Get out! Leave my flat this instant! I wont let you hurt my child! Victorias voice cracked, the edges of her anger sharp as broken glass. If you cant treat your own son without sacrificing someone else, go back to your exwife. You have no place in our family with Ellie!
Matthews face flushed crimson. Its you who ruined everything! he shouted, stabbing his finger toward her. Because of your stubbornness Ive lost contact with my daughter! Shes suffering because of you!
Out, now! Victoria snapped, pointing at the doorway. Immediately!
***
Mum, I finished it! The seventh Harry Potter book! Ellie burst from the hallway, clutching the worn paperback to her chest.
Victoria tore herself away from the laptop, eyes softening as she watched her elevenyearold stand at the threshold, eyes alight with excitement.
Really? How was it? Victoria asked, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
Its amazing! Im speechless, Mum! Ellie flopped onto the sofa, the book still pressed to her face. Especially the last one, when everything finally clicks! Imagine, Mumgoing to a real school of magic!
Victoria wrapped an arm around Ellies shoulders, feeling the familiar rush of nostalgia. Shed devoured those same stories as a teenager, lost in the wizarding world night after night. Now her daughter shared that secret, opening a new realm they could explore together.
I know the feeling, Victoria said, kissing the top of Ellies head. I dreamed of that when I was your age.
Ellie rested her cheek against Victorias shoulder, sighing wistfully. Its a shame we cant actually get there.
Victoria pressed a gentle kiss to her daughters hair, determined to give her something speciala gift that would keep her eyes off the glowing screens that distracted most kids her age.
A few days later, scrolling through an online marketplace, Victorias eyes landed on a massive, detailed Hogwarts construction set: towers, great halls, tiny figurines1,500 pieces of pure magic. It was priced at just under £9,000. She hesitated, the sum a small fortune, but then clicked Add to basket and completed the purchase with her credit card. Ellie deserved it.
Three days later Victoria carried a huge box into the living room. The moment Ellie saw it, she let out a shriek of pure delight that seemed to shake the walls.
Mum! Is this really for me? Ohmygod!!!
Youre welcome, love.
Ellie threw herself around Victorias neck, hugging her tightly before dropping to the floor, hands trembling as she ripped open the packaging. Victoria watched, her heart swelling with the simple joy of the moment.
That same weekend, PoppyMatthews thirteenyearold daughter from his first marriagearrived for her usual visit. Victoria tried to be warm, but an invisible barrier always lingered between them.
Poppy stepped into the flat, exchanged a quick hello with her father, and drifted into Ellies room. A minute later, a voice rang out.
Where did you get that?
Victoria stiffened, the tone in her stepdaughters voice prickly.
Mom gave it to me! Ellie replied, beaming. Ive read all seven Potter books, and she bought this set for me. Look how massive it isIve already built half of it.
Poppy fell silent. Victoria passed the doorway, catching the flicker of envy cross Poppys faceeyebrows knit, lips pressed. The glance was a mix of jealousy and hurt.
Later, as Ellie prepared for bed, Poppy slipped into the kitchen, her voice tinged with pleading.
Dad, why dont I get a set too? she asked, the words almost a whine.
Matthew looked up from his phone.
What set?
The one Ellie has. Its not fairshe gets everything, and I get nothing!
He grimaced, tension tightening his shoulders.
Sweetie, Ill get you something next time, okay?
No! Poppy stomped, eyes flashing. I want that one right now. You dont love me!
Matthew sighed heavily, rose from the table, and headed toward Ellies bedroom, his steps heavy with dread.
Ellie, his voice called from the doorway, lovely, could you share the set with Poppy? Even let her build half of it?
Its my gift, Ellie replied stubbornly, clutching the box to her chest. Im putting it together myself.
But youre a kind girl, Matthew pressed. Poppys already hurting because you and her mum split up. A little generosity would mean a lot.
Victoria tossed the washing into the sink and rushed in, the room thick with tension. Matthew loomed over Ellie, his massive frame casting a shadow, while Ellie sat on the floor, the unfinished castle spread around her.
Matthew, this is my daughters present. I paid for it with my own money. Poppy cant just demand someone elses gift because she wants it, Victoria said, keeping her voice steady.
From the hallway came a sob. Poppy stood in the doorway, tears streaming down her cheeks.
You dont love me! You stole my dad! she screamed, pointing at Victoria. I want to go home!
She bolted for the kitchen, wailing. Matthew followed, his gaze heavy with anger.
Ellie stared at her mother, her eyes wide and bewildered.
Mum, what was that?
Victoria sank onto the floor beside her, wrapping arms around the trembling girl. She couldnt find the perfect wordshow could she explain the tangled web of a divorce, a halfsplintered family, a teenage daughter using manipulation? All she could do was hold Ellie close, running her fingers through the girls hair.
Itll be okay, love. Everything will be alright.
Later, in the bedroom, Matthew appeared, his face a mask of gloom, jaw clenched.
Victoria, give the set to Poppyjust for the time shes staying with us, he demanded, his tone hard, stripped of any former softness. My other daughter is already suffering because Im not around. And now Ellies flaunting this gift in front of her.
Something ignited inside Victoria.
What does this have to do with me or Ellie? she shot back, standing, arms crossed. You left your wife when I wasnt even on the horizon. Raising your daughter is your responsibility, not mine. Im not here to sacrifice my childs happiness for your whims.
Your whims? Matthew roared, his face turning a shade of red. Youre a heartless selfish witch, Victoria! Youre turning Ellie against Poppy! Youre tearing my family apart!
He stormed into Ellie’s room, the little girl shrieking as he snatched the set and hurled it onto the floor. The castle shattered, pieces scattering, some delicate structures snapping into fragments.
Ellie began to sob, her cries piercing the air.
Victorias world narrowed to a red veil. She seized Matthews hand, pulling him toward her.
Get out! Leave my flat now! I wont let you hurt my daughter! she shouted, voice raw. If you care about your child, go back to your exwife. You have no place here with Ellie!
Its you who ruined everything! Matthew yelled, pointing a finger at her. Because of you Ive lost contact with my daughter! Shes suffering because of you!
Out, now! Victoria snapped, gesturing to the door. Immediately!
Two hours later, Matthew and Poppy were gone, leaving no trace of their presence.
Victoria spent the night soothing Ellie, rubbing her hair, kissing her tearstreaked cheeks, whispering that she was not to blame. When Ellie finally drifted to sleep, Victoria gathered the broken pieces, trying to mend what she could with trembling hands.
At dawn, still halfasleep, she opened the Gov.uk portal and filed for divorce. A cold resolve settled over hershe had never imagined her marriage would end like this. Perhaps men just werent her luck, but shed rather be alone than endure such chaos.
Matthew sent endless messages, apologies, begging for a meeting, but Victoria answered only the legal questions, ignoring everything else.
A month later the papers were signed. The exhusband finally vanished from her life. Victoria turned to Ellie with a hopeful grin.
Sunshine, shall we pop over to the bookshop?
Ellie’s eyes lit up.
In a cosy shop on Camden High Street, Victoria bought a limitededition Harry Potter collection, a Gryffindor cloak that felt like the real thing, and an interactive wand that sparked with a flick. Ellie beamed, slipping into the cloak and twirling the wand as if she were about to cast a spell.
They left the shop laden with bags, the evening air crisp. Victoria felt a sudden lift, as if a weight had been lifted. She was happyfor herself and for her daughter. Together, just the two of them, they faced the world. Free at last.
