Why Should I Cook for Everyone? It’s Just Me and Annie from Now On!” – Nikita Fumed. “Because in This Family, It’s Every Man for Himself—So Live With It!

Im not cooking for everyone anymore! Just for me and Annie. And whys that? Nikita scowled. Because in this family, as Ive come to realise, everyones out for themselves. So live like that, then!

Mum, wheres my breakfast? Yana barged into the bedroom without knocking. Ill be late for school!

Nina tried to sit up, but her head spun. The thermometer read thirty-eight point seven. Her throat burned, her chest rattled.

Yana, Im ill Grab something from the fridge.

Theres nothing in there! Just yoghurts for the little one! Her daughter stood in the doorway, arms crossed. Its always about her!

From the nursery came a wail. Annie had woken up. Nina forced herself to stand. Her legs wobbled, spots danced before her eyes.

Nina, wheres my shirt? Nikita poked his head out of the bathroom. The blue striped one?

Should be in the wardrobe

Its not! Did you iron it yesterday?

Nina leaned against the wall. Yesterday, shed spent the whole day with a fever, trying to care for their youngest.

No, didnt get round to it.

Brilliant! Ive got a meeting! He slammed the bathroom door in irritation.

Annies cries grew louder. Nina shuffled to the nursery, scooped her up. The little girl clung to her, sniffling.

Mum! Yana shouted from the kitchen. Theres literally nothing here! Not even bread!

Moneys on the table, buy something on your way.

Im not stopping at the shop! Ive got a test! And anyway, its your job to feed us!

Nina wordlessly walked to the kitchen, Annie in her arms. She pulled frozen burgers from the freezer, slapped a pan on the hob.

And make pasta! Yana ordered, glued to her phone.

While breakfast sizzled, Nikita emerged from the bedroom in a crumpled shirt.

Had to wear this one. Look like a right mess. Cheers for that!

Nina stayed silent. Speaking hurt, and she had no energy left for explanations.

Its Charlottes birthday today, Yana announced, scooping pasta onto her plate. Im going round after school. Back late.

Yana, Im really poorly. Could you stay and help with your sister?

Yeah, right! Ive been waiting months for this party! And anyway, I didnt ask for a sister! Thats your problem!

She grabbed her bag and stormed out, slamming the door.

Nikita scrolled through his phone, finishing breakfast.

Nik, could you come home early? I feel awful.

Cant. Work drinks after. Priorities, you know.

But Im ill

Take something. Paracetamol or whatever. Youre not bedridden. Tough it out.

He pecked her sweaty forehead and left.

Nina was alone with their three-year-old. Annie demanded attention, food, play. Nina moved on autopilot, feeling her strength drain.

By lunch, her fever hit thirty-nine. She somehow fed the child, put her down for a nap, and collapsed on the sofa. Her head pounded, her heart raced.

Her phone buzzed. A message from Yana: Mum, send money for Charlottes present. Now!

Nina didnt reply. Couldnt even lift the phone.

Nikita returned first, tipsy and cheerful, clutching a corner-shop bag.

Got some lager and crisps! Matchs on! He flopped onto the sofa, flicked on the telly.

Nik, feed Annie, please. I cant move.

That bad? He finally looked at her. Whyre you so red?

Fever. All day

Well, call an ambulance if its that bad. Wheres Annie?

In her cot. Shell wake soon.

Fine, Ill feed her. When shes up.

Half an hour later, Annie woke crying for Mum. Nikita grudgingly paused the telly, picked her up.

Whats all this? Come to Dad!

But the toddler squirmed for Nina, wailing louder. Nikita panicked.

Nina, she wants you!

Give her a biscuit from the cupboard. And juice.

Where? I cant find anything!

She forced herself up. The room swayed; she grabbed the wall. Nina fetched the biscuit, poured juice. Annie calmed slightly.

Yana rolled in past midnight. Nina hadnt sleptthe fever wouldnt let her.

Why didnt you reply? Yana started from the doorstep. Had to borrow money from Charlottes mum! So embarrassing!

Yana, Ive had a fever all day

So? Too hard to pick up your phone? Two seconds!

Next morning, Nina woke to Nikita shaking her shoulder.

Nina, get up! Ive got work, and Annies screaming!

The fever had broken, but weakness remained. Nina rose, dressed Annie.

What about breakfast? Nikita asked.

Make it yourself. Im taking Annie to nursery.

Myself? I dont know how! No time!

Youll learn.

Something in her tone shut him up. He grumbled and stomped to the kitchen.

When Nina returned, the house was a tip. Dirty dishes, scattered clothes, unmade beds. Normally, shed clean immediately. Not today.

She showered, drank tea, and went back to bed.

That evening, the family gathered for dinner. Or rather, round an empty table.

Mum, whats for dinner? Yana asked.

Dunno. Whatever you make.

What? Yanas eyes widened.

Exactly. Im not cooking for everyone anymore. Just me and Annie.

Whys that? Nikita scowled.

Because in this family, Ive realised, its every man for himself. So crack on!

Nina, are you serious? He tried to hug her, but she stepped back.

Im done being your skivvy! Yesterday proved Im just unpaid staff to you lot.

Mum, I said sorry! Yana lied.

No, you didnt. Neither did Dad. No one even asked how I was.

Fine, sorry! Yana huffed. So we just starve now?

Fridge is full. Youve got hands. Cook.

The first week was chaos. Yana threw tantrums, Nikita sulked and slammed doors. Nina held firm. Cooked only for herself and Annie, washed only their clothes, cleaned only the nursery.

Mum, my jeans are filthy! Everythings dirty! Yana wailed.

Washing machines right there. Detergents under the sink.

I dont know how!

Youll learn. Instructions are on the lid.

Nikita wore wrinkled shirts to work, ate at cafés. Money vanished.

Nina, this is ridiculous! Eating out every day!

Cook at home. Cheaper.

I cant!

YouTubes your friend. Millions of recipes.

The house descended into squalor. Dirty dishes, grubby floors, dust. Nina saw it all but didnt intervene. Only the nursery stayed tidy.

After two weeks, Yana attempted pasta. Forgot salt, overcooked itmush.

Mum, help!

No. Learn.

Youre my mum! Youre supposed to!

My jobs to care for minors. Cooking you gourmet meals isnt in the contract. Bread, milk, cerealyou wont starve.

Nikita tried scrambled eggs. Burnt them. Tried againedible.

Look, Nina! I made eggs!

She nodded, returned to her book. No praise, no fuss.

By week three, the flat was a tip. Yana wept over a mountain of laundry.

Mum, please! Just this once! Ive got nothing clean for school!

You were home all day yesterday. Couldve done it.

I had homework!

I work from home, cook, clean up after Annie, take her out. And I manage.

Youre an adult!

And you want adult privileges? Late nights, spending money? Then act like one.

By months end, resistance crumbled. Yana learned to wash, cook basics, tidy. Nikita mastered eggs, pasta, even simple soup.

One evening, Nina returned from the park with Annie. The kitchen table was set, dinner smelled good. Nikita and Yana stood guiltily.

Mum, we made dinner, Yana mumbled. I did salad,