You gave me an apartment, she said.
Its my apartment! Mom and the family wont let my pregnant cousin stay here.
You gave it to me, though!
You dont get itthis 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 sounded both pleading and accusatory through the earpiecetypical of Mom, who always managed to make a request feel like a guilttrip.
Mom, I want to help, but Élodie 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 what? The job market is rough right now
She doesnt even look for work! a wave of irritation washed over Élodie. Yesterday she spent the whole day in the bathroom making hair masks, then bingewatching series, and after that
Élodie, shes pregnant
She found out a month ago! And before that?
A heavy silence settled. Élodie could hear her mothers theatrical sigh, the one that meant, What an insensitive daughter, I raised you poorly.
Mom, this is my flat. You bought Aunt Valéries share for me, didnt you?
Technically, her mothers tone grew dryer, it belongs to the family. Were just allowing you to live there.
Élodie closed her eyes. Same old refrain.
I thought it was a gift for my graduation.
Of course! But you know how families work
What are we supposed to do? Élodie interrupted. Put up with Amélie eating my groceries, using my stuff, and bringing her boyfriend over when Im not there? The very man who got her pregnant, by the way.
Élodie! her mothers voice hardened. Aunt Valérie has done so much for us! When Dad was sick, who helped us? Who watched you while I worked day and night?
She sighed. Shed memorized that chantthe perpetual debt to Aunt Valérie.
Im truly grateful to her, but that doesnt mean I have to
She called me yesterday, her mother cut in, crying. She says youre harassing Amélie over trivial things.
Élodie snorted.
Trivial? She stole my new sweater without asking and stained it with juice! Then she had the nerve to say, You dont mind, were family, without even apologizing!
My God, its just a piece of clothing
Its not the sweater! her throat tightened. Its about respect, boundaries, feeling like a stranger in my own home.
A new silence fell. Then her mother whispered, trying to persuade:
Grandma would have been so disappointed. To her, family was
No, Élodie cut her off. Dont bring her into every argument.
But its true! That apartment came from her inheritance. She wanted
What? That I house Amélie forever? That I tolerate her whims? That
The phone buzzed: Aunt Valérie. Of course.
Mom, its Aunt. Probably here to tell me what a bad cousin I am.
Answer her. Be reasonable.
Fine, she sighed. Ill call back later.
She braced herself for more complaints as she let the call go.
Hello, Aunt Valérie?
My dear! a overly sweet voice sang. How are you, my sunshine?
Sunshine, Élodie grimaced. That nickname never hinted at anything good.
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 do that.
And what does family do? 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 value.
Money, always money! a hysterical note. And Amélies baby? Have you thought about that? Where will she 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 stay with you?
A poignant silence.
Its complicated. Claude works from home. And you two get along so well! It would be a great mothering experience for you.
So well, Élodie said with a bitter smile. Amélie, the eternal irresponsibility, while she, the serious one, always had to yield.
I cant keep this up. She has to leave.
What?! the voice sharpened. Shes pregnant! You want to stress her into a miscarriage?
Élodie swallowed her retorts. She wielded the ultimate weapon: borrowed guilt.
Im not kicking her out now. She has a month to
Im calling 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 sugary voice cooed. Guess who I ran into? Clara from school! She married some techrich guy. Her ringso jealousinducing!
Amélie walked in, tanned, flawless nails, designer jeans. No sign of distress.
Hey, what if we rearranged? The sofa by the window? A little nook for the baby
Élodie’s patience snapped.
Amélie, we need to talk.
Not now, okay? Amélie waved a hand. Headache. Hormones! Im going to rest.
Amélie. Élodie raised her voice. You have to leave.
Stunned silence.
Excuse me?
You have a month to find somewhere else.
You are kidding? This is our inheritance! I have as much right as you!
No. My parents bought the share. Its legal.
The family is above the law! Im pregnant!
You have your parents, the father, friends.
Im calling Mom! Amélie pulled out her phone.
Useless. Shes already called.
Amélie stared at her, hatred blazing.
Aunt Valérie and Mom will sort this out. Youll regret it!
The door slammed again.
Élodie looked out the window. Instead of guilt, a weary relief washed over her.
Her phone buzzed: a text from her mother, Aunt Valérie is devastated. What did you do?
Without answering, 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.
Nothing. Just that I didnt act sooner.
Her phone rang. Her father.
Hey, Dad.
Ive got news. We sold the apartment.
The one from Grandma? But
Amélie moved back with her parents. He let out a dry laugh. After you left, she tried to crash here, but Were done. The money is yours.
Mine?
Yes. It was your gift. Sorry we pressured you.
Tears welled up.
Thank you.
Be happy. Were proud, even if we didnt always support you.
She hung up, watching snowflakes drift over Bordeaux.
Everything okay? Théo squeezed her hand.
I think I finally became an adult.
The snow gently erased the past, opening a new chapter where she would decide who to welcome into her homeand her heart.
