Dmitry already had a notarized power of attorney to sell the apartment Elena had bought before they were married. While looking at a new place, she saw the proposed deal: three-quarters to her mother-in-law, one-quarter to her. Dmitry called this a temporary formality, and there was only one night left before everything was finalized.
«Lena doesn’t need to know about the shares yet,» I overheard Dmitry saying from the kitchen. He spoke quietly and confidently, as though he was discussing a furniture delivery, not my apartment. «First we’ll sell the old place, then handle the paperwork for the new one. When it’s all ready, we’ll just let her know and explain it’s just a technical move.»
I paused in the hallway, clutching the blue folder in my hands.
Just five minutes earlier, my husband had asked me to find the old technical floor plan for the apartment. I went to the bedroom while he stayed in the kitchen with his mother. They didn’t quite close the door.
«You make it sound too easy to just ‘explain’,» Valentina Petrovna replied, unimpressed. «Your wife likes to think she’s independent. When she sees she only gets a quarter, she’ll make a fuss for a week.»
«She won’t, Mom,» Dmitry smirked. «I’ve got power of attorney for the sale. I’m handling the buyer. I’m managing all the paperwork. Elena herself said she didn’t want to run around to agencies and offices. So now she can enjoy the convenience.»
I pressed the folder tighter against my side.
I bought the apartment three years before the wedding—a small two-bedroom in a building from the late nineties. Back then, I thought I’d overpaid for the six-meter kitchen and the endlessly long, useless hallway.
Then Dmitry came into my life.
A few years later, we replaced the windows, ordered a big wardrobe for the entryway, and changed the wallpaper. Bit by bit, the apartment became «ours» in conversation.
But on paper, it was still mine.
Five days ago, I signed the power of attorney for my husband myself.
Dmitry was the one who suggested it. When we started talking about moving to a bigger apartment, he spent several evenings explaining how pointless it was for both of us to waste time on showings, paperwork, and negotiations.
«Lena, you know I’m quicker with paperwork,» he said back then, spreading documents on the table. «I’ll meet the buyers, handle all the necessary papers, talk to the agency. If I need you personally, I’ll let you know. Why turn selling the apartment into another full-time job?»
I knew Dmitry was good with documents.
He worked in procurement and could spend hours checking contracts, invoices, and reports. If the building management sent a confusing bill, he would handle it. If the bank delayed a transfer, he was the one who called.
For years, I saw this as a convenience.
Now I stood in the hallway, realizing for the first time the true cost of that convenience.
«Is Sergei definitely going to find a buyer on those terms?» Valentina Petrovna asked. Her tone was more businesslike than doubtful. «I don’t want to wait another month just for someone to start bargaining.»
«There’s already a buyer,» Dmitry replied. «The price is a bit below market, but at least we avoid endless showings and nerves. Sergei has arranged everything.»
«How much is ‘a bit’?»
Dmitry named the amount.
I slowly put the folder down on the cabinet.
The difference was over a million.
It wasn’t a quick-sale discount. It wasn’t a smart negotiation. It was over a million rubles off the price of the apartment that I bought myself and spent eight years paying off.
‘And after this, will we have enough for that apartment?’ my mother-in-law clarified.
‘We’ll have enough if you add your share,’ Dmitry replied. ‘Three quarters of the new place will go in your name, a quarter in Lena’s. I’ll tell her it’s just temporary and it’s easier for the calculations this way.’
A chair creaked in the kitchen.
‘And then she won’t insist on redoing everything?’ Valentina Petrovna no longer hid her mistrust. ‘I don’t need your family promises. You said the apartment is supposed to protect me first and foremost. I’m not investing money just to have your wife decide I’m some random tenant in six months.’
‘Mom, we need to close the deal first,’ Dmitry said patiently. ‘Once she owns a quarter of the new place instead of the old two-room apartment, she’s not going anywhere. She can complain if she wants, but she’ll calm down after.’
I stared at my own reflection in the hallway mirror.
