— So, what do you think? — Irina asked her husband, her voice filled with admiration.
— This is something else! — Alexei replied.
For the past hour, he had been walking around the apartment, admiring the furniture the workers had delivered that morning. The air was filled with the scent of fresh renovations and brand-new furnishings.
— The living room’s more or less set up. Tomorrow they’ll bring the bed for the bedroom. But the wardrobe will come a bit later.
— Wow, — the man replied, still not fully believing this was actually his apartment.
Irina, practical and level-headed, hadn’t told her husband where the money came from or how they got the apartment. She believed money preferred silence. Her father had gifted her this brand-new apartment through a deed of gift, but she chose to keep that quiet. Instead, she told her husband that it was a combination of contributions from relatives and savings she’d been putting aside for the past four years.
The doorbell rang. Alexei tore himself away from his admiration and opened the door. When he saw his mother on the doorstep, his face lit up with a smile.
— Mom, come in! Oh, sis, you’re here too?
— How could I miss all the fun? — Galina laughed.
— Keeping it all secret from your own mother, huh? — said Tatyana Yakovlevna with a hint of offense. — Saving up all this time and didn’t say a word.
— Well, Mom… — Alexei looked a little embarrassed. — Come in, have a look around.
The woman and her grown daughter stepped into the living room. Irina, as the hostess, greeted them politely but didn’t interrupt her husband’s enthusiastic speech.
— Three rooms! — Alexei announced proudly.
— Wow! — Galina exclaimed, looking around. — The living room is huge!
— Thirty-four square meters! — Alexei said with pride.
— And what’s in there? — his mother asked, pointing.
— This will be the bedroom, and that one over there — the nursery, — Alexei replied, walking over to the door and opening it.
— It’s empty for now, but tomorrow they’ll bring the bed. The wardrobes and nightstands will come later, along with the curtains.
— Wow, — Tatyana Yakovlevna said, stepping into the bedroom, which was probably even larger than the living room in her own home.
— Bro, this is impressive! — Galina chimed in, following her mother into the bedroom.
Alexei puffed out his chest and smiled. He had always loved praise — even for small things — as long as there was praise. Irina knew this and took advantage of his little weakness. She walked up to Alexei and gently patted his shoulder, silently encouraging him: go on, keep talking.
— We’ll have curtains here, blinds, and we’ll install an AC unit a bit later, — he said, kneeling down and running his hand across the floor. — And this laminate flooring? It’s really good quality!
— And how much did all this cost? — Tatyana Yakovlevna asked, this time addressing her daughter-in-law.
— Oh! — Irina replied playfully. — You’d better ask your son — he’s the financial genius in this family!
Alexei chuckled. Of course, he knew he wasn’t any kind of financial genius, but his wife’s support in front of his mother meant a lot.
— Come, I’ll show you the other room! — he quickly changed the subject and led them to the nursery, which was still empty. But when they stepped in, his mother clapped her hands — whether it was because the room was empty or because it was on the sunny side, it felt enormous to her.
— I’m proud of you, — she said, walking over to kiss her son on the cheek. — You’ve grown up.
— Wow! — his sister exclaimed, walking in. — This is something!
— It’s going to be the kids’ room. We always planned it for two, — Alexei said and glanced at his wife. She giggled and held up three fingers. — Okay, okay, for three!
— See, take a note! — Tatyana Yakovlevna turned to Irina. — That’s how you make money! And you’re still stuck in the same position — time to move up and start earning more!
— I’m trying, — Irina replied calmly, unfazed by the mother-in-law’s remarks.
Tatyana Yakovlevna was a loving woman. Irina knew that some mothers-in-law made their daughters-in-law’s lives unbearable — but this one wasn’t too bad. She’d come, grumble a bit, and leave. So Irina didn’t see any reason to argue or try to prove anything.
— You’d be lost without your husband, — the older woman muttered.
— That’s why I’m lucky to have him, — Irina said, walking over to her husband and resting her head on his shoulder, fully agreeing with her mother-in-law’s words.
— Well, at least keep the house in order now.
— I’ll do my best, — Irina replied.
