Kristina pressed herself against Oleg’s shoulder, looking at the massive door of their new apartment. The keys in her husband’s hands trembled with excitement. The three-room apartment in the city center now belonged to them.
“I can’t believe Aunt Lida left me such an inheritance,” she whispered, her voice barely trembling with joy.
“She always loved you more than the others,” Oleg turned the key in the lock. “Remember how she used to say: ‘Kristinochka is the only one who visits the old lady.’”
The door swung open, revealing a spacious hallway. Sunlight poured through the windows, illuminating the parquet floors. Kristina stepped inside and froze. For the first time in five years of marriage, they had their own home. No more renting tiny one-room apartments for a third of their salary.
“Olezha, look at these ceilings!” she raised her head, spreading her arms wide.
“They’re definitely three meters,” her husband hugged her by the waist.
Kristina laughed, imagining bookshelves along the walls. Their dreams were finally taking real shape. They walked through the rooms, planning the furniture arrangement. In the bedroom, Oleg lifted her into his arms and spun her around.
“Now we’ll have a real home,” he set her down and kissed the top of her head.
The next three weeks flew by in the hustle of renovations. Kristina picked out wallpaper, and Oleg fussed with the wiring. In the evenings, they collapsed onto an inflatable mattress, discussing purchases. New furniture arrived in parts: sofa, dining table, wardrobe.
“The fridge will be delivered tomorrow,” Kristina flipped through a kitchen appliance catalog. “And the dishwasher.”
“Finally, we’ll live like real people,” Oleg stretched, cracking his back.
On Saturday morning, there was a knock at the door. Kristina peered through the peephole and saw familiar faces. Mother-in-law Galina Petrovna and sister-in-law Inna stood at the threshold with tense smiles.
“Olezha, your family is here,” she unlocked the door.
“Hello, Kristinochka,” mother-in-law stepped inside, scrutinizing the hallway with a piercing gaze. “Decided to see how you’ve settled in here.”
“Please come in,” Kristina stepped aside.
Inna passed silently, inspecting every corner. Her eyes skimmed over the walls, furniture, chandeliers, as if assessing the value of every item. Kristina felt a strange heaviness in her chest. She hadn’t expected such intense scrutiny.
“Mom, Inna, how are you?” Oleg came out of the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel.
“Fine, son,” Galina Petrovna entered the living room. “Wow, what expensive furniture. Must’ve cost a pretty penny.”
“Aunt left some money along with the apartment,” Kristina explained, but her voice sounded uncertain.
Inna ran her hand over the back of the sofa, checking the upholstery quality. Then she peeked into the bedroom without asking permission. Kristina followed, confused by what was happening. Usually, her sister-in-law was easier to deal with.
“And what’s this room?” Inna pointed to the third door.
“We’re planning to make it an office,” Oleg answered. “Or a nursery someday.”
Mother-in-law and sister-in-law exchanged meaningful glances. There was something troubling in that look. Kristina caught their silent exchange, and her heart began to race.
“Well, we’ve seen everything,” Galina Petrovna headed for the exit. “You’ve settled in nicely.”
“Very nicely,” added Inna, putting on her jacket.
After they left, the apartment seemed to empty out. Kristina stood by the closed door, trying to understand her strange feelings. Something was off about her relatives’ behavior. Too many attentive looks, too much appraisal.
“Olezha, that was strange,” she turned to her husband.
Oleg stared at the door thoughtfully, as if trying to solve a riddle. His brows furrowed. He nodded slowly, and that gesture made Kristina’s anxiety grow even stronger. Something was definitely wrong.
The next two weeks turned into a nightmare. Galina Petrovna showed up every two days. Sometimes she supposedly forgot to bring something, sometimes just passed by. Kristina noticed how her mother-in-law studied every detail of the interior.
“Galina Petrovna, maybe you could tell me what’s bothering you?” Kristina asked during one of the visits.
“Nothing special, dear,” the woman smiled tightly. “I just want to know how the kids are living.”
Oleg came out of the kitchen with a puzzled expression. His mother had never shown such interest in their life before. She used to call once a week, and even then just as a formality.
“Mom, seriously, what’s going on?” he sat down next to his mother on the couch.
“Son, you’re too suspicious,” Galina Petrovna adjusted her pillow. “Is it so bad that a mother wants to know about her son’s life?”
Kristina stood by the window, watching the scene. A dull unease grew inside her. Her mother-in-law’s behavior was unusual. Too much attention, too many questions about their plans.
On Thursday evening, Galina Petrovna called with an unexpected request.
“Kristinochka, may I come for dinner tomorrow?” her voice sounded too cheerful. “I miss your cooking.”
“Of course,” Kristina couldn’t refuse. “What time should we expect you?”
“At seven, dear.”
