«Don’t interfereyou’re not family,» the girl snapped, turning away.
«Emma, have you picked out your prom dress yet?» Charlotte asked, flipping through a bridal magazine on the kitchen table. «Maybe we could go shopping together?»
The fifteen-year-old stepdaughter looked up from her phone and gave her a cold stare.
«Why do you care? I already have a mum to take me.»
«Of courseI just thought…» Charlotte felt the familiar sting of rejection. «Maybe the three of us could go? It might be fun.»
«No thanks. Mum can handle it.»
Charlotte sighed and set the magazines aside. Outside, rain drizzled against the windows, casting a gloomy mood. She checked the clockJames would be home from work soon, and once again, she’d be caught between him and his daughter.
«Emma, what do you fancy for dinner? I could make your favouritebeef Wellington?»
«I dont care. Im going to Mumsshes making shepherds pie.»
The girl grabbed her jacket from the hook.
«Emma, wait» Charlotte stepped closer. «Can we just talk properly? Why do you hate me so much? What have I ever done to you?»
Emma stopped at the door and slowly turned. Her eyes burned with something far beyond her years.
«Do you really not get it? Or are you just pretending?»
«I honestly dont understand.»
«You ruined our family!» the girl burst out. «Dad left Mum because of you! And now you act like youre so kind, so caring!»
Charlottes breath caught. She sank into a chair, too shaken to stand.
«Emma, thats not true. When I met your dad, he was already living separately. They divorced long before»
«Liar!» Emma shouted. «Mum told me everything! How you stole him, how you schemed!»
«What schemes? Emma, I worked at the same firm as your dadwe just talked»
«Dont interfere. You’re not family!» She turned and slammed the door.
The words hit Charlotte harder than a slap. *Not family.* Three years of marriage to James, three years of trying to connect with his daughter, and she was still an outsider.
The flat felt hollow. Tears spilled down her cheeksones she could no longer hold back.
When James got home, he took one look at her red-rimmed eyes.
«What happened?» He sat beside her on the sofa, wrapping an arm around her.
«Emma again…» She wiped her nose with a tissue. «James, she *hates* me. Really hates me.»
«What did she say this time?»
«That I destroyed your family. That I stole you from her mum. Called me an outsider.»
James sighed deeply, rubbing his temples.
«Charlie, love, weve talked about this a hundred times. Shes just a kidshe doesnt understand»
«A *kid*? James, 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,» he said sharply. «The divorce wrecked herits traumatic for any child.»
«The divorce was *four years ago*. Four, James! When does it stop being an excuse?»
«Charlie, pleasejust give it time. Shell come around, see youre not the enemy.»
Charlotte stood and paced the room.
«Time, time… How much more time? Im human too! I have feelings! Ive tried so hard to love her, and she»
«And she what?»
«She *loathes* me! And you refuse to see it!»
James moved closer.
«I know its hard. But Emmas my daughter. I cant abandon her.»
«But you can abandon *me*?» she whispered.
«Thats not fair. Youre an adultyou understand the situation.»
«Oh, I understand. So Im supposed to endure her cruelty because Im *grown*?»
«Charlie, dont twist it. Emmas not cruelshes just»
«Not cruel?» A bitter laugh escaped her. «James, did you *hear* her? Youre not family. Thats not cruelty?»
«She was upset»
«And Im not? It doesnt hurt *me*?»
They stood locked in silence. Then it hit her: hed never choose her over Emma.
«You know what?» She marched to the bedroom and yanked a suitcase from the wardrobe. «While you figure out your priorities, Ill stay at my sisters.»
«Charlie, dont be daft! Where are you going?»
«To Lucys. I need space.»
«Over one argument? Youd throw away our marriage?»
She paused in the doorway.
«Its *not* one argument, James. Its *every day*. I feel like a guest in my own home. And you do *nothing* to change that.»
«What am I supposed to do? Punish her for loving her mum?»
«You could remind her you *chose* me. That Im your *wife*. That deserves respect.»
«Charlie»
«No. Im tired of apologising for loving you. For *marrying* you.»
She stuffed essentials into the bag and headed for the door. James followed.
«Stay. Well talkwell fix this.»
«Talk?» She spun around. «James, weve *been* talking. For *three years*. And whats changed? Emma still hates me. You still defend her.»
«Im not defendingIm trying to»
«To *what*? Justify her insulting your wife? Let her behave however she wants while I stay silent?»
