Maria absentmindedly looked out the window. Her fingers gently stroked a photograph in a frame. From the old picture, Tamara Ivanovna smiled. Aunt Tamara had been the only person to support Masha after her parents’ death.
Even this apartment was Aunt Tamara’s last gift. Every corner reminded her of their tea times and long conversations. Maria wouldn’t even let her husband Sergey make any major changes to the house. This place was Masha’s fortress, a symbol of freedom and independence.
The noise in the hallway snapped Masha out of her reverie. Sergey had returned from work, and it sounded like he wasn’t alone.
«Maria, we’re home!» Sergey’s voice called from the hallway.
Maria took a deep breath. She had never managed to get along with her mother-in-law. And, unfortunately, Valentina Petrovna visited their home too often.
The mother-in-law walked into the living room and smiled.
«Hello, Masha. How are you?»
«Hello, Valentina Petrovna,» Maria replied reservedly. «All is well, thank you.»
The mother-in-law scrutinized the room.
«Oh, Masha, you should change these curtains. They have faded completely. I saw some beautiful drapes in the store that would be perfect for your living room.»
Maria pursed her lips, holding back irritation. These curtains were Aunt Tamara’s favorite, and Maria had no intention of changing them.
«Thank you for the advice, Valentina Petrovna, but I like these,» she responded firmly.
The mother-in-law pursed her lips in dissatisfaction but remained silent. Sergey, as usual, pretended not to notice the tension between the women.
«Mom, will you stay for dinner?» he asked.
«Of course, son,» Valentina Petrovna smiled. «I even brought a pie.»
Maria thought to herself, «Anything but this!» Another evening with her mother-in-law was more than she could handle. But she knew Sergey wouldn’t support her if she tried to object.
During dinner, as usual, Valentina Petrovna started discussing how a young family should live.
«My friend Vera’s son and his bride live soul to soul,» she said, spreading butter on her bread. «They share everything, that’s how it should be!»
Maria felt a lump in her throat. She knew where her mother-in-law was headed.
«Valentina Petrovna,» Maria started, trying to speak calmly, «every family has its own rules and traditions.»
«What rules,» the mother-in-law scoffed. «In a family, everything should be shared. This apartment, for example…»
«Mom,» Sergey interrupted her, «let’s not talk about this.»
But Valentina Petrovna couldn’t stop herself.
«No, son, we need to talk about this. You’ve been married for four years, and the apartment is still only in Masha’s name. That’s not right!»
Maria felt her face flush. She had explained many times to Sergey and his mother that this apartment was her inheritance, a memory of Aunt Tamara. But they seemed not to understand.
«Valentina Petrovna,» Maria tried to speak firmly but politely, «we’ve discussed this before. The apartment will remain my property.»
The mother-in-law snorted indignantly.
«See, Sergey? She doesn’t even want to share with you! What if something happens? You’ll be left out in the cold!»
Sergey shifted uncomfortably in his chair, avoiding looking at his wife.
«Mom, why do you say that…»
But Valentina Petrovna was already in a frenzy.
«No, son, you must insist! The apartment should be shared! You’re a family, everything should be shared!»
Maria boiled with anger. She abruptly stood up from the table. She couldn’t tolerate this attitude any longer.
«I need some fresh air.»
Masha practically bolted to the balcony.
Alone, Maria calmed down slightly. She began to breathe deeply to gather her thoughts. How much longer could she endure this pressure? And why did Sergey never stand up for her?
But even the distance couldn’t save Masha from Valentina Petrovna’s nagging voice.
«Sergey, talk to your wife,» the mother-in-law insisted. «Convince her to put the apartment in your name too. It would be fair.»
«I don’t know, Mom,» Sergey responded uncertainly. «Masha really values this apartment.»
«Exactly!» exclaimed the mother-in-law. «She only thinks of herself! What about you? You also have a right to this apartment. You’re married, so everything should be shared.»
Maria froze, unable to believe her ears. Could Sergey really be considering this?
«I… I’ll think about it, Mom,» Sergey finally replied.
That was enough. Maria felt something inside her break. She returned to the room, seeing her husband and mother-in-law with new eyes.
«So that’s how it is?» she said quietly, drawing their attention.
Sergey and Valentina Petrovna turned around, clearly not expecting her return.
«Masha, you misunderstood…» Sergey began, but Maria raised her hand, stopping him.
«No, Sergey, I understood perfectly,» her voice was steel. «I heard your conversation. And you know what? I’m tired.»
Valentina Petrovna tried to intervene:
«Masha, we were just discussing…»
«No, Valentina Petrovna,» Maria interrupted her. «You weren’t discussing. You were planning how to take away my inheritance. The apartment that my only close relative left me.»
Maria turned to her husband:
«And you, Sergey? You didn’t even try to defend me. Are you ready to betray me for your mother’s whim?»
Sergey looked lost:
«Masha, I didn’t want… But Mom makes some good points. Think about how I should feel in this house, neither an owner nor a guest, who am I?»
But Maria wasn’t listening anymore. Years of accumulated grievances and disappointments finally burst forth.
«You’re my husband, my hope and support. In which I now doubt. And it seems you don’t get that either. And you know what? I’ve had enough. I’m no longer willing to endure this.»
Maria headed to the large wardrobe. Sergey’s clothes flew onto the floor.
«Masha? What’s happening?» Sergey asked, bewildered.
Maria didn’t get distracted.
«Not clear? Your mother decided the apartment is yours? Valentina Petrovna is mistaken!»
Valentina Petrovna jumped up, her face turning purple with anger.