I was forty-eight years old. Twelve of those years I’d spent with a man who, just on the other side of the wall, was calculating how long it would take for me to ‘complain and calm down.’
I adjusted my blouse collar, picked up the folder, and walked into the kitchen.
Dmitry was the first to turn his head.
‘You’ve disappeared in there,’ he said, his everyday home voice. ‘Did you find the plan?’
I set the folder down next to him.
‘I found the plan and the old technical passport. See for yourself what you’ll need.’
He flipped through the first few pages and nodded approvingly.
‘Great. Then in forty minutes we’re heading out to see the apartment on Sadovaya. Sergey spoke to the owner, so it’s best not to be late.’
I glanced over at Valentina Petrovna. She sat there as if five minutes ago we’d been discussing nothing but the weather.
‘Are the three of us going?’ I asked.
My mother-in-law adjusted her watch strap.
‘Of course, Elena. If we’re planning to live together, it would be strange to view the apartment without me. I have to understand where my money is going too.’
Previously, I would have latched on to the word ‘together.’
I would’ve asked who decided we had to live with my mother-in-law. Dmitry would start explaining that his mother is already getting older, that a bigger apartment is better for everyone, and that I’m making simple things complicated again.
Then we would have ended up arguing.
And the most important thing would have remained hidden.
This time, I picked up my purse from the chair.
‘Then let’s go. Since you both already seem to love this apartment, I’m especially interested to see it.’
Dmitry glanced at me quickly but didn’t catch the sarcasm.
‘Exactly. You’ll see that it’s a good option and stop worrying about moving.’
I zipped up my bag.
He truly believed that my only worry was moving.
Sergey was waiting by the entrance to the new building. I’d seen him twice before. He called Dmitry ‘Dimych,’ always kept his phone in hand, and talked in a way that made any client doubt seem like just a bothersome delay before closing the deal.
«Well, the whole family commission has finally arrived,» he greeted us cheerfully. «The apartment is excellent, and the owner is serious about selling. If everyone likes it today, we’ll close both deals tomorrow without any hassle.»
«That’s exactly what we were counting on,» Dmitry replied, heading toward the entrance first.
In the elevator, Sergey glanced at his phone again.
«Your buyer for the old apartment has confirmed. They’ll be at the office by eleven tomorrow. The owner of this apartment is ready too. If no new issues pop up in the paperwork, we can finalize everything in a single day.»
I looked at Dmitry.
«So tomorrow is the final paperwork?»
He placed his hand on my shoulder, as if to show Sergey how united our family is.
«Lena, that’s exactly why we arranged for a power of attorney. There’s no need for you to sit in the office for hours listening to legal jargon. I’ll handle everything, and by evening we’ll know when we can move.»
«Still, where is the deal actually happening?» I asked, not moving from beneath his hand.
Sergey gave the address of the office.
«We’ll start at eleven. If you want to come, it’s best to arrive about fifteen minutes early. But Dmitry is right: with a valid power of attorney, your constant presence isn’t needed.»
«Thank you, Sergey,» I replied. «It’s nice to at least know where the fate of my apartment is being decided.»
Dmitry removed his hand.
«Lena, don’t start. No one is making decisions about the apartment without you.»
The elevator stopped.
I was the first one out.
The new apartment was spacious, bright, and already almost empty. The owner had moved in with her daughter and only left a few wardrobes and curtains behind.
Valentina Petrovna hurried around the rooms, as if she was afraid someone might claim the best one before she did.
She stopped by the wall in the largest bedroom.
«My wardrobe will go right here,» she declared, squinting. «And the bed should be closer to the window. That way there will still be plenty of space to walk around.»
I leaned my shoulder against the doorframe.
«So you’ve already decided this is your room?»
My mother-in-law turned to me with mild surprise.
«Of course. It’s the biggest and most comfortable. I’m seventy-two, Elena. It would be strange to put me in a small room just because the young people want more space.»
