— Natasha, dear, where do you plan to live now? — Angelica Viktorovna, Natasha’s mother-in-law, approached her daughter-in-law. Natasha had not yet recovered from her husband’s funeral, so she did not immediately understand the question. She mechanically packed the leftover candies from the wake into a container. — Excuse me, what? — Where do you plan to live with the child?
— What about our apartment? — Natasha struggled to think. The immense stress — the sudden departure of her beloved husband — affected her state. — With our apartment, — the mother-in-law corrected her in a deliberately gentle voice. — The apartment where you lived belongs to us. You lived there as the wife of my son. But now…
— Wait, Angelica Viktorovna… Do you want us, me and Andreyka, to move out?! — Natasha struggled for words. She became frightened. The young mother had no apartment of her own, and her only relative was her grandmother, her father’s mother. And she lived in a small one-bedroom apartment. When Natasha moved out to live with her husband, the grandmother sighed with relief. She was very glad that she could live peacefully in her old age. And now… does Natasha really have to ask to move back in? And with a new addition… A year ago, Natasha gave birth to a son. The child was noisy, active… The grandmother did not participate in raising her great-grandson; she even refused to sit with him, citing illness and age.
— Not that I want to, but you probably understand that we can’t afford two apartments. We need to rent one out to get some money from the property. Otherwise, we have plenty of apartments, all to no avail…
— But my son and I need somewhere to live too… — Natasha covered her face with her hands. At that moment, a relative approached to offer condolences to the young inconsolable widow. Seeing this, the mother-in-law immediately hugged Natasha.
— Dear, my dear, would we abandon you?! We’ll live together, we’ll take you and Andrey under our wing! — she announced loudly so that the relatives could hear and nod in approval. Look what a good job, Angelica Viktorovna, she won’t abandon her daughter-in-law and grandson!
With such thoughts about the «saintly» mother-in-law, the relatives dispersed from Natasha’s husband’s wake.
— We’re going to our apartment, — commanded Angelica Viktorovna to her husband, Vitaliy Borisovich. — Natasha, put the child in the car seat, and quickly!
Natasha complied. She couldn’t argue with her mother-in-law or refuse her entry to the apartment.
— You’ll live with us. Just so it’s not uncomfortable for you to be dependent on us, you’ll give me the money you receive for the loss of the breadwinner, — declared the mother-in-law.
They reached home as if in a fog.
— Here we’ll put our bed, here’s my vanity.
— And where will Andrey and I live? — Natasha asked quietly, watching as her mother-in-law sorted through her things and planned to rearrange her bedroom.
— In the living room. But if the child disturbs my sleep, you’ll move to the kitchen. Away from the bedroom.
Natasha looked at Angelica Viktorovna in surprise.
— There’s too little space in the kitchen for a baby’s crib.
— Then you’ll sleep with your son on the couch. That’s not my problem. Alright, enough talking. Get your things out of the closet and clear the room.
— Angel… let the girl catch her breath, — Vitaliy Borisovich finally spoke up.
— And why exactly is she tired?! We organized everything!
Natasha did not stay to listen or argue.
— I’ll put Andrey to bed. He needs a nap.
— What, I can’t watch football now? — the father-in-law seemed upset. — Angel, maybe let them live in the bedroom, as before? And you and I…
— We and you are the owners here! They are guests! Guests should live in the living room! And if you really need football, move the TV to the bedroom.
— Andreyka watches cartoons on it… — Natasha tried to protest.
— Let him watch on a phone. Or on a tablet. You’ve bought enough gadgets, so use them. — The mother-in-law cut her off.
Natasha nodded and left. She was so tired that she decided to go to sleep with her son. And… slept until morning. True, she got up out of habit to feed the child, but she herself ate nothing.
In the morning, Natasha was awakened by loud stomping.
— Take it away! Yes, all this needs to be taken to the address from which you brought these things! — Angelica Viktorovna was giving instructions to the movers.
— Where do you want to take my favorite chair?! And the mirror? We bought all this… all with my husband! He chose it!
— Natasha, darling… Don’t you know that keeping things bought by the deceased is a bad omen? Besides, we need to furnish the apartment for rent. We moved our own furniture here, for ourselves. The walls there are bare. A furnished apartment rents for more than an empty one. These little things won’t be useful to you, but very much so to the tenants. If, of course, you hold the mirrors, drawers, and mattresses so dear, you can buy all this from us… Or rent our furnished apartment.
Natasha was speechless. The mover, carrying the mirror, was also surprised.
— Excuse me, madam… do you have a property ownership certificate for the apartment? — he doubted.
— The apartment belongs to my mommy. She’s incapacitated. By the will, the apartment was supposed to go to my deceased son. But my son is dead… I’m now the sole heir! — Angelica Viktorovna suddenly burst into tears so that Natasha had to run for a sedative.
— Alright, I understand. You have a tragedy in your family, sort it out yourselves. — The mover carried away the mirror, waving his hand. Natasha realized that from now on, she would have to live by her mother-in-law’s decree. For her, a new life began that day.
