Artem nodded shyly, his grandmother’s interest in his life and studies standing in stark contrast to his parents’ often indifferent attitude

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Artem was deeply engrossed in his algebra textbook while sitting in the kitchen. Outside the window, the sounds of children shouting and playing football filled the air, but nothing distracted him from his studies.

His grandmother, Lidia Petrovna, was settled comfortably in an armchair, knitting another wool sweater. Despite her retirement age, she balanced her own work and took care of her grandchildren attentively.

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“Take a break for a moment,” she gently encouraged as she handed Artem a cup of compote. “You’ll strain your eyes otherwise.”

As the boy reached for the glass, he accidentally knocked her glasses off, which clinked softly as they hit the floor.

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“Oh, sorry!” he said awkwardly, quickly bending to pick them up.

“No worries,” Lidia Petrovna laughed, adjusting her gray hair. “Tell me, how did you do on the chemistry test? Another top grade?”

Artem nodded shyly, his grandmother’s interest in his life and studies standing in stark contrast to his parents’ often indifferent attitude.

The kitchen door suddenly slammed open. Standing in the doorway was Maxim, Artem’s twelve-year-old brother, wearing torn jeans and sporting a large bruise beneath his eye.

“Is mom home?” he demanded, not bothering with greetings.

“She’s at work,” replied Artem, about to say more when Maxim stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

“Just like his father,” Lidia Petrovna sighed heavily, shaking her head.

Before Artem could speak, Katya burst into the room. At just thirteen, she already wore heavy makeup: thick eyeliner and bright lipstick.

“Oh, Grandma’s knitting her awful sweaters again?” she scoffed, pointing at the unfinished garment. “Who would ever wear that?”

“Katya, don’t be rude,” Lidia Petrovna said firmly, though the girl rolled her eyes in response.

“Mom said you have to buy me that jacket from Zara. Where is it?” the granddaughter interrupted.

“The jacket can wait. Artem’s birthday is coming up,” Grandma answered, frowning.

“Of course. You’ll waste all the money on his birthday first, then think about Max and me,” Katya snapped sarcastically, curling her lip.

Feeling guilty, Artem lowered his gaze. As the eldest child, he disliked these family tensions. His parents often told him to give way to his younger siblings, but his grandmother believed differently.

Lidia Petrovna ignored Katya’s words and resumed knitting in silence.

“He deserved this apartment,” the grandmother said firmly when questioned about her gift.

The next day, Olga, Lidia Petrovna’s daughter, arrived home unexpectedly early from work. She casually tossed her high-heeled shoes in the hallway and headed straight for the refrigerator.

“Mom, did you feed Artem cakes again?” she inquired, noticing crumbs on the kitchen table. “He’s going to gain weight!”

“He needs energy for studying,” her mother retorted without looking up from knitting.

Dmitry, Olga’s husband, who had just returned from work, overheard part of the conversation. He carelessly threw his keys on a side table and moved into the living room.

“Stop spoiling him; he already appreciates nothing,” Dmitry snapped. “Max got into a fight at school over his old backpack, while Artem gets a new one every year!”

Under the table, Artem clenched his fists tightly. The stylish blue and orange backpack came as a prize for winning an academic competition, gifted by his grandmother.

“Dad, I didn’t ask for it…” he began to protest.

“Silence! Grandma will spoil you completely,” his father interrupted.

Suddenly, Lidia Petrovna rose abruptly, accidentally dropping her ball of wool.

“If it weren’t for me, he’d be wearing hand-me-downs! When was the last time you bought him anything?” she demanded.

The room fell silent instantly. Olga averted her eyes as if searching in her bag for something.

The young couple struggled financially, barely able to support three children. For several years, they had silently shifted the responsibility for their eldest to Lidia Petrovna.

  • Grandmother’s dedication to the grandchildren contrasted sharply with their parents’ neglect.
  • Financial strain forced the family to depend on Lidia Petrovna’s support.
  • The siblings’ jealousy and disputes highlighted the underlying tensions.

For Artem’s fifteenth birthday, his grandmother brought a large box wrapped in gift paper and ribbons.

“Open it, my dear grandson!” she exclaimed happily.

With excitement, Artem tore off the wrapping paper, revealing a brand new gaming console peeking out. His surprise was audible.

“This is too much!” Dmitry exclaimed angrily. “You never gave such expensive gifts to Maxim!”

“Let him study as Artem does,” Lidia Petrovna retorted coldly. “Then he’ll get his rewards.”

Katya, watching from the doorway, suddenly burst into tears.

“It’s unfair! I want a nice gift too!”

“Don’t cry, sweetheart. We’ll get you something…” Olga comforted, hugging her daughter tightly.

