In a quaint café, raindrops pattered persistently against the glass as Kira anxiously awaited Pavel’s arrival. Celebrating a full year of romance, the momentous occasion had finally arrived: Pavel was to introduce his girlfriend to his mother. Wearing a carefully chosen dark blue dress, Kira nervously adjusted her outfit, determined to leave a positive impression.
Right on time, Pavel appeared in the doorway. His tall and sturdy frame was softened by the gentle smile that had captured Kira’s heart the previous September at a mutual friend’s birthday gathering.
“Ready to meet the most important woman in my life?” he asked, planting a kiss on her cheek.
“I hope I’m first?” Kira attempted light-heartedness, though a slight quiver gave away her unease.
“Absolutely. Mom awaits us at home — she even prepared your favorite shrimp salad,” Pavel replied with warmth.
“How did she know what I liked?”
“I told her. A lot,” Pavel admitted.
Their destination was Valentina Nikolaevna’s apartment, an old brick residence nestled in the city center. Inside, the ceilings soared high above creaky parquet floors within a three-room layout. The door opened to reveal a neat, well-groomed woman in her mid-fifties, her thoughtful brown eyes scrutinizing Kira’s dress, shoes, and handbag with appraisal.
“You must be Kira,” she remarked coolly as she invited the young woman inside.
Kira presented a bouquet of white chrysanthemums, which she had meticulously selected at the florist’s for a full half-hour.
“Thank you,” Valentina Nikolaevna accepted the blossoms accompanied by a faint, measured smile. “Chrysanthemums… an interesting choice.”
During dinner, the conversation turned to Kira’s career. She described her recent promotion as manager in a prominent logistics firm and her ambitions for further growth.
“A career is commendable,” Valentina Nikolaevna commented around a sip of wine. “Yet a woman’s primary role is to support not just her husband but his parents too — that’s how we do it in our family.”
Kira’s muscles tensed subtly though her smile remained steady.
“In today’s families, I believe support is mutual, shared by all,” she responded.
“Modern…” Valentina Nikolaevna snorted in disdain. “Pavlik, more wine, please.”
Her son immediately obliged, refilling her glass while she nodded approvingly, as if a challenge had been met.
After the meal, as Pavel drove Kira back, she hesitated before asking, “Is your mother… always this judgmental?”
“What do you mean?” Pavel laughed and embraced her.
“Well… a bit strict.”
“Mom worries about me — I’m her only son. Dad passed away ten years ago, and she’s been alone since. Give her time; she’ll grow fond of you.”
A week later, Kira received a call from an unknown number. The voice on the other end was surprisingly warmer than their first meeting.
“Kirochka, dear, I have a small favor. I need to buy some new face cream but my pension’s delayed. Could you lend me fifteen thousand? I’ll pay you back as soon as possible.”
Kira paused, collecting her thoughts.
“I’m sorry, Valentina Nikolaevna, but I don’t lend money. It’s a principle.”
“Not even to your future mother-in-law?” the tone hardened.
“Pavel and I aren’t engaged yet. Besides, I don’t lend money — not even to my own parents.”
The call ended abruptly, leaving a chill behind.
That evening Pavel called, distressed.
“Kira, Mom said you refused to help her?”
“She asked for a loan, and we’ve only just met.”
“She’s alone, just managing with a small pension.”
“But your father left a good inheritance — apartment, dacha, and savings.”
“True, but that’s saved for emergencies.”
Kira swallowed her frustration; she didn’t want conflict.
In October, Pavel’s birthday arrived. After careful consideration, Kira selected a Swiss watch — a gift he had long desired. The celebration took place at a restaurant, with Valentina Nikolaevna presiding at the head of the table.
“What a gift!” Valentina Nikolaevna exclaimed, inspecting the box. “I’m the mother of your future husband, Kira. My birthday is in November — remember that.”
Though Kira smiled on the outside, inside she simmered. Pavel shrugged, silently signaling to disregard the comment.
Following that evening, the calls from Valentina Nikolaevna became more frequent. She requested help with grocery shopping, asked if Kira could contribute to holiday preparations, and sought loans for a broken washing machine.
Kira politely declined, citing fictitious busyness and budget constraints. It was clear to her where this was heading.
- Persistent requests for money can signal deeper family dynamics at play.
- Setting boundaries early can protect personal finances and relationships.
- Expectations from in-laws vary widely but deserve honest conversations.
“I think your future mother-in-law views you as a cash source,” her friend Lena warned over coffee.
“You’re exaggerating.”
“She’s asked for money about ten times in two months. Is that normal?”
“Pavel says she’s struggling.”
“She owns a three-room apartment and a dacha. Be careful — first you’ll be supporting her, then possibly other relatives.”
Kira dismissed the caution but the words lingered uneasily.
November brought Pavel’s proposal. Amid candles and a dazzling diamond ring, happy tears flowed. Wedding planning began immediately.
“A quality restaurant is essential,” Valentina Nikolaevna insisted during preparations. “I found a great hall at the Metropol.”
“That’s pricey, Mom,” Pavel responded cautiously.
“Kira has a good job, and her parents will help, right?”
Kira clenched her fists beneath the table.
“My parents live elsewhere and have their own expenses. We preferred a modest wedding.”
