A Family of Hearts
The divorce had crushed Eleanor like a steamroller. She had idolised her husband and never saw the betrayal comingyet there it was, a knife in the back. He had cheated on her with her best friend. In a single day, she lost two people she had trusted with her heart. Her faith in men crumbled. Before, whenever someone claimed “all men cheat,” shed scoff: “Not my William.” Now, the betrayal burned inside her, and she vowed never to let anyone into her soul again.
Eleanor raised her daughter, Emily, alone. Her ex-husband paid child support on time and saw the girl occasionally, but fatherhood held no real interest for him. Eleanor accepted her fatea life of solitude. There was even a bitter satisfaction in it; life without a man felt simpler. But destiny loves wrecking plans.
At a colleagues birthday in a cosy café in Manchester, Eleanor met Matthewthe birthday girls brother. He, too, had survived a divorce. To her surprise, his son, Oliver, lived with him, not his mother. Matthew explained: the boy had chosen him, while his ex-wife, wrapped up in a new romance, hadnt protested. A teenager was just baggage to her.
That evening stirred something long buried in Eleanora warmth, butterflies in her stomach, emotions she hadnt felt in years. Matthew wasnt indifferent either. Both scarred by divorce, they feared new feelings, yet a spark flickered between them, impossible to ignore.
Matthew got Eleanors number from his sister and, mustering courage, called. Avoiding the word “date”too juvenile for their agehe suggested simply meeting for a chat. They chose a snug pub, talking until closing time, losing track of the hours. Another meeting followed, then another.
One evening, Emily stayed with her father, and Eleanor invited Matthew over. After that night, they knew they didnt want to part. Their love, tender and weathered, felt like redemption. But there was an obstacle: their children.
Both had teenagers. Oliver, Matthews son, was a year older than Emily. Different personalities, passions, friends. At first, Eleanor and Matthew met discreetly, occasionally with the kids, but it was clearEmily and Oliver werent just indifferent; they barely hid their dislike.
After a year and a half, Matthew cracked. He proposed. He loved Eleanor so much it made him feel like a boy again, but he wanted a proper family this time, not the hollow shell of his first marriage. Secret meetings werent enough. Stunned, Eleanor said yes. She, too, dreamed of waking beside him, sharing breakfast, watching films at night.
They planned everything. Their cramped London flats wouldnt doteenagers of opposite sexes needed separate rooms. Selling their properties and dipping into Matthews savings, they bought a spacious house in Cheshire. Now came the hardest part: telling the children.
They decided to speak to them separately. “I dont want to live with Matthew and his son!” Emily protested. “Why cant you just keep seeing each other like before? Whats the point of marriage and a new house?” Eleanors heart ached for her daughter. Because of her, Emily would have to adjust to strangers. But Eleanor knew in a few years, Emily would leave the nestand then what? Emptiness? Shed seen mothers sacrifice everything for their children, only to demand the same in return. She refused that fate. Soft but firm, she replied, “Its decided. But Ill always listen, and youll always come first.”
Emily sulked but didnt argue. Her father, recently remarried, called less and less; she felt abandoned. After a long talk, she reluctantly agreed, clinging to the hope her mother wouldnt betray her.
With Oliver, the conversation was just as tense. “Why should I live with some girl and her mum?” he grumbled. “Because I love Eleanor,” Matthew said calmly. “Then Ill move in with Mum!” Oliver shot back. “Fine,” Matthew replied. “But itll hurt if you bail when things get tough. Besides, her studios cramped. Here, weve got a house. I was even thinking of putting up a football goal in the garden.” Oliver finally gave in. “But dont expect me to treat her like a sister.” “Just respect her,” Matthew said.
Emily declared shed never speak to Oliver again. The wedding was simple, just family. At the restaurant, the children sat scowling, their disdain obvious.
A week later, they moved in. Their rooms mirrored their personalitiesutterly different. Emily, an early riser, wandered the quiet house at dawn while the others slept. Oliver, a night owl, stayed up gaming and slept past noon. She hated fish; he could eat it daily. She loved J-pop and anime; he blasted punk rock and watched action films. Nothing in common. Their rare exchanges spiralled into bickering.
Yet, unexpectedly, Emily grew fond of Matthew. Her father had faded away, and she missed male attention. Matthew, though strict, treated her like his ownsometimes even spoiling her more than Oliver. “Shes a girl,” hed say. Oliver, meanwhile, warmed to Eleanor. His mother had barely raised him, and now, absorbed in a new relationship, shed forgotten him entirely. Eleanor listened without judgement, and soon, Oliver confided in her.
Eleanor and Matthew hoped the kids would bond, but six months passed with no change. They came home separately, hung with different crowds, retreated to their rooms. The parents resigned themselves: no friendship needed, just civility.
Then came the afternoon everything shifted. A persistent admirer had set his sights on Emilya boy from another class. She didnt like him, and his behaviour was unsettling. Relentless messages, notes in her locker, constant invitations. She told him plainly to back off. He didnt.
One day, after drama club, Emily lingered at school. As she left, the boy blocked her path. “Come for a walk,” he said. “We could grab coffee?” “Leave me alone! Id never go out with you!” Emily snapped. “Im not good enough?” he sneered, grabbing her arm. “Youre comingI decide!” She struggled, but he was stronger.
Oliver, chatting with friends nearby, saw it and lunged. One punch sent the boy sprawling. In stunned silence, he walked Emily homea new, unspoken understanding between them.
