He married you out of pity, said her sister, stepping out of the kitchen.
They called from the school again, Marina set her teacup down with such force that tea sloshed over the rim. Miss Thompson says Katies stopped trying entirely. Sits there like a ghost.
Lena flinched, setting aside the knife shed been using to peel potatoes. Her sister stood in the doorway, arms crossed, wearing that look Lena had known since childhoodthe one that always preceded something cruel.
Maybe shes just tired? The curriculums difficult now, Lena replied quietly, picking the knife up again.
Tired? Marina scoffed. Whats she got to be tired about? Edward carries her around like a princess, you fuss over her like shes ill. And whats the result? Failing marks and notes in her planner.
Lena said nothing. Katie had changed after she and Edward married. Closed off, quiet. She used to be so bright, so full of chatterteachers praised her, classmates adored her. Now
You know what I think? Marina leaned in, sitting across from her. Katie understands. Children sense falseness better than adults.
What are you talking about? Lena looked up.
This marriage of yoursits one big lie, Marina spoke calmly, but there was steel beneath it. You think she doesnt see how you and Edward are together? Like strangers sharing a roof.
Lenas chest tightened. The potato slipped from her fingers into the sink.
We get on fine.
Dont lie to yourself. Im not blind. You dont even argue properlyjust orbit each other. He comes home, eats, watches telly. You cook, clean, tidy up. Like two lodgers in a bedsit.
Not every couple has to row, Lena kept her voice steady. Maybe were just quiet people.
Marina shook her head.
Lena, stop pretending. Youve seen how Edward looks at youor rather, how he doesnt. When you walk in, he doesnt even glance at you over his paper.
It was true. Lena had noticed long ago but refused to dwell on it. Edward barely acknowledged hera nod in the morning, a question about dinner in the evening. Conversations strictly functional, no warmth, no smiles.
Remember how he used to look at Olivia? Marina pressed.
Lena stiffened. Her sister rarely mentioned Edwards first wife.
Dont.
I will. You remember them together. How he doted on her when she was illcouldnt take his eyes off her. Hands shaking whenever the doctor spoke. And now? If youre ill, he wouldnt even fetch you an aspirin.
Lena stood, walked to the window. Rain tapped against the glass, grey streaks sliding down. She remembered the day Edward proposed. Six months after Olivias funeral. Theyd been sitting at this very table, drinking tea. Katie asleep upstairs. After a long silence, hed said,
*Lena, will you marry me? Katie needs a mother, and I I cant manage alone.*
No words of love. No romance. Just a practical solution.
He married you out of pity, Marina said, and left.
Lena stayed by the window. The words echoed. *Out of pity.* Maybe it was true. Edward had pitied hera woman past thirty, alone, no husband, no children. And shed pitied hima widower with a little girl. And now? A house without warmth. And Katie, suffering most of all.
Lena returned to the potatoes. Her hands trembled. She thought of the night shed said yes. Back then, shed believed love might follow. That being needed was enough.
Two years later, nothing had changed. Edward remained polite, grateful, distant. Sometimes she caught him looking at Olivias photograph in the parlourhis face alive with tenderness, the kind shed longed to see directed at her.
The front door slammed. Katie was home. She went straight to her roomno hello, no chatter about her day.
Lena followed. Katie sat at her desk, hunched over a textbookbut her eyes were fixed on nothing.
Sweetheart, how was school?
Fine, Katie mumbled, not looking up.
Whats your homework? Need help?
No.
Lena sat on the beds edge. Still, Katie wouldnt meet her gaze.
Darling, whats wrong? You barely talk to me anymore.
Then Katie looked up. Her eyes held a sadness too old for her years.
Whats the point? she whispered. Youll leave soon anyway.
Why would I leave?
Because Dad doesnt love you, Katie said simply. He only loved Mum. He just puts up with you.
Lenas throat tightened. So the child *did* understand. Had been carrying this, silent, afraid of losing someone else.
Katie, I wont leave. I promised.
But youre unhappy. I hear you crying at night.
Lena had no answer. She *had* criednot from anger, but from the slow dread of living someone elses life.
That evening, after Edward returned from work, she waited. They ate in silence. Katie hurried off. Edward turned on the telly.
Edward, we need to talk.
He muted the television. Something wrong?
The school rang. Katies struggling.
Right. What do you suggest?
Lena folded her hands. Dont you think its deeper than school? Maybe she senses somethings not right here.
Not following.
Were not a family. Were just sharing a house.
Edward frowned. Lena, I dont see the issue. Katies fed, clothed, cared for.
But she doesnt have happy parents, Lena said softly. Children feel that.
Edward turned to the window. What do you want me to say?
The truth. Why did you marry me?
A long pause. The clock ticked. The fridge hummed.
Because Katie needed a mother, he said at last. And I needed someone to run the house. You cook well, keep things tidy. Katie likes you.
And love?
He looked at her, something like regret in his eyes.
Lena, I never promised love. I told you why I needed a wife.
True. He *had* been clear. Shed mistaken it for shynessthought feelings would grow. But there were none.
If Olivia were alive
His face softened. But shes not.
Answer me.
If Olivia were alive, Id never have remarried, he said simply.
There it was. What shed known but feared to admit. Shed always be second. A placeholder.
Edward, what if I left?
He blinked. Why? This works.
For *you*. Not for me. Not for Katie.
Katies fine. Its just her age.
No. Shes clever. She knows whats happening. And its hurting her.
Edward paced. Lena, what do you want? For me to conjure love? It doesnt work like that.
I dont want conjured love. I want to find someone wholl love me properly.
He stopped. What about Katie?
She stays with you. But she needs a father who lives in the present.
Silence. Then Edward sat back down.
Where will you go?
Marinas, till I find work and a flat.
I wont file for divorce.
I will.
Another pause.
What do I tell Katie?
The truth. That adults make mistakes. That well always be friends, but cant live together.
Edward nodded. Alright. Maybe youre right.
That night, Lena lay awake. Starting over was terrifying. But stayingplaying a role foreverwas worse.
In the morning, she went to Katies room.
Sweetheart, I need to tell you something.
Katie eyed her warily.
Im leaving. Not because I dont love you. But because adults sometimes realise theyve made the wrong choice.
Katie said nothing.
Youll live with Dad. Ill be nearby. You can visit, call whenever.
What about Dad? Katie whispered.
Hell be alright. He needs time too.
Suddenly, Katie hugged her.
Lena, will you find a nice man? One who loves you?
I dont know, darling. But Ill try to be happy.
Good. I hated hearing you cry.
Lena packed quicklyjust essentials. Edward saw her to the door.
Lena, he said, thank you. Youre a good woman. Youll find someone better.
And youll learn to live in the present, she replied.
Marina hugged her without questions. Well done. Better late than never.
That evening, Katie called.
Lena, guess what? Dad took out Mums photo from the parlour. Said it was time. And he booked me a counsellor. Said I should talk about everything.
Thats good, sweetheart.
And he said youre brave. That hes proud to have known you.
Lena smiledproperly, for the first time in years.
Perhaps Marina was right. Edward *had* married her out of pity. But Lena didnt need pity anymore. She needed love. And now, she had a chance to find it.
