«Roma, I handed all the envelopes to my mother. When they were handed over, you could feel the contents, and they were decent bundles.
«I felt them too, Svetochka. It’s understandable, given that my father holds a significant position in the government. But I’ve long refused his handouts since I started working myself. I will never forgive him for leaving my mother. She died of grief in this one-bedroom apartment.
«And now what? Our mortgage fell through. It’s not comfortable living in a one-bedroom with a child. I really didn’t want to take money from your father.
«Me neither, Svetik. He has another family, and I’m sure he invited those guests specifically to improve our living conditions. He knows I won’t take anything from him.
«Romochka, let’s go to my mother’s. Maybe she can explain this situation.»
«And why can’t you sleep?» The sleepy Larisa, Svetlana’s mother, opened the door.
«Mom, can you explain the situation? I will never believe that my father’s respected acquaintances would give empty envelopes.»
«There were no empty envelopes, daughter. I was putting them in a bag.»
«Mom, and did you always hold that bag?»
«No, Svetochka, I gave it to my daughter-in-law when I was invited to dance at the restaurant.»
«Wake up Karina and Yury. We need to clarify what happened,» Svetlana was determined.
Svetlana’s brother came out of the room, followed by his disheveled wife in a greasy robe.
«Svetka, why did you come so early?» Yury rubbed his eyes.
Svetlana explained, showing the empty envelopes. Karina was outraged:
«Yura, your sister has lost her mind. They took them out at their home and now they blame us. So many envelopes were given, and it’s still not enough for them,» Karina spat on the floor and went to the kitchen.
Two dark-haired and curly heads of Yury and Karina’s children peeked out from the children’s room.
Roman realized that it was a mistake to come, and, taking his wife by the hand, opened the front door. Already in the car, he expressed his opinion.
«It’s clear that it was Karinka, but uncaught is not a thief. Tomorrow I’ll call my father to arrange the money for the down payment.»
«Let’s sell your one-bedroom apartment, Romochka, that should be enough for a new three-bedroom.»
«Svetik, we wanted to keep it for our future child.»
«We’ll earn for him later. Let him be born and grow up first.»
Yury’s apartment took a long time to sell. Many came to see it, but the first floor, even with a balcony, didn’t suit everyone.
Their guest, Svetlana’s mother Larisa, came to visit.
«I have news for you. Yury and Karina have taken out a loan and are already packing their things. They bought a three-bedroom apartment in the suburbs.»
«Mom, where did Yury get the money? Karina doesn’t work. And they need to provide for two children. He’s just a plumber in the housing office and has some side income, but that’s not enough to put down 30%. Nowadays, banks don’t take less.»
«Svetochka, I thought the same. And then I realized it was Karina’s doing. I have a proposal for you. I wanted to leave my apartment to you and Yury as an inheritance. Not anymore. Let’s make a gift deed. I’ll give you our four-bedroom, and you give me your one-bedroom. Let Yury deal with the consequences of his actions.»
That’s how Larisa resolved the situation with the apartments, punishing her thieving daughter-in-law and ridding herself of her presence in the apartment. She was tired of cleaning up after them and working at the firm.
After moving his mother to a one-bedroom apartment, Yury came to her to argue. He regretted registering the whole family in the new apartment in the suburbs. Now, 15 years of paying the mortgage, with interest. He had to commute by train to work, having sold his car.