«So you’ve already decided where Dmitry and I will stay too?»
She gestured toward the neighboring bedroom.
«That’s a great room. It’s perfect for the two of you, plenty of space.»
I looked at my husband.
He was inspecting the door of the built-in wardrobe, pretending not to notice the conversation.
«Dima, did I miss something?» I asked. «When did we decide your mom gets to pick rooms first?»
He shut the wardrobe door and turned around.
«Let’s not turn a simple conversation into a conflict. Mom is investing money and will live here. Of course she should have a say.»
«Having a say and calling rooms your own are two different things.»
Valentina Petrovna rolled her eyes tiredly.
«That’s exactly what I told Dmitry. It’s impossible to discuss any household issue with you, Elena, without you turning it into an argument about who owns what.»
I smiled.
«That’s an interesting complaint. Especially today.»
My mother-in-law narrowed her eyes.
«What exactly do you mean by that?»
«Nothing yet. I’m just trying to figure out the rules of this new life.»
Dmitry stepped toward me.
«Then let me make it very simple for you. My mother will decide who gets to live in this apartment. The main share will be registered to her, she’s putting in serious money and deserves to know which room will be hers. I don’t see any reason for this drama.»
I looked at him for a few seconds.
That comment actually told me more than the conversation I’d overheard.
Now they weren’t just planning to make all the decisions without me – Dmitry already acted like everything was decided.
«Fine,» I replied. «Since the main owner has already been appointed, at least show the soon-to-be minor owner exactly what you’re planning to register.»
He frowned.
«What documents do you suddenly need right now?»
«The ones that show the shares, the amounts and the buyers. You say everything’s decided. I want to see exactly what’s been decided in my name.»
Dmitry glanced at Sergey.
«Show her the draft, please. Otherwise she’ll spend all evening reading hidden meanings into everything we say.»
«I’d be happy to take a look,» I said. «Especially if there really isn’t any hidden meaning.»
Sergey picked up on my tone and, without his usual cheerfulness, pulled a few sheets from the folder.
«This is just a draft for now. The final versions are being prepared for tomorrow’s signing. Here’s the new apartment acquisition plan and the main payment details.»
I took the papers.
Three-fourths of the future apartment would be registered to Valentina Petrovna.
One-fourth to me.
Dmitry wasn’t listed among the owners.
I turned to the next page.
There was the sale price of my old apartment—the exact number Dmitry had quoted in the kitchen.
«Dima, explain something to me,» I said, looking up. «If I’m selling my own apartment, why do I only get a quarter of the new place?»
He crossed his arms over his chest.
«Because my mom is investing a significant amount. I don’t understand why I have to explain the obvious.»
«It’s not obvious to me. I’m not asking why your mother gets a share. I’m asking why she gets three-quarters and I only get one.»
«Because it’s easier to register it this way right now,» Dmitry replied irritably. «It’s a technical arrangement. No one is kicking you out or leaving you without a roof over your head.»
I flipped through the draft.
«And when does this ‘technical’ arrangement stop being technical and my money becomes my property again?»
He gave a short laugh.
«Do you even hear yourself right now? We’re a family, Lena. Not a bankruptcy liquidation firm.»
«Funny to hear that next to a contract with exact share percentages.»
Valentina Petrovna raised her voice and interrupted:
«Elena, you’re being offered a move from your old, tiny apartment into a nice, spacious place. Any normal person would thank her husband for organizing everything, not interrogate him in front of a stranger.»
Sergey stepped a little to the side.
I shifted my gaze to my mother-in-law.
«Valentina Petrovna, if it bothers you that I’m asking questions about selling my own apartment, you’re welcome to go into the next room. The documents won’t make more sense to me, but maybe you’ll feel more comfortable.»
Her expression hardened.
Now I finally get why Dmitry didn’t want to explain anything to you in advance.
Dmitry whipped his head toward his mother.
«Mom, not now.»
Too late.
I carefully stacked the papers and handed them back to Sergey.
