You gave me the apartment, she said.
Its my apartment! Mom and the family are against me letting my pregnant cousin stay there.
You gave it to me!
Dont you get it? This is family! How can you treat your own niece like that? Shes pregnant and has nowhere to go!
Élodie clutched her phone in the kitchen. Her mothers voice, both pleading and accusatory, filled the earpiece. Typical mom: even when asking a favor, she made her feel guilty.
Mom, I want to help, but she hesitated, searching for words. Amélie has been living with me for eight months. Eight! Remember when Aunt Valérie said two weeks, just until she finds a job?
And then? The markets tough right now
She isnt even looking! a wave of irritation washed over Élodie. Yesterday she spent the whole day in the bathroom doing hair masks, then bingewatching series. And after that
Élodie, shes pregnant
She found out a month ago! And before that?
A heavy silence fell. Élodie heard her mothers theatrical sighthe one that meant, What an insensitive daughter, I raised you badly.
Mom, its my flat. You bought Aunt Valéries share for me, right?
Technically, her mothers tone grew dry, it belongs to the family. Were just letting you live there.
Élodie closed her eyes. Same old song.
I thought it was a gift for my graduation.
Of course! But you know in a family you have to
What do we have to do? Élodie interrupted. Put up with Amélie eating my groceries, using my stuff and bringing her boyfriend over when Im not around? The same guy who got her pregnant, by the way.
Élodie! the tone hardened. Aunt Valérie has done so much for us! When Dad was sick, who helped? Who watched you while I worked day and night?
She sighed. Shed heard that refrain a hundred times: the eternal debt to Aunt Valérie.
Im truly grateful to her. That doesnt mean I have to
She called me yesterday, her mother cut in, in tears. She says youre harassing Amélie over trivial things.
Élodie snorted.
Trivial? She took my new sweater without asking, stained it with juice, and then said, Dont be mad, were family, without even apologizing!
Its just a piece of clothing
Its not the sweater! her throat tightened. Its respect. Boundaries. Coming home and feeling like a stranger.
Silence again. Then her mother whispered, trying to persuade:
Your grandmother would have been so disappointed. To her, family meant
No, Élodie cut her off. Dont bring her into every fight.
But its true! The flat came from her inheritance. She wanted
What? That I house Amélie forever? That I put up with her whims? That
The phone buzzed: Aunt Valérie. Of course.
Mom, its Aunt. Probably to tell me what a bad cousin I am.
Answer her. Be reasonable.
Fine, she sighed. Ill call back later.
She braced herself for the inevitable scolding as she let the call go.
Hello, Aunt Valérie?
My dear! a voice overly sweet. How are you, my sunshine?
Sunshine. Élodie winced. That nickname never meant good things.
Im fine.
Amélie mentioned misunderstandings between you two?
She rolled her eyes. Misunderstandings, of course.
Aunt, you said two weeks. At most a month.
You act like a notary! she forced a laugh. Family doesnt work like that.
So what does family do? Élodie’s anger rose. Steal my stuff? Invite friends over when Im not there?
Come on Amélie is just sociable, she
Shes used to us fixing everything for her. My parents bought your share. It was a gift for me.
Not exactly, the tone chilled. Its a family inheritance. Your mother and I agreed
That youd sell your share to my parents at market price.
Money, always money! a hysterical note. And Amélies baby? Have you thought about where shell go?
She has a boyfriend. The father, by the way.
An irresponsible one! He left Lyon when he heard about the pregnancy.
She wondered why, then answered:
You have a threeroom flat, you and Uncle Claude. Why doesnt she live with you?
A loaded silence.
Its complicated. Claude works from home. And you get along so well! It would be a great maternal experience for you.
So well, Élodie smiled bitterly. Amélie, the perpetual freespirit, while she, the responsible one, always had to give in.
I cant keep this up. She has to go.
What?! the voice shrieked. Shes pregnant! You want to stress her into a miscarriage?
Élodie swallowed her insults, wielding the ultimate weapon: proxy guilt.
Im not kicking her out now. She has a month to
Ill call your mother! This is scandalous after everything weve done for you!
The line cut. Her hands trembled.
The front door slammed. Heels clicked.
Elo! a syrupy voice called. Guess who I ran into? Clara from school! She married some techrich guy. Her ringso jealous!
Amélie walked in, tan, perfect nails, designer jeans, no sign of distress.
Hey, what if we rearranged? she plopped onto a chair. Move the couch by the window? Set up a corner for the baby
Élodie stared, feeling the last strand of patience snap.
Amélie, we need to talk.
Not now, okay? she waved her hand. Headache. Hormones! Im going to rest.
Amélie. Élodie raised her voice. You have to leave.
Stunned silence.
What?
You have a month to find a place.
You youre kidding? This is our inheritance! I have as much right as you do!
No. My parents bought the share. Its legal.
Family is above the law! Im pregnant!
You have your parents. The father. Friends.
Im calling Mom! she fished out her phone.
No need. Shes already called.
Amélie glared, full of venom.
Aunt Valérie and Mom will sort this out. Youll regret it!
The door slammed again.
Élodie looked out the window. Instead of shame, a weary relief settled over her.
Her phone buzzed: a text from Mom: Aunt Valérie is devastated. What did you do?
She didnt answer; she opened a browser and typed Bordeaux apartment rentals.
Three months later, Élodie sipped coffee on Place de la Comédie, opposite Théo, her boyfriend shed met in Paris.
You dont regret anything? he asked.
No. Just that I didnt act sooner.
Her phone rangher father.
Hey, dad.
I have news. We sold the flat.
Grandmas? But
Amélie moved in with her parents. He let out a dry laugh. After you left, she tried to crash back in, but we put an end to it. The moneys yours.
Mine?
Yes. It was your gift. Sorry we put pressure on you.
Tears welled up.
Thank you.
Be happy. Were proud, even when we didnt support you.
She hung up, watching snow drift over Bordeaux.
Everything okay? Théo squeezed her hand.
I think I finally became an adult.
The snowfall gently erased the past, opening a new chapter where she would decide who to welcome into her home and into her heart.