Galina wandered into the kitchen again, marveling at the spacious layout. Then she checked out the bathroom, squealed with delight, and came back to give her brother a big hug.
It was already getting dark outside, and the last rays of the setting sun cast a warm glow on the walls of the new apartment, creating a cozy, family-filled atmosphere.
About half an hour later, Tatyana Yakovlevna got ready to leave. The place was still a mess — boxes, boxes, and more boxes.
— Maybe a quick cup of tea? — Irina offered.
— No, no, — Tatyana Yakovlevna waved her off. — Get everything in order first. Unpack, arrange things, do the shopping — then we’ll have a proper housewarming.
Alexei looked at his wife with pride.
— Of course, Mom. I’ll invite you properly.
— Alright then. You two run the show here. We’ll be off.
Galina didn’t want to go out, but seeing that her mother was already at the door, she ran after her.
“Well, son,” she turned to Alexei, “you’ve gotten back on your feet, you’re a man now, so—” her eyes shifted to Irina, then back to her son, “you should help me replace the furniture.”
“Sure, no problem,” Alexei replied without hesitation.
Hearing those words, Tatyana Yakovlevna broke into a smile. She patted her son on the shoulder and, pleased, opened the door and stepped into the hallway. Galina followed close behind her like a loyal dog.
As soon as the door closed, Irina turned to her husband and asked irritably:
“Why did you lie to your mother about investing your own money into the apartment?”
“Don’t be mad,” the man answered in a pleading voice. “If I hadn’t said that, she would’ve stopped respecting me. And really, does it matter who paid? It’s our apartment, we’re a family.”
“Yes, a family,” Irina agreed, “but that’s no excuse for lying.”
“Don’t be upset,” Alexei said, walking over to hug her.
“What furniture is she talking about exactly? Care to explain?”
“Well, she said she needs to replace hers.”
Irina smirked.
“We are going to help her, right?” Alexei asked.
“I have my own parents,” Irina replied. “If I’m going to help anyone, it’s going to be them…”
“What about my mom?” her husband asked, clearly upset.
“You made a promise, so it’s your responsibility to keep it.”
“Wait, hold on!” Irina walked into the living room, and Alexei hurried after her. “But she really needs help!” he insisted, but his wife didn’t respond.
A week later, Irina came home in high spirits. She walked over to her husband, who was busy in the kitchen, hugged him, and whispered softly in his ear:
“Congratulate me!”
“Congratulations… though I have no idea what for,” Alexei said as he turned around to look into his wife’s beaming eyes.
“I got promoted!” Irina said proudly.
“Seriously?” he asked.
“Yes! I already saw the order — I’m now a senior analyst!”
“Wow!” Alexei exclaimed, hugging and kissing her. “Can you believe it? My wife’s a senior analyst!” He said it with the kind of pride as if he had received the promotion himself.
Now his eyes were shining with joy. He picked Irina up in his arms. She laughed and, afraid she might fall, asked him to put her down.
“I’ll be earning twice as much now!”
“That’s…!” Alexei was speechless. He opened his mouth, closed it again, then finally said, “We’re going to live well now!”
“Sure,” Irina said, peeking over his shoulder to see what he was cooking.
“I’m almost done,” Alexei said, letting go of her and turning back to the kitchen table. Then suddenly, he turned around and announced:
“So now we’ll buy new furniture for my mom!”
“No,” Irina replied calmly. She knew Alexei was about to start pleading his case, so she placed a finger on his lips to silence him.
“This,” she said, running her hand along the refrigerator, “was bought on credit. And this,” she touched the kitchen countertop, “also on credit. And all the furniture in the living room? Credit too.” She paused for a moment before adding, “My credit. So don’t even think about any furniture for your mother. You’re my husband and you’re going to help me pay it off.”
Alexei blushed with shame — because it was true. Everything in their new home had been bought by his wife.
“Alright,” he mumbled. “Then I’ll finish making dinner.” Without saying another word, he went back to cooking.
The next evening, Alexei stopped by his mother’s apartment. Tatyana Yakovlevna immediately started questioning him about what else he’d bought for the home. He slowly listed the new purchases: the kitchen set the workers had installed, the bookcase in the living room, the nightstands, and the bedroom suite.
