Either You Let My Brother Move Into Our Flat, or Pack Your Bags and Get Out!” My Husband Demanded

“Either you let my brother move into your flat, or pack your bags and get out!” snapped the husband.

Victoria had stayed at work two hours late that evening. Two new clients had booked appointments based on glowing recommendations.

“We only want you, Victoria! Youre the best hairdresser in town!” Their words had made her smile all the way home.

Maybe it really was time to take the leap and open her own salon. Enough waiting for “the right moment.”

Lost in thought, she barely noticed the walk home. But as she stepped into the hallway of their London flat, unfamiliar voices drifted from inside. She paused, then pushed the door openonly to freeze on the threshold. A battered rucksack lay in the corridor, muddy boots sprawled across the floor, and the sharp reek of stale beer hung in the air.

“Vicky, look whos back! Its Simon!” Her husband, James, leaned out from the kitchen with a strange, forced grin.

His younger brother sat slumped on the kitchen sofa, staring blankly at the tablethe same Simon whod left four years ago to move in with a dancer from some nightclub.

“Hi,” Simon muttered without looking up.

“Mum, whos that?” whispered her daughter, Lily, fresh from ballet class.

“Thats your uncle Simon,” Victoria said carefully. “You were too little to remember him.”

“Whys he so weird?” Lilys voice dropped lower.

“Go to your room, love. Well talk later.”

Victoria locked herself in the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face. The woman in the mirror looked exhausted. She absently touched her rootsthey needed touching up, but that wasnt what weighed on her now.

Four years ago, when Simon walked out, shed seen how it shattered James. Hed barely spoken to his parents for weeks, blaming them for driving his brother away. Eventually, hed closed the subject entirelyno more calls, no mentions. But now, it seemed, everything had changed.

James followed her into the bedroom, hesitating before speaking.

“Hes staying with us. Just for a bit. Hes in a bad wayhis wife cheated, they split. He cant go to Mum and Dads.”

“You decided this without asking me?” Victoria turned sharply. “You think thats fair?”

“What was there to discuss? Hes my brother. Hes got nowhere else.”

“We have a teenage daughter, James! Have you seen the state hes in? You think its right for her to see this every day?”

“Thats why he needs usfamily!” James met her eyes for the first time that evening. “You know I cant abandon him.”

“How long?”

“As long as it takes.”

“And what about Lily? Did you even think”

“Vicky, enough!” James raised his voicesomething hed never done before. “Hes my brother. My little brother. I wont leave him like this.”

Victoria opened her mouth but stopped. Something in his tone silenced her. In fourteen years together, shed never heard that edge before.

“Fine,” she turned to the window. “But he doesnt drink here. And he finds a job.”

James left without another word. Through the wall, she heard murmurs from the kitchenlow, deliberate, as if ensuring she wouldnt overhear.

It was past midnight when the voices finally faded. Victoria lay awake, listening to footsteps pacing the hall. James didnt come to bed for hourslikely arranging Simon on the sofa.

“Itll be alright,” he whispered, sliding under the covers. But she wasnt so sure anymore.

Morning brought the stench of stale beer in the kitchen. Victoria quietly made Lilys breakfast, ignoring the empty bottles and overflowing ashtray.

By the end of the month, their kitchen had become a round-the-clock pub for two.

“Mum, off to school,” Lily whispered, sidestepping her snoring uncle with her bag clutched tight. These days, she barely stayed homejoining clubs, staying with friends.

Victoria watched her hurry out, fury simmering inside.

Their “temporary guest” had dismantled years of their family lifecosy evenings, shared meals, Lilys laughter.

“Morning,” James strode in, already suited. “Coffee?”

“Leftover. From yesterday.” She nodded at the pot. “We need to talk.”

“Not nowIm late.” He grimaced at the cold brew.

“When, James? Youre always late. And at night, youre glued to Simon.”

He paused at the door. “Whatre you getting at?”

“That this cant go on. Were not running a charity for a grown man!”

“Hes depressed, Vicky. Cant you see hes a mess?”

“And what about us? Lily barely comes home. Youve changed.”

James set down his cup. “Lets talk tonight. Calmly.”

“No. Now.” She blocked the door. “I want Simon out in a week. He can rent a place, get a jobbut not on our dime!”

“Youre serious?” Jamess eyes darkened. “Youd throw my brother onto the street?”

“Im saying we stop being his free B&B! Hes not even trying!”

“He needs time!”

“How much? A year? A lifetime?” Her voice rose. “Do you even see what this is doing to us?”

“And do you see that hes my family too?” James snapped. “I wont abandon himnot even for you.”

“So thats your choice?” Tears spilled over.

“Its not a choice. Its duty. But youd never understand.”

He left, gently shutting the door behind him. Simons snores rumbled from the sofa. Victoria sank onto a chair, staring at Jamess abandoned coffee.

He used to kiss her goodbye every morning.

A week passed in silence. Victoria left early, returned late. James pretended not to noticetoo busy with Simon, whispering over pints. Lily tiptoed around them, met with clipped reassurances: “Its fine, love. Dont worry.”

At night, lying awake, Victoria caught fragments through the wall: “She doesnt get it family sticks together youre too soft on her”

Then, on Friday, James came home early. Simon dozed in the lounge; Lilys music hummed from her room.

Victoria stirred soup at the stove, the rhythm steadying her thoughts.

“Ive figured it out,” James leaned in the doorway. “A solution that works for everyone.”

She kept stirring. Silence had become easier.

“He can live in your flat.”

Her spoon stilled. That flat was her safety netleft to her by her godmother before theyd married. Hers alone.

“Its rented,” she said evenly.

“So? Give them notice. Theyll find somewhere else.”

“James, theyve paid a year upfront. Two little kids. I wont do it.”

“Fine. Then Simon stays here. No discussion!” He shrugged. “Your call.”

Victoria dried her hands slowly. “Youd really evict a family for him?”

“What choice do I have? You wanted him out.”

“I wanted him to grow up! Not leech off us!”

Jamess fists clenched. “Dont you dare talk about him like that!”

She studied himthe rage, the blind loyalty. This wasnt just helping a brother. It was a choice. And hed made it.

“Alright,” she smiled faintly. “I understand.”

He blinked, thrown. “Understand what?”

“Everything. Dinners ready. Call Simon.”

Later, alone, she dialled a number. “Marina? That solicitor you mentionedI need an appointment.”

Three weeks passed. Victoria barely came home, taking extra shifts, enrolling in courses. Lily stayed with her grandmother”studying for exams.”

James didnt mind. The flat was theirs nowfootball, takeaway, laughter she wasnt part of.

Mornings revealed the aftermath: beer bottles, pizza boxes, cigarette butts in mugs. James kissed Simons head before work. Not her.

Then, one evening, James burst in, beaming.

“Great news! Simons moving out!”

Victoria nearly dropped her tea. “Really?”

“Yep! Said he wont mooch off us anymore. Even found some work!”

“Thats wonderful.” Hope flickered. Maybe things could mend.

“Just one thing” James plopped onto a chair. “Well need your flat for him. Give your tenants a months notice. Well cover their moving costs.”

Her hope died. “Weve been over this. No.”

“But its different now! Hes trying!”

James shot up, sending his chair crashing back. “Youd really say no? After everything?”

“Id say no to uprooting a family for a man who wont help himself.”

James grabbed a mug and hurled it against the wall. Porcelain exploded.

“Right