— What are you doing? Put it down immediately! — Tatiana exclaimed, standing in the doorway, clearly upset by what she saw.
— I just wanted to see what apps you have installed, — Olga, the future sister-in-law, answered innocently. — So what’s wrong with that?
Tatiana was holding the edge of her open blue robe, having just come out of the shower. Her wet hair left dark spots on her shoulders, with droplets of water running down. At that moment, she caught Olga sitting on the couch, browsing through her phone with interest.
— I didn’t mean to! I was just curious what kind of smartphone you have, — the girl tried to justify herself, but her eyes nervously darted around.
The bride-to-be quickly crossed the room and sharply snatched the phone from Olga’s hands.
— You can’t go through someone else’s things without permission, — Tatiana said calmly but firmly, trying to hold back irritation. — That’s personal space. Especially when it’s about a phone.
Olga snorted as if she had been unfairly accused:
— What do you have to hide? If everything is open there, then there’s no reason for a scandal! — she arrogantly lifted her chin. — Or is there something my brother shouldn’t know?
This girl was the younger sister of her fiancé, and their relationship had been tense from the start.
— That’s not the point, — Tatiana replied, trying to speak measuredly. — Even if a person has no secrets, the right to privacy must be respected. My messages, photos, notes — those are my private matters. Would you like it if I took your phone without asking?
Julia, Olga’s older sister, entered the room. She wore a loose sweater, her gaze wary, shifting between the two girls.
— What’s going on? Why are you angry? — she asked Tatiana.
Olga immediately took advantage of her sister’s arrival to support herself:
— I just glanced at her phone, and she threw a tantrum. Looks like our Tanya is hiding something important there, — she added sarcastically.
Julia came closer and stood next to Olga.
Tatiana fixed her messy hair and tried to explain again:
— Imagine: I take your phones and start looking through them, reading your chats with friends, browsing photo albums, checking your browsing history. Would you like that?
The sisters exchanged glances.
— I have nothing to hide, — Julia declared proudly and challengingly. — My conscience is clear.
— Exactly! — Olga chimed in. — And if you’re so worked up, it means you’re hiding something from my brother. After all, he’s your fiancé, right?
Tatiana realized the conversation was going nowhere. The sisters deliberately twisted the issue. She turned sharply, quickly headed to the guest room, slammed the door, and locked it. Only then did she allow herself a deep sigh.
— Incredible. Just incredible, — she muttered. — What audacity — to rummage through someone else’s stuff and then accuse them!
She sat on the bed. Drops from her hair fell onto the phone screen as she unlocked it. Irritated, she wiped them off with the back of her hand.
Suddenly, the device vibrated, and a smiling Denis’s face appeared on the screen. She flinched as if caught doing something forbidden but immediately smiled to herself.
— Hi, darling, — she answered.
— Hi, Tanya. How are you? What happened with your sisters? — his voice was warm, but the question cautious.
Tatiana rolled her eyes. News here travels faster than light.
— Just nonsense. I got out of the shower, and your sister was already digging through my phone. I just told her that it’s not okay.
A pause on the line.
— And you got so upset about that? — he asked. — Olga says you nearly caused a scene.
Tatiana counted to ten silently.
— There was no scene. I just explained that it’s not polite to go through someone else’s things without permission.
— Well, if she wants to look — let her, — Denis responded lightly. — You have nothing to hide, right?
The same words, the same tone as his sisters.
— It’s not about that, — Tatiana said slowly, choosing her words. — It’s about personal boundaries. Everyone has their own matters, notes, conversations. Maybe I’m planning a surprise gift for you or discussing something private with a friend… That’s no reason to intrude.
— Secrets? — Denis’s voice grew colder. — Are you hiding something from me?
Tatiana cursed inwardly — the word “secrets” sounded badly.
— Don’t pick on words. I mean ordinary personal things. Maybe chatting with a friend, maybe something about wedding plans… I need to get changed and go — my sister’s waiting.
— Only your sister? — he joked, but suspicion was in his tone.
Tatiana sighed deeply, restraining irritation.
— Please, don’t start. We’re getting married soon, remember? I really have to go. Love you.
— Love you too.
