«Keep out, you dont belong here,» the girl muttered, turning her face away.
«Emily, have you picked a dress for graduation yet?» asked Eleanor, spreading bridal catalogues across the table. «Perhaps we could go together and look?»
Fifteen-year-old Emily glanced up from her phone, her stare cold.
«Why do you care? I have my mother to take me.»
«Of course, I only thought» Eleanor felt the familiar sting of rejection. «What if all three of us went? It might be nice.»
«No. Mum can handle it herself.»
Eleanor sighed and set the catalogues aside. Outside, a light rain fell, thickening the gloom. She checked the clocksoon, William would return from work, and the endless tightrope between husband and daughter would begin again.
«Emily, what would you like for supper? I could make your favourite, shepherds pie?»
«I dont care. Im going to Mumsshes made stew.»
The girl grabbed her coat from the hook.
«Wait, Emily» Eleanor stepped forward. «Lets talk properly. Why do you hate me so much? What have I done?»
Emily stopped at the door, turning slowly. Her eyes burned with anger beyond her years.
«Do you really not understand? Or are you pretending?»
«I dont, truly.»
«You ruined our family!» the girl burst out. «Dad left Mum because of you! And now you act all sweet and caring!»
Eleanors breath caught. She sank into a chair.
«That isnt true. When I met your father, he was already living apart. They divorced long before»
«Liar!» Emily shouted. «Mum told me everything! How you stole him, how you schemed!»
«Schemed? Emily, I just worked with himwe only talked»
«Keep out, you dont belong here!» She turned sharply, slamming the door behind her.
The words struck harder than a slap. *You dont belong.* Three years of marriage, three years of trying, and still she was an outsider.
Alone in the empty flat, Eleanor let the tears come.
When William returned, he took one look at her reddened eyes.
«What happened?» He sat beside her on the sofa.
«Emily again,» Eleanor wiped her nose. «William, she truly hates me.»
«What did she say this time?»
«That I broke up your family. That I stole you from her mother. Called me an outsider.»
William rubbed his forehead with a heavy sigh.
«Eleanor, weve talked about this. Shes just a childshe doesnt understand.»
«A child? William, shes fifteen! At her age, I was working after school to help my mother. But your daughter acts like a spoiled princess!»
«Dont speak of her like that,» his voice hardened. «Divorce is painful for any child.»
«It was four years ago! Four! When does it end?»
«Just be patient. Shell come around.»
Eleanor stood, pacing the room.
«Patient? How much longer? Im human too! Ive tried to love her, and she»
«And she what?»
«She despises me! And you refuse to see it!»
William rose and took her hands.
«I know its hard. But Emily is my daughter. I cant abandon her.»
«But you can abandon me?»
«This isnt about choosing. Youre an adultyou understand.»
«So I must endure her cruelty because Im grown?»
«Eleanor, dont exaggerate. She isnt crueljust upset.»
«Upset? She said I dont belong! Isnt that cruel?»
They stood locked in silence. Eleanor realised thenhe would never take her side. His daughter would always come first.
«Fine.» She walked to the bedroom, pulling out a suitcase. «While you sort your priorities, Ill stay with my sister.»
«Eleanor, dont be rash!»
«With Margaret. I need to think.»
«Youd throw away our marriage over one quarrel?»
She turned at the doorway.
«This isnt one quarrel, William. Its every day. Every day I feel unwelcome in my own home. And you do nothing.»
«What should I do? Punish her for loving her mother?»
«Make her understand you chose me. That she must respect that.»
«Eleanor»
«No. Im tired of being the villain. Tired of apologising for loving you.»
She packed essentials and moved toward the door. William followed.
«Stay. Well talkfind a solution.»
«Talk? Weve talked for three years. Has anything changed? She still hates me. You still defend her.»
«Im just trying to»
«Understand what? That your daughter can insult your wife? That she can behave however she pleases while I stay silent?»
Eleanor fastened her coat, keys in hand.
«I cant live like this anymore. Begging for a place in my own home.»
«What about our plans? The child we wanted?»
She froze, hand on the doorknob.
«What child, William? In a house where your daughter hates me? Where I dont belong? How would she treat our baby?»
«Shell come around»
«To what? That Im here to stay? She doesnt want that! She wants you back with her mother!»
William bowed his head.
«I love you both.»
«You cant love us the same. Not a daughter and a wife. If you dont see the difference, we have no future.»
She opened the door, but he caught her wrist.