«What exactly is it that Dmitry didn’t want to explain to me in advance?»
My husband immediately stepped closer.
«She misspoke. I had no intention of hiding the deal from you.»
«Maybe not the deal, but it looks like you were planning to hide the shares from me.»
«Lena, stop nitpicking every word. You gave me power of attorney yourself so I could handle the sale. I’m handling it, and now suddenly you want to approve every step.»
There it was.
The very phrase that made things perfectly clear without me needing to guess.
I looked him straight in the eyes.
«You’re right. I really did give you the power of attorney myself.»
He visibly relaxed.
«Finally, we’re back to common sense.»
«That’s why I’ll be coming to the office tomorrow as well. If everything is so transparent, my presence shouldn’t be a problem for anyone.»
Dmitry made a face.
«Come if it’ll make you feel better. Just please, don’t start another argument there. People are working, and everyone has their own schedule.»
«I’ll try not to take up more of people’s time than necessary.»
Sergey put the documents back into the folder.
«Then let’s meet tomorrow at 10:45. I’ll check through the paperwork beforehand to make sure there aren’t any surprises at the office.»
«That’s a good habit,» I said.
Dmitry looked at me more closely, but Valentina Petrovna had already gone back to the main room.
«This wardrobe will fit here perfectly,» she declared to her son. «And as for Lena’s old chest of drawers, I wouldn’t move it at all. It would look out of place here.»
I slowly turned toward her.
«Don’t worry about my chest of drawers. After tonight, I’ll be extra careful about which things I move and where I put them.»
«Good,» my mother-in-law smirked. «Means you’re starting to accept that not everything in life gets decided by you alone.»
I glanced at the clock.
There were less than thirteen hours left until the notary office opened.
«Yes, Valentina Petrovna. Tonight I’ve really learned a lot about who’s used to making decisions for other people.»
In the morning, Dmitry got up earlier than usual.
When I came out of the bedroom, he was already dressed and talking on the phone in the hallway.
«Sergey, I’ll be on time,» my husband said as he snapped his briefcase shut. «I have all the originals with me. No issues with the buyer either. If the owner of the new apartment wants to change something again, call me right away.»
He hung up and looked at me.
«So you really decided to come to the office?»
«I did. But first, I have one more thing to do.»
«What kind of business do you have so early?»
I snapped my handbag shut.
«It’s personal.»
Dmitry gave a sarcastic little laugh.
«I hope you’re not going to discuss last night with your friends before the deal and get yourself all worked up again. We already went over everything.»
«No, Dima. Last night made it clear that we really haven’t gone over much of anything together.»
He was silent for a moment and glanced at his watch.
«Fine. Do what you think is best. Just if you’re coming, be on time to the office. I don’t want people waiting around because of family drama.»
«Don’t worry. Today, I especially don’t want to keep anyone waiting.»
He left.
Twenty minutes later, I walked out.
Just five days ago, we were both at the same notary office. Back then, Dmitry was sitting next to me, answering half the questions before I could and hurrying things along because he had another meeting scheduled.
Today, I came alone.
Anna Viktorovna invited me to the desk and carefully examined my documents.
«Elena Sergeevna, am I correct in understanding that you’d like to completely revoke the authority given to Dmitry Andreevich by this power of attorney?»
«That’s exactly right. I don’t want him to sell my apartment, receive documents related to the deal, or represent my interests in this transaction.»
The notary glanced at me over her glasses.
«Is this decision final?»
«The revocation of power of attorney is final. Everything else in my family life I will handle separately.»
She gave a short nod.
From there, the conversation became strictly business. I was asked specific questions, I answered, checked last names and document numbers.
No one here cared whether Dmitry was a good husband.
No one asked how upset his mother might be.
There was only an owner, a power of attorney, and the owner’s decision to end the granted powers.
Once everything was finalized, Anna Viktorovna checked the details one last time.