— What are you wearing?! At all, really?! — Natasha didn’t immediately understand that Angelica Viktorovna was addressing her. — Decided to seduce my husband?! It’s been 9 days since the funeral, and she’s already flirting!
Natasha set the mixture on the table and turned around, shocked to look at Angelica Viktorovna.
— I’m talking to you! Don’t you dare walk around like that in my house!
— What’s wrong? — Natasha looked at the home suit she had been wearing for half a year.
— The tank top is too tight, the leggings show everything that shouldn’t be shown! You should be ashamed!
— So what should I wear?
— Here. — The mother-in-law threw a baggy shirt, oversized pants, and a robe at Natasha. — And tie up your hair! No need to shake your mane everywhere… Hair from you everywhere… like from a mangy cat.
Natasha swallowed.
— What are you standing there for?! Go change! If I see you in that again, I’ll throw you out in just your slippers!
Andreyka didn’t recognize his mom in the new outfit. He started to cry.
— Quiet, son… It’s me…
— Quiet him immediately! I have a migraine! — the mother-in-law burst into the room. From her scream, Andrey cried even harder. — No, I’m telling you, we need to check if this is even our child! Mine was calm, smiling, and this one? Always screaming and making faces.
— My child doesn’t have a face, he has a face. — Natasha quietly responded.
— Keep quiet! A smart one found! — Angelica Viktorovna dashed out of the room and slammed the door.
The weekends were no better than weekdays. The father-in-law watched football or entertainment shows, so loud that the neighbors could hear. No wonder Andryusha didn’t sleep. The less the child slept, the more he cried.
— Why isn’t anything prepared? — the mother-in-law asked, returning from the hairdresser.
— I didn’t have time, Andrey wouldn’t let me sit down… There are sausages, pasta…
— Only street cats eat sausages! There will be no such food in my house! — the mother-in-law dramatically threw a pack of sausages into the trash bin, shocking Natasha. She had planned to snack on it; it would have been her only food for the day.
— In that case, maybe you should cook something yourself?!
— I will cook. But I will eat alone. And you feed on this if you’re so slow! — Angelica Viktorovna kicked a garbage bucket toward her daughter-in-law.
Natasha left the kitchen in tears.
She constantly thought about her husband, about how recently there had been children’s laughter, coziness, love, and happiness in this house. Now, in addition to mourning for her husband, hatred for her mother-in-law had settled in the woman’s heart.
Angelica Viktorovna did not love her son. The boy was raised by his grandmother while his mother built a career as an actress in the local theater. The «star» married four times but never made it big. Her main role was still that of the evil stepmother in the play «Snow White». The woman had become so embedded in this role that it seemed she forgot that life was not a theater. That people in it are not actors, they have hearts, emotions, not just a script and a learned role.
— What? Did Angelka yell again? — the father-in-law appeared in the room.
Natasha nodded.
— That’s just how she is. Don’t pay attention to her.
The father-in-law stood there, looked at Nata… He showed no interest in Andrey. But Natasha felt like hiding her head in the old robe that her mother-in-law had «gifted» her.
— If anything, don’t be shy, come over. We’ll talk, — he said, chuckling.
— Thank you.
— If you need money, that’s no problem either.
— Thank you.
— Vitalik! Let’s have dinner! — the mother-in-law’s voice came from the kitchen. She did not invite the daughter-in-law to the table.
Sponsored Content
Brainberries It all comes true! Predictions for 2025 will shock you Learn more And one day Natasha overheard a conversation:
— I’m tired of it! It’s time to evict the daughter-in-law from our house! There’s little money from her, only losses.
— Where will she go?!
— I don’t care!
With each passing day, Natasha’s life increasingly resembled a nightmare. To her mother-in-law’s quibbles were added the unequivocal hints of her father-in-law. Especially when his wife was out of the house. Natasha began to feel uneasy, she became afraid to be alone with Vitaliy Borisovich. Now Natasha, on any pretext, ran out of the house with her son. Mostly she spent time at a friend’s place. And unable to bear it, she shared with her everything that was happening in her life.
— Listen, why do you put up with them? Leave them. Better to live with your grandmother in a small apartment than to endure humiliations and sleazy looks from an old man.
— I would like to, but my grandmother doesn’t want to take us in.
— What do you mean?
— Just like that. I went to her the other day. She said there’s no room to put a baby crib in her house. That she has high blood pressure and a bunch of other diseases. «You’re my granddaughter, just wait for my death and then move in,» — Natasha quoted her grandmother.
— Well… you’re lucky, friend, with relatives. — Listen, what about the story with your husband’s apartment? Who does it even belong to? Have you seen the documents?
— Out of the corner of my eye.
— And?
— The owner is the grandmother who raised my husband. She lives in the province, 200 km away.
— Have you ever seen her?
— No. She has leg problems, she didn’t come to our wedding.
