Clutching the ring of keys against her chest, Nina’s grin stretched so broadly that her cheeks ached from the sheer joy. At long last, the two-room apartment nestled within a fresh new building was hers—completely paid off, free from any loans or debts. This milestone was the fruit of her relentless hard work and unwavering determination.
“Congratulations on your purchase!” greeted the real estate agent, handing her the paperwork. “Wishing you a seamless move-in experience.”
Nina accepted the documents silently, her voice caught in her throat. A wave of happiness surged within her, tempting her to shout with delight.
Within the empty walls of the apartment, every footstep sounded amplified. Slowly, she wandered from room to room, envisioning the renovations ahead. The walls called for a fresh coat of paint, the floors deserved new laminate, and the kitchen required a total makeover.
“We’ll begin modestly,” Nina murmured as she pulled a notebook from her bag, ready to jot down her plans.
The following weeks slipped by in a cheerful flurry of activity. Nina selected bathroom tiles carefully, browsed through furniture catalogs, and debated over paint hues with salespeople. Soft beige for the bedroom, a calming light blue for the living room—each shade reflected her dreams of the cozy sanctuary she wanted to create.
- Bathroom tiles selection
- Furniture catalog exploration
- Paint shade debates
“This sofa would fit perfectly,” she pondered aloud, leafing through yet another catalog.
The shop assistants soon grew accustomed to her meticulous taste. In no rush, Nina aimed for nothing less than perfection for her new home.
At the bank where she worked, her colleagues observed the transformation in Nina with interest. Her eyes sparkled brighter, her walk brimmed with newfound confidence, and her smile became a nearly permanent feature.
“Nina, this cake is delicious!” exclaimed Svetlana, savoring a slice. “What’s the celebration?”
“The renovation is finally done,” Nina replied proudly, pouring tea into delicate cups. “Now I can enjoy living without the chaos of construction.”
“Congratulations!” Svetlana clapped happily. “By the way, Petya wants to meet you. He works in my department. Would you consider going out with him?”
Nina hesitated briefly. Her personal life had taken a backseat amid her work and apartment purchase. But with this major chapter completed…
“Alright,” she agreed. “Why not?”
Half a year sped past unnoticed. Petya proved to be a kind-hearted and attentive gentleman. Their relationship blossomed naturally and smoothly. After several dates, Petya moved into Nina’s apartment, soon followed by his proposal. Their wedding was modest in scale yet heartfelt in emotion.
Following their honeymoon, Petya’s mother, Galina Ivanovna, came to visit the newlyweds. Appraising their home with the air of an expert, she nodded with approval.
“Not a bad setup,” she pronounced, settling down at the kitchen table.
Nina brewed tea and offered some cookies, eager to make a favorable impression.
“In our family, traditions are important,” Galina Ivanovna began, stirring sugar into her tea. “Children ought to live with their parents. They should care for and respect their elders.”
Nina chuckled nervously, trying to lighten the mood with a joke.
“We’re still young, Galina Ivanovna. We’d like to establish our own home and live independently for a time.”
The mother-in-law disapproved, clicking her tongue with a shake of her head.
“Youth isn’t an excuse to neglect family duties,” Galina Ivanovna retorted as she rose from the table.
Leaving a heavy silence in her wake, she headed toward the door. Nina accompanied her to the exit, stunned at how a single sentence could so profoundly darken the atmosphere.
After closing the door, Nina leaned against it, feeling the weight of the conversation press down on her shoulders. Petya snorted dismissively and turned on his heel.
“You shouldn’t have spoken to my mother that way,” he said upon entering the living room. “She’s right about many things.”
Nina followed him and took a seat on the sofa opposite.
“She lived with my grandparents herself,” Petya continued, irritation creeping into his tone. “That’s how things are done in our family.”
“Petya, times have changed,” Nina countered. “Young couples find more happiness when they’re free from constant oversight.”
Petya waved his hand dismissively, weary of arguing.
“We’ll discuss this later,” he muttered, rising. “I have some work to finish on my computer.”
Left alone in the living room, Nina’s upset intensified. Their first disagreement as a couple stung deeper than she had anticipated.
“Small disputes often reveal larger issues beneath the surface.”
A week passed with tense silence. Petya avoided deep discussions, while Nina grappled with understanding the changing dynamic of their relationship. One Saturday morning, as she baked a pie, Petya entered the kitchen unexpectedly.
“My mom wants to make amends in her own way,” he said, grabbing a glass. “She bought us a ten-day stay at a sanatorium.”
Nina turned from the oven, a bright smile lighting her face.
“Really? So, the conflict is resolved?” she asked, joy evident in her voice.
Petya nodded as he poured water. “She arranged this for us. Will you accept?”
“Absolutely!” Nina exclaimed, wrapping her arms around him. “We need some rest and recovery.”
