The morning began as usual. Oleg and I were sitting in the kitchen, drinking coffee. I was browsing the news on my phone, and he was reading the newspaper, as he always did on weekends. Everything was calm, nothing foreshadowed that this day would become a turning point in our relationship.
«Alena, I wanted to talk to you,» Oleg suddenly said, putting the newspaper aside and looking at me seriously. I looked up in surprise. Usually, our conversations at this time were light; we discussed plans for the day or shared news. But there was a note of concern in his voice that immediately made me wary.
«Is something wrong?» I asked, feeling anxiety starting to build inside me. Oleg was silent for a few seconds, as if gathering his thoughts.
«We haven’t talked about my family for a long time…» he began.
I bit my lip, understanding where he was leading. Topics about his parents and sister, Olga, were always taboo in our family. Too much pain, grievances, and things left unsaid surrounded their relationships. Oleg had left home at twenty and since then had almost no contact with his relatives. I knew there had been a lot of conflicts, distrust, and tough decisions, but I didn’t delve into the details. He didn’t want to discuss it.
«What about them?» I asked cautiously, trying to hide my tension.
«Olga called last night,» Oleg said quietly, avoiding my gaze.
My heart beat faster. His sister… The last time we saw her was years ago when she suddenly appeared at our apartment doorstep with a suitcase. There had been a serious conversation between them then, and Oleg was sure that it was the last time he spoke to her.
«And what does she want?» I asked, though I already guessed the possible answer.
«She wants to come. Says she has problems. That she has nowhere to live and needs help.»
I put my mug on the table a bit more sharply than I intended.
«And you’re planning to let her into our life?» My words came out sharper than I wanted.
Oleg frowned, his face tensed. He was always a restrained person, not liking to openly express emotions. But now I could see an internal conflict growing inside him.
«Alena, she’s my sister. Yes, we have complicated relations, but I can’t just leave her in trouble.»
«And she could leave you? When you left home, Oleg, who supported you? Who was with you? Certainly not her!» I felt anger boiling inside me. This whole situation was unfair. We had built our world, our peace for so long, and now his sister would burst into our life again, destroying everything we had created.
«I know you’re right,» he replied quietly, lowering his head. «But I can’t do otherwise. Olga is my only sister. And whatever happened in the past, she remains a part of my life.»
I was silent, not knowing how to react. My resentment fought with understanding. I knew Oleg felt responsible for Olga, that he was always a person who put family first, even if that family wasn’t always on his side.
But I didn’t want to experience the chaos her return would bring again.
«Oleg, do you understand that this will change everything?» I said quietly, trying to keep my emotions under control.
He looked at me with sadness in his eyes.
«Yes, I understand. But I have to do this.»
Olga arrived a week later. I didn’t want to be rude or cold, but her presence in our home made me tense from the start. She looked worn out, as if she had been through many trials, but her eyes still showed the same pride as before. She had always been someone who knew how to create drama around herself.
«Olga, how are you?» Oleg asked when she crossed the threshold of our apartment.
«Fine,» she replied shortly, dropping her bag at the entrance.
I stood aside, watching them. Olga didn’t even look in my direction. I knew she considered me superfluous in this conversation, although, in reality, this was my territory, my home. But I decided not to interfere.
«Thank you for letting me in,» she finally added, looking at me.
«You’re welcome,» I replied, trying not to show my tension.
In the following days, her presence became even more noticeable. Her things filled our apartment, her voice echoed in every room. Oleg tried to maintain a balance, but I saw that it was difficult for him.
After a couple of weeks, problems began. Olga started criticizing everything: our lifestyle, my habits, our home. She complained about everything—from how I cooked dinner to how Oleg worked too much.
One evening, as we sat down for dinner, she started her tirade again.
«Oleg, you work too much. You should spend more time at home. What kind of life is this? Always at work,» her voice was full of condemnation.
I couldn’t hold back any longer.
«Olga, this is our life. And if you don’t like something, you can always go back to where you came from,» my words were cold, but I couldn’t tolerate her interference any longer.
Oleg froze. Olga looked at me in confusion.
«What did you say?»
«You heard me,» I replied, trying not to lose control.
Oleg stood up from his chair.
«Enough!» he shouted, slamming his fist on the table. «Enough! Olga, you’re my sister, and I’m glad you’re here. But this is our home, and Alena and I live as we see fit. If you don’t like it, we’ll find you another place.»
I was stunned. This was the first time Oleg had so openly taken my side against Olga. She was also shocked. Her face showed genuine surprise, as if she never expected her brother to go against her.
«Are you serious?» she asked, her voice trembling with offense.
Oleg silently nodded.
Olga said no more words. She got up from the table and left the apartment, slamming the door.
Oleg and I sat in silence. I didn’t know what to say. But I knew that this moment was a turning point for both of us. Oleg had finally chosen me, our family, and this was a new beginning for our relationship.
