Olivia, you cant just kick the child out! Andrews voice trembled with outrage. Shes little, in a town that isnt hers. Do you realise what could happen to her? he pressed. Youre her mother, think how youd feel if someone did that to Kyle!
Olivia snapped back, Kyle doesnt act like that. She rolled her eyes. She may be only fourteen, but shes got the cheek of a thirtyyearold. If shes bold enough to sass an adult aunt, shell manage the train station on her own.
Olivia knew she might be overreacting. She had no tickets for her daughters travel, no acquaintances in this city. She was essentially leaving the girl out in the cold, but she no longer cared. Shed had enough of that brat in a skirt.
Once, Andrew had seemed like a breath of fresh air to Olivia. Her first marriage wasnt a disaster, but there was no love in it. Shed married Stephen, her first husband, for practical reasons. He was the heir to wealthy parents, lived comfortably, never gave a thought to anything beyond his own pleasures, and hed taken care of Olivia.
She figured a man like that was perfect for starting a family; the children would never want for anything. Her own feelings were the last thing on her mind. No spark, no romanceso what? Life isnt a fairytale; not everyone falls head over heels. At least he was a decent fellow, wouldnt hurt her.
She wasnt entirely wrong. Their only son, Kyle, indeed had everything he needed. But when he grew up and became more independent, his parents suddenly realised they were almost strangers to each other. No shared interests, nothing to talk about. Olivia even went on holidays alone, away from Stephen. By then, Stephens infatuation had faded, and there were no feelings left.
At first they tried to live side by side as good friends, but the experiment fell apart spectacularly. Olivia was irritated by everything Stephen did: 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 much younger women, calling it a dose of excitement.
Eventually they divorced. Stephen kept one of the flats rooms for Olivia and their son. Olivia spent the first few months getting used to living alone, and then she longed for love, just once in her life.
With that hope, she signed up on a dating site, but didnt stay long. Men she met were a mixed bag. Some were still searching for themselves at forty and unemployed, others disrespected their exwives. Even the seemingly decent ones vanished after the first date. Olivia couldnt understand why, until one of the newcomers lifted the veil.
The next date was downright awful. An hour in, the man started grabbing at her, trying to kiss her, despite her flatout saying it was too fast. He then kept insisting she come over to his place. She caught on and fled, claiming she had to pick up her son from school.
That was the end of it. Later that evening, a private message pinged on her phone:
Couldnt you have said it straight away? Wasted my time. Im not interested in divorced women with a baggage tag.
She remembered hearing the same line in a café. It wasnt really about the son; the label divorcee had killed any desire she had to keep looking. In the dating market, that tag is a heavy burden, even if the son is fifteen and already earns more in the summer than many hopeful suitors.
Olivia was about to give up on love altogether when something unexpected happened. She met Andrew at a friends birthday partyMarys. He was charming, poured her champagne, offered her canapés, laughed at her jokes, and at the end asked for her number.
Mary warned her, Olivia, be careful. He comes with an exwife and a daughter.
Olivia just smiled. And what of it? Im no maiden any more, she replied. Life throws all sorts of things at you.
Later, Andrew gently explained that he couldnt make it work with his exwife, but Olivia sensed the ex caused regular scenes. That surprised herAndrew seemed gentle, calm, almost too nice for there to be any drama.
She soon learned the truth, and it didnt sit well with her.
Olivia, Ill be a bit late today. I need to stop by Victoria. She asked me to collect a bike for Emily, Andrew said cautiously.
It wasnt the first time this week. It was the third. Victoria couldnt even change a lightbulb without his help. At first Olivia tried to be understandingVictoria had only recently divorced and was still finding her footing, just as Olivia had once done. But the constant interruptions began to grate.
You know how I feel about this, Olivia complained. Cant you just say no to her? Im starting to think theres something more between you two.
Andrew sighed, Olivia, have a bit of faith! I cant just abandon Emily. Families fall apart, kids are left behind, you understand that.
I get it, Olivia replied. I dont mind you helping, but not all the time. Lets send Victoria money for a tradesman instead of you being there yourself.
Fine, love he muttered.
No Olivia, either you go home or you stay with Victoria for good.
