«Don’t interfere, you’re not part of this,» said the daughter, turning away.
«Emily, have you picked out your prom dress yet?» asked Claire, spreading out bridal catalogues on the table. «Maybe we could go shopping together?»
Fifteen-year-old Emily glanced up from her phone and gave her a cold stare.
«Why do you care? I already have a mum to take me.»
«Of course, I just thought» Claire felt herself stepping on old wounds again. «Maybe the three of us could go? It’d be more fun.»
«No need. My mum can handle it.»
Claire sighed and set the catalogues aside. Outside, rain drizzled, matching her mood. She checked the clockOliver would be home from work soon, and the endless balancing act between wife and daughter would begin again.
«Emily, what would you like for dinner? I could make your favourite beef Wellington?»
«I don’t care. I’m going to Mum’sshe made cottage pie.»
The girl stood, grabbed her jacket from the hook.
«Emily, wait.» Claire stepped towards her. «Can we just talk? Why do you hate me so much? What have I ever done to you?»
Emily paused at the door and slowly turned. Her eyes burned with a fury far beyond her years.
«Do you really not get it? Or are you just pretending?»
«I honestly dont understand.»
«You ruined my family!» the girl burst out. «Dad left Mum because of you! And now you act all sweet and caring like youre some saint!»
Claires breath caught. She sank into a chair, unable to stand.
«Emily, thats not true. When I met your dad, he was already living separately. They divorced long before»
«Liar!» Emily shouted. «Mum told me everything! How you stole him, how you tricked him!»
«What tricks? Emily, we just worked at the same company, we were friends»
«Dont interfere, youre not part of this!» The girl turned back to the door.
The words hit Claire harder than a slap. Not part of this. After three years of marriage to Oliver, after every attempt to bond with his daughter, she was still an outsider.
The door slammed. Claire sat alone in the empty flat. Tears ran freely down her cheeks nowshe couldnt hold them back anymore.
When Oliver got home, he noticed his wifes red eyes immediately.
«Whats wrong?» He sat beside her on the sofa and pulled her close.
«Emily again.» Claire wiped her nose with a tissue. «Ollie, she *hates* me. Properly hates me.»
«What did she say this time?»
«That I destroyed your family. That I stole you from her mum. Called me an outsider.»
Oliver sighed heavily and rubbed his forehead.
«Claire, how many times do we have to go over this? Shes just a kidshe doesnt understand»
«A *kid*? Ollie, shes fifteen! At her age, I was working part-time after school to help my mum! Your daughter acts like a spoiled princess!»
«Dont talk about her like that.» His voice hardened. «The divorce was traumatic for her.»
«That was *four years ago*, Oliver! *Four!* When does it end?»
«Claire, pleasejust give her time. Shell adjust, shell see you’re not the enemy.»
Claire stood and paced the room.
«Time, timehow much more time? Im human too! I have feelings! Ive tried so hard to love her, but she»
«But she *what*?»
«She *despises* me! And you dont see itor wont!»
Oliver stood and moved towards her.
«Claire, I know its hard. But Emily is my daughter. I cant abandon her.»
«But you can abandon *me*?» she asked quietly.
«Where is this coming from? Youre an adultyou *know* the situation.»
«Oh, I see. So I just have to swallow the insults because Im the grown-up?»
«Claire, dont twist this. Emily wasnt insulting you, she was just»
«Wasnt insulting me?» Claire let out a bitter laugh. «Ollie, did you *hear* what she said? Youre not part of this. Thats not an insult?»
«She was upset»
«And Im *not*? It doesnt hurt *me*?»
They stood facing each other, and Claire suddenly realisedher husband would *never* take her side. His daughter would always come first.
«You know what?» She walked to the bedroom and pulled out a bag. «While you figure out your priorities, Ill stay at my sisters.»
«Claire, dont be ridiculous! Where are you going?»
«To Sophies. I need to think.»
«Youre really throwing away our marriage over one argument?»
Claire stopped in the doorway.
«Oliver, this isnt *one argument*. Its *every day*. Every single day, I feel like an intruder in my own home. And you do *nothing* to change that.»
«What am I supposed to do? Punish my daughter for loving her mother?»
«You could at least *stand up* for me. Remind her Im your *wife*. That you *chose* me. That she has to respect that.»
«Claire»
«No, Oliver. Im *done* apologising for loving you. Done begging for forgiveness just because I married you.»
She packed a few essentials and headed for the door. Oliver followed.
«Claire, *stay*. Well talk, well sort this out.»
«*Sort it out*?» She turned. «Oliver, weve been sorting it out for *three years*. And *nothings changed*. Emily still hates me. And you still defend her.»
«Im not defendingIm just trying to»
«To *what*? Excuse her for treating me like dirt? Let her say whatever she wants while I just *take it*?»
Claire pulled on her coat and grabbed her keys.
«I cant live like this anymore, Oliver. I cant spend every day *proving* I belong in my own home.»
«What about our plans? The baby we talked about?»
Claire froze, hand on the doorknob.
«What baby, Oliver? In a house where your daughter *hates* me? Where Im an *outsider*? Do you *really* think shed be kind to our child?»
«Shed come around»
«Come around to *what*? That Im *never* leaving? She doesnt *want* that! She *dreams* of you going back to her mum!»
