You gave me an apartment
Its my apartment! Mom and the family wont let me kick my pregnant cousin out
You gave it to me, though!
Dont you get it? This is family! How can you treat your own niece like that? Shes pregnant and has nowhere to go!
Elodie clutched her phone in the kitchen. Her mothers voice, both pleading and accusing, 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 staying with me for eight months. Eight! Remember when Aunt Valérie talked about two weeks, until she finds a job?
And? The markets tough right now
She isnt even looking! A wave of irritation washed over Elodie. Yesterday she spent the whole day in the bathroom making hair masks, then bingewatching series. And then
Elodie, shes pregnant
She found out a month ago! What about before that?
A heavy silence fell. Elodie heard her mothers theatrical sigh, the one that meant, What an insensitive daughter, I raised you poorly.
Mom, its my flat. You bought Aunt Valéries share for me, right?
Technically, the tone grew dry it belongs to the family. Were just allowing you to live there.
Elodie closed her eyes. Same old refrain.
I thought it was a gift for my diploma.
Of course! But you know how family works
Works how? she interrupted. By letting Amélie eat my groceries, use my stuff, and bring her boyfriend over when Im not home? The same guy who got her pregnant, by the way.
Elodie! The 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. Shed memorized that chant: the endless 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.
Elodie laughed.
Trivial? She took my new sweater without asking and stained it with juice! Then she had the nerve to say, Dont be mad, 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 your own home.
Another silence. Then her mother murmured, trying to persuade:
Your grandmother would be so disappointed. To her, family meant
No, Elodie cut her off. Dont bring her into every argument.
But its true! The apartment came from her inheritance. She wanted
What? That I host Amélie forever? That I tolerate her whims? That
The phone buzzed: Aunt Valérie. Of course.
Mom, its Aunt. Probably here to tell me how bad a cousin I am.
Answer her. Be reasonable.
Fine, she sighed. Ill call back later.
While letting the call go to voicemail, she braced herself for more accusations.
Hello, Aunt Valérie?
My dear! An overthetop voice. How are you, my sunshine?
Sunshine. Elodie grimaced. That nickname never meant good things.
Im fine.
Amélie mentioned misunderstandings between you two?
She rolled her eyes. Misunderstandings. Sure enough.
Aunt, you talked about two weeks. At most a month.
You sound like a notary! A forced laugh. Family doesnt do that.
And what does family do? Her anger rose. Steal my things? 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 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! Hysterical notes. 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 learned about the pregnancy.
I wonder why, she thought, before replying:
You own a threeroom flat, you and Uncle Claude. Why doesnt she live with you?
A telling silence.
Its complicated. Claude works from home. And you get along so well! It would be a wonderful mothertodaughter experience for you.
So well. Elodie smiled bitterly. Amélie, the eternal irresponsibility, while she, the serious one, always had to give in.
I cant keep this up. She has to go.
What?! The voice turned shrill. Shes pregnant! You want to stress her into a miscarriage?
Elodie held back her retorts. The ultimate weapon: guilt by proxy.
Im not kicking her out right 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 sugary voice. Guess who I ran into? Clara from school! She married a tech mogul. Her ring enough to make anyone jealous!
Amélie walked in, bronzed, perfect nails, designer jeans. No sign of distress.
Hey, what if we rearranged? She flopped onto a chair. Move the sofa to the window? Make a little nook for the baby?
Elodie stared, feeling the last of her patience snap.
Amélie, we need to talk.
Not now, okay? She waved her hand. Headache. Hormones! Im going to rest.
Amélie. Elodie raised her voice. You need to leave.
Shock.
What?
You have a month to find a place.
You youre kidding. This is our inheritance! I have as much right as you!
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. She already called.
Amélie stared at her, hateful.
Aunt Valérie and Mom will sort this out. Youll regret it!
The door slammed again.
Elodie looked out the window. Instead of guilt, a tired relief washed over her.
Her phone buzzed: a text from Mom Aunt Valérie is devastated. What did you do?
Without replying, she opened her browser: Apartment rentals Bordeaux.
Three months later, Elodie sipped coffee at Place de la Comédie, opposite Théo, her boyfriend shed met in Paris.
You dont regret anything? he asked.
No. Just wish Id acted sooner.
Her phone rang. Her father.
Hello, Dad.
I have news. We sold the flat.
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 put an end to it. The money is yours.
Mine?
Yes. It was your gift. Sorry we put pressure on you.
Tears rose.
Thank you.
Be happy. Were proud, even when we didnt support you.
She hung up, watching snow fall 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 home and her heart.