“I’m so proud of you!” his mother said, her eyes gleaming. “And what about my request?” she hinted at the new furniture again.
“Well…” Alexei hesitated.
“I already visited the furniture store and picked everything out!” she said, pulling up photos on her phone to show him what she’d chosen.
“Mom, right now…” he began.
But he didn’t finish. Tatyana Yakovlevna launched into a tirade:
“My old couch probably remembers your grandmother, and the bed creaks every time I get near it. That bedroom of mine is falling apart!”
“Mom, it’s not possible right now,” Alexei finally said, voicing what he’d been dreading.
“What do you mean ‘not possible’?” she asked, stunned.
“We’ve had a lot of expenses with the apartment. Irina bought curtains, and she still wants a pouf and an extra bookshelf — her books won’t fit anywhere.”
“How wasteful!” the woman exclaimed. “Such spending!”
Trying to lift her mood, Alexei added with a smile:
“Irina got promoted at work.”
“Well, finally,” Tatyana Yakovlevna snorted. “She’s been leeching off you long enough. Maybe now she’ll actually earn something.”
“She’s doing fine, Mom,” Alexei mumbled.
“Don’t defend your wife!” his mother snapped.
“Irina wants to celebrate her promotion at a restaurant.”
“What?!” his mother barked. “What restaurant?”
“Just a regular one,” Alexei replied, surprised by her reaction.
“She should cook at home! Or what — are her hands broken?”
“Well, she works hard, and she wanted to go out… her coworkers will be there too…”
Tatyana Yakovlevna gave her son a disapproving look.
“Your wife’s extravagance is outrageous! She should celebrate at home — restaurants cost a fortune! And you say you have no money for furniture!” She shook her hands in the air, as if holding imaginary bills. “That’s where the money’s going — to restaurants! And your mother gets nothing! Your wife’s attitude is unacceptable! Tell her to celebrate at home and give me the restaurant money!”
Alexei didn’t argue. He knew her domineering nature too well. Carefully, he changed the subject.
On Saturday, as promised, Irina invited her friends to a restaurant to celebrate the promotion. She checked the time, picked up her phone, and called her husband.
“Where are you?” she asked, clearly annoyed.
“I’m here, I’m coming up now,” he answered hurriedly.
The word “we” didn’t sit right with her, but she didn’t press.
“Is he on his way?” her mother, Veronika Nikolaevna, asked.
“Yes… and I think he’s not alone,” Irina said cautiously.
A minute later, Alexei walked into the hall, followed by Tatyana Yakovlevna and Galina.
“Perfect,” Irina cursed internally. “Just what I needed.”
With a forced smile, her mother-in-law walked over, hugged her, and congratulated her.
“Thanks, have a seat,” Irina replied curtly.
She called the waiter over and asked for two more chairs and place settings.
Leaning toward her husband, she whispered:
“Why are they here? I told you I wanted to spend time with friends.”
“But you invited your mother,” Alexei countered. “Why couldn’t I invite mine? She is your mother-in-law, and she loves you.”
“Right,” Irina answered tightly.
For a while, her mother-in-law behaved herself — she greeted the guests, even chatted briefly with Veronika Nikolaevna. But after the first sip of champagne, she leaned back in her chair and looked down at the food with disdain.
How much does all of this cost?» — it wasn’t a question; it was an outraged exclamation.
«Let’s just enjoy ourselves,» Irina said, realizing exactly what her mother-in-law was about to launch into.
«This is all way overpriced! That salmon — it costs ten times more here than in the store!»
«Please,» Irina said with a smile, though her tone was cold. «That’s enough.»
But the mother-in-law acted as if she didn’t hear and kept complaining. Galina joined in. Instead of stopping them, Alexei said:
«Yeah, this evening did cost a pretty penny.»
«You should’ve just cooked at home — it would’ve been nice, cozy, the guests would’ve been happy, and they could’ve seen your apartment too,» his mother added, meaning her son’s apartment. «But instead — just throwing money away!»
