My Stepfather Is Kicking Me Out of My Family Home – The Most Frustrating Part Is That My Own Mum Is Siding with Him

I am twenty-one years old now. Looking back, it was five years ago when my mother brought her second husband to live with us. I never warmed to himnot from the very start. He worked as a caretaker, and when he appeared at our door with just two battered suitcases, he wasted no time trying to take charge, barking orders and lorded himself over me almost immediately. I couldnt stand him. To this day, Ive never understood what my mother saw in him. His job paid next to nothing, and he was still handing over child support to his ex-wife. We never managed to get alongat first I kept my head down, but before long, arguments became a daily occurrence.

After I finished school, I managed to secure a place, on a scholarship no less, to study medicine at universitya dream Id nursed since childhood. It hasnt been easymedical school is demandingbut I have done my best, rarely taking a moment for myself so that I might make my dream a reality.

Then, about half a year ago, that man started having a go at me, saying I was nothing more than a burden to them bothYoure an adult now, why are you still living off your mother? hed scoff. Were feeding and clothing you, and its high time you started chipping in. For your information, I was already working at your age. According to him, I ought to get a job and help out with the household expenses, because, as he kept reminding me, money was tight. The worst of it was realising my mother agreed with him. She said he was right, that I needed to be put straight.

She told me, Perhaps its time you found yourself a part-time job. Its not easy for us to keep youwere only human, after all. Just two nights ago, he said at dinner, quite directly, that grown children should really move out and stand on their own feet. I turned to look at my mother in disbelief. She said nothing, but her silence gave her away.

Later, I retreated to my room, but the next morning Mum broached the subject again. Im at my wits end, trulyI feel Im being pulled in two directions. Theres always bickering. I want some peace in my life. And then she said it: he was right, I needed to move out and start living on my own. She gave me one month to find somewhere else and leave.

I was stunnednever in my worst imaginings did I think my own mother would choose to be rid of me. The sting of it lingers still, and I cannot see how I could ever forgive her.