The ten days at the sanatorium slipped by rapidly. With massages, swimming, and leisurely strolls through the grounds, reconciliation unfolded. Petya became attentive and affectionate once more, while Nina’s recent frustrations faded. In the evenings, the couple wandered through the park, shared dreams, and planned for their future children.
As the train gently rocked them homeward, Nina gazed out at the whirling landscapes, savoring the thought of returning to her own space.
Arriving at the station, Petya gathered their luggage and headed to the exit but paused at the doors.
“Let’s visit my mother first to thank her for the vouchers,” he suggested.
Nina, adjusting her purse on her shoulder, shook her head firmly.
“We will, but after we get home to freshen up.”
“But Mom’s expecting us,” Petya insisted, gripping her elbow. “It’s better to go now.”
“Petya, I need a moment to compose myself,” Nina pulled free and hailed a taxi. “Then we’ll definitely visit Galina Ivanovna.”
Though tight-lipped, Petya entered the cab silently.
Upon reaching their building, Nina climbed the steps, looking forward to the comfort of her own walls. Turning the key in the lock, she opened the door—and froze.
Strangers’ slippers lined the entryway. Voices echoed from the kitchen: a woman’s laugh, a child’s babble, and a deep male voice. Stepping forward, Nina saw them—a family unknown to her seated at her kitchen table.
The two parties stared in stunned silence, as though time itself had stopped.
“What is this?” Nina’s voice trembled with disbelief. “Who gave you the right to enter my home?”
The unfamiliar woman, cradling a child, met Nina’s gaze in confusion. The man rose awkwardly from the table.
Turning to Petya for an explanation, Nina was shocked to find him standing behind her, absorbed in his phone with no trace of surprise.
A chill crawled down her spine.
The sound of the elevator opening made everyone turn. Galina Ivanovna entered, poised and in control.
“A small misunderstanding,” she said calmly, nodding toward the strangers in the apartment.
Grabbing Nina’s elbow, the mother-in-law led her toward the building’s exit.
Outside, Nina wriggled free, her voice trembling with fury.
“Let me go! Explain this right now!” Her hands shook with indignation.
Adjusting her handbag, Galina Ivanovna responded coolly,
“I rented out your apartment—six months in advance.”
Nina was stunned beyond belief.
“How did you get into my apartment?”
“My son gave me the keys,” she answered.
Turning to Petya, she demanded, “Is that true? Did you give her my keys?”
Petya lowered his eyes, avoiding her gaze.
Galina Ivanovna promptly defended her son.
“He did what was right. In our family, the young couple lives with the husband’s parents. It simply leaves no other option.”
Nina stared aghast at her mother-in-law. The world seemed to turn upside down.
“And the rent money will stay with the family,” Galina Ivanovna added, a satisfied smile on her lips. “I already know how I will use it.”
Shock transformed into anger. Nina turned and briskly walked away, ignoring the protests and attempts to stop her. She raised her hand to summon a taxi.
“Nina, come back! Let’s discuss this calmly!” Petya called after her.
Slamming the car door, Nina left their apartment behind.
At her mother’s home, she recounted everything through tears. Yelena Pavlovna listened, her head shaking sadly.
“I can hardly believe such cruelty and audacity exist,” her mother lamented, embracing Nina tightly. “How could they?”
“Mom, what should I do now?” Nina sobbed, leaning on her shoulder.
“I know a lawyer,” Yelena Pavlovna said thoughtfully. “A friend’s son, intelligent and reliable—he will help.”
After three months of court battles, justice was served in Nina’s favor. Standing on the courthouse steps, Nina held her divorce decree. Petya was ordered to pay her 300,000 rubles as compensation for improperly using her property.
Behind Nina, Galina Ivanovna shouted relentlessly:
“You destroyed my son’s life! Worthless and useless!”
Calm and collected, Nina turned to face her former mother-in-law.
“Destroyed it? You ruined your own son’s life by raising a betrayer,” she replied coolly.
“How dare you!” Galina Ivanovna screamed, stepping forward. “We only sought what was best for the family!”
“The best?” Nina laughed bitterly. “You stole my apartment and expected me to accept it? Now your beloved son is left without a wife or money.”
The mother-in-law clenched her fists, hissing:
“You understand nothing about real family life!”
Descending the courthouse steps, Nina called back,
“I refuse to live by outdated traditions, and I will never be a servant in someone else’s family.”
Satisfied, she walked toward her future, leaving the past firmly behind.
Key Insight: Standing up for personal boundaries and demanding respect in family relationships are essential steps toward independence and self-respect.
This story illustrates the challenges of balancing traditional family expectations with modern values. Nina’s determination to claim her independence and protect her property led to a hard-fought victory, reminding us that courage and legal support can triumph over coercion and control.