You gave me that apartment, she said.
Its my apartment! Mom and the rest of the family are against me putting my pregnant cousin out on the street.
You handed it to me, remember?
You dont get it, do you? Were talking 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 while her mothers voice, both pleading and accusatory, echoed through the earpiece. Typical mother: even when she asked a favor, she shamed her.
Mom, Im willing to help, but Élodie faltered, searching for the right words. Amélie has been living with me for eight months. Eight! Do you recall Aunt Valérie saying just two weeks, until she finds a job?
And what? The job market is rough right now
She isnt even looking! a wave of irritation swept over Élodie. Yesterday she spent the whole day in the bathroom doing hair masks, then bingewatching series. And after that
Élodie, shes pregnant
She found out a month ago! And before that?
A heavy silence fell. Élodie heard the theatrical sigh from her motherthe one that said, What an insensitive daughter, I raised you poorly.
Mom, its my flat. You bought Aunt Valéries share for me, didnt you?
Technically, the tone grew dryer, it belongs to the family. Were merely letting you live there.
Élodie shut her eyes. Same old refrain.
I thought it was a gift for my diploma.
Of course! But you know, in a family you have to
What do we have to do? she interrupted. Put up with Amélie raiding my pantry, using my stuff and bringing her boyfriend over when Im not home? The very boyfriend who got her pregnant, by the way.
Élodie! the voice hardened. Aunt Valérie has done so much for us! When dad was ill, who helped us? Who watched you while I worked day and night?
She exhaled. She knew that chorus by heart: the eternal debt to Aunt Valérie.
Im truly grateful to her, but that doesnt mean I have to
She called me yesterday, her mother cut in, in tears. 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, You dont mind, were family, without even apologizing!
My God, its just a piece of clothing
Its not about the sweater! her throat tightened. Its about respect, about boundaries. Coming home and feeling like a stranger.
Another silence. Then her mother murmured, persuasive:
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 forever? That I tolerate her whims? That
The phone buzzedAunt 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 the reproach as she let the call go to voicemail.
Hello, Aunt Valérie?
My dear! an overenthusiastic voice chimed. How are you, my sunshine?
Sunshine, Élodie winced. The nickname didnt bode well.
Im fine.
Amélie mentioned some misunderstandings between us?
She rolled her eyes. Misunderstandings. Naturally.
Aunt, you talked about two weeks. At most a month.
You count like a notary! a forced laugh escaped. 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 us solving everything for her. My parents bought your share. It was a gift for me.
Not exactly, the tone chilled. Its family inheritance. Your mother and I agreed
That youd sell your share to my parents at market price.
Money, always money! a hysterical note slipped in. 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.
She thought, I wonder why, before replying:
You own a threeroom flat with Uncle Claude. Why doesnt she stay with you?
A telling silence.
Its complicated. Claude works from home. And you two get along so well! It would be a wonderful mothering experience for you.
So well. Élodie managed a bitter smile. Amélie, the perpetual irresponsible, while she, the serious one, always had to concede.
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 her 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 called. Guess who I ran into? Clara from school! She married some techrich guy. Her ringso envyinducing!
Amélie entered, bronzed, flawless nails, designer jeansno sign of distress.
Hey, what if we rearranged the place? she plopped onto a chair. Move the couch by the window? Make a little nook for the baby
Élodie stared, feeling the last of her patience snap.
Amélie, we need to talk.
Not now, okay? Headache. Hormones! Im going to rest.
Amélie. she raised her voice. You have to go.
Shock.
What?
You have a month to find somewhere else.
You youre 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! she snatched her phone.
Useless. Shes already called.
Amélie glared, spiteful.
Aunt Valérie and Mom will sort this out. Youll regret it!
The door slammed again.
Élodie looked out the window. Instead of guilt, a tired relief washed over her.
Her phone buzzed: a text from MomAunt Valérie is devastated. What did you do?
Without replying, she opened a browser and typed Apartment rentals Bordeaux.
Three months later, Élodie sipped coffee on 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 rangher father.
Hey, dad.
I have news. We sold the apartment.
The one that belonged to Grandma? But
Amélie moved back with her parents. He let out a dry laugh. After you left, she tried to crash back in, but we had enough. The money is yours.
Mine?
Yes. It was your gift. Sorry we put you under pressure.
Tears welled up.
Thank you.
Be happy. Were proud, even when we didnt back you up.
She hung up, watching snowflakes drift over Bordeaux.
Everything okay? Théo squeezed her hand.
I think I just became an adult, for real.
The snow gently erased the past, opening a new chapter where she would decide who to welcome into her homeand her heart.