Artem stared at the console, feeling his genuine happiness overshadowed by his family’s reaction. Offering the box to his sister, he said quietly, “Want to play together?”

“Don’t want your hand-me-downs!” Katya snapped, storming out and slamming the door.

“See, grandson? Kindness only makes them angrier,” Grandma said quietly.

That evening, Artem overheard his parents quarrelling in the kitchen.

“Your mother’s completely lost her mind!” Dmitry hissed. “Giving a gaming console worth thousands to our son!”

“What else could I do?” Olga snapped. “She provokes us on purpose!”

“Tomorrow we’re buying both Max and Katya expensive hoverboards!”

“We don’t have that kind of money!”

“We’ll take a loan. I won’t allow my children to feel inferior because of their grandmother’s grandson!”

By the next day, two hoverboards were in the apartment. Maxim rode outside immediately while Katya flaunted hers on social media.

Returning from the library with a new math book tucked in his pocket, Artem met his younger brother in the yard.

“Look at our smarty!” Max shouted as he whizzed by on his bright red hoverboard. “Want a ride?”

Artem shook his head. He knew that if he agreed, Max would refuse and mock him.

Artem lived with his grandmother for the next five years. Graduating school with honors, he was accepted into university.

Lidia Petrovna insisted that Artem’s twentieth birthday celebration be hosted at her home. Olga and Dmitry seemed indifferent about where the festivities took place.

The table was laden with pies, juicy cutlets, and his favorite herring salad.

Artem sat nervously on the sofa’s edge, fidgeting with the cuffs of the shirt his parents had given him that morning, telling him, “Wear this so Grandma won’t complain that we don’t care.”

The sleeves were a bit short and the collar tight, but Artem said nothing.

Maxim and Katya were already seated at the table. Max had finished school but hadn’t enrolled anywhere yet. He grew a beard and wore a leather biker jacket.

Katya, nineteen, chewed gum while scrolling through her phone. She was attending a pedagogical college to become a caregiver, having failed to enter university.

“Hey, birthday boy!” Maxim teased his brother. “Why the long face? Afraid Grandma’s going to knit you another ugly sweater?”

“Or another “grow-into-it” jacket,” Katya mocked with disdain.

Artem remained silent, accustomed to such remarks. Soon everyone gathered around the table to celebrate.

About an hour later, Lidia Petrovna brought out a cake shaped like an open book. Golden letters on the icing read: “To the smartest grandson.”

“Blow out the candles!” Grandma said warmly, lighting the candles and pushing the cake toward Artem.

He extinguished the flames amid enthusiastic applause. Dmitry silently poured himself brandy and drank it quietly; his relationship with his eldest son was frosty.

“So, what did Grandma prepare for you this time?” Dmitry asked, lounging back.

Lidia Petrovna went to the cabinet and retrieved a large envelope and a small box.

Artem reached for the gift, but his grandmother stopped him.

“Wait, grandson. Listen first.”

She opened the envelope and pulled out official documents.

“An apartment. On 15 Lermontova Street. Two rooms, European-style renovation,” she spoke quickly as if fearing interruptions. “It’s registered in your name.”

Then she opened the small box that held the keys, handing both it and the papers to Artem.

“What?!” Katya exclaimed in disbelief.

“Grandma, have you lost your mind?!” Maxim jumped up, accidentally knocking over a chair.

“Mom, is this some kind of joke?” Olga gasped, clutching her chest.

Dmitry snatched the documents from Artem and began to read.

“Look at this… A deed of gift. Registered,” he paled. “Where on earth did you get the money, mother-in-law, to buy this apartment?!”

“Not your money,” Lidia Petrovna replied coldly. “I worked all my life and saved enough.”

“But we agreed you’d help us!” Olga protested, clutching the edge of the table. “For Max’s wedding, and Katya’s education…”

“Max hasn’t found a fiancée or gotten serious. Katya didn’t get into college even on a paying basis, so she doesn’t need money. They can earn for their desires themselves,” the grandmother said sternly. “Artem earned this apartment, unlike them.”

Key Insight: This story highlights the complexities of familial support, jealousy, and the consequences of unconditional generosity.

Katya stood up sharply, accidentally knocking a plate of Olivier salad which spilled across the tablecloth.

“Deserved?!” she shrieked. “Does he launch rockets into space?! He sits in his room like a rat, and he gets an apartment?!”

Maxim stepped toward Artem, grabbing him by the collar.

“Happy now? After all these years of currying favor with Grandma, you finally got your reward!” he snarled.

“I… I wasn’t currying favor,” Artem stumbled.

