— Why do you need a three-room apartment just for yourself? Rent it out, and you can live with me, — suggested the mother-in-law, planning to take all the income.

ДЕТИ

— I have a two-room apartment, — Valentina Petrovna frowned, stirring sugar into her cup. — But after Artem moved in with you, the apartment became so empty and cold.

Olga nodded, sipping her hot tea. Steam rose above the cup, creating a light haze between the women. Her mother-in-law’s kitchen always seemed dark but cozy. Old wallpaper with small flowers, worn linoleum, a massive table.

— I’ve lived all my life in an apartment full of people, — Valentina Petrovna continued, looking out the window. — And now I’m left completely alone.

Olga set the cup on the saucer. The porcelain rang softly. She understood her mother-in-law’s sadness but couldn’t change the natural course of things.

— The children moving out is logical and right, — Olga said gently. — They need to build their own lives.

Valentina Petrovna frowned even more. The wrinkles on her forehead deepened. Her lips pressed into a thin line. She said nothing and turned away toward the window.

Olga watched her mother-in-law. The woman was clearly upset. Her shoulders slumped, her hands nervously fiddled with the edge of the tablecloth. But what could be done? Artem was an adult man; he had the right to his own family.

A week later, a knock on the door made Olga put down her paintbrush. A drop of paint fell onto the newspaper spread on the floor. Her hands were covered in sandy streaks.

— Valentina Petrovna? — Olga was surprised as she opened the door.

Her mother-in-law entered the hallway and immediately grimaced. The smell of paint hung thickly in the air.

— What’s going on here? — Valentina Petrovna asked, looking around the corridor.

— While I’m on vacation, I decided to repaint the walls, — Olga explained, wiping her hands with a rag. — The three-room apartment with its dark gray tones was pressing down on me.

Olga led her mother-in-law into the living room. Half the wall had already been painted a pleasant sandy color. Sunlight played on the fresh paint, creating warm highlights.

— I want something sandy-colored, — Olga added. — So the apartment can finally breathe.

Valentina Petrovna surveyed the room critically. The plastic covering the furniture, cans of paint, rollers and brushes — everything pointed to a large-scale renovation.

— Renovations are always expensive, — the mother-in-law remarked with a note of reproach.

Olga laughed. The sound was light and carefree. She was in a great mood. Vacation, creativity, transforming the home — all brought joy.

— I got my vacation pay and a bonus, — Olga said cheerfully. — There’s more than enough money for the renovations.

She took the brush and made another stroke on the wall. The paint laid evenly, creating a perfect coat.

— And not having to pay rent anymore really helps, — Olga added without turning around.

The apartment belonged to Olga. Premarital property gave her some freedom. She could spend money on improving the home without asking permission.

Valentina Petrovna wrinkled her nose in displeasure. Her face soured, her eyebrows knitted over her nose. Clearly, something about her daughter-in-law’s words displeased her.

— My apartment needs renovations too, — the mother-in-law said bitterly. — And I have no money at all.

Olga shrugged. She understood the hint but was in no hurry to help. Everyone had their own problems and possibilities.

— Yes, that’s unfortunate, — Olga agreed neutrally.

Valentina Petrovna lingered a bit longer, apparently expecting a different reaction. But Olga kept painting the wall. The atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

The mother-in-law turned and headed for the door. Her footsteps echoed sharply on the parquet floor. The door slammed a bit louder than usual.

Olga was left alone with her thoughts and a can of paint. The brush glided over the wall with even strokes. The sandy color transformed the room, making it lighter and more spacious.

But the walls were only the beginning. A week later, Olga ordered new kitchen furniture. A white set with glossy fronts replaced the old dark one. The artificial stone countertop gleamed under the lights.

Valentina Petrovna appeared just as the installation was underway. The workers fussed with hinges, installing cabinet doors.

— Spending money again, — the mother-in-law grumbled, inspecting the new items. — And my kitchen is completely run down.

Olga just shrugged. The discussion seemed pointless. Everyone managed their own money as they wished.

The next purchase was a sofa for the living room. A corner model in ivory replaced the worn brown couch. The upholstery was soft and pleasant to the touch.

— Why so much spending? — Valentina Petrovna stood in the middle of the living room, arms crossed. — I have two rooms without any renovations.

Olga smoothed the new upholstery. The sofa fit perfectly into the interior. The room brightened with new colors.

— I like updating the home, — Olga replied calmly.

Her mother-in-law snorted and left, slamming the door loudly. Olga was used to such reactions. Valentina Petrovna constantly hinted at her own problems.

On Sunday, the family gathered for dinner at the mother-in-law’s. The table was laden with dishes. Borscht, cutlets, mashed potatoes — all Artem’s favorite meals.

— Mom, this is delicious! — Artem devoured the cutlets enthusiastically. — No one cooks better than you.

Valentina Petrovna beamed at the praise. She kept giving her son seconds, bustling around the table.

— Look, son, — the mother-in-law said, pointing to the walls. — The kitchen is big but needs renovation.