Irina pretended not to hear the mother-in-law’s rant. She turned to her friends, and they pretended not to notice either. But Tatyana Yakovlevna wouldn’t stop:
«Either you don’t know how to cook or no one taught you,» she said, casting a veiled insult at Veronika Nikolaevna, who let it slide. «What a waste — is this even food? You should’ve given me that money for furniture!»
Irina couldn’t take it anymore and snapped:
«This is a celebration, not a family meeting,» and she turned away.
Music began to play. Someone got up to dance. A man approached Irina and politely bowed his head. She glanced at her husband — no reaction. She stood up and went to dance with her colleague.
«Oh!» Tatyana Yakovlevna gasped. «Dancing with a lover right in front of her husband! What’ll she do tomorrow? He’s going to leave her!»
Alexei, annoyed — whether at his mother or wife, wasn’t clear — got up and walked over to Irina with a dark look directed at her dance partner. The man, not wanting drama, thanked Irina and stepped aside.
«Control your mother,» Irina told her husband.
«What am I supposed to do, tape her mouth shut?» Alexei snapped.
«If you brought her, you’re responsible. This is my evening.»
«She’s allowed to express her opinion.»
Trying to reason with him was pointless. Irina didn’t return to the dance floor. She sat back down and kept chatting with her friends.
Veronika Nikolaevna stayed a few more minutes, congratulated her daughter on her promotion, and said she was heading out.
«Thanks for coming, Mom,» Irina stood up, and most of her colleagues did the same. Some even walked Veronika to the door.
Tatyana Yakovlevna watched as new dishes were brought out, wine bottles opened, and Irina’s friends laughed and chatted again.
«How much is all this costing?» she grumbled again. «Putting on a show for appearances.»
She wasn’t loud, but Irina heard everything — and chose not to engage.
After another half hour, the mother-in-law noticed that no one was paying attention to her except her daughter and son.
«Let’s go,» she said coldly to Galina and stood up. «Walk me out,» she ordered Alexei, who reluctantly got up and followed.
Irina thanked her mother-in-law, while her friends didn’t even notice the woman leaving.
Tatyana Yakovlevna came up to Irina:
«I’ll be back tomorrow. We need a serious talk.»
She and Galina left the room.
«I’m asking you again, Alexei — talk to your mother. I’m not going to be interrogated or humiliated like this again,» Irina said, furious at her husband who hadn’t defended her once all evening.
«I’m not going to silence her,» Alexei said coldly.
«Then next time, I will,» Irina retorted and turned back to her friends.
The next morning, while Irina was still in bed, the doorbell rang.
«Go answer it,» she asked Alexei. He groaned and trudged over. A minute later, he came back:
«It’s Mom.»
«Oh God,» Irina muttered, already knowing her morning was ruined.
At that moment, the bedroom door burst open. Tatyana Yakovlevna walked in. Seeing her, Irina screamed and pulled the blanket over herself.
«Get out!» she yelled angrily.
Her mother-in-law huffed and walked out.
«What manners,» Irina spat. «And you — why are you silent?» she asked her husband, who just shrugged.
She got up, threw on her robe, freshened up, and walked into the living room.
«Are you out of your mind?» she snapped, knowing her temper — once started, there was no stopping it. «Don’t you dare come into my bedroom while I’m asleep!»
«Don’t jinx things!» her mother-in-law yelled back. «I have every right to see my son!»
«You can do that in your own house, not here,» Irina warned, fighting the urge to scream, then added: «Behave respectfully in my home.»
«Last night was a disaster,» the mother-in-law declared. «All that money, just to stroke your ego. If you wanted to show off your promotion, you could’ve done it at home instead of dragging everyone to a restaurant.»
«What does it matter to you?» Irina asked, annoyed.
«Because of you, my son can’t buy me furniture!»
«Because of me?» Irina laughed. She turned to Alexei. «Is that true?»
«Well…» he mumbled.
She knew his habit of bragging — it gave him confidence — and she usually let him.
«You owe me compensation,» Tatyana Yakovlevna snapped.
«For what?» Irina asked, amused.
«For the money wasted on the restaurant. That’s why Alexei couldn’t buy me furniture.»
«I did promise,» Alexei added. «You should give the money.»
Irina burst into laughter.
