Thats not up for discussion.
Lily will live with us, and thats the end of it, said Edward, setting his spoon to the side. He hadnt touched his dinnerclearly saving his appetite for a serious talk. Theres plenty of space and the spare rooms just been done up. So, in a fortnight, my daughter will move in.
Have you forgotten something? Charlotte asked, counting to ten in her head, steadying her voice. For example, the fact the room was meant for our future child together? Or that Lily has a perfectly good mother, with whom she ought to stay?
I remember us talking about children, Edward replied with a frown, secretly hoping his wife would just quietly accept his plansno need for debate. But that can wait a year or three. Besides, you need to finish your studies first, having a baby now is out of the question. And Lily doesnt want siblings anyway. As for her mother Edward sneered, Im going to petition for full custody. Its simply not safe for Lily to be under the same roof as that woman!
Not safe? Shes twelve, not a toddler, Charlotte arched her eyebrows in disbelief. What precisely is the danger? That her mother doesnt let her roam the streets after ten at night, or that she makes Lily do her homeworkwith the threat of taking away her phone or switching off the Wi-Fi? Honestly, your ex-wife must be a saint for not having resorted to the wooden spoon!
You dont know the half of it, Edward muttered through his teeth. Lilys shown me bruises, shared messages her mother sentthreats and insults! I wont stand by while my daughters life is ruined.
Thats exactly what youre doing, pandering to her every whim.
Charlotte rose quietly, leaving most of her soup untouched. Her appetite had disappeared, and Edwards scowl was giving her a headache. She remembered the advicedont rush into marriage, give things a couple of years, see if your love withstands the strain. But she thought she knew best. She wanted to beat her friends to the altar, after all.
Why had everyone warned against a hasty wedding? The reason was straightforward: it was Edwards second marriage, he was fifteen years her senior, and he had a daughter absolutely wrapped around his finger. Each alone was a trifle; togethera near disaster.
The first two reasons didnt bother her much. In fact, Charlotte rather liked Edwards maturity and his experience as a husband. Shed heard firsthand that the divorce was mutual, and his ex-wife Ellen bore him no grudge.
But the third reasonLilywas different. She was desperately spoiled, almost never listened, and had spent most of her life with her grandmother while her parents worked themselves into the ground to give her the best. Their separation hardly fazed Lily; she knew her dad would never abandon her, no matter how many times he remarried. Her mothers new marriage, howeverthat was another story altogether.
Her stepfather had taken discipline seriously, and Ellen, now home much more, was wholeheartedly on his side. Curfews, homework, extra lessonsLily was falling behind in school and hated all of it, having spent her childhood glued to the telly or computer. She was driven to inventing elaborate tales to unsettle her father.
Yes, Lily wanted to live with her dad because she knew, with his work, shed largely be left to her own devices. Charlotte was not factored into her calculations, she was only nine years olderutterly unworthy of obedience in Lilys eyes.
For the sake of freedom, the girl would do anything.
**********************
Lily arrives today. Get her room ready and please, dont provoke hershes been through enough already, Edward simply informed Charlotte as he picked out a tie for his new suit. If only Id known Ellen would start mistreating Lily after remarrying But whats the use? You cant turn back time.
So you havent changed your mind? You truly mean to bring her to live here? Charlotte had still hoped it might fall through. And whos meant to supervise her? You barely get in before eight oclock.
You can keep an eye on her, Edward shrugged. Shes not a child, she can manage herself.
My exams are coming up, you were just on at me about focusing on uni, Charlotte replied with a thin, vengeful smile. Lily had better be quiet and keep out of my way. I hope she can do the dishes and mop the floors, because for the next two weeks, thats her new responsibility.
She isnt a housemaid
Neither am I, Charlotte cut off his protest. But if shes living here, she pulls her weight. Youd best lay down some ground rules with her.
************************
Dad, are you honestly letting her bully me? I cant even go out with my friendsyour precious wifes loaded all the chores onto me while she sits grinning at the telly.
Charlotte, overhearing this, could only smirk. As if she could make the girl lift a finger! Pigs might fly.
Ill talk to Charlotte, promise. But you must try to get on with her, too. I know its hard, Lily, but I simply cant be your shadow. Make peace with Charlotte, show her youre a good girl.
Alright, Ill try, Lily said, sullenly conceding that her father wouldnt budge. By the way, is it true you bought her a car?
Well, yeswhy?
Oh, nothing! she snapped. Yet you told me you had no spare money to send me abroad for the holidays. I was so looking forward to it!
You couldnt go alone; youre twelve, and I have work. Well go together as a family during the summer.
I dont want to go as a family! You dont love me, do you? Why bother taking me from Mum? Your wife cant stand the sight of me; youre always busy
Charlotte stopped listening. She suddenly understoodsooner or later, Lily would get her way. It wouldnt just be about the holiday. The cunning girl was determined to push out any rival for her fathers wallet. And, by the look of things, shed succeed.
Charlotte had had her fill of Edwards reproaches and resolved: after one more quarrel, shed call for a divorce. And, before leaving, shed spoil Lilys victory, letting her know Edward would still have to payfor maintenance.
**********************
Charlotte was rightthe evening began with an avalanche of complaints. She sat through it all, then calmly declared that she was filing for divorce.
I want peace, not a heap of abuse thrown my way. And I warned youletting Lily have her own way was a bad idea, she said, catching Lilys triumphant grin and putting a stop to it. And you, Lily, I wouldnt celebrate just yet. Life isnt as simple as you imagine. For instance, I might give your father an ultimatumif he wants to see our child, she patted her belly, hell have to send you back to your mother. Or something of that sort.
While Lily gaped, lost for words, and Edward struggled to understand, Charlotte took up her already-packed bag and left the flat. She wasnt pregnant, actuallyshe just wanted to give that spiteful girl a nasty turn. And most of all, she wanted to teach a lesson to a man who hadnt the faintest clue about children or how to keep a family together.
