But the constant interruptions grew irritating.
One evening Andrew said, Emily, Im going to be a bit late. I need to swing by Victorias; she asked me to collect the bike for Katie.
Emily tried to reason, You know how I feel about this. Cant you just say no to her? It looks like somethings going on between you two.
He replied, I cant just abandon Katie. Families fall apart and children are left behind, you understand that.
Emily said, I dont mind you helping, but not endless trips. Lets send Victoria money for a tradesperson instead of me constantly showing up.
After a terse exchange, Andrew stopped visiting Victoria, but he still wanted to see his daughter on weekends. Each visit turned into a test of Emilys patience.
On the first night Katie demanded that her dad sleep in her room because she was scared to be alone. Later she sprayed Emilys expensive perfume all over herself. Then she became fussy about food.
I’m not eating this, Katie declared, pushing the plate away. It doesnt taste as good as Mums.
Emily snapped, Then go hungry or go back to Mum.
Katie pouted, Youre kicking me out? Ill tell Mum they dont feed me here!
Andrew tried to smooth things over, Lets just order a pizza.
Every weekend ended in a small clash. Katie behaved as if the house were hers, inviting guests without asking, blasting music at night, and once broke the cup Kyle had given her from his first salary. Emilys tolerance finally snapped.
She told Andrew, I cant put up with this any longer.
He defended his daughter, Shes still a child. Youre an adult; you could try to find common ground, at least once a year.
That night Emily slept in the guest bedroom, refusing to share a bed with Andrew. In the morning she woke to find both him and Katie gone.
Andrew vanished for three days, presumably taking Katie somewhere for a weekend. He returned on the fourth day, casually announcing, Im heading home now. Ill be back by six tomorrow.
Emily could have pretended everything was fine, as she had when Andrew popped over to Victorias every other day. But the constant battle had worn her down. She told him, Andrew, maybe you should go back to Victoria. Some people are happier together than apart.
He replied, Everythings fine. I just took Katie out.
Emily retorted, If she never came back, or if you finally put her in her place, maybe Id be less exhausted. Im tired of fighting in my own home and with you.
She never discovered whether Andrew was cheating or simply under Victorias thumb. She chose not to stalk his social media.
Once, Emily had wanted love. But what do you do when the man beside you loves himself, his comfort, and his halfmeasures more than you? She decided the first step was to love herself. Keeping tabs on expartners didnt fit that definition.
Emily moved with Kyle to a modest cottage on the Cornish coast, a quiet spot far from the citys hustle. For two years life was tranquil: sea breezes, peace, and the chance to enjoy a simple family life. Then Victoria called, asking if Andrew could take Katie for a months summer holiday because of a health issue; the seaside clinic was pricey, and she couldnt afford it.
Andrew warned, Emily, please dont be angry Victoria wants Katie for the summer.
Emily snapped, No! Not Katie!
He assured her, I spoke to her. She promised to behave.
Reluctantly, Emily agreed, thinking maybe Katie had changed.
The first week Katie was quiet, staying in her room or walking with her dad. Then the mischief began. She wore outdoor shoes inside, brought friends over without asking, blasted videos at full volume late at night, and broke the cup Kyle had given her the very cup from his first paycheck.
When Emily finally told Andrew she could no longer endure the chaos, he defended his daughter, Shes still a child, Emily. Youre an adult; you could try to compromise.
Emily, fed up, slept in the guest room that night. By morning, Andrew and Katie had disappeared. He was gone for three days, returning on the fourth with a casual, Im on my way home, see you tomorrow evening.
Emily could have pretended everything was fine, as she once did when Andrew slipped off to Victorias. But the war in her own home was over. She told him, Andrew, maybe you should go back to Victoria. Some people are happier together than apart.
He replied, Everythings fine. I just took Katie out.
Emily answered, If she never came back, or if you finally put her in her place, maybe Id be less exhausted. Im tired of fighting in my own home and with you.
In the end, Emily realised that waiting for someone else to fill the empty space would only keep her chained to disappointment. She chose to cherish herself, to build a life where she set the terms, and to let go of the endless chase for a love that never truly belonged to her.
The lesson she learned was simple: you cannot force a heart that isnt yours to beat for you; the only love that never betrays is the one you give yourself.
