This Is Not Up for Debate “Nina will be living with us—end of discussion,” declared Zach, setting his spoon aside. He hadn’t touched his dinner, clearly preparing for a serious conversation. “We have the room—all freshly refurbished—and in two weeks, my daughter will be moving in.” “Haven’t you forgotten something?” Ksyusha asked, silently counting to ten. “Like the fact that we renovated that room for our future child—our child. Or the small detail that Nina has a mother—the one she should be living with?” “I remember we talked about having a baby,” Zach replied solemnly. He’d hoped his wife would simply accept his decision, negating the need for further debate. “But that can wait a few years. Anyway, you’ve got your studies to finish—now is not the time for children. Besides, Nina doesn’t want siblings. And as for her mother…” Zach’s mouth twisted into a grim smile. “I’m getting her parental rights revoked. It’s dangerous for the girl to even be in the same room as that woman!” “A girl? She’s twelve!” Ksyusha shot back with raised eyebrows. “Hardly a toddler. And dangerous how? Because her mother won’t let her out after ten at night, or because she has to do her homework or risk losing phone privileges? Honestly, your ex is a saint for not resorting to a belt!” “You don’t know anything,” Zach seethed. “Nina’s shown me bruises and messages with insults and threats. I won’t let my daughter’s life be ruined.” “But that’s exactly what you’re doing—letting her manipulate you.” Ksyusha rose from the table, appetite gone and a headache forming at the sight of her stubborn husband. People had warned her against marrying in haste—“Live together first, test your feelings!”—but she’d arrogantly thought she knew best. She wanted to beat her friends down the aisle. Why were people against her rushing into marriage? It was simple. For Zach, it was a second marriage; he was fifteen years her senior and had a pre-teen daughter he adored. Independently, these were minor issues—together, nearly disastrous. The first two didn’t bother her much. In fact, she liked that Zach was older and experienced, and she knew the divorce from his ex-wife Alla was amicable. But the third reason—Nina—was another story. Wild, disobedient, spoilt, mostly raised by her gran while her parents worked hard to provide for her, Nina was unfazed by her parents’ split—she knew her dad would always be there for her, remarriage or not. Her mother’s remarriage, on the other hand, shook her world. Now her new stepfather was taking her upbringing seriously and her mother, now home more after a job change, sided with her new husband. Curfews, homework, tutors to catch up on neglected subjects—all infuriated a girl accustomed to hours of TV and computer time. So she began inventing tales to worry her father. Nina desperately wanted to live with Zach, knowing he’d be at work and she’d have freedom under Ksyusha, who was only nine years older and not about to act as a parental authority. To secure her “free life,” Nina was ready to do anything. ***** “Nina’s arriving today. Get her room ready, and please don’t upset her—she’s been through enough,” Zach said, adjusting his tie. “If I’d known Alla would start mistreating Nina because of her new husband… but it’s too late to change anything now.” “So you really won’t reconsider? You’re set on her moving in?” Ksyusha had clung to hope her husband’s plans would fall through. “And who’s going to look after her? You don’t get home before eight.” “You’ll keep an eye on her,” he shrugged. “She’s twelve—not three. She can manage herself.” “I have final exams coming up—you told me I needed to focus on my studies,” Ksyusha smirked. “If Nina wants to live here, she’d better be quiet and not disturb me. I hope she knows how to wash dishes and mop the floors—because that’s her job for the next two weeks.” “She’s not a housemaid—” “Neither am I,” Ksyusha cut him off. “But if she lives here, she helps out. You’d better discuss house rules with your daughter.” ***** “Dad, are you really going to let her treat me like this? I can’t even see my friends—your wife piles all the chores on me while she watches TV and grins.” Listening from the hallway, Ksyusha smirked. As if anyone could make Nina do a single chore! She’d sooner see pigs fly. “I’ll talk to Ksyusha, I promise. But you need to try to get along with her. Nina, I know it’s hard, but I physically can’t supervise you all the time. Find common ground with Ksyusha, show her you’re a good girl.” “I’ll try,” Nina replied unconvincingly, realizing her pleas would get her nowhere. “By the way, is it true you bought her a car?” “Yes. Why?” “No reason. But you told me you couldn’t afford to send me abroad for the holidays! But that’s all I dreamt of!” “You can’t travel on your own—you’re only twelve. We’ll go together, as a family, in summer.” “But I don’t want a family holiday! You don’t love me at all, do you? Why did you even take me from mum? Your wife hates me, you’re always at work…” Ksyusha stopped listening. She knew Nina would get her way, not just with holidays but everything else. The cunning girl intended to get rid of any competition for dad’s affection—and might well succeed. Ksyusha was tired of resentment from her husband and resolved: after one more row, she’d file for divorce. She’d spoil Nina’s victory by making sure Zach still paid regular support after splitting. Some consolation. ***** Ksyusha was right—the evening began with a torrent of complaints. She listened calmly, then announced she was filing for divorce. “I want peace, not endless accusations at my expense. And I did warn you—letting your daughter call the shots was a terrible idea.” Catching Nina’s triumphant smile, Ksyusha brought her back to earth. “And don’t look too pleased—who knows what the future holds? For example, I could give your father an ultimatum: if he wants to see our child—” she patted her stomach, “you’ll have to go back to your mum. Or something like that.” While Nina struggled for words and Zach tried to process the turn of events, Ksyusha picked up her suitcase and left the flat. She wasn’t actually pregnant—she just wanted to shake up that bratty girl and give her husband a lesson in child psychology. This Is Not Up For Debate: When Your Husband’s Daughter Moves In, Your Family Plans Fall Apart, and It’s Time to Fight for Your Own Happiness