«How dare you!» she yelled. «Sergey, say something to your wife!»
But Sergey seemed rooted to the spot. He had never seen Masha like this before.
«Masha, let’s talk,» Sergey managed to say. «Mom had only good intentions…»
Maria sharply turned to her husband.
«Good? What did she mean when she suggested rewriting the apartment? What did she mean when she said everything should be shared? Is my care and love not enough, you wanted to snatch my property?»
Sergey helplessly looked at his mother, but Valentina Petrovna had already gone on the offensive.
«Yes, I said that!» she exclaimed. «And what’s wrong with that? You’re a family, everything should be shared!»
«No, Valentina Petrovna,» Maria replied firmly. «This apartment is my inheritance. The memory of my aunt, who replaced my parents. And I won’t let you manage it.»
Maria took out a suitcase.
«What are you doing?» Sergey asked, frightened.
«I’m throwing you out along with your things,» Maria replied. «I’m tired of a husband and mother-in-law who don’t respect me!»
«But where will I go?» Sergey mumbled, bewildered.
«To Mom’s,» Maria snapped. «Since you understand each other so well.»
Valentina Petrovna tried to intervene:
«Masha, you can’t do this! It’s Sergey’s home too!»
«No, Valentina Petrovna,» Maria shook her head. «It’s my home. And I have the right to decide who will live in it.»
Half an hour later, Sergey’s things were packed. Maria stood by the open door, waiting for her husband and mother-in-law to leave the apartment.
«Masha, please, let’s discuss everything,» Sergey tried one last time.
«We have nothing more to discuss,» Maria replied. «You made your choice when you decided to support your mother, not me.»
With a heavy heart, Sergey left the apartment. Valentina Petrovna followed him, throwing a hateful glance at Maria. As a parting shot, the mother-in-law said:
«You’ll regret this!»
Maria slammed the door loudly, cutting herself off from her husband and mother-in-law. The girl collapsed on the floor and burst into tears. The tension of the past months demanded to be released.
A week passed. Maria tried to focus on work. But a knock at the door distracted her from the papers. Sergey was standing on the threshold.
«Masha, we need to talk,» he said.
Maria hesitated, but then let her husband into the apartment.
«What do you want to talk about?» she asked, crossing her arms over her chest.
«I… I realized I was wrong,» Sergey began. «I shouldn’t have let Mom interfere in our affairs.»
Maria listened silently, showing no emotion.
«I love you, Masha,» Sergey continued. «And I want us to be together again. I’m ready to change.»
«What about your mother?» Maria asked. «Are you ready to put her in her place?»
Sergey faltered, and Maria understood that nothing had changed. The girl sighed tiredly.
«I’ve learned a lot this week too. You and your mother trampled my pride, humiliated me, pressured me. But I deserve more! I deserve respect and support.»
«I’ll change! I promise!»
«I don’t believe you,» Maria shook her head. «Because you’ll always be choosing between your wife and mother. And I’m tired of being in second place.»
«What do you mean by that?» Sergey asked quietly.
«I want a divorce,» Maria replied firmly.
Sergey looked shocked.
«But… but what about our family? Our marriage? Are you really ready to just erase everything that was between us?»
«It’s better this way. Our marriage ended the moment you decided your mother’s interests were more important than mine,» Maria said.
Sergey tried to say something, but Maria stopped him:
«Please leave. My lawyer will contact you regarding the documents.»
Finally, the door closed behind Sergey. Maria breathed a sigh of relief. The girl approached Aunt Tamara’s photograph and smiled.
«You were right,» she murmured. «Sometimes loved ones can suffocate and pull you down. You need to know when to let go of things and people.»
Three months passed. The divorce was finalized, and Maria began a new life. She renovated the apartment, changing it to her liking but keeping Aunt Tamara’s memorabilia.
One evening, a knock sounded at the door. Valentina Petrovna stood on the threshold.
«May I come in?» she asked in an unusually quiet voice.
Maria hesitated, but then nodded.
Valentina Petrovna walked into the apartment, looking around.
«It’s become beautiful here,» she noted.
«Thank you,» Maria replied dryly. «Why did you come?»
Valentina Petrovna took a deep breath.
«I came to apologize,» she said. «I was wrong. And because of me, my son lost a good wife.»
Maria looked at her former mother-in-law in surprise.
«You know,» Valentina Petrovna continued, «when Sergey moved out a month after the divorce, I realized what I had done. I always thought I knew what was best for him. But in reality, I only destroyed everything.»
Maria was silent, not knowing what to say.
«I’m not asking for forgiveness,» Valentina Petrovna noted. «I just want to say that I regret my actions. My son really loved you. Don’t punish him so harshly.»
The woman turned to leave. But Maria stopped Valentina Petrovna.
«Valentina Petrovna,» she said, «thank you for coming. This means a lot to me. But it’s too late, Sergey did nothing to win me back. I don’t need him.»
Soon the former mother-in-law left. Maria was alone. But it felt like a burden had been lifted off her shoulders. Masha glanced at Aunt Tamara’s photograph.
«You were right, Aunt,» she said quietly. «I really did manage.»
That evening, Maria met a friend at a cafe.
«You know,» she said, «I think I’m ready to move on now. This story taught me a lot.»
«And what is that?» asked the friend.
Maria paused for a second.
«That you need to value yourself and your property. That you can’t let others decide for you. And that sometimes you need to let go of the past to move into the future.»
The friend raised a glass:
«To a new chapter in your life!»
Maria smiled and clinked glasses with her friend. She knew that many new and interesting things awaited her. And now she was ready for everything.
