That’s Not Up for Debate — Nina will be living with us, and that’s not up for debate, — Zak said, setting his spoon aside, without touching his dinner, clearly bracing for a serious conversation. — We’ve got the room ready, just finished the renovations. In two weeks, my daughter is moving in. — Have you forgotten something? — Ksenia asked, silently counting to ten. — Like the fact that the room was meant for our FUTURE child together? Or that Nina actually has a mother she’s supposed to be with? — I remember that we talked about having a child, — Zak replied, frowning, hoping his wife would just go along with it and further discussion wouldn’t be necessary. — But we can put that off for a couple years. You’ve got studying to finish, there’s no time for babies! Besides, Nina doesn’t want siblings. As for her mother… — Zak smirked, — I’m taking away her parental rights. It’s just not safe for Nina to be around that woman! — “Baby”? — Ksenia raised her eyebrows. — Nina’s twelve. Quite grown up, actually. Where’s the danger? Because her mum doesn’t let her wander about after ten? Or because she makes her do homework, threatens to take her phone or cut off the internet? Your ex is a saint, frankly, if she hasn’t grabbed the belt yet! — You don’t know anything, — Zak ground out. — Nina’s shown me bruises and let me read messages full of insults and threats! I won’t let my daughter’s life be ruined! — But that’s exactly what you’re doing, just giving in to her every whim. Ksenia quietly left the table, her soup barely touched. Her appetite gone, her husband’s sour face giving her a headache. She’d been told — don’t rush into marriage! Live together first, test the waters… But she’d thought she knew best! And oh, she’d wanted to get married before all her friends… Why were her friends against a rushed wedding? Simple: Zak was on marriage number two, fifteen years older than her, and he had a nearly grown-up daughter whom he doted on. The three reasons, small on their own, together — nearly a disaster. The first two reasons hadn’t really bothered her. She liked that Zak was older and experienced, and she knew from Alla, Zak’s ex, that the divorce was mutual and amicable. But the third reason… Nina. Spoiled and unruly, raised mostly by her grandmother while her parents worked constantly for her future. Their divorce barely fazed the girl; she knew Zak would never abandon her, not even for a new wife. But her mother’s new marriage… That, Nina wasn’t ready for. Not only was her stepdad serious about discipline, but her mum—working more hours at home—fully supported him. Curfews, homework, tutors (since Nina was behind in most subjects)… It infuriated a girl used to endless TV and computer time. So she started making up stories, winding up her father. Nina wanted to live with dad, knowing his job meant she’d pretty much be left to herself. She didn’t care about her stepmum, especially since Ksenia was barely nine years older. She’d do anything for a “free” life. ************************* — Nina’s coming tonight. Get the room ready and don’t upset her, she’s been through enough, — Zak announced, choosing a tie for his new suit. — If I’d known Alla would treat Nina so badly over some bloke… But there’s no turning back time. — So you’re not changing your mind? You really want her living with us? — Ksenia had hoped Zak’s plan would fall through. — Who’s going to look after her? You’re home at best by eight. — You will, — Zak shrugged. — She’s not three, she’s pretty independent. — My exams are coming up, you said yourself I need to focus, — Ksenia smirked. — Nina can keep quiet and let me study. I hope she can wash dishes and mop floors, because for the next two weeks, that’s her job. — She’s not a cleaner… — Neither am I, — Ksenia shot back. — But if she’s living here, she can help with chores. You’d better go over the house rules with your daughter. ************************* — Dad, are you just going to let her bully me? I can’t even go out with my friends, your wife’s dumped all the housework on me, and she sits there happily watching TV. Ksenia, overhearing, smirked. Sure, make her do anything — it’ll snow in July first! — I’ll talk to Ksenia, I promise. But you should try to get along. Nina, I know it’s tough, but I physically can’t keep an eye on you. Find some common ground with Ksenia, show her you’re a good girl. — Fine, I’ll try, — Nina muttered, realising she’d get nothing more from Dad. — By the way, is it true you bought her a car? — Yeah, I did. Why? — Oh, nothing! Meanwhile, you told me there’s no money for me to go abroad for the holidays! I’ve dreamt about that! — You can’t travel alone, you’re twelve, and I work. We’ll go in summer, as a family. — But I don’t want to go as a family! You don’t love me! Why did you take me from Mum? Your wife hates me and you’re always busy… Ksenia stopped listening. She knew Nina would get her way, in more than just holidays. The clever little girl was already playing to cut down any new rival for Dad’s money. And it would probably work. Fed up with Zak’s complaints, Ksenia made up her mind — one more row and it’s divorce. And before leaving, she’d spoil Nina’s victory a bit: even after the split, Zak would have to pay child support. ********************* Ksenia was right — the evening began with endless grievances. She calmly told them she was filing for divorce. — I want to live in peace, not constantly be the target of insults. And I warned you that giving in to your daughter would end badly, — spotting Nina’s triumphant grin, Ksenia quickly brought her down to earth. — And don’t get too happy; who knows how your life will turn out? I might give your dad an ultimatum — if he wants to see our child, — she stroked her belly, — he’ll have to send you back to your mum. Or something like that. While Nina struggled to reply, and Zak tried to process, Ksenia picked up her ready-packed suitcase and walked out. She wasn’t really pregnant — she just wanted to give the brat a taste of nerves. And teach Zak a lesson: he really doesn’t understand kids at all… That’s Not Up for Debate

– Nina will be living with us, and that’s not up for debate, said Zachary, putting his spoon aside as he spoke. He hadnt touched his supper, clearly bracing himself for a serious conversation. There’s a spare room, weve just finished redecorating. So, in two weeks, my daughter will move in.

