Laura once again lost her peace.
One morning, the door of Lauras cosy cottage swung open abruptly, revealing a young woman standing on the threshold. She was tall and slender, with striking eyes and a defiant gaze. Laura recognised her instantlyit was Emily, her younger niece, whom she had left years ago in an orphanage.
“Auntie!” Emily said sharply, folding her arms across her chest. “Ive been looking for you for ages. They told me you lived here.”
Her voice was steady and firm, her eyes piercing Laura with an icy stare. Laura invited her niece inside, offering tea, but Emily refused, preferring to stand in the middle of the room.
“Do you remember me?” she asked bluntly, glancing around. “My name is Emily. The girl you left behind.”
Laura nodded silently, her heart tightening with painful memories. Images of that small, unruly and nervous girl flashed before herthe one she had struggled to care for.
“Why did you do it?” Emily pressed. “I was your own flesh and blood!”
She stepped closer, clenching her fists. Despite her attempt to appear strong, Laura noticed the uncertainty flickering in her eyes.
“Because I had no choice,” Laura replied calmly. “I didnt have the strength or means to care for both of you. Lucy needed me more.”
Emily frowned, her face twisting with hurt and disappointment.
“So you chose my sister over me? Just threw me away like rubbish?”
Her voice trembled with emotion, and Laura felt a pang of guilt. Years had passed, yet here she was, face to face with the consequences of her decision.
“I want money,” Emily added coldly. “Compensation for what you did.”
Lauras inner turmoil deepened. Looking at this woman, she saw someone self-assured and independent, yet still burdened by bitterness and loneliness.
“How much?” Laura asked quietly, fighting back tears.
Emily named a sum that would stretch Lauras modest finances. Silence hung between them as Laura weighed the consequences.
“Alright,” she finally said. She truly felt guiltyperhaps money could ease her conscience. And there was Lucy to think of. What might her resentful sister do next?
The story had begun long ago, when Lauras younger sister fell in with a man she should never have trusted. It was a turbulent mix of drink, reckless encounters, and unintended consequences. Even her sister hadnt expected the pregnancy. A little girl was bornLucy. When she arrived, it felt as though the world stood still just for her. Quick to smile and endlessly curious, Lucy grew up bright and happy. The family rallied around her sister, though they knew the situation was fragile. Lucy often stayed with Laura, who soon felt a deep responsibility for her niece. She taught Lucy to read, to paint, played games with her, and took her to the park, determined to give her a joyful childhood. Lucy became part of Lauras life, loved wholeheartedly.
But fate had other plans. Five years later, her sister had another childthis time by sheer accident. The second girl, Emily, was born. She struggled with speech, had tantrums, and was prone to fits of anger. Her name, gentle as it sounded, didnt match her fiery nature. It was as if she had come into the world to unsettle them all. As the girls grew, the differences between them became stark. Lucy was calm, obedient, and open-hearted. Emily? A whirlwind of defiance and frustration. The tension grew unbearable. The girls parents spiralled into drink, their home filled with shouting and neighbours complaints. Eventually, the authorities stepped inparental rights were stripped, and the girls were taken into care.
Laura faced an agonising choice. The social workers gave her an ultimatum: take both girls or neither. Her heart split in two. She desperately wanted Lucyto love her, raise her, give her the life she deserved. But taking on Emily, a troubled child she barely knew? It seemed impossible. How could she manage two such different girls?
After long nights of soul-searching, Laura made her decision. She chose Lucythe child she already loved, the one who felt like her own. It might have seemed selfish, but Laura knew she couldnt sacrifice her own well-being for a responsibility she wasnt prepared to bear.
Laura became Lucys guardian. Emily remained in the care system, forgotten.
Lucy thrived under Lauras care. They laughed, talked, and built a new life together, sometimes reminiscing about the past but always looking forward.
And now Emily stood on her doorstep.
The first feeling Laura had was joygenuine and warm.
But with it came the weight of new obligations. Emily brought needs, expectations, demands. Laura would have to find a way to support her without losing herself in the process.
There were financial strains, emotional burdens. Helping an adult, especially one in need, took its toll. Money, time, patienceit all chipped away at Lauras peace. She would have to learn to balance care for others with care for herself.
And then there were the boundaries. Emily disrupted the life Laura had built, forcing her to reassess her priorities. The stress was exhausting.
Laura had lost her peace once again.
Some choices, once made, ripple through timeleaving us to wonder if there was ever a right answer at all.
