April 13th
I shouted at Victoria, Get out! Leave my flat right now! I will not let you hurt my daughter! I told her that if she cared so much for her own child, she should go back to her former wife. There was no room for her in our family with Rose.
She hurled back, Youre the one who ruined everything with your stubbornness! Because of you Ive lost contact with my own daughter, and shes suffering because of you!
Out, now! Victoria pointed at the door.
—
A few days later Rose burst into the living room, clutching a book. Mum, Ive finished the seventh Harry Potter! she announced, eyes alight.
Victoria set her laptop aside and looked at her. Rose pressed the book to her chest, excitement radiating from her. Its brilliant! I cant find words, Mum! she exclaimed, leaping onto the sofa. The last book finally revealed everything. Can you imagine actually going to a school of magic?
I wrapped an arm around my elevenyearold and smiled. Id read the same series as a teenager, devouring every volume. It warmed me to see Rose share that love; now we had a world we could both step into.
It was my dream at your age, I told her.
Its a shame we cant really go there, Rose sighed, nestling her cheek against my shoulder.
Victoria kissed Roses forehead and thought of doing something special for her. The girl spent hours reading instead of scrolling on a phone like her peers.
A couple of days later I was browsing an online marketplace for a present. I stumbled on a massive Hogwarts LEGO set over 1,500 pieces, towers, halls, tiny figurines priced at £100. The sum was not trivial, but I added it to the basket and paid with my card. Rose deserved it.
Three days after that I brought home the huge box. Roses scream of delight pierced the flat, Mum! Is it really for me? Yay!
She threw herself around my neck, hugged me tightly, then dropped to the floor and began unwrapping the set with trembling hands. I watched her, feeling that moments like these made everything worthwhile.
—
The weekend Poppy, my thirteenyearold stepdaughter from Maxs first marriage, arrived as usual. I tried to be kind to her, but there was always an invisible wall between us.
She entered, greeted Max, and went straight to Roses room. A minute later a voice called out, Where did you get that?
Victoria, hearing it, grew wary.
Mom bought it! Rose replied cheerfully. Ive read all seven Potter books, and she got me this set. Look how huge it is! Ive already built half of it.
Poppy fell silent. I glanced at her face change brows knit, lips pressed, eyes filled with envy and hurt.
Later that evening, as Rose was getting ready for bed, Poppy approached Max in the kitchen while I was washing dishes.
Dad, why do I not get a set? she asked, whining almost pleading.
What set? Max replied, looking up from his phone.
The one Rose has. Its unfair that she gets everything and I get nothing!
Max winced, shoulders tightening.
Poppy, Ill buy you something next time, alright?
No! Poppy stamped her foot. I want that exact set right now. You dont love me!
Max sighed heavily, stood, and walked toward Roses room. My gut tightened.
From the doorway I heard Max say, Rose, could you share the set with Poppy? At least let her build half of it. She really wants it.
Its my present, Rose answered firmly. Im still putting it together.
But youre a kind girl. Poppys already hurting because we split up. Could you be a bit nicer to your sister?
I threw a towel into the sink, marched in, and faced Max, who loomed over Rose, his weight pressing down.
Max, this is a gift I bought for my daughter with my own money. Poppy cant demand other peoples belongings just because she feels like it, I said, trying to stay calm.
From the hall a sob rose. Poppy stood in the doorway, tears streaming.
You dont love me! she shrieked at me. You took my dad! Its your fault! I want to go home!
She turned and ran to the kitchen, wailing. Max shot me a hard glance and followed her out.
Rose stared at me, eyes wide with confusion.
Mum, what just happened?
I sat down on the floor beside her and held her close. I had no perfect answer. Id only met Max six months after his divorce, and now everything seemed to collapse. I simply stroked her hair and whispered, Itll be alright, love. It will be alright.
Later, Max reentered the flat while I was applying nightcream in the bedroom. His face was grim, jaw clenched.
Vicky, give Poppy the set, at least while shes staying with us, he said, his tone sharp, lacking its usual softness. My daughter already suffers that Im not around, and now Rose is flaunting this gift in front of her.
Something inside me flared.
What does this have to do with me or Rose? I shot back, crossing my arms. You left your wife when I wasnt even on the horizon. Its your duty to raise your own child. Im not here to sacrifice my daughters happiness for your whims.
Your whims? Max shouted, turning a deep shade of red. Youre a cold, selfish woman, Vicky! Youre turning Rose against Poppy! Youre destroying my family!
He stormed into Roses room. The girl shrieked as Max grabbed the LEGO set and hurled it onto the floor. It bounced, hit the edge of the coffee table, and snapped. Pieces scattered, several assembled sections shattered.
Rose began to sob so violently I feared for her. A red haze seemed to descend over everything. I seized Maxs wrist, pulling him back.
Get out! Leave this flat right now! I will not let you hurt my daughter! I roared, echoing my earlier words.
He shouted back, You ruined everything with your stubbornness! Because of you Ive lost my daughter, and she suffers!
Out, now! I pointed to the door.
Two hours later, Max and Poppy were gone, leaving no trace.
The whole night I soothed Rose, rubbing her hair, kissing her tearstreaked cheeks, whispering that she was blameless. When she finally fell asleep, I gathered the broken pieces, trying to glue them together with trembling hands.
At dawn, still halfasleep, I logged onto the Government Services portal and submitted a divorce petition. A cold resolve settled over me; this marriage was not the life Id imagined. Better to be single than to endure such turmoil.
Max kept calling, sending long apologies, begging for a meeting. I answered only the questions about the divorce; everything else I ignored.
A month later the papers were signed. Max finally moved on. I suggested to Rose, How about we go to the bookshop tomorrow?
Her eyes lit up.
At a specialist shop in Camden we bought a limitededition set of Potter books, a genuine Gryffindor cloak of heavy fabric with lining, and an interactive wand that reacted to movement. Rose beamed, slipping into the cloak and waving the wand with delight.
We left the shop armsfull of parcels. As we walked home, a sense of relief washed over me. I felt happy for myself and for my daughter. It was just the two of us against the world, finally free.
**Lesson:** When conflict turns into a battle for childrens affection, everyone loses. Protecting your kids means walking away from the war, not dragging them into it.
