He only married you out of pity, her sister said before walking out of the kitchen.
They called from school about Katie again, Marina set her cup down so sharply that tea sloshed over the edge. Her teacher says shes stopped trying. Just sits there like a ghost.
Lena flinched, putting down the knife shed been using to peel potatoes. Her sister stood in the doorway, arms crossed, wearing the same expression Lena had known since childhoodthe one that always came before something cruel.
Maybe shes just tired? The curriculums difficult these days, Lena murmured, picking the knife back up.
Tired? Marina scoffed. Whats she got to be tired of? Edward treats her like a princess, and you tiptoe around her like shes made of glass. And for what? Bad marks and notes in her planner.
Lena stayed silent. Katie *had* changed after she and Edward married. Gone quiet, withdrawn. Before, shed been bright, chattyteachers praised her, classmates adored her. Now
You know what I think? Marina leaned in, settling at the table. Katie *knows*. Children sense falsehoods better than adults.
What are you on about? Lena finally looked up.
That this marriage of yours is one big lie. Her sisters voice was calm, but edged with steel. 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, splashing into the bowl.
Were fine.
Dont lie to yourself! Im not blind. You dont even argue, dont *fight*. Just coexist. Edward comes home, eats, watches telly. You cook, clean, tidy up. Like flatmates, not husband and wife.
Not every couple shouts at each other, Lena kept her voice steady. Maybe were just quiet people.
Marina shook her head.
You *know* how Edward looks at youor rather, how he *doesnt*. When you walk in, he doesnt even glance up from his paper.
It was true. Lena had noticed long ago but pushed the thought away. Edward barely registered her. A nod in the morning, a quick whats for dinner? at night. Just practicalitiesno warmth, no smiles.
Remember how he looked at Olivia? Marina pressed.
Lena flinched. Her sister rarely brought up Edwards first wife.
Dont.
I *will*. You saw them together. How he doted on her when she was illcouldnt take his eyes off her. Hands shaking whenever the doctor spoke. Now? You could be feverish, and he wouldnt fetch you so much as a paracetamol.
Lena stood, moving to the window. Rain streaked the glass in grey rivulets. She remembered that evening, six months after Olivias funeral, when Edward had proposed. Theyd been drinking tea, Katie asleep upstairs. After a long silence, hed said:
*Lena marry me. Katie needs a mother. And I I cant do this alone.*
No words of love. No tenderness. Just a solution to a problem.
He married you out of pity, Marina said before leaving.
The words echoed in Lenas mind. *Out of pity.* Was it true? Had Edward pitied hera woman past thirty, alone, childless? Had she pitied *him*, a widower with a little girl? And nowthis hollow marriage, this cold house. And Katie, suffering most of all.
Her hands trembled as she peeled. That night, shed thought love might come later. That being *needed* was enough.
Two years had passed. Nothing changed. Edward remained polite, distant. Sometimes, shed catch him staring at Olivias photo in the sitting roomhis face alive with tenderness, the kind shed craved for herself.
The front door clicked. Katie was home. No cheerful greeting, no chatter about her dayjust silence.
Lena found her at her desk, hunched over a textbook, unmoving.
Sweetheart, how was school?
Fine, Katie mumbled, not looking up.
Need help with homework?
No.
Lena sat on the beds edge. Katie still wouldnt meet her eyes.
Talk to me. Whats wrong?
Finally, Katie turned. The sadness in her gaze was too old for a child.
Why bother? she whispered. Youll leave soon anyway.
Why would I leave?
Because Dad doesnt love you. Simple, matter-of-fact. He only loved Mum. Youre just *there*.
Lenas throat closed. So the child *had* seen everything. Had stayed quiet, afraid of losing someone else.
I wont leave. I promised.
But youre unhappy. Ive heard you crying at night.
Lena had no answer. She *had* criednot from anger, but from the crushing weight of living someone elses life.
That evening, after Edward returned from work, Lena waited. They ate in silence. Katie bolted upstairs. Edward turned on the telly.
We need to talk, Lena finally said.
He muted the TV, frowning. Something wrong?
School rang. Katies struggling.
Right. What do you suggest?
She folded her hands. Maybe its not school. Maybe she feels somethings off in this family.
Edwards frown deepened. Whats *that* supposed to mean?
That were not a family. Were just sharing a house.
He exhaled sharply. Lena, I dont follow. Katies fed, clothed, cared for
But she doesnt have *happy* parents, Lena said softly. Children feel that.
Edward turned away, staring out the window. What do you want me to say?
The truth. Why did you marry me?
Silence. The clock ticked. The fridge hummed.
Katie needed a mother, he said at last. I needed someone to run the house. Youre a good cook. You keep things tidy. Katie likes you.
And love?
He met her eyesregret flickered there. I never promised love.
She knew that. But shed hoped.
If Olivia were alive
His face changed. Softened.
But shes not.
Answer me.
If she were alive, he said quietly, Id never have remarried.
There it was. The truth shed feared. Shed always be second.
What if I left?
Edward blinked. Why? This works.
For *you*. Not for me. Not for Katie.
Katie had nothing to do with it, he argued. Just teenage moods.
No, Lena said. She *knows*. And its hurting her.
He paced. You want me to *force* love? Thats not how it works.
I dont want forced love. I want to find someone who *does* love me.
Edward stopped. And Katie?
She stays with you. But she needs a father whos *present*not stuck in the past.
A long silence. Then:
Where will you go?
To Marinas. Until I find work, a flat.
I wont file for divorce.
I will.
Another pause.
What do I tell Katie?
The truth. That adults make mistakes. That well still be friends.
Edward nodded. Alright. Maybe youre right.
That night, Lena lay awake. Starting over terrified herbut staying terrified her more.
In the morning, she found Katie before school.
Sweetheart, I need to tell you something.
Katie tensed.
Im moving out. Not because I dont love you. But sometimes grown-ups realise theyve made the wrong choice.
Katie was quiet.
Youll live with Dad. Ill be nearby. You can visit, call anytime.
What about Dad?
Hell be okay. 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 when you cried.
She packed lightly. Edward saw her to the door.
Lena, he said awkwardly. Youre a good woman. Youll find better.
And youll learn to live in the present, she replied.
Marina hugged her without questions. Better late than never.
That evening, Katie called.
Dad took Mums photo down. Said it was time. And he booked me a therapist. Said I should talk about everything.
Thats good, sweetheart.
He also said youre brave. That hes proud to have known you.
Lena smiledproperly, for the first time in years.
Maybe Marina was right. Maybe Edward *had* married her out of pity. But she didnt need pity anymore. She needed love.
And now, she had a chance to find it.
