“Where’s the soup I made yesterday?” Svetlana demanded.
“Where’s the soup I made yesterday?” Sveta asked indignantly.
“I poured it out,” her mother-in-law replied cheerfully, stirring something in a frying pan. “It was too watery. I made a new one—richer and thicker. A man needs to eat well!”
Sveta and Lesha lived in a small but cozy apartment on the outskirts of the city. Their life seemed harmonious: Milana, their two-year-old daughter, had just started going to kindergarten, and Sveta could finally start thinking about returning to work. She dreamed of building a career, having her own money, and the freedom she lost when she went on maternity leave. But Lesha dreamed of a different future.
«Now that Milanka is in kindergarten, we could have a second child,» he would say in the evenings, wrapping his arm around Sveta’s shoulders. «It’s time to have a boy, or else my relatives will keep making jokes.»
«Whose relatives? Mine don’t care if there are girls or boys,» his wife replied.
«You know what I mean. Don’t play dumb. My father’s not happy—he’s waiting for a grandson to carry on the family name. Otherwise, Milana will get married and become some Ivanova instead.»
«That’s funny. Silantyeva is some sort of divine gift of a last name, huh?» Sveta laughed, but her husband became even more serious.
«So, you have a month to think about it,» her husband said, pulling away.
«And if I don’t decide? Will you find a new wife? Maybe you want a whole harem, one child from each,» his wife kept joking.
«You’ll see what happens.»
«Lesha, let’s at least wait until next autumn,» Sveta said dismissively. «Let Milana get used to kindergarten and stop catching colds. I’d like to work and help out with the family finances. You know there’s never enough money for anything…»
«What are you trying to say? That I’m a bad husband?»
«Not at all, but I’d love to renovate the apartment. Your salary only covers daily expenses and we can never save up for bigger things,» Sveta admitted shyly.
Her husband got upset and went to the kitchen, while Sveta stayed sitting on the couch, searching for new job openings. She had decided to leave her previous job and find something closer to home, so she wouldn’t waste time commuting.
In the morning, as usual, Sveta was the first one up. Milana was still sleeping soundly in bed, hugging her plush kitty tight. Sveta smiled—her daughter was so sweet and always lifted her spirits. Sveta quickly laid out their clothes and, half an hour later, she and Milana were walking to kindergarten hand in hand.
«Mom, are you going to work today?» Milana asked with a yawn.
«Almost, sweetheart. First I’ll talk to a lady—maybe they’ll want me there.»
«Okay… Will you buy me my favorite marshmallows on the way back?»
«Of course,» Sveta laughed.
Their goodbye at the kindergarten gates was brief. Milana was starting to get used to the new place and had even made a friend. Sveta watched her until Milana joined her teacher, and only then did she breathe a sigh of relief.
She boarded the tram, double-checked the address of the new place on her phone. Today, she had three interviews lined up, but she was really hoping for the bank job: operations clerk with training, stable pay, and best of all—just two stops from home. It seemed almost perfect.
It’s been three weeks since Sveta started her serious job search. In that time, she’s visited over a dozen places: sometimes the schedule didn’t work, sometimes the salary wasn’t what she hoped for, and other times, her intuition just told her not to take the job. Sveta didn’t want to settle for just any position. She was looking for stable employment.
She approached the bank feeling a bit nervous. The staff greeted her politely. The HR manager was a friendly woman who asked straightforward questions and listened carefully to Sveta’s answers. At the end of the conversation, the woman smiled:
«We’ll call you back within three days, but honestly, you’re a great fit for us.»
Sveta thanked her, trying to contain her emotions. Only when she stepped outside did she let herself smile. She had the feeling this was exactly what she’d been looking for: a calm workplace, free training, and a good salary.
That evening, Sveta cooked dinner with special inspiration. She set the table with stewed meat and potatoes, a salad, and homemade compote. By the time Lesha came home from work, everything was ready.
«Are we celebrating something?» he asked suspiciously as he took off his shoes. «It smells amazing.»
«I just wanted to make you happy. And by the way, I have some good news,» Sveta replied calmly.
«Did you finally get pregnant?» her husband immediately brightened up.
«No, Lesha,» Sveta said with a hint of annoyance. «I found a job.»
«Oh… um… You know I didn’t want you to work.»
Sveta froze for a second.
«Maybe I get to decide for myself? Because it feels like you see me only as someone to have your children. Have you ever asked what I want?»
«So what?» Alexei crossed his arms over his chest.
«I want to feel like more than just a mom or a wife—I want to fulfill myself. I’m not asking for your permission. I’m just telling you what’s happening.»
Lesha sat down at the table, leaning back in his chair with dissatisfaction.
«It’s become impossible to talk to you.»
«That’s because I used to stay quiet,» Sveta picked up her fork. «It was easy for you to silence me when you were the only breadwinner.»