Oliver lowered his head.
«Claire, I dont know what to do. I love you both.»
«You cant love a daughter and a wife the *same way*, Oliver. Its *not the same love*. And if you dont see that, we have no future.»
She opened the door, but Oliver caught her wrist.
«Wait. Lets talk to Emily *together*. Make her understand»
«Understand *what*? That she *has* to love me? Love isnt *negotiable*, Oliver. You *earn* it. And how can I earn love from someone who blames me for *everything*?»
«Claire, *please*»
«I need time, Oliver. To figure out if I can keep living like this.»
She stepped out, leaving him in the doorway. Outside, rain misted the pavement as Claire turned up her collar.
On the bus, she stared at the grey city through the window, remembering how different things had been. When shed first met Oliver, hed seemed perfectsmart, caring, a devoted father. Shed been ready to embrace his daughter as her own.
But Emily had made it clear from day one: she would *never* accept a stepmother. Coldness, distance, then outright hostility. And the worst part? Oliver *refused* to see it.
At her sisters flat, Claire climbed to the third floor and rang the bell.
«Claire?» Sophie blinked in surprise. «Whats happened? Youre soaked.»
«Can I stay tonight? Maybe longer.»
«Of course, come in. Did you and Oliver fight?»
Claire walked in, shed her coat, and slumped onto the sofa.
«Worse. I think our marriage was a mistake.»
«Dont be daft. You *love* each other.»
«Thats not enough when theres a third person in the way.»
«Emily again?»
«*Always* Emily. Sophie, I *cant* anymore. Today she said I wasnt part of this. And the worst part? Shes *right*. I *dont* belong in that house.»
Sophie sat beside her and hugged her.
«Have you tried talking to her mum? Maybe she could help?»
«Are you *joking*? Her mums the one *poisoning* her against me! Telling her I stole Oliver.»
«And what *really* happened?»
Claire stood and went to the window.
«Oliver was honest with me. Said hed been separated for months, that the divorce was final. I believed him. Then I found out his ex *still* hoped theyd reconcile.»
«But he didnt go back?»
«No. He divorced her and married *me*. But Emilys convinced if not for me, theyd still be together.»
«Maybe they *would* have.»
Claire whirled around.
«You think this is *my* fault too?»
«No! But divorce *hurts* kids. Especially when a stepmothers involved.»
«I *tried*! For *three years*! Gifts, her favourite meals, helping with homework! And all I got was *contempt*!»
«Maybe she just needed more time?»
«How *much* more? Five years? Ten? Sophie, I *want* a family. But how can I have kids in a house where Im *hated*?»
Sophie sighed.
«What does Oliver say?»
«To be patient. That Emily will adjust. But shes only getting *worse*.»
«Have you talked to her *alone*? Without Oliver?»
«Ive *tried*. She wont even *listen*.»
Claires phone rangOlivers name flashed on the screen.
«Dont answer,» Sophie said. «Take time to think.»
But Claire already picked up.
«Hello?»
«Claire, where are you? Im worried.»
«At Sophies. I need space, Oliver.»
«For how long?»
«I dont know. A day, a week. I need to decide if I can live like this.»
«What do I tell Emily?»
«The *truth*. That your wife wont tolerate being disrespected anymore.»
«Claire»
«Dont, Oliver. Not now.»
«I love you.»
«I know. And I love you. But love isnt enough without peace.»
She hung up and looked at Sophie.
«You know what hurts most? I *wanted* to be a mum to Emily. Not replace hersjust *be there*. But she never let me.»
«Maybe shes just scared?»
«Of *what*?»
«That if she loves you, shes betraying her mum. Kids think like that.»
Claire paused. Maybe Sophie was right. Maybe Emilys hostility was just fear?
«But what can I do if she wont even *talk* to me?»
«I dont know, Claire. Its complicated.»
They talked late into the night, Sophie sharing stories of friends in blended families.
«My mate Lisa married a bloke with two kids,» she said. «First few years were *awful*. The kids rejected her, the husband was torn. But it got better.»
«How?»
«She had a baby. The older kids finally accepted she wasnt going anywhere.»
«And if that doesnt work?»
«Then you choose. Live with itor leave.»
Claire slept on Sophies sofa, but her mind wouldnt quiet. Memories swirledmeeting Oliver, falling in love, dreaming of a happy family.
Now that family was crumbling because of one girls unforgiving heart.
Morning came with a phone call. An unknown number.
«Claire? Its MargaretEmilys mum. «I know weve never spoken before, but I heard what happened. Emily called me last night, crying. She told me everythinghow she screamed at you, how she called you an outsider. I need you to know I never told her to hate you. I was angry when Oliver left, yes, but I would never poison her against you. I just want my daughter to be happy, and right now, shes lost. She doesnt know how to let you in because shes afraid of losing me. But thats not your fault. Its *mine*. Ive been so caught up in my own pain, I didnt see what I was doing to her. Please, Claire dont give up on her. And dont give up on Oliver. He loves you. And maybe maybe if youre willing, we could all meet? Just talk. No accusations. No sides. Just people trying to make sense of a messy situation.»
Claire sat in silence, the phone trembling in her hand. Outside, the rain had stopped, and a pale sun broke through the clouds.