«Since you know the people and organization preparing today’s deal, notify them directly. That way you’ll have the confirmation that they received the information before everything is processed.»
«That’s exactly why I brought the draft with me,» I replied.
Outside, I took out my phone.
First, I sent a notification to the agency’s official address listed in the documents. Then I messaged Sergey.
I wrote it without any family backstory:
«Sergey, I’m informing you that the power of attorney given to Dmitry for actions regarding my apartment has been revoked. I do not consent to any sale on my behalf and ask that no action is taken on the deal without my personal involvement and confirmation.»
I attached the supporting document.
A few minutes later, Sergey replied:
«Elena, I’ve received your notification. Until we verify the powers and your personal stance, we will not perform any actions regarding the sale. Everything will be documented at the office.»
His response was satisfactory.
He didn’t promise to save me.
He didn’t pick a side in the family dispute.
He simply stopped acting as if Dmitry’s wishes alone were enough to sell my apartment.
I put my phone back in my bag.
Dmitry didn’t call.
Perhaps Sergey decided to review the documents first and not get involved in our relationship just yet.
Or maybe my husband already knew something, but was confident he could talk me into changing my mind at the office.
After twelve years of marriage, the second option seemed even more likely to me.
I walked into the office at 10:50.
Dmitry was sitting at the long table. In front of him was an open briefcase.
Valentina Petrovna stood by the shelves of advertising brochures, showing her son the plan for a new apartment.
«I really think we should put the big wardrobe along this wall,» she said. «And in your room, we could create a proper workspace. The main thing is to make sure Elena doesn’t start dragging all the old furniture in there.»
Dmitry was the first to notice me.
«You finally showed up,» he said, sounding clearly annoyed. «I was starting to think your mysterious morning errand was more important than the deal.»
I took off my coat.
«Actually, my morning errand is directly connected to the deal.»
He became alert, but just then, Sergey walked out of the next office.
He glanced at me carefully, then addressed everyone:
«Let’s take a seat. Before we discuss the contracts, we need to check everyone’s authority and positions one last time. Only then will we know if we can even proceed today.»
Dmitry frowned.
«Sergey, what do you mean ‘if we can’? Everything was ready yesterday.»
«Yesterday was one thing, but there’s new information today,» Sergey replied calmly. «That’s why we have to check the documents first.»
My husband slowly turned toward me.
«Lena, what did you message him?»
I placed my bag beside the chair.
«Let’s not guess. You’ll find out everything in a minute.»
«You could have at least talked to me before taking action behind my back.»
I looked at him.
«That’s a very interesting point. We’ll definitely come back to it in a couple of minutes.»
Valentina Petrovna chimed in, clearly displeased:
«Can someone please explain what’s going on in plain language? I came here to finalize an apartment, not to watch you play out your marital mysteries.»
Sergey opened his folder.
«Valentina Petrovna, that’s exactly why we’re double-checking everything right now. No contracts will be signed without verified authority.»
An office employee sat down at the table. Dmitry, still eyeing me, started handing over the documents.
«Here’s the passport, the statement, the owner’s documents, and the original power of attorney,» he listed. «Exactly the same paperwork we agreed on yesterday.»
The employee entered the information into the computer.
Dmitry leaned back in his chair, gradually regaining his usual confident look.
After a few seconds, the woman stopped typing.
«Dmitry Andreevich, you can’t use this power of attorney for today’s deal. Its authority has been revoked.»
My husband didn’t grasp what she meant right away.
«Could you please explain what you mean by ‘revoked’? You have the original notarized power of attorney right there.»
«Yes, you do have the original document,» the staff member replied calmly. «But the principal has canceled those powers as of today.»
Dmitry slowly turned his head toward me.
«Did you revoke the power of attorney?»
«This morning.»
He suddenly straightened up.
«Do you even realize what you’ve done? There’s a buyer here, the contracts are ready, people set aside their time, my mother paid for a new apartment. And this morning you decided to ruin everything, just because you didn’t like the conversation about the rooms yesterday?»