— Does she have a phone?
— My husband used to call her.
— Who takes care of her if she’s unhealthy?
— Some kind of caregiver…
— You should have gone to that grandmother long ago to find out the situation.
— Where would I find her address?
— In your husband’s phone.
Natasha took the advice and, taking her husband’s phone, began to search for the number. It turned out not to be too difficult.
Waiting until her mother-in-law and father-in-law left, she dialed the number.
The grandmother did not answer right away. But when she did, her voice was quite brisk.
— Yes?
— This is Natasha, your daughter-in-law.
— Hello, Natasha! What happened? Usually, the grandson calls… And he hasn’t contacted us for over a month! Is he healthy?! I call my daughter, and she keeps hanging up…
Instead of an answer, Natasha burst into tears. She realized that the grandmother did not know about her grandson’s death.
— Natasha?! What’s wrong?!
— He’s dead… It’s been forty days.
— God… How did this happen?! That’s why I’ve been having bad dreams! — the woman nearly fainted from grief.
— I thought you knew…
— No. Well… That cursed witch! She didn’t even call!
— I didn’t know you weren’t informed…
— I’m not talking about you! I’m talking about Angelica.
— Angelica Viktorovna moved into your apartment. She’s renting out hers. She’s evicting us and Andrey, — blurted out Natasha.
— With a great-grandson? Well, that’s something… However, not surprising. Here’s what, Natasha, write down the address and come over.
The next morning, Natasha stood at the bus station with a baby stroller. Andrey was asleep, and she was restless with excitement.
The journey took several hours. The house was easy to find.
The husband’s grandmother turned out to be sick, but quite capable and sane.
— And who takes care of you? — asked Natasha, seeing that the woman moved in a wheelchair.
— A caregiver, whom I pay. Luckily, I saved up for old age. Otherwise, I’d be rotting in some ‘institution’. Can’t expect care from my daughter. She’s always been self-centered. At least the grandson used to call, send money, but now I’m completely unnecessary to anyone.
— I’m very sorry, — Natasha understood the grandmother well. She also felt unwanted.
— So what about the apartment?
Natasha told the grandmother everything starting from the funeral. The women cried, remembered the deceased, sat in silence…
— So, if you and the boy have nowhere to live, you can stay with me. The house is big, there’s enough space. Are you on maternity leave? Not working?
— On maternity leave.
— Then you have nowhere to rush for another 2 years.
— Won’t I be a burden? My child is loud.
— Is that loud? My grandson was…
Natasha and the grandmother got along very well. The woman offered a bed in exchange for help around the house.
— I think you won’t need a caregiver for now. I will clean, cook, and take care of you, — Natasha offered. The grandmother agreed.
As for where the daughter-in-law disappeared to, Angelica Viktorovna didn’t know. She wasn’t interested. Not until she realized that Natalia’s actions were part of a cunning plan.
— My caregiver called, said your mother refused her services, — Vitaliy Borisovich told his wife.
— How did she refuse? She can’t walk!
— I’m interested too. Is this Natalia’s doing?!
— Bitch! Decided to grab the apartment and the house! — Angelica flared up.
That same day, she went to her mother and caused a scandal.
— And why are you, Angelica, rebelling? Haven’t shown up for a hundred years, and here you are, rushing in! Or are two apartments not enough — you also have your sights on my house? Well, dear, you can forget about the house. I’ve transferred it to the grandson. Now he’s the heir, and you get nothing. By the way, you’ll have to vacate my apartment.
— By what right?! — Angelica Viktorovna was frightened.
— By my right. Legal. You’ve lived for free, time to know your place.
— You’ve gone mad! I’ll contest all real estate transactions.
— Try, — the grandmother laughed and slammed the door in her daughter’s face.
Without delay, the grandmother made a contract for the daughter-in-law. Natasha happily signed it. She was ready to help the grandmother even without a contract. And now, when she had someone she could trust, she felt joyful and at ease.
— I called my daughter, told her to pack her things. If you want, return to the city. I’ll hire the caregiver back, — the grandmother said quietly.
— Andrey and I are better off here. With you. Unless you’re tired of us…
— Not tired, — the grandmother hugged her daughter-in-law, and Natasha stayed with her.
The apartment in the city, which was vacated by court order from Angelica and Vitaliy, was rented out. And Natasha and Andrey lived in the grandmother’s house. Gradually, they became so accustomed to country life that they no longer wanted to return to the city.
As for Natasha’s own grandmother, she remained alone. When she realized that she should have maintained a relationship with her granddaughter, it was too late. The elderly woman fell ill, couldn’t even reach the phone… And no one was around.
Angelica and Vitaliy soon divorced over the wife’s jealousy. Left without an inheritance and without a husband, Angelica began to drink heavily, fell on stage during a performance, and was removed from her role. The woman was left destitute, but unfortunately, she didn’t learn her lesson. She blamed everything on her daughter-in-law and her son, who should have supported her until old age.
