Emily flinched and spun around sharply. Standing in the doorway was a familiar figureOliver, her husband’s twelve-year-old nephew. The boy stared at her with a look that was both demanding and pitiful at the same time. Over the past month, Emily had grown accustomed to that expression, to the same relentless question.
She set aside the jumper she had been foldingher husband Jamessand forced a smile.
«Come on, let’s see what weve got,» Emily said, masking the irritation rising in her voice.
Oliver shuffled obediently after her into the kitchen. Emily opened the fridge and exhaled in frustration. Just as usual, her sister-in-law Sarah hadnt left anything for her son. Emily pulled out a container of soup she had made the night before for herself and James, heated it in the microwave, and placed the bowl in front of Oliver. She added a scoop of mashed potatoes and a leftover roast beside itremnants from their own dinner.
«Thanks, Aunt Em,» Oliver mumbled without looking up.
As he ate, Emily returned to the bedroom, resuming her folding, though her mind wandered elsewhere. How had she let things come to this? Just two months ago, her life had been entirely different.
She remembered the evening that changed everything. James had come home tense, sat beside her on the sofa, and taken her hands.
«Em, Ive got a favour to ask,» he began carefully. «Sarah and Markand Olivertheyve been kicked out of their rental. The landlord kept their deposit. Theyre in a tight spot, and our place is big enough…»
«Its my big enough house,» Emily interrupted sharply. «James, Im not used to sharing my home with other people. Yes, its spacious, but that doesnt mean theres room for them.»
«I know, love. But theyre family. Sarahs my sister, Olivers my nephew. They just need a few months to save up and find somewhere else. Its temporary.»
He spoke gently, persuasively, describing how hard things were for his sister, how the boy needed stability before the school year began.
«But James, I work from home. I need quiet, focus»
«Emily, come on. Sarahs quiet, keeps to herself. Olivers well-behaved. And Marks barely homealways at work. Its just for a little while.»
Emily had relented then, seeing the plea in Jamess eyes. How could she refuse?
Now, folding another stack of shirts, she realised she had only herself to blame for not standing her ground. The first week had been fine. Sarah helped with cooking and cleaning, Mark stayed out of the way, and Oliver did his homework without fuss.
Then Sarahs holiday ended, and she went back to work. That was when everything changed.
From then on, Sarah cooked only once a dayfor dinnerand only enough for her own family. It never occurred to her that her son needed proper meals while she was gone. So, every afternoon after school, Oliver would seek out Emily with the same question:
«Whats for lunch?»
The words now made Emily seethe. She wanted to scream, to force a confrontation, to explain how unfair this was. But she knew none of it was the boys fault.
That evening, she tried speaking to James again. She waited until he settled in bed with a book before sitting beside him.
«James, we need to talk,» she said firmly. «This situation with Oliverits not right. Sarah cooks only for dinner, and he goes hungry otherwise.»
James set down his book, frowning. «Whats the problem? Youre homeits not hard to feed him.»
«Its not about difficulty, James. My salary doesnt stretch to feeding someone elses child every day. And more importantlyhes not my son! His parents should be looking after him. This is about principle.»
James just shrugged, clearly not understanding her frustration.
«Emily, were family. Sarah and Mark are busytheyre struggling. Youre here. Whats the harm in helping?»
«Its not help, James. Its blatant disrespect. Sarahs dumped her responsibilities onto me.»
«Youre overreacting.»
Emily realised thenhe didnt see the problem. To him, it was natural for her to take on his familys burdens.
She didnt know how to fix it. Throwing them out wasnt an optionthey had nowhere else to go. But living like this was becoming unbearable.
Then, a small miracle happened over coffee with her old uni friend, Charlotte.
«Em, why not come stay at my cottage for a couple of weeks?» Charlotte offered. «Its peaceful, the Wi-Fis good, and we could both use a break from city chaos. James wont mind, surely?»
Emily lit up at the idea. Two weeks without the daily «whats for lunch?» Without worrying about a child that wasnt hers. Without tension in her own home.
«Lottie, thats perfect. I need the change of scene. And James wont object.»
The next morning, she packed a bag. James, noticing, paused while buttoning his shirt.
«Em, where are you off to?»
«Charlottes cottage. Two weeks. Work in peace, relax a bit. A long-overdue girls trip. Shes just had a rough breakupneeds the company. You dont mind, do you?»
James kissed her goodbye, and they parted wayshe to work, she to her friends.
By lunchtime, Emily and Charlotte were enjoying the quiet countryside when her phone rang. Sarahs name flashed on the screen.
«Emily!» Sarah shrieked. «How could you leave Oliver hungry? He came home from school to an empty house! Whats he supposed to eat?»
Calmly, Emily replied, «Sarah, Im busy. What your child eats isnt my problem. Youre his mother.»
«How can you say that! We had an agreement!»
«We never agreed to anything. You just decided Id feed him.»
Sarah eruptedaccusing Emily of selfishness, betrayal, heartlessness. But Emily simply ended the call. For the first time in months, she breathed freely.
Two blissful weeks passed. Emily returned home refreshed, full of plans with Charlotte.
But her family was waitingfurious. Sarah sat stiffly on the sofa, James looking torn between guilt and confusion.
«Finally decided to show up?» Sarah snapped. «Do you know what these two weeks have been like? My sons been living on microwave meals! You betrayed this family, put yourself firstyou didnt even think about Oliver!»
Emily set down her bag, removed her coat, and regarded them both coolly.
«Who is that child to me?» she asked quietly. «Honestly, hes Jamess nephew, not mine. Im not obliged to feed him. Sarah, I dont expect you to look after my relatives.»
«How can you say that? Were family!»
«Sarah, heating up food for Oliver isnt difficult. But I wont cook for him anymore. Ill manage for myself. But I wont lift a finger in this kitchen until Im shown some respect.»
The flat filled with thick silence.
From then on, Emily bought food only for herself and James. James mostly ate at work or cafés. Oliver gave her pleading looks, but she didnt relent. For him, there was nothing.
By the third day, Sarah learned her lesson. She woke an hour early and cooked properlygrudgingly, resentfully, but she did it.
Before leaving for work, Sarah approached Emily stiffly.
«Could you heat up the stew and potatoes for Oliver at lunch?» she muttered through clenched teeth.
Emily nodded. «Was that so hard?»
Sarah flinched but didnt argue. A fragile peace settled over the flat.
For the first time in months, Emily felt at ease in her own home. Soon, theyd save enough to move out. And shed make sure James understoodshe wouldnt be taken for granted again.
Respect, she realised, wasnt given. It had to be demanded.