Kristina spent the whole next day preparing her mother-in-law’s favorite dishes: borscht, cutlets, Olivier salad. She wanted to create a warm atmosphere. Maybe during dinner, Galina Petrovna would open up.
The mother-in-law arrived exactly on time. She brought a cake from the bakery and a bouquet of chrysanthemums. But something about her behavior was even more unsettling. Too nervous movements, too bright a smile.
“How deliciously you cook, Kristinochka,” Galina Petrovna tasted the borscht. “Oleg is lucky to have a wife like you.”
“Thank you,” Kristina sat down at the table without taking her eyes off her mother-in-law.
The first half-hour passed in ordinary conversation. They discussed the weather, news, work. But then Galina Petrovna abruptly changed the subject.
“You know, kids, my Innochka is completely worn out,” she put down her fork. “She lives with me in a two-room apartment. The rooms are tiny. There’s almost no space.”
Kristina tensed. Here it was—the real reason for the visits. Oleg also became alert, lifting his eyes from the plate.
“Mom, Inna is an adult woman,” he said cautiously. “She can find her own place.”
“With what money, son?” Galina Petrovna threw up her hands. “The salary’s peanuts, rent is expensive.”
Kristina was silent, anticipating how the conversation would unfold. Her heart pounded faster. She saw where her mother-in-law was going.
“Inna is already thirty,” Galina Petrovna continued. “It’s time for her to live apart from her mother. She wants freedom, personal space.”
“Well, then let her rent an apartment,” Kristina finally spoke. “We lived like that for five years.”
Galina Petrovna tensed completely. Her eyes narrowed, and the smile vanished instantly. She slowly put her glass on the table and looked directly at Kristina.
“There are three rooms in the house,” her voice became harsh and demanding. “One you’ll give to my daughter.”
Silence hung over the table like a heavy blanket. Kristina stared at her mother-in-law, unable to believe what she’d heard. Oleg froze with a piece of bread in his hand. The air seemed to thicken, becoming viscous and stifling.
The demand sounded so natural, as if it were a simple request. Inside, everything twisted with indignation.
“What did you say?” Kristina’s voice trembled with rage.
“You understood me perfectly,” Galina Petrovna straightened in the armchair. “Inna needs a separate room.”
Oleg slowly put his fork on the plate. His face hardened before Kristina’s eyes. She saw the anger ignite in his eyes.
“Mom, are you serious?” he stood up from the table. “This is our home.”
“The house is big, there’s enough space for everyone,” mother-in-law was not going to back down. “Inna is a quiet girl, she won’t disturb.”
Kristina stood up sharply, knocking over the chair. Her patience snapped like a stretched string. Her hands shook from overwhelming emotions.
“No one will live here but us!” she shouted. “This is our apartment!”
“Don’t shout at your husband’s mother!” Galina Petrovna also stood. “No manners at all!”
“Do you have any manners?” Kristina stepped closer. “Coming into someone else’s home with demands!”
Oleg stood between them but supported his wife. Kristina saw determination in his posture. He wouldn’t betray her for his mother.
“Mom, the conversation is over,” he said firmly. “No one will live here.”
“Oleg!” mother-in-law raised her voice. “I am your mother! You must help your sister!”
“I must protect my family,” he pointed to the door. “Leave.”
Galina Petrovna looked at her son in disbelief. Her face flushed with anger. She shouted:
“You won’t get rid of me so easily! This is unfair!”
Kristina couldn’t take it anymore. Rage flooded all reasonable thoughts. She grabbed Galina Petrovna by the wrist and pulled her toward the hallway.
The woman immediately screamed:
“Kristina! Let me go at once!”
“Stop bothering us!” Kristina dragged her mother-in-law to the door. “Get out of here!”
Oleg came from the other side. Took his mother’s other hand. Galina Petrovna wriggled, trying to break free.
“Oleg, stop your wife!” she shouted. “She’s lost her mind!”
“My wife is right,” the husband opened the front door. “You’ve gone too far.”
They took the mother-in-law out to the landing. The woman continued to protest, demanding to be let back in. Kristina breathed heavily, releasing the accumulated tension.
“Forget the way to this house,” Oleg said coldly. “Goodbye, Mom.”
The door slammed shut. Kristina leaned against the wall. Her heart pounded wildly.
An hour later the phone rang. The screen showed Inna’s name. Oleg looked at his wife questioningly.
“Olezha, forgive Mom,” sister-in-law sobbed into the phone. “She’s very upset. But… think about my move. I won’t bother you, honestly!”
“Inna, forget this phone number,” the husband hung up.
He blocked contacts for his mother and sister. Then hugged Kristina by the shoulders. She pressed herself to his chest, finally relaxing.
“I never thought my family was this greedy,” he whispered into her hair.
Kristina smiled softly. Her husband had become her protector, her reliable wall. That warmed her soul better than any fireplace. Their home would remain only their home.