This is not up for discussion.

Nina will be living with us, and thats final, declared Zachary, carefully setting his spoon aside. He hadnt touched his dinner, as if fortifying himself for a weighty conversation. Weve got a spare room; just finished redecorating it, actually. So, in about a fortnight, my daughter will be moving in.

Have you forgotten anything, Zachary? hissed out Christine, counting to ten in her mind. Like, say, the fact that we decorated that room for the baby were supposed to have *together*? Also, unless Ive missed something, Ninas got a mother and thats where she should be living.

Im aware that wed talked about a baby he muttered, frowning deeply. Hed honestly hoped Christine would submit quietly, and thered be no need for a conversation at all. But it can wait, cant it, a couple years? Besides, you still need to finish your studies, and children are no small matter. And, honestly, Nina dreads the thought of siblings. As for her mother Zachary gave a twisted smile Im having her parental rights revoked. Its simply not safe for Nina to share a roof with that woman any longer.

That woman? Christines brow shot up in disbelief. Shes twelve years old, Zachary, not a toddler. A clever, grown-up sort of girl, too. Whats so dangerous that her mother wont let her roam about after ten at night? Or that shes made to finish her homework under threat of losing her phone or having the WiFi switched off? Your ex is a saint, if you ask me if she hasnt pulled out the slipper already!

You dont know anything, he spat, jaw taut. Ninas shown me the bruises, the texts full of insults and threats. I wont have my daughters life ruined!

Thats exactly what youre doing, giving her whatever she wants.

Christine stood up from the table, her soup nearly untouched her appetite vanished, and just looking at her sulking husband made her temples throb. People had warned her dont rush into marriage! Live together first, test the waters But she knew best, didnt she? Eager to outpace her friends, shed dashed headlong into this.

Why were so many acquaintances wary of the marriage? It was all rather simple: Zachary, well into his forties, on his second marriage and with a not-so-little daughter he absolutely doted on. Each reason seemed minor alone, but together they spelled near disaster.

Truth was, the first two issues rarely troubled Christine. If anything, she liked his maturity and the air of someone whod seen the inside of family life before. Shed even heard, from Zacharys ex herself, that their divorce was entirely mutual and that Alla held no grudges.