— Kisses to the screen, — she said playfully and hung up before he could respond.
She shook her head, spraying the remaining water drops. “It’ll work out,” she repeated to herself. “It has to.”
Twenty minutes later, Tatiana was leaving the bedroom. Her hair was tied in a messy bun; she wore jeans and a loose tunic. She wanted to leave the house as soon as possible.
— Wait, I’m coming with you! — Julia called, rushing out of the kitchen.
Tatiana stopped, raising an eyebrow in surprise.
— Why? I have personal things to do.
Julia put on a jacket and fixed her hair.
— Denis told me to look after you, — she said almost proudly. — He said you’re upset and shouldn’t be alone now.
Look after? Like a child or a suspect?
Julia noticed Tatiana’s frown and turned to Olga:
— Look at how she’s pressing her lips! Probably not going to sisterly company. Maybe our Tanya has a romance?
Olga laughed, covering her mouth with her hand.
Arguing was useless — they could twist Tatiana’s every word against her.
— If you want to go — go, — Tatiana replied calmly. — But I warn you: I walk fast.
Without waiting for a response, she left the apartment. Julia, gasping in surprise, ran after her.
— Hey, wait! — she shouted, trying to keep up in her not-so-comfortable shoes.
Tatiana didn’t even look back.
— I told you. Either catch up or stay behind.
Julia grumbled but sped up. Tatiana strode ahead, hearing her sister-in-law’s frequent breaths behind.
“Some kind of absurdity,” she thought crossing the yard. “What does ‘look after’ mean? Look after whom? Me? We’re not even married yet, and I’m already under house arrest. What’s next?”
When they reached the street, Julia finally caught up, out of breath and annoyed.
— Are you walking this fast on purpose? — she grumbled.
— I always walk like this, — Tatiana replied calmly. — My sister is waiting for me at the mall in five minutes.
Vera was already standing at the entrance, looking at something on her phone. Seeing her sister, she waved, but her smile dimmed a little when she noticed Julia.
— Hi, sis, — Tatiana hugged Vera. — This is Julia, Denis’s sister. He asked her to come with me, — she added sarcastically, making air quotes with her fingers.
Vera looked surprised, thinking it was a joke.
— Seriously? — she laughed. — You’re almost husband and wife!
— In my fiancé’s family, trust means something else, — Tatiana replied dryly.
— Then let’s go pick out your bachelorette dress, — Vera suggested, taking her sister by the arm.
As they entered the mall, Vera whispered to Tatiana:
— We’ll talk later. Without extra ears.
Tatiana barely nodded, grateful for the understanding.
While the girls looked at shoes in a boutique, Julia stepped aside and took out her phone. Tatiana noticed but kept examining a pair of strapped heels.
— Do you think these will go with the dress? — she asked her sister.
Vera nodded but her attention was on Julia, who was whispering into the phone.
— Yes, Denis, we’re at the mall… In the shoe store… No, nothing special… Just talking to my sister…
Vera leaned toward Tatiana:
— Is she reporting to you?
— Looks like it.
— Tanya, what’s going on? — Vera asked seriously, pulling her aside. — This looks more like surveillance than care.
Tatiana briefly recounted the morning’s phone incident.
— I walked into the room, and she was already digging in my phone. Then they both started accusing me, like I’m hiding something.
Vera frowned.
— I don’t like this. Sounds like jealousy or control.
— No, — Tatiana shook her head. — Denis isn’t like that. He’s never been jealous. We’ve been together for a year and a half — I’d have noticed.
— In a few days, you’ll be his wife, — Vera reminded, throwing a side glance at Julia, who was again trying to sneak a photo through the shop window glass. — Sometimes men start acting completely different when they feel the relationship is “in the bag.”
— Nonsense, — Tatiana shook her head. — He just has overly caring sisters. They’re used to looking after Denis and now think they should control me too.
She picked up a pair of shoes from the shelf and added:
— I’ll try these on.
After several hours of shopping, the girls went to a café. Vera went to the bar to order, leaving Tatiana alone with Julia.
— So, did you file another report to your brother? — Tatiana asked, trying to sound joking though tension tightened inside.
Julia looked at her without a smile.
