«You think I’m nothing,» I heard her say, her voice low.
«Ian, have you ever thought about me?» Anne asked, the tremor in her tone barely hidden. «I know you love Lily. I’m not trying to keep you from her but don’t you find it odd that your ex-wives keeps pulling money out of you through the kids? Because of Olivia’s whims we have to tighten our belts everywhere. When will this end?»
It was Friday, and Anne had gotten home from work a bit early, setting the table for dinner. Tonight our elevenyearold daughter from my first marriage, Lily, would be joining us. The bell rang, and Anne rushed to the hallway. At the door stood me and Lily. She slipped past Anne without a glance, dropping a quick, «Hi,» before disappearing into the flat. I looked at my wife with a guilty expression and muttered:
«Hi, love. How was your day?»
«Fine,» Anne replied, trying to mask irritation. «Come and sit down.»
A heavy silence settled over the table. I tried to lighten the mood, chatting about my day, but Lily answered in monosyllables or stayed silent, deliberately ignoring Anne. She ate quietly, feeling a lump rise in her throat.
«Dad, Mum said she urgently needs money for a new winter coat,» Lily blurted out. «Her old one is ragged, she’s embarrassed to go to school with it.»
«Alright, Lily,» I said calmly. «We’ll talk after dinner.»
Inside, Anne felt a fire ignite.
«More money, more endless pleas,» she thought. «How many times can this go on?»
After we finished eating, Lily and I went to her room for homework. Anne stayed in the kitchen washing the dishes, picking up fragments of their conversation:
«Dad, you know she really needs it. She’s the only one keeping us afloat, and that» Lily’s voice dropped.
«Can’t your husband buy her a coat?» I asked timidly.
«Dad, what does it matter? He’s got no money! I wouldn’t ask if things weren’t terrible. You’re a man, you’re supposed to support her! And you’re my dad!»
Anne snapped, flinging the sponge into the sink and heading for the bedroom.
«Ian, we need to talk,» she said firmly.
«Not now, Anne,» I tried to dodge. «We’re in the middle of her lessons.»
«No, now,» she insisted. «Lily, could you give us a minute?»
Lily pouted but left the room. Anne shut the door tight behind her and turned to me.
«How long is this going to go on?» she asked.
«What are you talking about?» I pretended not to understand.
«The money, Ian! Your ex-wife, Lily, everything! We can barely make the mortgage payments, Ive given up on everything for us, and you keep handing out cash to her! It’s outrageous!»
«It’s my child. I can’t turn my back on her,» I began to defend myself.
«What about me? What about us? We have needs too! I can’t fix my teeth because there’s no money!»
«I get it,» I said apologetically. «I’ll talk to Olivia.»
«She’ll never listen! She always gets what she wants! Maybe you should remind her that you have a wife who also deserves care,» Anne snapped.
«Don’t bring Olivia into this,» I frowned. «She’s a good mother.»
«A good mother? If she were, she wouldn’t dump all her problems on me! She likes that I foot the bill,» Anne shot back.
«Enough!» I exploded. «Don’t speak like that about my child’s mother!»
«And don’t forget you have a real wife! One who loves and supports you!» Anne shouted, her voice cracking.
«I love you,» I whispered, «but I can’t abandon my daughter.»
«Then maybe you should decide who you love more?» Anne challenged.
I lowered my head in silence.
«Why are you yelling?» Anne asked, looking at a tearstreaked Lily. «Are you arguing?»
«No, Lily,» I answered, trying to calm her. «Everything’s fine.»
«No, it’s not!» Anne cried. «Your father and I are fighting because of you and your mother!»
«Because of me?» Lily raised an eyebrow, surprised.
«Yes, because you keep demanding money, because you treat me like an empty space!» Anne blurted.
«What am I supposed to do, love you?» Lily snapped back. «You’re nobody to me! I have my mum!»
Anne felt as though she’d been slapped. She stared at me, waiting for a response, but I only bowed my head.
«You know what, Lily?» Anne managed, her voice shaking. «You can stay here as long as you like, but I won’t put up with this any longer. My patience has run out.»
She left the room, leaving Lily and me alone. Closing the bedroom door, Anne grabbed her phone and dialed her friend.
«Hello?» she whispered, tears choking her words. «I need to talk.»
The next day Anne met her friend at a café. She looked gaunt, barely touching her food. After listening, her friend asked, «Anne, are you seriously thinking about a split?»
«I don’t know,» Anne admitted. «I love you, Ian, but I can’t live like this. You’re torn between me and your former family, and I feel like an extra. I’m exhausted.»
«I get it. Maybe try talking to him again? Explain how you feel, what you need,» the friend suggested.
«I’ve told him a thousand times!» Anne snapped. «He pretends to understand, but nothing changes. He doesnt want to hurt his daughter, yet he hurts me.»
«What about Lily? Have you tried talking to her?» the friend probed.
«Talking to her is pointless! She only listens to her mother and does everything to get under my skin. She doesn’t see me as a person,» Anne retorted.
«Kids often mimic their parents,» the friend observed. «Maybe you should try to find common ground with her.»
«She can’t stand me! She deliberately ignores me! It’s impossible,» Anne shot back.
«But perhaps it’s worth a try? If you show her you want a better relationship, she might change,» the friend persisted.
Anne thought it over. She knew her friend had a point. If she wanted to save the marriage, she might have to swallow her pride and try to reach the stubborn teenager.
«Fine,» Anne finally said. «I’ll try. I just dont expect much.»
That afternoon, when I brought Lily home from school, Anne decided to act. She emerged from the kitchen with a tray of scones and tea. Lily was slumped on the sofa, eyes glued to her phone.
«Lily,» Anne began, «would you like some tea and a scone?»
Lily lifted her head, giving Anne a disdainful look.
«I’m not hungry,» she replied.
«Just give it a try,» Anne said, placing the tray on the table. «I baked them myself.»
Reluctantly, Lily took a bite and murmured, «Tasty.»
«I’m glad,» Anne smiled. «Come sit, I’ll bring you some tea.»
Lily moved to the table, looking a little nervous. Not long ago her stepmother had shouted at her, and now she was being offered sweets.
«Lily, I wanted to talk,» Anne started. «I know you dont like me being around your dad.»
«And I shouldn’t like you,» Lily interrupted. «You’re not my mother.»
«I understand,» Anne replied, nodding. «I’m not trying to replace anyone. I just want us to get along. Your dad suffers because of our fights.»
Lily stared at her cup in silence.
«I know you love your mum very much, and that’s right. But it doesn’t mean you have to hate me. I love your dad too.»
«Youre lying!» Lily shouted. «You both only argue!»
«We argue because it’s hard,» Anne admitted. «But that doesnt mean we dont love each other.»
She waited, watching Lilys eyes wander over the tablecloth pattern.
«Lily, I want you to know Ive never wished you any harm. I just want us all to be happy. I’m here for you because youre the daughter of the man I love, understand?»
Lily lifted her gaze, meeting Annes eyes. The hostility in them seemed to fade.
«Really?» she asked quietly.
«Really,» Anne whispered. «I could swear on it right now.»
Just then I walked in, surprised to see Anne and Lily sitting together in quiet conversation.
«Is everything alright?» I asked.
«We’re just talking,» Anne replied with a smile.
The evening turned out beautifully. Lily played Twister with her stepmother, laughing, while I roared with delight at their antics. For the first time, Lily showed no animosity toward me. She turned out to be quite lovely after all.