He didn’t respond. They ate in silence. But for the first time in a long while, Sveta felt a small victory. She still didn’t know what surprise her husband had in store for her.
Sveta enjoyed her training at the bank and found it easy to keep up. It made her feel valued, she liked learning new things, and she realized she was doing just as well as everyone else. One day, her mentor even said:
«You’re really sharp. You didn’t lose your brains during maternity leave. You know what’s funny?»
«What?» Sveta asked with interest.
«Usually, when we take women right after maternity leave, the only thing on their minds is the song ‘The Blue Tractor,’» the mentor laughed.
Sveta smiled and instantly thought that if she’d listened to her husband, she probably would have been the same…
Every morning, Sveta woke up Milana, got her ready for daycare, made breakfast, and rushed out for her training. In the evenings, everything repeated—daycare, dinner, bath time, a bedtime story. Alexei hardly helped at all. He thought anything concerning the child and the house was ‘women’s work.’
Sometimes he would bring a bag of groceries home, but even then he expected praise and recognition. Svetlana had no time for arguments or drama; right now, her main focus was finding a job and getting back on her feet.
One day, tired but satisfied after a productive day, Sveta picked up Milana, bought her favorite marshmallows, and together they went up to their floor. The little girl chattered non-stop:
«Mom, Varja from kindergarten has a dog! Can you imagine? A real, live dog! She says we can come visit… Or maybe even go for a walk with the dog together. Or maybe we could get a dog?»
Sveta listened carefully to her daughter’s stories while trying to unlock the door, but it wouldn’t budge. Turned out, the door wasn’t even closed.
«Did I really forget to lock up this morning in my rush?» flashed through her mind as a chill ran down her spine.
Sveta quickly swung the door open and hurried inside to check the apartment. Suddenly, she heard the clink of cups and a voice coming from the kitchen. She instantly slipped off her shoes, told her daughter to stay in the hallway, rushed to the kitchen—and froze.
At the table, calmly sipping tea from a floral mug, sat her mother-in-law—Galina Anatolyevna. Her hair was neatly tied back, her favorite shawl draped over her shoulders (even though, really, it was warm enough), and her face looked downright pleased.
«Galina Anatolyevna?» Sveta exhaled, hugging Milana who ran in after her. «How did you get here?»
«Well, you certainly took your time!» her mother-in-law replied calmly, setting down her spoon. «I came to stay with you for a week. Lesha brought me over today.»
«Wait, he didn’t go to work today? That takes half a day just to bring you here and back.»
«My son said he took a day off. Right now, he’s out at the store. I really wanted some of that city sausage.»
«Really?» Sveta responded, puzzled.
She silently set the grocery bag on the floor. Galina Anatolyevna lived in another city, three hundred kilometers away. She rarely visited, but when she did, she acted like she owned the place. Before Sveta could say a word, Lesha walked in from the hallway.
«Oh, you’re home! Did you meet mom? I told you there would be a surprise.»
«Lovely surprise,» Sveta muttered through gritted teeth.
«Mom’s going to stay with us for a while. You don’t mind, do you?»
Sveta looked at her daughter, who was already pulling off her boots and running to her grandmother.
«Grandma! Are you going to live with us?»
«Of course, sweetheart. I brought you some jam and a pretty dress.»
«Sveta,» Lesha said, pretending not to notice the change on his wife’s face, «mom, by the way, really likes our new kitchen. She just thinks we chose the wrong color.»
Sveta was stunned by her husband’s audacity. He’d decided—just like that and without asking—that he could bring his mother over while she was out. No asking, no warning.
She felt a storm rising inside, but kept herself in check. Calmly, she picked up the grocery bag from the floor and walked into the kitchen.
«I’ll make dinner,» she said quietly.
«Why do you look like that? Tired or something?» my mother-in-law asked with a forced smile. «Come on, relax. Your husband is at work, the kid’s at daycare. You got everyone sorted out. Are you turning into a career woman now? And who’s going to take care of the house?»
Sveta slowly turned around:
«I’ve managed everything on my own before. I can handle it now, too.»
«Oh, someone has gotten all serious! Can’t even say a word back to you now!» Galina Anatolyevna squinted at her.
Alyosha sensed the tension in the air and quickly slipped away into the bathroom.
Sveta stood at the stove, chopping vegetables so forcefully that cucumber pieces flew everywhere, landing on the floor.
That evening, when Sveta had just gotten home from work, she heard loud voices coming from the kitchen. Galina Anatolyevna was already bossing her son around:
«Alyoshenka, are you seriously drinking tea without sugar? That’s disgusting! Here, take some milk, and make sure you put plenty of sugar in.»
Sveta slipped off her shoes from her tired feet and walked into the kitchen. Her eyes immediately fell on her husband’s plate, filled with soup covered in a thick layer of fat.
«Where’s the soup I made yesterday?» Sveta demanded, outraged.
«I threw it out,» her mother-in-law replied cheerfully as she stirred something in the skillet. «It was too watery. I made a new one—richer and thicker. A man needs to eat well!»