— Why? Is there a reason to worry?
— Are you all obsessed with the word “hide”? — Tatiana leaned forward a bit. — Tell me, do you have anything you’d rather hide from your husband?
Julia suddenly blushed and looked away.
— I don’t know what you’re talking about, — she answered dryly.
— Okay, just kidding, — Tatiana waved her hand, surprised by her sister-in-law’s reaction. — It’s your business to roam wherever you want.
Julia’s phone suddenly rang. She grabbed it instantly.
— Hello? Yes, Denis… We’re at Café Moscow, on the third floor… Of course, understood…
Vera returned with a tray, looked at Tatiana questioningly and whispered:
— Is that the third call in two hours?
Tatiana just shrugged, pretending not to care, but inside an unpleasant premonition grew.
They returned home in silence. Olga and Julia were already there — sitting in the living room, whispering. Seeing Tatiana, they fell silent but both smiled a strange, almost triumphant smile.
Tatiana silently nodded at them and quickly went to her room, closing the door. She tossed the purchased things on a chair without much interest.
The room greeted her with silence. She took her phone out of her pocket and looked at it thoughtfully. It was as if this ordinary gadget had become the source of all problems.
Sitting on the bed, Tatiana thought: what happened to Denis? He used to be different. In a year and a half of their relationship, they shared everything — joys, plans, even small misunderstandings. Why now, before the wedding, did he suddenly start spying on her?
His sudden distrust hurt her more than she expected.
An idea came suddenly — silly but curious. She grabbed the phone and dialed her sister.
— Vera? — she whispered, afraid Olga or Julia might overhear. — I need help.
— I’m listening…
— I thought… — Tatiana’s voice grew even quieter — could you send me some messages? Without names, just… you’ll understand.
— Okay, but be careful, alright?
After ending the call, Tatiana placed the phone face up and waited. Minutes later, the first messages arrived:
“How happy I am…”
“Looking forward to it…”
“Kissing you…”
She smiled slightly and typed a reply:
“Mutual feelings… Waiting…”
Then she got up, left the phone open on the table, and headed to the bathroom.
In the evening, Denis came home earlier than usual. His steps were quick and decisive. Tatiana immediately felt something was wrong. She was just setting the table when he entered.
— Hi, — she greeted.
He didn’t answer. Just took off his jacket and threw it on the back of a chair, not taking his cold gaze off her.
— We have to go, — Olga suddenly declared, getting up from the couch. — Julia and I promised Mom…
— Yes, yes, it’s late, — Julia chimed in, too hastily.
Passing by Denis, Olga whispered something in his ear. The man’s face tensed even more.
— We’re leaving, — Olga sighed theatrically.
— Report delivered, report accepted, — Tatiana said, but the joke clearly missed.
The sisters’ door closed behind them.
Tatiana calmly went to the kitchen, turned on the kettle, and took out the coffee.
— Want some? — she asked over her shoulder. — Or tea?
Denis slowly approached the doorway and leaned on it.
— How’s work? — Tatiana continued, pouring coffee. — Finished your business?
— Who is he? — Denis suddenly asked sharply.
Tatiana turned with a surprised look.
— What?
— Don’t pretend! — he raised his voice. — Who’s the person you’re messaging? “My darling,” “kisses”… Who is he?
Tatiana realized someone checked her phone. Most likely Olga. And immediately reported to her brother. Her experiment worked faster than she thought.
— What are you talking about? — she played innocent.
— Stop it! — he slammed his palm on the table. — You have someone! You’ve been lying to me all this time!
— Maybe explain exactly what you mean? — Tatiana tried to stay calm but was beginning to get angry inside.
— Our wedding is in two days! — he exclaimed. — And you…
— Exactly! Wedding! — Tatiana tried to hug him, but he pushed her away. — Finally, we’ll be together!
— Before me, did you have someone? — he asked, looking straight into her eyes.
— Of course, I did. So did you. We’re not kids, Denis. We both had a past.
He hesitated, then abruptly turned and left.
Tatiana’s phone, lying on the table, suddenly vibrated. A new message from Vera appeared — a funny sticker with the words: “Well, did it work?”
The corners of her mouth twitched up, but the smile froze as Denis returned.