«Wait. Lets talk to Emily togetherexplain»
«Explain what? That she must love me? Love isnt commanded, William. Its earned. And how can I earn hers when she blames me for everything?»
«Please»
«I need time. To decide if I can keep living like this.»
She stepped out into the rain.
On the bus, Eleanor watched the grey streets blur past. She thought of how it had beenWilliam, so kind, so loving. Shed been ready to embrace Emily as her own.
But from the start, the girl had rejected her. Coldness, distance, then open hostility. And Williamblind to it, or unwilling to see.
At Margarets door, her sister frowned at her damp clothes.
«Eleanor? Whats wrong?»
«May I stay? Perhaps longer.»
«Of course. Is it William?»
«Worse. I think our marriage was a mistake.»
«Dont say that. You love each other.»
«But thats not enough when theres a third wheel.»
«Emily again?»
«Always. Today she said I dont belong. And the worst part? Shes right.»
Margaret pulled her close.
«Have you spoken to her mother? Maybe she could help?»
«Her mother fuels this! Tells Emily I stole him.»
«And did you?»
Eleanor moved to the window.
«William was honesttheyd been separated for months, divorcing. I believed him. But his ex hoped for reconciliation.»
«And he didnt go back?»
«No. He married me. But Emily thinks without me, theyd be together.»
«Maybe they would.»
Eleanor spun around.
«You think this is my fault?»
«No! But divorce is devastating for a child. Especially with a stepmother.»
«Ive tried! Gifts, her favourite meals, helping with schoolwork! And all I get is coldness.»
«Perhaps she needs more time?»
«How much? Years? Decades? I want a family, Margaret. But how can I bring a child into a house where Im hated?»
Margaret sighed.
«What does William say?»
«Be patient. But she only grows angrier.»
«Have you spoken to her alone?»
«Useless. She wont even listen.»
Then William called. Margaret urged her to let it ring, but Eleanor answered.
«Where are you? Im worried.»
«At Margarets. I need time.»
«How long?»
«I dont know. A day, a week. I have to decide if I can bear this.»
«What do I tell Emily?»
«The truth. That your wife wont tolerate disrespect anymore.»
«Eleanor»
«Dont argue. I need space.»
«I love you.»
«I know. But love isnt enough without peace.»
She hung up.
«You know what hurts most?» Eleanor murmured. «I truly wanted to be a mother to her. Not replace hersjust to love her. She never let me.»
«Perhaps shes afraid?»
«Of what?»
«That loving you would betray her mother. Children think that way.»
Eleanor considered it. Was Emilys hatred just fear?
«But what can I do if she wont even speak to me?»
«I dont know. Its difficult.»
They talked late into the night. Margaret spoke of friends in blended familieshow some found harmony, others fell apart.
«My friend Clara married a man with two sons. The first years were hell. But then she had her own child, and the boys accepted her.»
«And if that doesnt work?»
«Then you choose. Endure or leave.»
Eleanor lay awake on the sofa. Memories spun in her mindWilliams smile, their dreams. Now their family was crumbling under a childs bitterness.
Morning brought a call from an unknown number.
«Eleanor? Its Sarah, Emilys mother. We should talk. Eleanor hesitated, then agreed to meet. Sarah arrived at the café first, her hands wrapped tightly around a cooling cup of tea. She looked tired, older than Eleanor remembered.
I didnt know she was saying these things, Sarah began, voice low. I never told her you stole William. I was angry when we split, yes, but She paused. I only said I wished things had been different.
Eleanor studied her face, searching for lies. Then why does she blame me?
Because I wasnt honest, Sarah admitted. I never told her how much I pushed him away. How I shut down after her brother was born. William stayed for years, hoping Id come back to him. When I didnt, he finally let go.
The truth settled like dust after a storm.
She thinks I ruined the family, Eleanor whispered.
And I never corrected her. I was hurt. Proud. I let her believe what made me look better. Sarah met her eyes. Im sorry. For both of you.
They sat in silence for a long moment.
Can you forgive me? Sarah asked.
Its not me you need to speak to, Eleanor said softly.
Later that evening, Eleanor returned to Williams flat with no suitcase, but with a quiet resolve. William opened the door wide, eyes searching hers.
I saw Sarah, she said.
He exhaled. Emilys with her now. Theyve been talking.
Eleanor nodded. Its not fixed. Not yet. But maybe maybe it can be.
William stepped aside, and she walked in, not as an intruder, but as someone who had earned her placebruised, weary, but still standing.