But then there was Nina. An absolute handful spoiled, petulant, and perpetually on her grandmothers watch, as both parents toiled to pay for a bright future. The divorce never bothered Nina much; she always knew Dad would never abandon her, no matter how many wives he had. But when her mum remarried Nina simply wasnt prepared for that.

Her new stepfather was strict, for one, and her mum, now with a job that saw her home much more, backed her husband to the hilt.

A curfew, endless tuition, a diet of lessons and revision because shed slipped behind in most subjects It drove Nina mad, used as she was to hours spent with the television or her beloved computer. Driven mad enough, in fact, to start spinning wild tales to enrage her father.

Truth be told, Nina wanted to live with her dad knowing full well that his work would leave her mostly to her own devices. As for Christine? She barely registered her, since she was only nine years older and therefore, in Ninas mind, did not qualify for respect.

For the freedom of it, she was willing to try anything.

**********************

Ninas arriving today. Get her room ready, and please dont wind her up shes had a rough time Zachary announced, carefully matching his tie to a new suit. Had I known what horrors Alla would inflict on her, all for some man Well, what use is hindsight?

So you really havent changed your mind, then? You truly mean to bring her here? Christine still nurtured a last flicker of hope that Zachary would fail. And whos going to keep an eye on her? Youre never home before eight.

That would be you, Zachary shrugged. Shes not three, Christine. She can look after herself.

Well, I have exams coming up, need I remind you? Christine smiled, cold and vengeful. Nina had better keep out of my way and not interrupt my revision. I only hope she can do the washing up and mop the floor, because for the next two weeks, thats her only duty.

Shes not a skivvy

Nor am I, Christine cut in briskly. But if shes living here, she helps out. And youd better have a chat with your darling daughter about the house rules.

************************

Dad, are you really going to let her bully me? I dont even get to see my friends, Ive got all the cleaning dumped on me while your *wife* sits there beaming at the telly!

Christine, happening to overhear this exchange, twisted a smirk. As if she could get Nina to lift a finger! Itd be more likely for the Thames to flow uphill.

Ill talk to Christine, I swear I will. But you have to try and get on with her, Nina. I know its hard, but I simply cant watch over you all the time. Just try to show her what a good girl you can be.

Alright, Ill try, Nina muttered, seeing shed squeeze nothing more from her father. By the way, is it true you bought her a car?

Yes, I did. Why?

Oh, nothing at all! Just you told me you couldnt spare the money to send me abroad for half-term, thats all and I was so looking forward to it!

You wouldnt be able to go on your own anyway; youre only twelve, and I have to work. Well travel somewhere together in the summer.

But I dont *want* to go as a family! You dont love me at all, do you? Nina wailed, just audibly. Whyd you take me away from Mum, then? Your *precious* wife wishes I wasnt here, and youre always too busy

Christine stopped listening then. She understood, deep down, that Nina would get her way in the end and it wouldnt just be about this holiday. The crafty girl was angling for the exclusive loyalty (and wallet) of her father, and shed probably succeed.

Christine was tired of shouldering the blame for everything, and she began to seriously consider it: one more argument and shed file for divorce. At the very least, shed spoil Ninas victory by letting slip that even after a split, Zachary would still be paying out. In maintenance.

**********************

How right she had been the evening began with a barrage of complaints. Christine sat through them all and then, calmly, declared that she was filing for divorce.

I want a quiet life, not to have mud flung at me daily. And I warned you, Zachary letting your daughter set the rules was a terrible plan, catching sight of Ninas triumphant grin, Christine quickly popped her little bubble. And dont look so chuffed with yourself, young lady; who can say how things will turn out for you now? You know, I could always give your father a choice if he ever wants to see the child Im carrying Christine patted her stomach pointedly hell have to send you back to your mother. Or something along those lines.

While Nina fumbled for words to voice her indignation, and Zachary stared, dumbfounded, Christine took up her already-packed suitcase and walked out of the flat. She wasnt really pregnant she only hoped to shake up the spiteful child and teach a lesson to a man who, it seemed, knew absolutely nothing about childrens hearts.