— Him again? — he muttered through clenched teeth.
Tatiana grabbed the phone, but Denis sharply tore it from her hands.
— Give it back! — she shouted.
— I want to see what your “little secrets” are, — he growled, trying to unlock the screen.
— This is my phone! You have no right!
— I know you’re flirting behind my back! — he yelled.
— What’s wrong with you?! — Tatiana pulled the device back and stepped away. — I don’t recognize you!
— Give it! — he demanded.
— No! — Tatiana clenched the phone in her hands. — This is paranoia!
Without waiting for more, she turned and went to the bedroom.
In the morning, as soon as Denis left for work, Tatiana approached the wardrobe. Her wedding dress hung there. She slowly ran her fingers over the snowy fabric, touched the lace on the corset.
“What a beautiful day it was supposed to be,” she thought bitterly.
Yesterday’s quarrel haunted her. How could a harmless check turn into such a scandal? Just a week ago, Denis seemed the most reasonable person in the world. Now, two days before the wedding, he turned into a jealous, suspicious man.
The opening front door distracted her. Tatiana tensed hearing footsteps. Denis usually didn’t come home so early. But instead, three women entered — Elizaveta Kirillovna, Denis’s mother, and behind her — Olga and Julia.
“Reinforcements have arrived,” Tatiana thought bitterly, carefully closing the wardrobe door.
Elizaveta stopped at the room’s threshold, eyeing her daughter-in-law carefully.
— Girls, go to the kitchen and make some tea, — she said without looking away from Tatiana. — We need to talk.
Olga and Julia exchanged dissatisfied looks but left. Tatiana noticed how they exchanged a few meaningful words before disappearing.
When they were alone, Elizaveta Kirillovna approached. She smelled of expensive perfume and a faint hint of cigarette bitterness.
— Don’t act stupid, girl, — Elizaveta began bluntly. — Your wedding is in a few days, and you’re fluttering around someone. That’s unacceptable.
— Please explain what you mean by “fluttering” and “stupid,” — Tatiana asked calmly, not lowering her gaze.
Elizaveta Kirillovna snorted, her lips forming a dry, almost contemptuous smile.
— You understand perfectly well what I mean.
— I don’t speak your language, — Tatiana answered firmly and confidently. — I’m used to people speaking straight and to the point. So be specific: who’s doing what and why?
Her mother-in-law squinted as if assessing the degree of resistance.
— I know everything, — her voice became cold as ice. — Before the wedding, you started seeing someone on the side. You’re lying to my son. Surely, you keep a whole harem in reserve…
Tatiana felt ashamed not for herself but for them — for their vile thoughts and suspicions.
Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Olga and Julia cautiously peeking from the kitchen, obviously eavesdropping. Julia wore a smug smile, and that was the last straw for Tatiana.
— I have always treated you with respect, Elizaveta Kirillovna, — she said slowly but firmly, — but don’t turn the truth upside down. If anyone is seeing someone on the side, better look among your own daughters.
Tatiana was amazed by her own resolve. Elizaveta suddenly turned sharply, glancing at her daughters, who pretended not to hear but did not hide their triumphant excitement.
— Give me the phone, — the mother-in-law suddenly demanded, holding out her hand.
— What? — Tatiana couldn’t believe her ears.
— Your phone, — Elizaveta repeated. — I want to see who you’re messaging.
— I’m not going to… — Tatiana started but didn’t finish.
Olga took advantage of the confusion, rushed to the nightstand, grabbed Tatiana’s phone, and handed it to her mother.
— Here, Mom, — she proudly announced, pleased with herself.
— Give me back my phone! — Tatiana shouted, trying to take the device, but Elizaveta easily pushed her away.
Olga laughed, and the laugh was as sharp and disgusting as the sound of breaking glass.
— Give me back my phone! — Tatiana demanded, trying to get past Julia, who blocked her way.
— See? I told you, — Julia said mockingly. — Why are you so worried if you have nothing to hide?
Elizaveta Kirillovna was already unlocking the screen and quickly scrolling through the messages. Her experienced fingers moved deftly through the menu. Tatiana tried again to take the phone but was blocked by Olga and Julia, forming a human wall.