She shoved her arms into her coat and grabbed her keys.
«I cant live like this, James. Begging for a place in my own home.»
«What about *our* plans? The baby we wanted?»
Her hand froze on the doorknob.
«What baby, James? In a house where your daughter hates me? Where Im *not family*? Can you imagine how shed treat our child?»
«Shed adjust»
«Adjust to *what*? Me being permanent? She doesnt *want* that! She wants you back with her mum!»
James dropped his head.
«I dont know what to do. I love you both.»
«You cant love a daughter and a wife the *same way*, James. Its *different*. And if you dont see that, weve got no future.»
She opened the door, but he caught her wrist.
«Wait. Lets talk to Emma togetherexplain»
«Explain *what*? That she *has* to love me? Love isnt *negotiable*, James. Its *earned*. And how can I earn it from someone who blames me for everything?»
«Charlie, please»
«I need time, James. To figure out if I can keep living like this.»
She stepped into the rain, leaving him in the doorway. On the bus, she stared at the grey streets of London, wondering how it all went wrong. James had seemed perfectsmart, kind, a devoted dad. Shed been ready to love his daughter as her own.
But Emma had made it clear from day one: a stepmother would never be family. The coldness, the distance, then open hostility. And the worst part? James refused to see it.
At Lucys flat, her sister opened the door, frowning.
«Charlie? Youre soakedwhats wrong?»
«Can I stay? Maybe a while.»
«Of course. Was it James? A row?»
Charlotte slumped onto the sofa.
«Worse. I think our marriage was a mistake.»
«Dont be daft. You love each other.»
«We do. But its not enough when theres a third wheel.»
«Emma again?»
«Always. Luce, I cant do it. Today she said Im not family. And the worst part? Shes *right*.»
Lucy hugged her.
«Have you tried talking to her mum? Maybe shed help.»
«Are you joking? Her mums the one poisoning her against me!»
«But James left *before* you got together, right?»
«Yes! He was clearseparated, divorce underway. But Emmas mum made her believe theyd have reconciled if not for me.»
Lucy sighed.
«Kids cling to that hope. Maybe shes scaredlike loving you betrays her mum.»
Charlotte wiped her eyes.
«I *tried*, Luce. Gifts, cooking her favourites, helping with homework. All I got was ice.»
«How longs fair, though? Another five years? Ten? I want a family, but how can I bring a baby into that house?»
Lucy hesitated.
«My mate Sarah married a bloke with kidstook *years* before they accepted her. But when she had her own, things settled.»
«And if that doesnt work?»
«Then you choose. Live with it… or leave.»
That night, Charlotte lay awake, replaying every moment. Shed wanted to be a mum to Emmanot a replacement, just *someone* who cared. But Emma never let her in.
The next morning, her phone rang. Unknown number.
«Charlotte? Its Emmas mum. «Charlotte? Its Emmas mum. I Ive been wanting to call for a while. Emma told me what happened. And I think its time we talkhonestly. Because I may have made a mistake too. Charlotte sat stiffly on the edge of the park bench, the morning chill seeping through her coat. She hadnt expected to agree to the meeting, but something in the womans voicetired, tentativehad given her pause.
Emmas mother arrived with two paper cups of tea, hands trembling slightly as she offered one. I know Ive made things harder, she began, her voice low. I was hurt. Angry. And I let Emma believe you were the reason James and I fell apart. But the truth is we were broken long before you came along.
Charlotte stared into the steam rising from her cup, silent.
I told her wed get back together one day. Gave her false hope. And in doing that, I made you the enemy. That wasnt fair. To you. To her. To anyone.
A long pause settled between them. Somewhere beyond the trees, children laughed on a playground.
I dont expect forgiveness, the woman added. But I want to stop the lies. For Emmas sake. She needs to know the truthif shes ever going to heal.
Charlotte finally looked up. She told me I ruined her family.
And I let her believe it. Tears glistened in the womans eyes. But I was the one who pushed James away. Long before you. I just couldnt admit it until now.
Charlotte exhaled slowly, the weight in her chest shifting, not gone, but different.
We cant change the past, she said quietly. But maybe we can stop letting it poison the future.
They sat in silence then, two women bound by the same child, neither perfect, both trying to do better. And for the first time in years, Charlotte felt a flicker of hopenot just for peace, but for the chance to finally belong.