“Modest?” Valentina Nikolaevna raised an eyebrow. “This happens once — your bride should make an effort.”
Pavel shifted uncomfortably. “Let’s discuss this later.”
“What’s there to discuss? Kira must understand our standards. We always host in style.”
“Whose money is that?” Kira challenged.
Valentina Nikolaevna’s lips tightened before she stood up. “Pavel, remind your fiancée about manners.”
Left alone, Pavel gave Kira a reproachful glance.
“Why provoke her?”
“Me? I’m not provoking — your mother demands I fund a lavish banquet!”
“She just wants the best for us.”
“For us, or for herself?”
“Kira, don’t start. Mom has done a lot.”
The discussion reached an impasse. Pavel’s loyalty was unwavering.
Come December, the wedding plans intensified. Valentina Nikolaevna took full control; the guest list swelled to two hundred, mostly her acquaintances.
“This is our wedding, not your mother’s,” Kira protested.
“Mom knows best,” Pavel replied. “She has experience.”
One evening, Kira arrived early at Pavel’s. Using her key, she entered quietly to avoid disturbance. From the living room came the unmistakable voices of Pavel and his mother.
“Don’t worry, son. After the wedding, Kira will learn to support us.”
“She already does a lot.”
“She refused to buy me face cream. It’s pennies to her.”
“Mom…”
“Listen carefully. After the wedding, you’re head of the family — Kira will sell her apartment, buy a car, and support me. That’s the way to set the tone.”
Kira froze in the hallway, heart pounding so loud it could be heard inside.
“Mom, I love Kira. I don’t want to use her.”
“Who said that? Family order means a wife helps husband and relatives. It’s normal.”
“She works too, she gets tired.”
“I worked my whole life. Raised you. This Kira thinks only about career.”
A step betrayed Kira’s presence. The voices silenced.
“Who’s there?” Pavel called.
Kira entered with composure.
“Hi, I left work early. Am I interrupting?”
Valentina Nikolaevna scrutinized her before leaving the room.
“Remember what I said,” she whispered to Pavel before departing.
Pavel embraced Kira. “Dinner? I made pasta.”
“We need to talk about your mother’s constant financial hints.”
Pavel frowned. “You’re exaggerating.”
“Eccentric?” Kira asked, revealing she overheard their conversation.
Pavel paled.
“What exactly did you hear?”
“Enough to know she plans to live at my expense.”
“She didn’t mean that.”
“She has seen me as a wallet from day one!”
Pavel rubbed his face. “What do you want? To cut my mother off?”
“I want you to defend me.”
“She’s the only close family I had.”
“And I’m your future wife.”
“I need time.”
“A week.” Kira turned and left.
At home, she wrestled with her doubts. Did Pavel truly love her? Yes. Could he defend her? No.
The next day, Valentina Nikolaevna insisted on meeting Kira alone to speak «heart to heart» — the same café where a year before they had first met.
After a silence, the future mother-in-law revealed her expectations: Kira was too independent, and in their family, wives didn’t set terms.
Kira questioned if supporting in-laws with personal funds was customary.
“Not whims — needs. I raised Pavel alone; I deserve support now,” Valentina Nikolaevna insisted.
Kira noted the contradiction: a healthy pension, property, and savings yet demands for financial aid.
“I worked all my life. Now I rest. My son and his wife must provide a decent old age.”
Kira stood, appreciating the clarity.
“Thanks for your honesty. Now I know what to do.”
Later, meeting Pavel in the park, Kira issued her ultimatum:
“Either you set boundaries with your mother, or we end this.”
Pavel struggled to respond.
“I need to think.”
“Take a week.”
Kira walked away, leaving Pavel calling after her.
At home, Kira reflected by the window, haunted by her mother-in-law’s cruel words overheard: “Thanks to this little fool, we’ll live in luxury.”
She was no fool, but someone with the insight to walk away before an unhappy marriage.
The next day, she confronted Pavel again. He dismissed the insults as jokes and begged her to calm down.
Kira realized Pavel would not stand up for her.
That sleepless night, revisiting every moment of pain, she resolved to end things.
The meeting at the café a year later sealed it: she removed her ring, declaring she would no longer be a financial resource.
Pavel was stunned; roses scattered as she walked away.
Hours later, Valentina Nikolaevna called, furious and demanding Kira return to him for the sake of their future.
Kira stayed firm, then blocked both Pavel and his mother.
Her friend Lena praised her courage, acknowledging few leave an engagement so close to the big day.
At work, Kira’s boss offered a new leadership role in St. Petersburg; a fresh start awaited.
Preparing to relocate, Kira packed away reminders of the failed relationship, except one note she had written to herself: “Remember — you deserve love and respect.”
Two weeks later, Pavel attempted a reconciliation, but Kira’s decision was resolute.
Now living in St. Petersburg, a light drizzle accompanied her radiant mood. With a new apartment, promising career, and freedom from manipulation, she embraced the future.
A message from her friend reminded her of Pavel and his mother’s fate: moving to a humble studio after selling off assets.
“Not my problem,” she smiled, looking forward.
Key Insight: Kira’s story underlines the importance of recognizing personal boundaries and the courage required to refuse exploitation within family relationships.
Her reflections concluded an arduous chapter and heralded the beginning of a self-respecting, autonomous life beyond pressure and unreasonable demands.