— Let me through! — Tatiana shouted. — How can you allow yourselves this?
— Oh God! — suddenly exclaimed the mother-in-law, pointing at the screen. — “Kisses”! Look! Proof right here!
She held the phone like a trophy, showing it to her daughters with a triumphant expression. Satisfaction gleamed in her eyes.
— Look, girls! — she showed them the messages. — “My darling,” “kisses,” and she replies: “Mutual feelings, waiting.” And all this three days before the wedding!
Julia and Olga leaned closer, looking at the screen with obvious interest. Their faces showed smug joy, as if they had uncovered a grand conspiracy.
Tatiana gathered her strength, pushed Julia away, and snatched the phone from Elizaveta Kirillovna’s hands.
— Enough! — she shouted.
— How dare you talk to my brother’s mother like that? — Julia snorted, but Tatiana didn’t listen anymore.
— You are a vile woman, Elizaveta Kirillovna, — her voice became cold and calm but full of contempt. — And your daughters are petty, malicious creatures who feed your sick ideas.
Olga and Julia exchanged glances and, to everyone’s surprise, laughed. That laughter only increased Tatiana’s rage.
— You think it’s funny? — she addressed them. — Probably because you’re used to it. To being called bitches. To rummaging through others’ bags, eavesdropping, spying. You are simply low, despicable people. Leave my apartment immediately!
Olga kept giggling, Julia covered her mouth with her hand. Only Elizaveta Kirillovna remained serious.
— You bitch! — she hissed and, not giving Tatiana time to react, struck her hard across the face.
The sound of the slap echoed in the room. Even Olga and Julia fell silent, stunned.
Tatiana froze. Her hand slowly rose to her burning cheek. She couldn’t believe she was hit. For the first time in her life. No one had ever raised a hand against her before — neither family nor school nor anywhere.
She slowly stepped back, pressing her palm to the reddened skin. Tears filled her eyes, but she held them back — not here, not now, not in front of these women.
Without a word, she turned and hurried to the bedroom, slamming the door and locking it.
Only now, alone, did Tatiana allow herself to cry. Silent sobs shook her body, tears streaming down her cheeks. She sat down on the floor, hugging her knees, and sat like that for a long time, gasping from sorrow.
— How could everything fall apart so quickly? — she whispered through tears.
Voices came muffled from outside. Elizaveta Kirillovna was sternly talking to her daughters, but there was no hint of remorse in her voice. Rather the opposite — she seemed pleased with herself.
— She’s to blame herself… — fragments of phrases drifted to Tatiana. — Shouldn’t have provoked…
The day passed in heavy silence. Lying on the bed, Tatiana stared at the ceiling, going over the events of the last few days. A year and a half of love and trust — and such a sharp change of course. As if Denis had become a different person.
Around six in the evening, she heard the front door open. Familiar footsteps — Denis was back.
— Tanya? Are you here?
She didn’t answer. The footsteps approached the bedroom, the handle turned, but the door was locked.
— Tanya, please open up.
She slowly got up, approached the door, but didn’t hurry to unlock it.
— What happened? — he asked. — Mom called, said you had a conflict.
“Conflict,” Tatiana repeated bitterly to herself. As if there was a gentler word for it.
Finally, she opened the door. Denis stood before her — in a business suit, with a worried expression. Seeing her red eyes and messy hair, his face darkened.
— What happened? — he asked again, stepping toward her.
Tatiana stepped back.
— You already know everything, right? — her voice was tired and cold. — You know your mother hit me? Your sisters laughed about it? And you’re still asking?
Denis hesitated, stunned.
— Mom… hit you? — he couldn’t believe it. — It can’t be. She never…
— Maybe, — Tatiana interrupted sharply. — Right here, in this room.
— I know my mom. She’s a reserved woman. Maybe you provoked her yourself?
Tatiana looked at him like a stranger. Then she briefly, dryly laughed.
— Provoked? — she repeated. — Your sister grabbed my phone and gave it to Mom. I asked for it back, but they ignored me. I expressed my opinion — and your mother hit me. And you say I provoked?
Denis was embarrassed but did not rush to take her side.
