You gave me an apartment.
Its my apartment! Mom and the rest of the family are against me throwing my pregnant cousin out the door.
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!
Élodie clutched her phone in the kitchen while her mothers voicehalf pleading, half accusingfilled the earpiece. Typical mum: even when she asks for a favor she makes you feel guilty.
Mom, I want to help, but she faltered, searching for the right words. Amélie has been living with me for eight months. Eight! Remember when Aunt Valérie said two weeks, just until she finds a job?
And then? The markets tight right now
She isnt even looking! a wave of irritation washed over Élodie. Yesterday she spent the whole day in the bathroom doing hair masks, then bingewatching shows. And later
Élodie, shes pregnant
She found out a month ago! What about before that?
A heavy silence settled. Élodie heard her mothers theatrical sigh, the one that meant, What a heartless daughter, I raised you wrong.
Mom, its my flat. You bought Aunt Valéries share for me, didnt you?
Technically, the tone grew dryer, it belongs to the family. Were just letting you live there.
Élodie closed her eyes. Same old refrain.
I thought it was a gift for my graduation.
Of course! But you know how families work
What are they supposed to do? Élodie interrupted. Tolerate Amélie eating my groceries, using my stuff, and bringing her boyfriend over when Im not here? The very guy who got her pregnant, mind you.
Élodie! the voice hardened. Aunt Valérie has done so much for us! When dad was ill, who helped us? Who watched you when I worked day and night?
She sighed again. She knew that chant by heart: the endless debt to Aunt Valérie.
Im grateful, truly. 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 scoffed.
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!
Its just a piece of clothing
Its not the sweater! her throat tightened. Its about respect. Boundaries. Walking into my own home 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 fight.
But its true! The flat came from her inheritance. She wanted
What? For me to house Amélie forever? To put up with her whims? To
The phone buzzed: Aunt 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.
As she let the call go, she braced herself for more accusations.
Hello, Aunt Valérie?
My dear! a toosweet voice chimed. How are you, my sunshine?
Sunshine. Élodie winced. That nickname never sounded good.
Im fine.
Amélie mentioned misunderstandings between us?
She rolled her eyes. Misunderstandings, of course.
Aunt, you talked about two weeks. At most a month.
You sound like a notary! she forced a laugh. Family doesnt work like that.
So what does family do? anger rose. Steal my things? Invite friends over when Im not home?
Come on Amélie is just sociable, she
Shes used to us fixing everything for her. My parents bought your share. It was a gift to 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! she snapped. 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 she was pregnant.
She wondered why, then answered:
You have a threeroom flat, you and Uncle Claude. Why doesnt she stay with you?
A telling silence followed.
Its complicated. Claude works from home. And you two get along so well! It would be a great motherhood experience for you.
So well, Élodie said with a bitter smile. Amélie, the perpetual irresponsible, while she, the responsible one, always had to give in.
I cant keep this up. She has to leave.
What?! the voice shrieked. Shes pregnant! Do you want to stress her into a miscarriage?
Élodie swallowed her retorts. She wielded the ultimate weapon: guilt by proxy.
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 cooed. Guess who I just ran into? Clara from school! She married some techrich guy. Her ring pure envy!
Amélie strutted in, bronzed, flawless nails, designer jeans. No sign of distress.
Hey, what if we rearranged? Put 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? she waved a hand. Headache. Hormones! Im going to rest.
Amélie. Élodie raised her voice. You have to go.
A gasp.
What?
You have a month to find a place.
You youre joking? This is our inheritance! I have as much right as you do!
No. My parents bought the share. Its legal.
Family is above the law! Im pregnant!
You have your parents. The father. Friends.
Im calling Mom! she fished out her phone.
Useless. Shes already called.
Amélie glared, venomous.
Aunt Valérie and Mom will sort this out. Youll regret it!
The door slammed shut.
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 tab: Apartment rentals Bordeaux.
Three months later, Élodie sipped coffee on Place de la Comédie, opposite Théo, her boyfriend shed met in Paris.
Do you have any regrets? he asked.
No. Just wish Id acted sooner.
Her phone rang. It was 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 had enough. The money is yours.
Mine?
Yes. It was your gift. Sorry for the pressure.
Tears welled up.
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 finally 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.
