«Your money should be useful! Pay for my grandchildren’s education!» — the mother-in-law decided that I would support her elder son’s children.
Evgenia stood frozen by the mirror in the hallway. She adjusted the collar of her blouse. Tensed her shoulders. Family dinners at her mother-in-law’s were hard for her. Every time the same thing happened.
“Zhenya, ready?” Stanislav called from the kitchen.
“Almost,” she replied, trying to hide her irritation.
“Please, don’t start arguing with mom today.”
Evgenia closed her eyes. Inside, everything clenched in anticipation of another battle. Mother-in-law Galina Petrovna knew how to turn a simple dinner into torture. Especially when her husband’s older brother and his wife were present — Dmitry and Larisa.
“I never start first,” Evgenia replied coldly.
Stanislav entered the hallway. His face showed concern.
“Mom just wants the best for the family. Try to understand her.”
“The best for the family? Or the best for herself?”
“Zhenya, why do you have to be like this?”
Evgenia turned to her husband. Anger slowly rose inside her. How long could she justify a mother who openly showed contempt for her daughter-in-law?
“Stas, your mom has been telling me for three years that I’m the wrong wife. That you made a mistake choosing me. And every time you ask me to understand her.”
“She’s getting used to you. Give it time.”
“Is three years not enough?”
Stanislav looked away guiltily. Evgenia understood — he was torn between his wife and his mother. But somehow, his mother always won.
The mother-in-law’s house greeted her with familiar smells and sounds. Galina Petrovna bustled in the kitchen. Larisa set the table. Dmitry read a newspaper in an armchair.
“Ah, here come the young ones!” the mother-in-law announced loudly as she came out of the kitchen.
“Good evening, Galina Petrovna,” Evgenia greeted politely.
“Zhenya, dear, come in.”
The tone was too sweet. Evgenia was on guard. Such cloying sweetness usually meant trouble.
At the table, the usual performance began. Galina Petrovna ostentatiously gasped over every dish Larisa served.
“Larisa, darling, how deliciously you cook!” praised the mother-in-law. “That’s a real homemaker!”
Evgenia pressed her lips tightly. Another jab at her. She cooked well, but her mother-in-law deliberately ignored that.
“Remember, Larochka, how you baked a cake for Dima’s birthday?” Galina Petrovna continued. “Such a beauty! And some only know how to buy in the store.”
Larisa blushed awkwardly. She understood who these words were really about.
“Mom, stop,” Dmitry quietly asked.
“Stop what?” the mother-in-law retorted indignantly. “I’m praising my daughter-in-law! Larisa knows what it means to be a real wife and mother!”
Evgenia put down her fork. It started. Galina Petrovna was getting carried away.
“Look, Zhenya,” she addressed her younger daughter-in-law. “Larisa works, raises the children, manages the house. And respects her husband! Not bossing him around!”
“Galina Petrovna,” Evgenia tried to intervene.
“What ‘Galina Petrovna’?” interrupted the mother-in-law. “Am I not telling the truth? My Stasik has changed completely. He used to be so cheerful, now he’s always tense.”
Stanislav lowered his head, silent as usual.
“And you know why!” Galina Petrovna went on. “A wife should support her husband, not tell him what to do!”
Evgenia slowly stood up from the table. Everyone was looking at her. Larisa — with sympathy. Dmitry — awkwardly. Stanislav — without raising his eyes. And the mother-in-law — triumphantly.
“Galina Petrovna,” Evgenia said quietly but firmly. “I’m tired of your hints.”
“What hints?” the older woman feigned surprise. “I’m just sharing my observations!”
“Your observations are constant insults directed at me.”
“Oh, how sensitive! And Larisa understands when elders give advice!”
“Larisa is a good woman. But I am not Larisa.”
“Exactly! Larisa knows her place!”
Evgenia grabbed her bag and headed for the door. Behind her came the outraged voice of her mother-in-law and Stanislav’s confused attempts to explain something.
The summer evening was warm. Evgenia walked down the street, trying to calm down. Inside, a storm of emotions raged. Resentment at her husband. Anger at her mother-in-law. And a firm decision — she couldn’t live like this anymore.
At home, Evgenia stood long by the window. The apartment was rented. Nothing kept her here. Her thoughts revolved around one thing — something had to be done.
The phone vibrated. A message from Stanislav: “Zhenya, come back. Let’s talk.”
Evgenia put the phone aside. There was nothing left to say. For three years she had tried to find common ground with his family. Without success.
An hour later, her husband returned home. His face was guilty.
“Zhenya, why did you leave so abruptly?”
“How should I have acted? Sit and listen to your mother humiliating me?”
“She’s just worried about our family.”
Evgenia turned to her husband. Did he really not understand? Or did he understand but chose to look away?
“Stas, be honest. Do you think what happened is normal?”
“Well… maybe mom spoke harshly. But she didn’t mean harm.”