— I’m sorry it happened, — he finally said, lowering his eyes. — But you have to understand: they worry about me. Especially after what they found in your phone.
— After what exactly?
— Well… those messages, — he hesitated. — Who were they from?
— That’s none of your business, — Tatiana answered shortly.
— How is it not your business?! — Denis’s voice rose sharply. — It’s mine! In a day you’ll be my wife, and I find out you’re seeing someone else!
— Are you sure about that?
— Of course! — he shouted. — Those messages speak for themselves! Your strange behavior lately, your nervousness… You have someone!
From the next room came muffled laughter and footsteps. Tatiana glanced and saw two figures flicker behind the slightly open door.
— Olga and Julia here?
Denis shrugged, as if it was no big deal.
This family was mocking her.
— Ask them to leave, — she said decisively.
— What? — he asked confused.
— Call your sisters and mother and tell them to leave our apartment. Right now.
He looked at her as if she spoke a foreign language.
— But why? We’re almost family…
— We’re not family yet, — she cut him off harshly. — And, honestly, I doubt we ever will be.
Denis ignored her words and returned to the main point:
— What’s his name? This secret guy of yours?
Tatiana couldn’t believe this man once seemed reasonable and loving. He had become a suspicious, possessive stranger, blindly believing his relatives instead of her.
Behind the door, muffled giggles sounded again. Apparently, they enjoyed the spectacle.
Tatiana took the phone and handed it to Denis:
— Open the latest messages, — she asked calmly.
He took the device uncertainly, swiped the screen, and began reading aloud:
— “My darling… How happy I am… Looking forward… Kisses…”
His face darkened with every word.
— And now, — Tatiana quietly said, — look at the number and call it from your phone.
Denis blinked but complied. Dialed the number and put the phone to his ear. After a few rings, a female voice answered, one he immediately recognized.
— Hello? — it was Vera’s voice.
— Vera? — he said surprised, looking at Tatiana.
— Yes, Denis, it’s me, — the bride’s sister answered calmly. — Congratulations, you turned out to be a complete idiot. Now do you get what you’ve gotten yourself into?
Denis stood with his mouth open, speechless. Tatiana took the phone back and ended the call.
— I didn’t expect you’d assign your sisters to spy on me and report everything to you, — she began, looking him straight in the eyes. — I didn’t think your mother would rummage through my personal stuff. And I certainly didn’t expect an adult woman to hit me just because she wanted to. But what shocked me most was that my future husband accuses me of cheating without a single proof except a couple of phrases on a stranger’s phone.
She paused, letting the words settle.
— And you know what, Denis?
He swallowed nervously.
— What?
Tatiana said calmly, almost coldly:
— I don’t need a husband like you. I need someone who trusts me, who doesn’t betray at the first suspicion. So now you take yourself, your mommy, and your sisters and leave. Right now.
As if on cue, Elizaveta Kirillovna burst into the room.
— What nonsense are you talking? — she yelled.
Tatiana slowly turned to her:
— Shut up. I didn’t give you permission to interfere.
The mother-in-law turned pale as if splashed with ice water. She wanted to argue but just swallowed nervously.
— You all heard perfectly well, — Tatiana continued. — So now turn around and leave my apartment.
Olga and Julia peeked from behind the door, giggling like schoolgirls.
— Hysteric, — Olga snorted.
— Total psycho, — Julia added.
Unexpectedly for everyone, Denis sharply turned to the sisters:
— SHUT UP! OUT! — his voice thundered through the room.
The sisters fearfully stepped back and disappeared into the corridor as if they hadn’t been there.
Denis slowly turned to Tatiana. His face changed — something like remorse awoke in it.
— Tanya, let’s forget everything. It was a stupid joke. We’ll fix it.
But Tatiana already saw: this was not the person she loved.
— It’s not a joke, Denis. It’s you. You are the one whose sisters spied on me. You are the one whose mother rummaged through my things. And you demanded explanations, you accused me of cheating, — her voice rang with pain. — I can no longer trust you. To me, you’re a nobody. You’re nothing to me. There will be no wedding. Get out.
Elizaveta Kirillovna finally came to her senses.
