This Is Not Up for Discussion “Nina is going to live with us, and that’s final,” Zak declared, setting his spoon aside. He hadn’t touched his dinner, clearly bracing himself for a serious conversation. “We’ve got a spare room, just finished redecorating, so in a couple of weeks my daughter will be moving in.” “Have you forgotten anything?” Ksusha asked, counting to ten under her breath. “Like, perhaps, that we prepared that room for our future child together? And have you overlooked the fact that Nina has a mother she should be living with?” “I remember we talked about having a baby,” Zak replied grimly, hoping his wife would quietly accept his words and there’d be no debate. “But plans can wait a few more years. You still need to finish university—now’s not the time for kids. And Nina doesn’t even want siblings. As for her mother…” Zak gave a crooked smile, “I’m applying to remove her parental rights. It’s unsafe for my girl to be under the same roof as that woman!” “Your girl?” Ksusha arched an eyebrow. “Isn’t she twelve years old? Hardly a baby. And what’s the danger? That her mother doesn’t let her hang about after ten at night, or dares to threaten to take her phone away if she skips homework? Honestly, your ex should be sainted for not resorting to the belt!” “You don’t know anything,” Zak said through gritted teeth. “Nina has shown me bruises, let me read messages full of threats and abuse! I won’t let her mother ruin her life!” “You mean, you’re doing it yourself by giving in to her every whim.” Ksusha quietly rose, leaving her soup almost untouched. She’d lost her appetite, and the sight of her irritated husband gave her a headache. People warned her—don’t rush into marriage! Live together a while, test your feelings… But she was too clever for advice. Had to beat her girlfriends down the aisle… Why had her friends opposed the hasty wedding? Simple—Zak was on his second marriage, fifteen years older, with a rather grown-up daughter he doted on. Three small issues on their own, but put together… almost a recipe for disaster. Frankly, the first two didn’t faze her—in fact, she liked that her husband was older and experienced. She knew first-hand that the divorce was mutual and Zak’s ex, Alla, bore no grudges. But the third reason… Nina. Spoilt and unruly, she’d spent most of her life with her gran while her parents worked hard for her future. Their divorce didn’t bother her—after all, she knew Dad would always be there, even if he remarried. But Mum’s new marriage… that was a problem. Her stepdad was strict and Mum, now home more often with a new job, backed up her husband completely. Early curfews, homework, tutors—Nina fell behind in most subjects… It all drove the girl mad. She began to concoct stories, winding her father up for sympathy. Yes, Nina wanted to live with her father, well aware that his work would leave her mostly to her own devices. Ksusha didn’t even figure in her plans; she had no intention of listening to a stepmother only nine years her senior. For the sake of “freedom,” she’d go to any lengths… ********************** “Nina’s arriving tonight. Get her room ready and please don’t upset her—she’s already been through a lot,” Zak informed his wife, picking out a tie for his new suit. “If I’d known Ala would turn on our daughter over a man… But what’s the point in talking now? There’s no turning back time.” “So you haven’t changed your mind? You really want her living with us?” Ksusha had hoped till the last minute that her husband would fail. “And who’s going to look after her? You don’t get home before eight, at best.” “You can,” Zak shrugged. “She’s not a baby. She’s very independent.” “I’ve got exams coming up, and you said yourself I need to focus on uni,” Ksusha retorted. “Nina will need to keep quiet and not distract me. Hopefully she knows how to wash dishes and mop floors, because for the next two weeks, that’s her new responsibility.” “She’s not a cleaner…” “Neither am I,” Ksusha cut in. “But if she lives with us, she can help around the house. It’s about time you discussed the house rules with your daughter.” ********************** “Dad, are you just going to let her boss me around? I can’t even go out with my friends—your wife’s given me all the chores while she sits in front of the telly.” Ksusha, overhearing, gave a crooked smile. Yeah, as if you could force that girl to lift a finger! Pigs might fly first. “I’ll talk to Ksusha, I promise. But you need to try and get along. Nina, I know it’s tough, but I physically can’t keep an eye on you. Try to find common ground with Ksusha, show her what a good girl you can be.” “Fine, I’ll try,” Nina sighed, realising Dad wouldn’t budge. “By the way, is it true you bought her a car?” “Well, yes. Why?” “Oh, nothing! It’s just you said you couldn’t afford to send me abroad for the holidays, and I’ve always dreamt of that!” “You couldn’t go alone anyway—you’re twelve, for heaven’s sake, and I work. We’ll go in the summer, all together.” “I don’t want the whole family! You don’t love me at all, do you?” Nina’s voice trembled with a sob. “Why did you even take me from Mum? Your wife can’t stand me, you’re always busy…” Ksusha tuned out. One way or another, Nina would get her way—and not just over a holiday. The clever girl aimed to oust another rival for Dad’s money. And, it seemed, she’d succeed. Ksusha was tired of her husband’s reproaches, and finally decided—one more row and she’d file for divorce. Before she left, she’d wipe the smile off Nina’s face by announcing that even after a divorce, Zak would still be expected to pay up—in child support. ********************** Ksusha was right—the evening kicked off with nothing but complaints. She calmly listened, then announced she was filing for divorce. “I want a peaceful life, not constant mud-slinging. And yes, I warned you—letting your daughter call the shots is a huge mistake,” Ksusha added, catching the victorious glint in Nina’s eyes and hurrying to bring her down a peg. “And don’t celebrate too soon. Who knows how long your happiness will last? I could give your father an ultimatum—if he wants to see our child,” she patted her belly, “he’ll have to send you back to your mother. Or something like that.” While Nina struggled for words and Zak tried to process, Ksusha grabbed her pre-packed suitcase and left. She wasn’t really pregnant, it was just a trick to make the spiteful girl sweat. And to teach a lesson to a man who clearly knew nothing about children…

