Your family isnt our problem, her husband said coldly, shoving clothes into a suitcase.
Lily, did you send them money *again*? James stood in the bedroom doorway, a bank statement crumpled in his fist, his expression tight with fury.
Mum needed her medication, Lily answered quietly, her hands steady as she ironed his white work shirt, though her fingers trembled slightly. Her pension barely covers the bills.
How much longer is this going to go on? His voice rose. Every month, its something! Medicine for your mother, your sisters house repairs, your nephews university fees! He threw the statement onto the dresser. Were barely scraping by, and youre bankrolling half your family!
Lily set the iron down and turned to face him. Her eyes shone with unshed tears, but she kept her voice calm.
James, shes my *mother*. She raised me alone after Dad left. Worked two jobs so I could go to university. Am I really not allowed to help her now?
Helping is one thing*this* he jabbed a finger at the statement, this is too far. Three hundred quid in a month? That couldve been a proper holiday for *us*, not another weekend at your sisters!
She picked up the shirt, hanging it silently. Three years of marriage, and the same argument every time. At first, hed been kindeven supportiveof her family. But something had changed.
She remembered last year, when her mother was hospitalised. The doctors said she needed surgerysix months on the NHS, or £3,000 privately. Lily sold the gold jewellery shed saved for since university, took out a loan. James only found out later.
You didnt even *ask* me! he had shouted. Am I not your husband? Does my opinion mean nothing?
She couldve *died*, was all Lily could say.
Now, Jamess sharp tone snapped her back to the present.
Lily, are you even listening?
I am. She folded her hands in her lap. What do you want from me?
I want you to realise*we* are the family now. You and me. Not you, your mum, your sister, and every cousin in between. *I* have plans, dreams. A new car, a house in the countryside. But all our money vanishes into this black hole of *your* relatives.
She sank onto the bed. James was handsome, successfula project manager at a top firm. When theyd met, hed seemed like a prince: roses, Michelin-starred meals, sweet words. Hed *understood* her, back thenher loyalty, her obligations.
You used to say family was everything, she whispered.
*Our* family. Not he waved a hand dismissively, this never-ending parade of crises.
Her phone rang. *Emily*, her sisters name flashed on the screen.
Hello? she answered cautiously, watching James.
Lily, its bad, Emilys voice wavered. Bens crashed the car. Hes fine, thank God, but the cars a write-off. And he only just got itstill paying off the loan.
Lily paled. Is he really okay?
Just bruised. But hes shattered, love. Talking about joining the armysays hes a failure.
Well figure it out. The important thing is hes safe.
Lil could you help? Just a little? So he doesnt drown in debt?
Lily felt Jamess glare like a physical weight. She turned toward the window.
Lets talk tomorrow, Em. Its late.
She hung up. James stood with arms crossed, his expression icy.
Dont even think about it, he warned.
James, hes my *nephew*. I held him as a baby when Emily was working nights
Enough. Im *done* with this. Every week, its someones emergencyteeth, rent, tuition. When do *we* matter? When do *we* get to live?
Lily walked to the window. Children laughed in the courtyard below. She remembered being that carefreebefore her mothers health failed, before Emilys divorce left her struggling, before life grew so heavy.
Remember our first visit to Mums? she asked softly. She spent all day roasting lamb, baking treacle tart. You said youd never had potatoes that good.
Lily, dont change the subject.
Im not. Im remembering. She turned to face him. She was so happy Id found a good man. Said, *He looks at you like youre his whole world.* When we left, she tucked a jar of her blackberry jam in your coatthe one you loved.
That was years ago.
Three, she countered. Does love expire?
He wouldnt meet her eyes.
James, what changed? Why are you so different now?
Im not different. Ive just realised were being used. Your mum, your sisterthey know youll never say no.
*Used?* Her voice cracked. My mother raised me alone for *twenty years*. Worked herself to the bone so Id never go without. When I had pneumonia at uni, she took unpaid leave, slept in a hospital chair for *weeks*. Is that *using* me?
He said nothing.
She picked up the bank statement.
Three hundred pounds. Know what it paid for? Mums private cardiologistNHS wait was two months. Her prescriptions. Groceries for Emily when her youngest had flu and she lost a weeks pay.
Ive had enough, he said tiredly. It always circles back to me being the villain. The greedy one who doesnt *understand*. Maybe I just want a normal life? A life thats *ours*?
Dont we have that?
No. His voice rose. Every weekend at your mums. Every holiday at your sisters. Half my salary disappears each month. When do we exist for *us*?
She sat heavily. He wasnt wrong. But how could she abandon them?
I cant leave Mum, she whispered. Shes alone. Frail. Shes got no one but me and Emily.
You have a husband. Or you *did*.
The words hit like a verdict. She watched as he pulled shirts from the wardrobe, packed them into the suitcase.
Youre leaving?
I need to think. Seriously think. Im tired of feeling like an outsider in my own marriage.
James, we can compromise
What compromise, Lily? You help them *sometimes*? Spend *some* weekends with them? Thats not compromiseits delaying the inevitable.
Then what do you want?
A life. Were young. We couldve had children, a home, *plans*. Instead, were cleaning up everyone elses mess.
Theyre my *family*.
Not mine. He zipped the suitcase. Your family isnt our problem.
She stood by the window, hollow and aching. She loved himbut couldnt betray the people whod loved her first.
Mum asked when were visiting, she said quietly. She misses you. Said shes grateful you let me help herthinks youre a good man.
James paused, then kept packing.
Good men are rare, Lily continued. She always said family means standing together. That the strong look after the weak. Maybe shes wrong. Maybe times have changed.
They have, he agreed. And people too.
He lifted the suitcase.
Where are you going?
To my parents. I need space. You should think tooabout what *really* matters.
James, wait
Whats left to say? You wont change. I wont either. He opened the door. If you decide *were* your familycall me.
The door shut. The engine started. Then silence.
She sat on the bed, phone in hand. A text from Emily glowed: *Any news? Bens panicking. Maybe well come by tomorrow?*
Lily didnt reply. She walked to the kitchen, put the kettle on. The flat felt too quiet.
Her mother, waiting for a visit. Emily, drowning in bills. Ben, convinced hed failed. James, who wanted only to live for himself.
She didnt know the right answer. Her heart split in twoone half tethered to the family whod loved her forever, the other to the man she adored.
The kettle whistled. She poured the tea. Another text arrivedher mother this time: *Sweetheart, youve been quiet. Miss you.*
Lily dialed.
Mum? How are you feeling?