Sveta said nothing and shot her husband a displeased look. She’d spent an hour and a half at the stove yesterday, making chicken soup just the way Milana liked it.
«You had no right to throw out my food,» Sveta said through clenched teeth.
«Oh, come on now,» Galina Anatolyevna waved her hand dismissively. «It’s no big deal. Not worth arguing about.»
Alyosha, who was happily munching on a pork fat sandwich, just shrugged:
«So what? Mom cooks better anyway. Let’s not fight over food.»
Sveta spun around and walked straight to the bathroom. She felt like if she didn’t leave, she’d explode and say something she’d regret.
The next day, the same thing happened again. Coming home from work, Sveta found the kitchen in chaos: oil splatters on the walls, and her favorite ceramic frying pan—her mom’s gift—was smoking on the stove.
«What are you doing?!» Sveta cried, grabbing the pan. The bottom was covered with black, burnt pieces of dough.
«Fried some belyashi,» her mother-in-law replied indifferently. «What, you’ve never cooked before?»
«Look what you’ve done to the frying pan!»
«Excuse me. We country folk don’t know what fancy pans you have here,» Galina Anatolyevna scoffed. «Now that you’re working, you can buy yourself a new one.»
Alyosha, sitting at the table, didn’t even look up from his phone:
«Sveta, maybe you should stop? Having a rough time at work? Is that why you take it out on my mom every evening?»
«Work’s actually going great. Finished my training today. My first real day is tomorrow.»
«Oh, we were so worried about you,» Galina Anatolyevna said in a voice dripping with sarcasm.
That evening was the last straw. Sveta was washing dishes when her mother-in-law approached, sat down across from her, and folded her hands on the table.
«Well, it’s time for a little woman-to-woman talk,» she began. «You’re already thirty. It’s time to have a second child, or soon it’ll be too late.»
«Galina Anatolyevna, this is none of your business,» Sveta replied coldly.
«How is it not my business? He’s going to be my grandson! Lesha wants a son, and what, you’re against it?»
«I’m against you and Lesha making decisions for me!»
«What do you know?!» her mother-in-law raised her voice. «A man should be in charge! And now that you’re working, you act so high and mighty!»
Sveta slammed her palm on the table.
«Enough!» she shouted sharply. «Lesha and I will decide ourselves what we want to do. It’s not your concern! If you want a baby so badly, go have one yourself.»
Galina Anatolyevna opened her mouth to speak, but Sveta was already heading to the living room to her husband.
«Lesha, maybe your mom has stayed long enough?»
Lesha was surprised; he’d never seen his wife so angry before.
«What do you want?»
«I just want to relax at home after work, not clean up after your mother in the kitchen every night!»
«Then maybe you shouldn’t have worked. And anyway, Mom’s going to live with us while you’re working. When you go on maternity leave, then we can talk.»
A tense silence filled the room. Even Milana, who was playing in the corner, suddenly stopped.
Galina Anatolyevna suddenly stood up and started having a fit.
«How dare you talk about me like that! I raised my son, helped him buy this apartment!»
«My parents bought this apartment,» Sveta replied coldly. «And if Lesha can’t act like a man and protect his family, then I don’t need a husband like that.»
At last, Lesha stood up.
«Do you hear yourself? Wake up! Seems like you’re getting too full of yourself.»
«No, dear! It’s you who thinks too much of himself. With your salary, you’d better act more modestly. You want a child,» Sveta laughed bitterly. «Maybe you’ll change your mind. The door is right there, in case you forgot. Gather your things and get out.»
«What are you doing?» Lesha grabbed a glass of water and threw it right in Sveta’s face.
She was shocked, Milana started crying and ran to her mother. Then, with one furious motion, Sveta wiped the water from her face.
«Out! Can’t you hear me?» she screamed so loudly that even Galina Anatolyevna got scared and ran to the room to pack their things.
«You’ll regret this!» Lesha exhaled angrily, right in his wife’s face.
«Maybe someday. But definitely not today!»
They packed up in record time. Galina Anatolyevna was quieter than ever, only gently asking her daughter-in-law where Lesha’s things were, since he didn’t even know himself.
Before leaving, Lesha turned and said with anger:
«Don’t expect any alimony. Don’t even count on it.»
«We’ll see what the court decides,» Svetlana said, folding her arms across her chest.
Two months later, they were officially divorced. No matter how hard he tried to fake his income statements, Alexey was ordered to pay a set amount of child support every month. He never even mentioned his daughter again. All Sveta knew was that her ex-husband quickly found a new partner—someone who had her own apartment.
But there was one thing that really surprised Svetlana. Just a few days after the divorce was finalized, Galina Anatolyevna called and apologized. After that, Sveta never had any contact with her husband’s family again, and four years later, she remarried and had a son—because she wanted him, not because someone «needed» her to. Continued in the comments.