«You guys are hilarious,» she said, calming down a bit.
«What’s funny? You blew my son’s money — now give it back to me!»
«Oh, really?» Irina showed her a fig (a Russian hand gesture). «Let me be clear — I paid for that dinner myself. My husband didn’t give a single kopeck.» She continued, tired of the accusations. «And all of this» — she spread her arms, gesturing at the apartment — «is my apartment. I bought it. Not your son. This sofa, this wardrobe, the kitchen — all mine. And what did my husband buy?» She pretended to think, then gasped. «Ah yes, the TV — can’t live without it. And his gamer chair and computer — he brought those. Darling,» she turned to him, «what have you contributed to this home?»
Silence.
«Leave,» she calmly told her mother-in-law.
«I’m not leaving my son’s home!»
«Tell your mother,» Irina said to Alexei, «whose home this is.»
«You’re my wife,» he said. «So everything is shared.»
«You’ve got to be kidding me,» she groaned. «You didn’t put in a cent! So shut up and stop pretending this place is even slightly yours! And last night — you sat there like a scared little ostrich with its head in the sand! You’re a coward, a braggart, and you never once stood up for me!»
Tatyana Yakovlevna tried to make sense of it all.
«Leave,» Irina said as calmly as she could. «You too,» she added to Alexei.
«Alright, enough drama,» he said.
«Shut up!» Irina rarely cursed, but she was on the edge. «Get dressed and leave. Take your mother with you!»
«Is what she said true?» Tatyana asked her son.
Alexei opened his mouth, but Irina shouted:
«Out!»
He flinched and looked at her in shock. She added:
«Get out!»
He moved toward her to calm her down, but she slapped him hard. So hard the mother-in-law recoiled as if she’d been hit.
«How dare you hit him!» Tatyana Yakovlevna screamed.
«Get out!» Irina pointed to the door. «Now!»
«You… you…» the mother-in-law stuttered.
Alexei, stunned by the slap, went to the bedroom, dressed, and walked into the living room.
«And don’t come back,» Irina told him. «I’ll pack your stuff and send it to your mother.»
«If you do that,» Tatyana shouted, «he’ll divorce you!»
«Best news I’ve heard all morning,» Irina snapped.
«And he’ll take half the apartment!»
«Oh really?» Irina scoffed. «This apartment was gifted to me legally.» She showed the fig gesture again, first to her mother-in-law, then to her husband. «And I have receipts for the furniture. And the car?» — she snatched the car keys from Alexei — «I paid for that too. Now get out!»
Grumbling, the mother-in-law left, followed by Alexei. He looked back, maybe hoping Irina would change her mind. She pointed to the exit again.
The door slammed shut. Irina turned the lock.
«What a ridiculous family,» she muttered and looked around the room.
Tatyana kept ranting on the landing, scolding her son and her daughter-in-law.
The phone rang. Irina picked up.
«Hi, Mom!»
«Did I call too early?» asked Veronika Nikolaevna.
«No, Mom, I’ve been up for half an hour.»
«Sweetheart, your father and I were thinking — maybe we’ll visit tonight?»
«Oh, that would be great!» Irina said joyfully, forgetting all about her husband and his mother.
«We’ll be there by six.»
«Of course, Mom! I’ll make your favorite apple pie, so don’t buy anything.»
«Alright then, see you!» Veronika said and hung up.
In the morning light, the apartment looked especially spacious and bright thanks to the large east-facing windows. Back in the stylish, modern bedroom, Irina removed the bedding she’d shared with Alexei and threw it in the laundry. Then, calmly and methodically, she started packing his belongings into trash bags.
An hour later, after moving everything — including his computer and TV — to the hallway, she went to her cozy kitchen, where every item had its place. Sunlight filtered through sheer curtains, adding a warm glow.
«So, apple pie it is!» she said cheerfully, opening her well-worn cookbook, the one with the dog-eared pages, and scanning the recipe.
In that moment, she completely forgot about Alexei, Tatyana Yakovlevna, and Galina. All that mattered was the apple pie her mother loved so much. The kitchen filled with the familiar sounds of pages flipping and dishes clinking as Irina began preparing for her favorite task — baking.
