You gave me an apartment
Its my apartment! Mom and the rest of the family are against letting my pregnant cousin stay under my roof.
You gave it to me, though!
Dont you get it? This is about 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 accusing, filled the earpiece. Typical mom: even when she asked for a favor, she made her feel guilty.
Mom, Im willing to help, but she hesitated, searching for words. Amélie has been living with me for eight months. Eight! Remember Aunt Valéries promise of two weeks, just until she finds a job?
And? The job market is tough right now
She isnt even looking! irritation surged through Élodie. Yesterday she spent the whole day in the bathroom making hair masks, then bingewatching series. And then
Élodie, shes pregnant
She found out a month ago! What about before that?
A heavy silence fell. Élodie heard her mothers theatrical sigh, the one that meant, What an insensitive daughter, I raised you badly.
Mom, this is my flat. You bought Aunt Valéries share for me, didnt you?
Technically, the tone grew dry it belongs to the family. Were just letting you live in it.
Élodie closed her eyes. Same old refrain.
I thought it was a gift for my graduation.
Of course! But you know how family works
What does it mean? she interrupted. That Amélie can eat my groceries, use my stuff, and bring her boyfriend over when Im not home? The very boyfriend who got her pregnant, by the way.
Élodie! her mothers voice hardened. Aunt Valérie did so much for us! When Dad was ill, who helped us? Who watched you while I worked day and night?
She sighed. She knew that script by heart: 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. crying. She says youre harassing Amélie over trivial things.
Élodie snorted.
Trivial? She took my new sweater without asking and stained it with juice! Then she had the nerve to say, Youre not mad, were family, without even apologizing!
My God, its just a piece of clothing
Its not the sweater! her throat tightened. Its about respect, about boundaries. Walking into a house and feeling like a stranger.
Another silence. 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 argument.
But its true! The apartment came from her inheritance. She wanted
What? That I house Amélie for life? That I endure her whims? That
The phone vibrated: Aunt Valérie. Of course.
Mom, its Aunt. Shes probably calling to tell me what a bad cousin I am.
Answer her. Be reasonable.
Fine, she sighed. Ill call back later.
As she passed the call, she braced herself for more accusations.
Hello, Aunt Valérie?
My dear! an overly sweet voice. How are you, my sunshine?
Sunshine. Élodie winced. That nickname never sounded promising.
Im fine.
Amélie mentioned misunderstandings between you two?
She rolled her eyes. Misunderstandings. Naturally.
Aunt, you said two weeks. A month at most.
You act like a notary! a forced laugh. Family doesnt work that way.
Then 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 having everything done for her. My parents bought your share. It was a gift to 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! hysterical notes. 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 learned about the pregnancy.
I wonder why, she thought, then replied:
You own a threeroom apartment, 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 wonderful motherhood experience for you.
So well. Élodie gave a bitter smile. Amélie, the perpetual irresponsibility, while she, the responsible one, always had to give in.
I cant keep this up. She has to leave.
What?! the voice turned shrill. Shes pregnant! Do you want to stress her into a miscarriage?
Élodie held back her insults. The ultimate weapon: guilt by proxy.
Im not kicking her out right now. She has a month to
Im calling your mother! This is scandalous! After everything weve done for you!
The line dropped. Her hands trembled.
The front door slammed. Heels clicked.
Elo! a sugary voice. Guess who I ran into? Clara from school! She married a tech millionaire. Her ring enough to make anyone jealous!
Amélie walked in, tanned, flawless nails, designer jeans. No sign of distress.
Hey, what if we rearranged? she plopped onto a chair. The couch by the window? And a little nook 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 go.
Shock.
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 outruns the law! Im pregnant!
You have your parents. The father. Friends.
Im calling Mom! she pulled out her phone.
No need. Shes already called.
Amélie stared at her, seething.
Aunt Valérie and Mom will sort this out. Youll regret this!
The door slammed again.
Élodie looked out the window. Instead of guilt, a tired relief washed over her.
Her phone buzzed. A text from her mother: Aunt Valérie is devastated. What did you do?
Without replying, she opened a browser: Apartment rentals Bordeaux.
Three months later, Élodie sipped coffee at Place de la Comédie, across from Théo, the boyfriend shed met in Paris.
You dont regret anything? he asked.
No. Just that I didnt act sooner.
Her phone rang. Her father.
Hello, Dad.
I have news. We sold the apartment.
Grandmas place? But
Amélie moved in with her parents. He let out a dry laugh. After you left, she tried to crash here, but We finally dealt with it. The money is yours.
Mine?
Yes. It was your gift. Sorry we pressured you.
Tears rose.
Thank you.
Be happy. Were proud, even when we didnt support you.
She hung up, watching the snow fall over Bordeaux.
Everything okay? Théo squeezed her hand.
I think I just became an adult. Really.
The snow gently erased the past, opening a new chapter where she would decide who to welcome into her home and into her heart.
You’ve Given Me a Home of My Own
