Get out! Right now, get out of my flat! I wont let you hurt my little girl! I shouted, my voice shaking. If you cant look after your own child without making someone else pay the price, go back to your exwife. Theres no place for you in our family with Sophie!
Michael roared back, pointing a finger at me. Youve ruined everything with your stubbornness! Because of you Ive lost contact with my daughter, and shes suffering because of you! He lunged toward the door and I snapped, Out, now! He stumbled out, full of rage.
—
Mom, I finally finished the seventh Harry Potter book! Sophie called, clutching the novel to her chest. I was in the middle of typing an email, but I looked up and saw her eyes sparkling with excitement. She was standing in the doorway of the lounge, the book pressed close to her face.
Really? How was it? I asked, smiling despite the tension earlier.
Its brilliant! Ive got no words, Mum! she bounced onto the sofa, hugging me. The last book, when everything finally comes together Can you imagine actually going to a real school of magic?
I wrapped my arms around my elevenyearold and held her close. Id devoured those books when I was her age, read them until the pages fell apart. It felt wonderful to see Sophie sharing that love, that we now had a whole world we could explore together.
I remember dreaming about that when I was your age, I said.
Sophie sighed, resting her cheek on my shoulder. Too bad we cant actually go.
I kissed the top of her head, wanting to do something special for her. Shed spent hours reading instead of staring at her phone like most kids her age.
A few days later I was browsing a UK online marketplace for a gift. I stumbled on a massive, detailed Hogwarts building set about 1,500 pieces, with towers, halls and tiny character figurines. It was listed for £120, a decent chunk of change, but I added it to the basket and paid with my card. Sophie deserved it.
Three days after that, I brought home a huge box. The moment Sophie saw it, she let out a squeal that made my ears ring.
Mum! Is that really for me? Oh my gosh!!! she shouted, throwing herself into my arms.
I hugged her tight, then watched as she dropped to the floor, hands trembling with anticipation, tearing the packaging open. Seeing her this happy made everything worth it.
That weekend Polina, Michaels thirteenyearold daughter from his first marriage, turned up. She usually spent every weekend with us, and I tried to be kind, but there was always an invisible wall between us.
Polina entered, greeted her dad, and headed toward Sophie’s room. A minute later I heard, Where did you get that?
I stiffened; the stepdaughters tone was oddly sharp.
Sophie, tell him, I urged.
Its a gift from Mum! Ive read all seven Harry Potter books, and Mum bought me this Hogwarts set for it. Look how massive it is! Ive already built half of it.
Polana stayed silent. As I passed the room, I caught a flicker in her faceeyebrows knit, lips pressed. Envy and hurt flickered in her gaze at the set.
Later that evening, when Sophie was getting ready for bed, Polina slipped into the kitchen where Michael was scrolling on his phone.
Dad, what about a set for me? she asked, her voice pleading.
What set? Michael replied, looking up.
The one Sophies got. Its not fair that she gets everything and I get nothing!
He winced, shoulders tensing.
Polly, Ill get you something next time, okay? he said.
No! I want that exact set, right now. You dont love me! she snapped, stamping her foot.
Michael sighed heavily and walked toward Sophie’s room. My stomach twisted with a bad feeling.
Sweetheart, Michael called from the doorway, could you share the set with Polina? Maybe let her build the other half? She really wants it.
Its my present, Sophie replied firmly. Im still putting it together.
But youre such a sweet girl. Polinas already upset because we split up with her mum. Wouldnt you be a bit kinder to your sister? Michael pressed.
I tossed the dishcloth into the sink and marched in. Michael loomed over Sophie, his weight pressing down, while she sat on the floor clutching the box.
Michael, I tried to stay calm, this is a gift I bought for my daughter with my own money. Polina cant demand someone elses present just because she wants it.
From the hall, Polinas sobs drifted in. You dont love me! You stole my dad! I want to go home! she wailed, tears streaming down her cheeks. She bolted toward the kitchen, screaming. Michaels stare hardened as he followed.
Sophie looked at me, bewildered.
Mum, what was that?
I knelt beside her on the floor and held her close. I didnt know what to sayhow to explain the months since Michael moved out, how Polina was testing boundaries, how I was caught in the middle. I just stroked her hair and whispered, Itll be alright, love. Everything will be okay.
Later, while I was applying night cream in the bedroom, Michael barged in, his face grim, jaw clenched.
Vicky, give Polina the set, at least while shes staying here, he demanded, his tone sharp, no longer the soft voice Id known. My other daughters already suffering because Im not around, and now Sophies flaunting her gifts.
Something inside me flared.
What does this have to do with me or Sophie? I snapped, crossing my arms. You left your wife when I wasnt even on the horizon. Raising your kids is your responsibility, not mine. Im not here to sacrifice my childs happiness for your guilt trips.
Your selfishness! Michael snapped, turning red. Youre turning Sophie against Polina! Youre tearing my family apart!
He stormed into Sophie’s room, grabbed the set, and slammed it onto the floor. The model bounced, hit the tables edge, and shattered. Pieces scattered everywhere, a few intricate sections broke apart.
Sophie sobbed so hard I feared for her. A red veil of panic fell over me, and I clutched Michaels wrist, pulling him back.
Get out! Right now, leave my flat! I wont let you hurt my daughter! I shouted, my voice cracking. If you care about your own child, go back to your exwife. Theres no room for you in our family!
He shouted back, pointing at me. You ruined everything with your stubbornness! Because of you I lost contact with my daughter, and shes suffering!
Out, now! I snapped, pointing at the door.
Two hours later, there was no sign of Michael or Polina in the flat.
I spent the whole night soothing Sophie, rubbing her hair, kissing her tearstreaked cheeks, whispering that she wasnt to blame and that everything would be alright. When she finally fell asleep, I gathered the broken pieces, trying to glue the set back together with trembling hands.
At dawn, halfasleep, I logged onto the government portal and filed for divorce. A cold determination settled over me. This wasnt the marriage Id imagined. Men just werent my luck, it seemed. Better to be alone than endure this.
Michael kept texting, sending long apologies, begging to meet. I only answered the divorcerelated queries; everything else I ignored.
A month later the papers were signed, and he was finally out. I turned to Sophie, excitement in her eyes.
Sunshine, fancy a trip to the bookshop? I asked.
Her face lit up.
In a cosy London bookshop we bought a limitededition Harry Potter box set, a genuine Gryffindor cloak made of thick fabric, and an interactive wand that reacted to our movements. Sophie tried on the cloak right there, waving the wand with pure delight.
We left the shop loaded with bags, and a wave of relief washed over me. We were just the two of us, free to face the world together.