— If you have nothing to hide, why did you stage this whole drama? — she challenged.
Tatiana slowly turned and looked at her with icy calm:
— You’re starting again? It’s time for you to be in the hallway. You think I’m your girl to boss around? I’m not your daughters who will obey orders and report every step. I’m not your daughter-in-law. If you haven’t heard everything yet, I repeat: leave. Now.
— Or else what? — raised her voice the mother-in-law, stepping threateningly forward.
Denis suddenly stood between them:
— Mom, please, leave, — his voice almost pleading. — I’m begging you.
Elizaveta Kirillovna threw a dissatisfied look at her son but still left, loudly slamming the door.
Denis sharply turned to Tatiana:
— Stop throwing tantrums! — he shouted. — The wedding is in a day! Do you understand?!
Tatiana couldn’t take it. She pushed him away sharply and slapped him hard on the cheek. The loud smack echoed through the room.
— Didn’t you get it? — she shouted. — I’m not your fiancée, not your sister, not your toy! Get out immediately!
— You… hit me, — he murmured stunned, holding his burning cheek.
— I repeat for the last time: there will be no wedding. Give me my apartment keys and go.
— This is our apartment, — he tried to argue.
— MINE! — Tatiana shouted. — GET OUT!
She rushed to the wardrobe, threw open the doors so hard they hit the wall. Her hands, shaking with rage, tore shirts, trousers, jackets off hangers and threw them across the room.
— Take your things! — she shouted. — Right now!
Denis stood stunned as clothes flew around him. One shirt fell at his feet, then a tie, then trousers.
— Stop! — he tried to stop her, gathering his things. — You’re acting like a hysteric!
— I hate you! — Tatiana shouted, throwing the last pair of pants at him. — I hate all of you!
She kicked the pile of clothes scattered around. Denis nervously ran around, packing things into a bag.
— You’ve gone mad, — he muttered. — Pure fool…
Tatiana instantly appeared next to him:
— What did you say? — she hissed, approaching. — Repeat!
Denis stepped back, tangled in his own things, but it was too late.
Tatiana swung her leg and kicked him in the rear. Denis lost balance and crashed to the floor with a crash, scattering the gathered clothes.
— For “fool”! — she shouted.
At the bedroom door stood three figures — Elizaveta Kirillovna and her daughters, watching the scene with shock on their faces.
— My God… — the mother-in-law whispered.
Tatiana turned to them:
— And what are you standing here for? The show is over! All of you out of my apartment!
Elizaveta Kirillovna opened her mouth to say something, but Tatiana gave her no chance:
— SILENCE! — Tatiana shouted sharply, pointing her index finger forward. — Not another word! Everyone out of my apartment!
Olga, hiding behind her mother, couldn’t help but mutter sarcastically:
— What a fool she is…
— Just some kind of psycho! — Julia added, grimacing.
Their words hung in the air, but instead of the expected support from the mother, they got something unexpected: Elizaveta Kirillovna sharply turned to the younger daughter and slapped her hard across the head.
— Shut up! — she hissed, grabbing Olga by the shoulder. Turning to Julia, she added: — And you shut up too. Both of you — to the stairs. Now.
The sisters, shocked by the sudden change in their mother’s behavior, hurried to disappear behind the door.
Meanwhile, Denis, still lying on the floor, gathered the scattered things, muttering unhappy words under his breath. Tatiana without further words snatched the bag from him and threw it out the door.
— Here’s your stuff! Now get out! — she ordered, grabbing his arm and pulling him toward the exit.
Denis tried to resist:
— Tanya, let’s talk calmly… It’s just a misunderstanding…
— Misunderstanding? — she repeated fiercely, breaking free. — A misunderstanding is that I even agreed to get involved with you! A misunderstanding is our whole story!
Elizaveta Kirillovna, already standing on the stair landing, watched as her son was literally rolled out the door. Surprise and, it seemed, realization of something important were visible on the woman’s face.
— Tanya… — she began softly, stepping forward.
— No! — Tatiana cut her off. — I didn’t expect such nastiness from you or your son. So disappear. All three of you. Out of my life.
With those words, she slammed the door in their faces and turned the key.