– Arent you forgetting something? asked Sophie after silently counting to ten. For instance, the fact that we were setting up that room for our future child together? And another thing you seem to be overlooking that Nina has a mother, with whom shes supposed to live.

– I remember we talked about having a child, Zachary nodded, his brow furrowed. Hed hoped his wife would simply accept his decision and that the topic wouldnt need further discussion. But it can wait a couple of years. Especially since youve still got university to finish were hardly ready for kids. Plus, Nina doesnt want siblings. And as for her mother Zachary smirked, Im going to apply to have her parental rights removed. It’s just not safe for my girl to be living with that woman!

– Girl? Sophie raised her eyebrows in surprise. Isnt Nina twelve? Shes hardly a child. And what exactly is the danger? That your daughter isnt allowed out past ten? Or that shes made to do her homework, with the threat shell lose her phone or the WiFi will go off? Honestly, your ex is a saint if she hasnt actually taken up the belt by now!

– You know nothing, Zachary replied through gritted teeth. Nina’s shown me bruises, and let me read nasty texts her mum sent, full of threats and insults! I wont let anyone ruin my daughters life!

– Thats exactly what youre doing, if you keep giving in to her whims.

Sophie stood up from the table, her soup barely touched. Her appetite had vanished, and her husbands sullen face was giving her a headache. Shed been warned not to rush into marriage live together for a few years first, test the relationship But shed thought she knew best, eager to get ahead of her friends.

Why had everyone advised against a hasty wedding? The answer was simple: Zacharys been married before, hes fifteen years older, and he adored his somewhat grown-up daughter. Three little issues, but combined almost disastrous.

Actually, the first two didnt bother Sophie much. She liked that her husband was older and had some family experience. She knew firsthand that his split with Anna had been amicable, with no complaints on her part.

But the third reason Nina. Utterly spoilt and wilful, shed mostly grown up under her grandmothers care, since her parents both worked tirelessly to give her a good life. Their divorce hadnt troubled Nina much she knew her dad would never leave her, even if he remarried. Her mothers new husband, though She wasnt prepared for that.

Not only had her stepfather taken her upbringing seriously, but her mum, now working fewer hours, spent far more time at home, fully backing her new husband.

Curfews, homework, tutors (since Nina lagged behind in most subjects) Nina hated all of it, especially as shed grown used to endless telly and computer time. She was so fed up she started inventing wild stories to upset her dad.

Yes, Nina wanted to live with Zachary, knowing his job would leave her to do as she pleased most of the time. She didnt give Sophie a second thought and had no intention of listening to a stepmum only nine years older than her.

And for the sake of this freedom, she was ready to do anything.

***

– Nina will be coming today. Get her room ready and please, dont get her worked up shes been through enough, Zachary said flatly, choosing a tie to go with his new suit. If only Id known that Anna would turn on her own daughter because of her new bloke But whats the point in looking back now? You cant wind back the clock.

– So you still havent changed your mind? Youre actually going through with moving Nina here? Sophie had clung to the hope that her husbands plan would somehow fall through. And whos supposed to look after her? You dont get home before eight most nights.

– Youll keep an eye on her, Zachary shrugged. She’s twelve, not three she can look after herself.

– Ive got my finals soon you yourself said I have to focus on my studies, Sophie said with feigned cheerfulness. So, Nina had better keep quiet and not bother me. I hope she knows how to wash dishes and clean the floor, because for the next two weeks, thatll be her main job.

– Shes not a cleaner

– Nor am I, Sophie interrupted before Zachary could object. But if shes living here, shell do her share of housework. You ought to discuss the house rules with your daughter.

***

– Dad, are you really going to let her treat me like a servant? I cant even go out with friends in peace your wife dumped all the chores on me and she’s sat smiling on the sofa.

Sophie, whod overheard the exchange, allowed herself a wry grin. Yeah, fat chance getting Nina to lift a finger! Pigs might fly first.

– Ill have a word with Sophie, I promise. But you have to try and get on with her. Nina, I get that things are tough, but I physically cant watch over you all day. Try to get along with Sophie show her what a good girl you are.

– Fine, Ill try, Nina muttered, clocking that arguing wouldnt get her anywhere with Dad. Oh by the way, is it true you bought her a car?

– Yes. Why?

– Oh, nothing! Its just you said you didnt have enough money to send me abroad for the holidays. I was really hoping for it

– You wouldnt be going alone, youre only twelve and Ive got my job. Well take a family holiday this summer.

– I dont want a family holiday! You dont love me at all, do you? she sniffled noticeably. Why did you even take me away from Mum? Im just a nuisance to your new wife, and youre always busy

Sophie stopped listening past that. She realised Nina would always get her way one way or another, and it wouldnt just be about the holiday. The crafty little madam clearly wanted to drive off any other contender for her dads attention and money. And shed probably succeed.

Sophie was tired of her husbands reproaches, and shed made up her mind: one more quarrel and shed file for divorce. And when she finally did, shed rain on Nina’s parade with the news that Zachary would still be handing over part of his wages child support.

***

Sure enough, Sophie was right the evening began with a flood of accusations. She sat through it calmly and then announced her intent to divorce.

– I want a peaceful life, not endless complaints about me. And I did warn you, letting your daughter get away with everything was a bad idea, Sophie added, spotting Ninas triumphant grin and determined to bring her down a peg. And you shouldnt be so smug who knows how things will play out. For example, I could lay it out for your dad if he wants to stay in touch with my child, she gave her stomach a gentle pat, hell have to send you back to your mum. Or something like that.

While Nina struggled to find words for her outrage and Zachary tried to process what had just happened, Sophie picked up her packed suitcase and left the flat. She wasnt actually pregnant, of course, she just wanted to make the little madam sweat. And teach a lesson to a man who clearly knew nothing of child psychology.