“Didn’t mean harm?”
“Zhenya, she just wants us to be happy.”
Evgenia slowly shook her head. Her husband hadn’t understood the main thing. For him, family meant only his relatives. And she was an outsider.
The next evening brought a new trial. Galina Petrovna called herself.
“Zhenya, dear, don’t be angry with me.”
“I’m not angry,” Evgenia answered dryly.
“That’s good! So, will you come to dinner tomorrow?”
“Why?”
“Why? Family should gather together.”
Evgenia closed her eyes. The mother-in-law seemed to be mocking her. First insulting her, then inviting her to dinner.
The next day Stanislav persuaded his wife to go. Evgenia agreed. Maybe for the last time.
At the table, the family chatted peacefully. Larisa talked about the children. Dmitry — about work. Evgenia was silent.
“How’s work going, Zhenya?” suddenly asked the mother-in-law.
Evgenia looked up in surprise. Galina Petrovna never showed interest in her career. Suspicious.
“Everything’s great,” she answered cautiously. “I just got a bonus recently.”
“That’s wonderful!” the mother-in-law exclaimed with unnatural enthusiasm.
Evgenia grew even more wary. Galina Petrovna’s joy seemed fake. She was up to something.
“Because your money should be useful! Pay for my grandchildren’s education!”
Silence fell over the table. Evgenia looked at her mother-in-law, not believing what she’d heard. Not again.
“Yes, mom is right,” Dmitry nodded. “My twins want to enter the university in the capital. It’s very expensive.”
Evgenia turned to her husband’s older brother. Did he really think it was normal to reach into her pocket? Inside, she boiled with indignation and hurt.
“Zhenya, think about it,” Stanislav added gently. “The boys are capable. They need a chance.”
The betrayal was complete. Even her husband supported this madness. Evgenia slowly rose from the table. Her hands trembled with rage.
“Are you all crazy?” she said quietly but firmly.
“Zhenya, come on,” cooed the mother-in-law. “We’re family.”
“Family? To me, family means being respected. Not used as an ATM!”
“Don’t shout at my mother!” Stanislav said sharply.
“I’m not shouting! I’m telling the truth!”
Evgenia looked around at everyone sitting there. Larisa lowered her head. Dmitry stared at his plate. Galina Petrovna drilled her daughter-in-law with her gaze. Stanislav defended his mother.
“You want my money?” Evgenia raised her voice. “My hard-earned money?”
“Our money!” corrected the mother-in-law. “You’re the wife of my son!”
“So what? Does that give you the right to control my salary?”
“It does! Family is more important than your selfish desires!”
Evgenia laughed. Bitter and angry. Selfish desires — is wanting to manage your own money selfish?
“You know what?” she said, taking her bag. “Handle the money of a good daughter-in-law. Larisa is obedient. Leave me alone.”
“How dare you say that?!” Galina Petrovna exploded.
“I dare. And how I dare!”
“Zhenya, sit down,” Stanislav asked. “Let’s talk calmly.”
“There’s nothing to discuss. I’m tired of this circus.”
Evgenia headed for the exit. Behind her, outraged voices were heard. Stanislav caught up with her in the hallway.
“Where are you going?”
“Home. To pack my things.”
“What do you mean ‘pack your things’?”
Evgenia turned to her husband. She saw confusion in his eyes. Finally, he understood — the game was over.
“That means I’m leaving, Stas. Forever.”
At home, Evgenia methodically packed clothes into a suitcase. The apartment was rented. Leaving everything behind was very easy. Stanislav stayed with his mother. Probably getting comforted.
Soon she finished packing. Only morning remained — then she would leave.
Stanislav returned late. Saw the suitcases and froze.
“You’re serious?”
“Absolutely.”
“Zhenya, let’s discuss everything. Find a compromise.”
“What compromise, Stas? Giving half my salary instead of all?”
“Don’t exaggerate.”
“I’m not exaggerating. I’m tired of fighting your family. Tired of being a stranger among my own.”
Stanislav tried to hug his wife. She pulled away.
“I need to sleep. I’m leaving early tomorrow.”
In the morning, Evgenia left while her husband was sleeping. The phone started ringing nonstop. Stanislav tried to call. She ignored the calls.
On Monday, Evgenia filed for divorce. The lawyer accepted the papers without questions. The case was simple — almost no joint property.
Evgenia transferred her bonus to her mother. Let at least someone enjoy the unexpected money. Not demand it as a right.
Stanislav sent messages every day. Asked her to come back. Promised to talk to his mother. Evgenia did not respond.
She was tired of swimming against the tide. This marriage exhausted her completely. It was time to end it.
A month later, the divorce was finalized. Evgenia rented a new apartment. Changed her phone number. Started a new life.
A life where no one dared demand her money. Where her opinion mattered. Where she could be herself, not a convenient daughter-in-law.
And for the first time in three years, Evgenia was truly happy.