I took off my gloves and placed them on my bag.
«The conversation about the rooms was actually the least problematic part of yesterday evening.»
«Then stop speaking in riddles,» Dmitry raised his voice. «Just say clearly what you want.»
— I just want one simple thing. I don’t want my apartment to be sold below market price, and I don’t want the money from it split into three-quarters for your mother and only one quarter for me without my consent.
Valentina Petrovna stepped up to the table.
— So that’s what this is about. So you really did decide to make a scandal over the shares. I knew yesterday it would end like this.
I turned to her.
— You’re mistaken. My decision wasn’t made because of just one number in the plan.
Dmitry grimaced.
— Then enlighten us. What else have you come up with overnight?
— I didn’t have to come up with anything. I overheard your conversation in the kitchen.
The room suddenly grew noticeably quieter.
Valentina Petrovna was the first to look away.
Dmitry shot her a glance, then looked back at me.
— Which conversation are you talking about?
— The one where you explained to your mother that I shouldn’t know about the shares yet. The one where you talked about selling my apartment below market price. And especially the part where you said, once I have a quarter of the new apartment, I ‘won’t have a choice, I’ll yell a bit and then calm down.’
Dmitry’s face changed.
But not out of remorse.
It was the realization that his usual explanation of ‘you misunderstood’ would have to be much more convincing today.
— So you eavesdropped on us and now you’re turning random lines into some conspiracy? — he asked, his tone softer. — We were just talking over possible options. People discuss options before making decisions all the time.
— Interesting option. Especially since I was only supposed to find out about it after all the paperwork was done.
— You’re proving exactly why I didn’t want to discuss a raw plan in advance right now.
I smirked.
— That ‘raw plan’ somehow already had a buyer, a price, a share allocation, a transaction time, and even a picked room for your mom.
Sergey closed the folder and slid it away from himself.
Dmitry gave him an irritated look.
— Sergey, stop acting like a crime’s been committed here. We’re talking about a family purchase.
— I’m not claiming anything like that, — Sergey replied. — All I’m saying is the owner canceled the power of attorney and hasn’t confirmed the sale. That’s enough for today’s deal not to go through.
— I’ll fix everything right now, — Dmitry turned to me. — Lena, enough with the theatrics. Since you’re here in person, just sign the contract yourself. We can change the shares later if that makes you feel better.
It took me a moment to respond.
There it was—his entire logic laid out.
If the power of attorney’s gone, just make me sign it myself.
— No, Dima. I’m not signing anything today.
He leaned across the table.
— You’re really going to ruin two deals just out of principle?
— I’m ready not to sell my apartment under terms that were hidden from me.
— Nothing was fully hidden from you! — my husband snapped. — I was always planning to explain everything.
— After the deal?
— Once there was actually something concrete to explain.
I glanced at the draft contract in front of Sergey.
— The shares, the money, the buyer—they were all already concrete. You just didn’t have my agreement. That’s why you tried to do it with the power of attorney instead.
Valentina Petrovna loudly set the brochure on the table.
«How ungrateful. My son has spent weeks running around with your apartment, making arrangements, searching for options, and now you paint him as a scammer in front of strangers.»
«I’m not painting anyone as anything, Valentina Petrovna. I’m just telling what happened.»
«What happened is we were trying to buy a decent home for the family!»
«Then why was most of that family home—three-quarters of it—put in your name from the start?»
My mother-in-law lifted her chin.
«Because I’m investing the money and I want guarantees. At my age, I can’t let my security depend on some other woman’s mood.»
I allowed myself a slight smile.
«At least now we’re finally being honest. You didn’t want to depend on me. So you decided to make it so I’d have to depend on you.»
«Don’t twist my words.»
«I’m not twisting anything. Your words stand just fine on their own.»
Dmitry slapped his hand on the table—not hard, but enough that everyone turned to look at him.
«Enough, both of you. Lena, we can settle this at home. For now, sign the sale, or we’ll lose the new apartment.»