Behind the door began a real hysterics. Olga and Julia screamed, shouting over each other. Denis ran between them, trying to restore some order. Tatiana leaned back against the door, listening to the chaos she had created herself.
— Tanya, open up, let’s talk! — Elizaveta Kirillovna’s voice became soft, almost pleading.
— Psycho! — Olga shouted. — Imagine, brother almost became her husband!
— Shut up already! — Denis sharply scolded her, and for a short moment, it became quiet in the corridor.
Then he approached the door and knocked gently.
— Tanya… — his voice was different — plaintive, even confused. — Please, open. I understand. I was an idiot. But I love you. Open, my love.
Tatiana stepped away from the door, feeling the cold inside.
— I forgave you yesterday! And the day before! And even this morning! Enough! No more chances!
Her gaze fell on the wedding dress, neatly hanging in the bag. Snow-white, with pearl inserts, it was perfect. “Perfect for someone else,” flashed in her mind. What should have been a symbol of her happiness now reminded her of betrayal and humiliation.
Determined, she tore off the bag, grabbed the dress by the hanger, and hurried to the door. She threw it open and saw stunned relatives in front of her.
— Catch! — she shouted and threw the dress over the railing. It soared through the air like the wings of a falling bird and gently landed on the lower steps.
Elizaveta Kirillovna gasped, clutching her hands to her mouth.
But Tatiana didn’t stop. Returning, she brought a box with shoes — expensive, decorated with crystals. A gift from Denis.
— And take these too! — she spat, throwing the shoes after the dress. The box overturned, shoes scattered down the stairs like toys.
Olga pressed against Julia, fear replacing the previous mockery. Julia turned pale, pressing her lips into a thin line. Elizaveta Kirillovna’s face went white, as if she saw a nightmare come true.
And finally — the ring. Tatiana slowly took it off her finger, held it in her palm as if weighing it, then threw it directly at Denis.
— Find yourself another fool! — she shouted and slammed the door in their faces.
The last thing she noticed was Denis’s face, full of pain and fear.
Voices were heard again behind the door, but now they were muffled, as if coming from another world. Denis stood nearby; she felt his presence.
— Tanya… what about the wedding? — his voice sounded almost panicked. — The hall is paid for, cars ordered, photographers…
“What does it matter,” she thought. Life is more important.
She went to the living room and fell on the couch. Tears began to rise, but now it was more fatigue than pain. Strangely, she felt freedom.
The phone in her pocket vibrated again. The sister’s name appeared on the screen. She pressed the answer button.
— Hello.
— So, how’s your jealous hero? — Vera spoke cheerfully, with a note of irony.
Tatiana sighed heavily:
— I kicked him out.
— Wow! Well done! — Vera laughed. — I even bet with Irika that you’d do it tomorrow. But you beat me — I lost!
Tatiana smiled involuntarily.
— To hell with him, — she said with unexpected ease. — I definitely don’t need a husband like that, especially with such a family.
Her sister laughed, and Tatiana felt lighter inside.
— How about the honeymoon? — Vera asked suddenly.
— What honeymoon?
— Well, the seaside hotel is already paid for. It would be a shame to waste it.
Tatiana thought, tapping her fingers on the armrest.
— Maybe, — she finally said. — I’ll think about it.
Saying goodbye, she put down the phone and thoughtfully looked at the ceiling. Then decisively took the device, opened messages, and texted Julia’s husband:
“Are you sure she’s faithful to you?”
Sent it. The corners of her mouth lifted in a vengeful smile. If Julia loved snooping in others’ relationships so much, let her sort out her own.
— To hell with this wedding, — Tatiana whispered, putting the phone aside. — Better alone than with that.
Somewhere out there, her ex-fiancé and his family were probably still making plans to get her back. But she knew — it was over.
— And now, — she smirked, — it’s time to prepare for the wedding vacation. Without a husband.
The phone rang again. Denis. She pressed “decline” and added his number to the blacklist.
Moments later came a reply from Julia’s husband: “What are you talking about?”
Tatiana smirked. Seeds of doubt were sown. The circle was closed.
She headed to the kitchen, feeling hungry. Life went on. And ahead was a paid seaside vacation. Alone. But free.