It took some arguing, but Olivia eventually forced his hand. Andrew stopped dropping by his exwifes place, though he still wanted to see his daughter, so Emily started spending weekends at their house. Each visit turned into a test of Olivias patience.
During the first night, Emily demanded that her father sleep in her roomalwayssaying she was scared to be alone. Later she helped herself to Olivias perfume collection, dousing herself in an expensive bottle. On the third visit she threw a tantrum over food.
Im not eating this, Emily announced, pushing her plate away. Its not as tasty as mums.
Fine, go hungry then, Olivia snapped, fed up. Or you can go back to mum.
Youll kick me out? Ill tell mum you never fed me! Emily pouted, crossing her arms.
Girls Andrew began, trying to keep the peace. Lets just order a pizza.
Every weekend with Emily ended in a quarrel. She acted as if Olivia didnt exist, treated the house as her own, and constantly reminded everyone that she wanted her father to spend more time with heror even return to her mother. She was slowly, deliberately, trying to erode the bond between Olivia and Andrew.
Maybe you should move to another town, a friend suggested one day. I warned you.
I never thought Id end up with a divorced woman who brings a man into the mix, Olivia sighed.
She took the advice seriously. Their son Kyle had already moved out to another city, so there was nothing anchoring her there. They relocated to a small cottage on the outskirts of a seaside town in Devon. For two years everything was perfect: peace, quiet, and a chance to rebuild a family life.
Then Andrew hesitantly said, Olivia, dont get angry Victoria called. She wants Emily for the summer holidays, at least a month. Shes got health issues, the doctor suggested a seaside stay, but the holiday packages are pricey, and Victorias only off in winter.
Olivia stared at him like a bull at a new gate.
No! Not Emily! she burst out.
Olivia I spoke to her. She understands and promises not to cause trouble.
At first Olivia resisted, but eventually she gave in. After all, it was her husbands daughter; she hadnt seen her in ages. Maybe shed changed?
She hadnt. The first week Emily behaved quietly, mostly staying in her room or walking with her dad. Then the chaos began.
Emily, could you please not wear street shoes inside? We dont do that here.
Oh, I forgot to take them off, Emily said with a sweet smile. Its all dirty anyway.
She started inviting guests over without asking, taking groceries Olivia had asked her to leave untouched, blasting music late at night, and when asked to keep it down claimed shed forgotten her headphones, but would be happy to buy new ones if they covered her wishes. She even complained to Victoria, prompting Vicky to call Olivia in a huff.
Olivias patience finally snapped when Emily allegedly knocked over a cup the very one Kyle had given her on his first payday.
Oh, what a shame, Emily shrugged. Its not like you have many cups, is it? That was a grand execution.
That evening Olivia told Andrew shed had enough. She was done tolerating the little terror in what was supposed to be her own home.
Andrew defended his daughter. Olivia, she may be in the wrong, but shes still a child. Youre an adultcouldnt you find a way to get along once a year? Otherwise it seems you dont care about my daughter at all.
Olivia spent that night in the guest bedroom, refusing to share the bed with Andrew. By morning she woke up to find both husband and stepdaughter gone.
Andrew didnt return for three days. It seemed hed taken Emily away, ignoring calls and messages. Olivia could only guess what was happening behind closed doors.
He finally resurfaced on the fourth day. Well, Im heading home now. Ill be back tomorrow evening, he said, as if it were nothing out of the ordinary.
Olivia could have pretended everything was fine, just as she did when he visited his exwife every other day. But she was exhausted from the constant battle, especially since Andrew clearly wasnt on her side.
Andrew, dont take this personally, but maybe you should go back to Victoria. Some couples are happy together, others are better apart. I think thats the case for you two, Olivia replied.
Olivia, why are you like this? Its all fine. I just dropped off my daughter.
It would be better if she never visited us again. Or if you finally put her in her place, which you never have. Im tired of fighting in my own house and with you.
Andrew tried to persuade her, but Olivia stood firm. She never discovered whether he was cheating or simply under Victorias thumb. She deliberately stopped checking his social media.
Yes, once Olivia 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 exes didnt fit that plan.