«Then I guess we’re losing the new apartment.»
He froze in place.
«You’re saying that after everything I’ve done?»
«I’m saying it because of everything you’ve done.»
«So what now?» he asked through gritted teeth. «You’ll just sit in your two-bedroom and call it a victory?»
«Celebrating victory isn’t my plan. I’ll simply remain the owner of the apartment you were treating as yours just yesterday.»
Valentina Petrovna sneered with contempt.
«Don’t bother, Dmitry. If Elena wants to guard her precious two-bedroom until old age, let her. I have no interest in dealing with her anymore.»
I turned to her.
«That’s the first thing you’ve said in the past 24 hours that actually lines up with my plans.»
My mother-in-law opened her mouth, but Dmitry cut her off:
«Lena, you’ve crossed the line.»
«No, Dima. What I finally discovered today was a very important line—between ‘a husband helping with paperwork’ and ‘a husband deciding what his wife gets after selling her property.'»
He took the power of attorney from a folder and waved it.
«You signed this document yourself.»
«That’s right.»
«Willingly.»
«Also true.»
«And now you act like I stole it from you.»
I shook my head.
«I’m not acting. I gave you the power of attorney because I trusted you. Today, I revoked it because I don’t trust you anymore. That’s the only difference.»
Dmitry was silent for a few seconds.
Then he said:
«Do you even realize how humiliating this all looks in front of people?»
«Well, yesterday it wasn’t too pleasant for me to listen to you and your mother decide how much of my property I should be left with. Only, back then, I didn’t have any witnesses.»
Sergey cleared his throat and pulled the documents toward himself.
«I think that settles it for today. Elena has clearly stated the property is not for sale. We’ll record her refusal to proceed with today’s arrangement.»
I nodded.
«Yes. Take the apartment off the market. If I ever want to revisit this, I’ll handle it myself.»
«Understood,» Sergey replied. «The agency will send you confirmation after our internal paperwork is complete.»
Dmitry turned sharply to him.
«Sergey, we’ve worked together for a month. And now you’re just ending it all like this?»
He calmly met his gaze.
«Dmitry, we spent a month working on selling the apartment, with Elena as the owner. Today, the owner clearly said she is not selling. There’s really nothing for me to argue about here.»
Valentina Petrovna gathered up the brochures.
«Let’s go, son. There’s no point humiliating yourself in front of someone who decided long ago that every single kopeck matters more than family.»
I stood up.
«Valentina Petrovna, if this was just about every kopeck, we’d be arguing about the agency’s commission right now. This is about the apartment, millions even. The difference is significant, even for family.»
She looked at me with clear dislike.
«Well, at least now I know what you’re really like.»
«Likewise. At least we’re finally being honest for once.»
My mother-in-law turned sharply and headed for the door.
Dmitry lingered for a moment.
«The documents for the apartment are still at my place,» he said in a quieter voice. «I suppose now you’ll want every single page returned with a receipt?»
«No need for a receipt. Just hand over all the originals to me today.»
«And then you’ll keep them locked away from your own husband?»
«From now on I’ll keep the documents to my own property myself. Yesterday you gave me a very good reason why that’s sensible.»
He gave me a heavy, serious look.
«And after all this, do you really think we’ll go home and just live like before?»
I zipped up my bag.
«It definitely won’t be like before. Whatever comes next—we’ll discuss it without your mother, without a mediator, and without a power of attorney in your briefcase.»
Dmitry didn’t answer.
A few seconds later, he followed his mother out.
The next day, the agency sent written confirmation that my apartment was off the market.
That evening, Dmitry brought the folder with the original documents from the closet and set it down in front of me.
We didn’t figure out in one conversation whether we’d stay together. Twelve years of marriage don’t fit in a single folder or end with one signature.
But one matter was settled.
The folder with the documents was no longer kept in Dmitry’s briefcase.
And the right to decide what would happen with my apartment was no longer his either.