Artem nodded without looking up from his food. The man clearly didn’t notice his mother’s hints.

— And the two rooms need renovating too. But your wife…, — Valentina Petrovna continued insistently.

Olga put down her fork. The constant complaints were starting to annoy her. Every conversation boiled down to the same thing.

— What do you want from me? — Olga asked directly.

Valentina Petrovna smiled unpleasantly. Her eyes gleamed with a sly spark. She clearly expected that question.

— Why do you need a three-room apartment just for yourself? — the mother-in-law said slowly. — Rent it out, and you’ll live with me.

Artem lifted his head from the plate. His expression was confused. He clearly hadn’t expected that turn.

Valentina Petrovna stood up. Her eyes glowed with excitement. The woman had clearly thought her plan through to the last detail.

— Your apartment can bring in a lot of money, — the mother-in-law began persuasively. — A three-room in the center is a gold mine.

Olga listened silently. The picture was becoming clearer. Valentina Petrovna had been nursing this idea for a long time.

— That money will go to renovating my apartment. Imagine how everything will transform in a couple of years!

The woman paced around the kitchen, waving her arms. Enthusiasm overflowed her. The plan seemed flawless.

— No need to dip into savings or take out loans, — Valentina Petrovna added triumphantly. — The money will come out of thin air — from renting out your apartment.

Olga slowly rose from her chair. Her hands trembled slightly with indignation. Her mother-in-law’s audacity exceeded all expectations.

— The income from renting out my apartment should go to your renovations? — Olga repeated, trying to stay calm.

Valentina Petrovna nodded innocently. Her face radiated righteous certainty. The woman clearly thought her request completely reasonable.

— That’s right, — the mother-in-law replied convincingly. — A daughter-in-law must take care of her mother-in-law.

The air in the kitchen grew heavy. Olga clenched her fists, fighting the rising anger. She hadn’t expected such audacity even from Valentina Petrovna.

— Must? — Olga’s voice sharpened. — According to what law?

Valentina Petrovna exclaimed:

— According to the law of decency! I worked all my life, raised my son!

The mother-in-law waved her hands as if conducting an invisible orchestra. Her eyes burned with fanatic fire. She was ready to defend her position to the end.

Olga crossed her arms.

— So what does that mean? That I have to support you?

Valentina Petrovna shouted:

— You live in luxury, and I’m destitute! It’s unfair!

Artem kept silently chewing his cutlet. The man avoided looking at his wife. His behavior clearly showed his unwillingness to get involved in the conflict.

— Luxury? — Olga laughed bitterly. — I work two jobs to afford the renovations!

— And I get nothing! — the mother-in-law stomped her foot. — Although I have the right to help!

Valentina Petrovna stood beside her son. Her hand rested on Artem’s shoulder. The gesture was eloquent — the mother demanded support.

— The apartment is empty, but the money could be coming in. And everyone would be happy, — the mother-in-law insisted.

Olga turned to her husband. Artem was still focused on his food, avoiding direct eye contact. His behavior irritated her the most.

— What do you think about this? — Olga asked directly.

Artem shrugged. He still didn’t stop eating. The man clearly didn’t want to take anyone’s side.

— Helping one’s mother is normal, — Artem muttered indistinctly.

His cheeks puffed with food. His voice was muffled. Olga understood — no support would come from her husband.

— Why should I help your mother? — Olga’s voice turned icy. — Why don’t you do it yourself?!

Artem finally looked up. His face showed surprise. The man clearly didn’t understand his wife’s outrage.

— The apartment is empty anyway; it’s just the two of us living there, — Artem said reasonably. — This way it won’t be boring, and the money will go to a good cause.

Valentina Petrovna nodded approvingly. Her motherly heart rejoiced at her son’s support.

— And when the children come, we’ll move back, — Artem added peacefully.

Olga rolled her eyes to the ceiling. Her breathing grew heavy. The absurdity of the situation was off the charts. Her husband and mother-in-law were planning her life.

Olga headed for the front door. Her footsteps sounded decisive on the linoleum. Voices of concern sounded behind her.

— Where are you going? — Valentina Petrovna called out.

— Home, — Olga replied shortly.

Artem got up from his chair. His face was confused. The man clearly didn’t expect such a reaction.

— You stay with your mother, — Olga said to her husband in a steady voice. — And help her with the renovations and whatever else.

Olga turned at the threshold. Her gaze was firm and resolute.

— Because there’s no more room for you in my apartment.

The door slammed behind her. She caught a taxi at the stop. Olga sat in the back seat, still trembling with indignation.

The absurdity was overwhelming. How could they be so audacious and heartless? Demanding someone else’s apartment, planning renovations with other people’s money — it was beyond all limits.

At home, Olga took out her suitcases. Her husband’s things were neatly folded in piles. Shirts, pants, socks — all packed methodically.

The suitcases stood by the entrance. Olga knew — many battles lay ahead. But this was her choice, not imposed on her.

She was ready to fight for her freedom to the end.

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