“Lies!” Dmitry threw the contract on the floor. “You’ve been turning her against all of us for years!”

Lidia Petrovna stood between them, motioning toward the door.

“Enough! Everyone out. Now,” she ordered firmly.

“Mom, you can’t…” Olga began.

“Get out!” her mother pointed shakily toward the exit. “And forget this house.”

The apartment at 15 Lermontova smelled of fresh paint and wood. Grandma’s words were true—the renovation was impeccable with bright walls, parquet floors, and a glossy kitchen.

Artem switched on the light, and the spherical chandelier cast shimmering rays around the room.

“Do you like it, grandson?” Lidia Petrovna asked eagerly.

“Thanks, Grandma,” Artem hugged her. “It couldn’t be better.”

He invited the entire family to the housewarming. Olga responded with a cold text, “Busy.” Dmitry ignored the invitation altogether.

Maxim replied, “Of course, we’ll come to see your palace, little king.”

That evening, the doorbell rang. Standing at the doorstep were Max in a worn leather jacket and Katya carrying a huge empty second-hand shopping bag.

“Wow,” Max said admiring the high ceilings. “Grandma really loves you.”

Katya wandered through the rooms, snapping photos with her phone.

“Are you going to live alone? Who’d want to live with a boring guy like you?” she smirked.

“No one wanted to build a relationship with you either, so you still live with your parents,” Artem snapped back, then went to help Grandma set the table.

Lidia Petrovna had prepared many dishes, but the siblings barely touched anything. Max carelessly poked the salad with a fork while Katya picked at her nail polish.

“Well, what do you think?” Grandma asked, pouring tea.

“Fine,” Maxim mumbled. “Just tasteless.”

“Yeah,” Katya scoffed. “No curtains or paintings. Feels like a hospital…”

Artem gritted his teeth, wishing they could at least pretend to be happy for him.

“Maybe you’ll give us a tour?” Max asked, getting up. “Show us your palace.”

Unaware of their intentions, Artem led them around the rooms. The relatives examined everything carefully.

“The TV’s too small,” Maxim declared confidently. “Mine’s way bigger with 4K resolution.”

Katya lingered in the bedroom, inspecting the wardrobe.

“Not much clothing here. I should take you shopping. We’ll get you some decent stuff, you look like a scarecrow,” she laughed.

“I have enough clothes, so I don’t need your help,” Artem muttered offended.

After the guests left, he sighed with relief. Grandma washed the dishes and went home.

The next morning, Artem’s laptop was missing. He searched the entire apartment — no sign of it anywhere. Then he noticed the new jacket Katya had tried on was gone too. A pang struck his heart.

“It can’t be…” he dashed to the hallway. The leather jacket Lidia Petrovna bought for his graduation was gone from the coat rack.

He called Maxim, who answered on the third ring.

“What?” his brother grumbled.

“Did you take my things?” Artem’s voice trembled.

“Oh, the king accuses me of stealing!” Maxim laughed. “Maybe you just lost them yourself?”

“Katya was with you! Where are my…” Artem’s voice rose in anger.

“Leave me alone,” Maxim snapped and hung up.

Fed up with his relatives’ behavior, Artem filed a police report. Within two days, Maxim and Katya were summoned for questioning.

“Are you out of your mind?” Dmitry shouted into the phone. “Withdraw the complaint!”

“No,” Artem said firmly for the first time in his life, refusing to obey his father.

“Then we’re kicking you out of the family!” Olga threatened.

“I’m not part of your family anyway,” Artem muttered gloomily and hung up.

That evening, there was a knock on the door. Katya appeared with a sad expression, handing over a bag containing the laptop.

“Here, take your stuff. Just withdraw the complaint,” she grumbled, glancing sideways fearfully.

“What about the jacket? The jacket?” Artem asked.

“We sold them,” Katya smirked. “Should’ve hidden them better.”

He silently shut the door, deciding not to communicate with his relatives anymore.

Artem changed his phone number and disconnected from them on all social media platforms. Sometimes, Grandma brought pies and shared gossip: Katya dropped out of college; Maxim got a job as a loader.

“Do you feel sorry for them?” she once asked.

Looking out the window at children playing soccer below, as he and Max once did, Artem replied quietly, “No. They chose their own paths.”

Grandma nodded, setting the table. The new apartment smelled of cherry pies and freedom—symbolizing a new chapter in Artem’s life.

In conclusion, this story reveals the intricacies of family relationships, the impact of unequal support among siblings, and the strength one gains in standing up for oneself despite opposition. It also portrays how a grandmother’s unconditional love can offer not just material gifts, but the opportunity for a fresh start and personal growth.

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