Thats not up for discussion, Charles declared, setting aside his spoon and not touching a morsel of his supper, clearly preparing for a weighty conversation. Rosie will live with us, and that’s final. Weve just finished fixing up the spare room, so in a couple of weeks, my daughter will be moving in.

Did you forget something? Emily asked, counting quietly to ten to keep calm. Like the fact that we set up that room for our future CHILD together? And lets not gloss over that Rosie still has a mother, who is the one she should be living with.

I remember wed talked about having a child, Charles replied, frowning. He was hoping his wife would simply accept his decision and that no further discussion would be necessary. But it can wait a few years. You need to finish your degree, and youre not ready for children yet. Besides, Rosie doesnt want brothers or sisters. And as for her mother Charles gave a twisted smile, Ill be filing for sole custody. Its far too dangerous for Rosie to be left with that woman!

Dangerous? Emilys eyebrows shot up. Shes twelve, Charles, hardly a little one anymore. Whats so dangerous, exactly? That her mum doesnt let her stay out after ten? Or that shes expected to do her homework, with consequences if she doesnt? Honestly, your ex-wife sounds like a saint for not having gone for the wooden spoon by now!

You dont know the half of it, Charles said through gritted teeth. Rosies shown me bruises, and thereve been nasty messages and threats. I cant let my daughters life be ruined.

Youre doing exactly that by indulging her every whim.

Emily stood up from the table, her soup untouched. Her appetite had vanished, and her husbands unhappy face was beginning to give her a headache. People had warned her not to rush into marriage, suggesting they live together first, test their feelings without jumping straight into commitment but she had to be the clever one. She wanted to outpace her friends, to be the first.

Why had their friends voiced doubts about this marriage? It was quite standard, really: Charless second marriage, a fifteen-year age difference, and a daughter from his first marriage for whom hed move mountains. Not huge issues on their own, but when combined almost disastrous.

The first two reasons didnt actually bother her much. She even liked that Charles was older and more experienced, and she was satisfied knowing that the divorce had been amicable, with no grudges held by Alice, the ex-wife.

But the third reason Rosie. A wildly spoiled and unruly child, Rosie had spent most of her life being looked after by her grandmother, whilst her parents worked relentlessly for her future. The divorce didnt faze Rosie particularly, as she knew her father would always be there, new wife or not. But her mothers new marriage was another matter entirely.

Her new stepfather was intent on discipline, and her mum, whod changed jobs and was now home much more, fully supported him. Early curfews, homework, private tutorsRosie was far behind at school in almost every subject. For a girl used to hours of TV and video games, it was exasperating enough that she started making up fanciful stories to wind up her father.

Of course Rosie wanted to live with Charlesshe knew that, thanks to his career, shed have most afternoons and evenings to herself. As for Emily, Rosie didnt even register her, having no intention to listen to a stepmother who was only nine years her senior.

For a taste of freedom, Rosie was prepared to go to any lengths.

*

Rosies coming today. Get the room ready, and please dont upset hershes had enough to cope with already, Charles said simply while choosing a tie for his new suit. If Id known Alice would side with her husband against her own daughter but whats done is done. Can’t change the past.

So youre really going through with this, then? You want your daughter to live here with us? Emily had been clinging to hope that it still might fall through. And whos going to look after her? You rarely get home before eight, if were lucky.

Shes old enough to manage on her own, Charles shrugged. Besides, you can keep an eye on her. Shes not three anymore.

My exams are around the corner, remember? You said yourself I ought to focus on my degree, Emily replied with a smirk. Rosie had better keep out of my way and let me study. I hope she knows how to do dishes and mop the floor, because for the next two weeks at least thats her job.

Shes not a cleaner

Nor am I, Emily interrupted, heading off her husbands objection. But if she lives under our roof, shes helping out at home. And you should set the ground rules with your daughter.

*

Dad, youre going to let her treat me like this? I cant even go out with my friends without your wife dumping chores on me, while she just sits there and watches telly with a grin.

Emily, overhearing the conversation, smirked to herself. As if anyone could get Rosie to do anything! Pigs might fly first.

Ill talk to Emily, I promise, Charles reassured. But you need to try to get on with her. Rosie, I know things are hard, but I physically cant be here every minute. Find some common ground, show Emily you can be good.

Ill try, Rosie agreed reluctantly, realising that pressing her father any more wouldnt get her anywhere. By the way, is it true you bought Emily a car?

Well, yes. Why?

Oh, nothing! Rosie replied tartly. You told me you couldnt afford to send me abroad for the holidays! Ive been dying to go.

You couldnt go on your own anywayyoure only twelve, and I have to work. Well go as a family over the summer.

I dont want to go as a family! You dont love meyouve taken me away from Mum, your wife cant stand me, and youre hardly home

Emily stopped listening at that point. She knew Rosie would always find a way to get what she wanted, be it the holiday or anything else. The clever girl had worked out that all she had to do was sow discord and shed get rid of anyone who might get between her and her fathers attentionor money.

Emily was done with the constant arguments with Charles and had made up her mind: one more row, and she was filing for divorce. And as Rosie celebrated her victory, Emily planned on reminding her that Charles would still be paying support every monthwhether he liked it or not.

*

Right on cue, the evening turned sour, with an endless string of complaints. Emily listened quietly, then announced she was filing for divorce.

I want a peaceful life, not to be shouted at all the time. And yes, I warned you how things would end up if you let Rosie have her way, she said, glancing at Rosies smug smile and eager to wipe it away. Dont get too cockywho knows how your life will play out? For instance, I could give your father an ultimatum: if he wants to see our child, she patted her stomach, hell need to send you back to your mother. Or something along those lines.

As Rosie opened her mouth, lost for words, and Charles struggled to process the situation, Emily picked up her packed suitcase and walked out. She wasnt actually pregnantshe just wanted to rattle the difficult girl, and teach a man, who knew nothing about children, a valuable lesson.

Sometimes, in life and in families, you have to recognise the difference between fighting for the ones you love and spoiling them to the detriment of everyone else. Real love means setting boundaries, listening to everyone, and not letting manipulation dictate your decisions. Otherwise, you risk losing far more than you bargained for.