Nadya, can you even imagine how this can be implemented?» Seryozha asked, gathering the pasta hanging off the edge of the plate.
«I can imagine. My pre-marriage apartment remains mine,» I replied, trying to keep calm in my voice, although a real storm was raging inside.
«But you understand, we need funds right now…» he said, sighing and looking at me with an apologetic expression.
«And when do we not need them?» I philosophically noted, shrugging my shoulders. «However, I see no logic in parting with property that has belonged to me long before our acquaintance.»
It seemed that the conversation faded after dinner, but I was well aware: it was too early to relax. Tatyana Petrovna had been softly hinting for a week that «it would be sensible» to sell my one-bedroom apartment in another district to add that money when increasing our living space. In reality, it was about buying new property with the ownership rights unclear on whose name it would be. I patiently listened to all the proposals, hoping that my husband would show some independence and not exert pressure. Unfortunately, his nerves began to fray.
Sitting at the kitchen table and finishing my simple dinner, I heard footsteps. Tatyana Petrovna appeared in the doorway in a comfortable home robe and soft slippers:
«Nadya, do you have a minute for a chat?»
«Of course, Tatyana Petrovna, I also wanted to talk to you,» I replied reservedly, although I felt my muscles tense.
She carefully sat down on a chair opposite me, folding her hands in front of herself.
«So, what have you decided about the apartment? After all, it’s for the family’s good. Seryozhenka is worried that you won’t handle the mortgage. You have a ready solution—sell the apartment, and it makes an excellent down payment.»
I looked at my mother-in-law attentively. Her pretentious care had long ceased to affect me since I understood her true intentions.
«Tell me straight: do you want everything registered under Seryozha or you?» I asked bluntly.
Her face contorted with displeasure, but she quickly changed her tone:
«What strange questions! The main thing is your joint happiness. Why cling to an old one-room flat?»
I took a deep breath.
«Why should I part with personal property and share money?» I spoke quietly but clearly.
Tatyana Petrovna raised her eyebrows in surprise:
«What kind of tone is that? I’m only talking about your well-being!»
«And I wish you well too, you just put me before a choice: either I risk losing security guarantees by giving up my apartment, or I become a target of accusations of selfishness,» I replied calmly.
At that moment, Seryozha entered the kitchen:
«Mom, Nadya, please, no scandals. Let’s solve everything civilly…»
«Am I yelling? I’m just explaining to her the importance of this decision for the family,» grumbled Tatyana Petrovna, crossing her arms over her chest.
Seryozha leaned tiredly against the doorframe:
«Nadya, we live together. Can’t you see that we need more space? You complained about the lack of space yourself.»
«Yes, I complained, but not at my expense and not with the condition that the new property be registered under someone else,» I retorted.
The mother-in-law leaned back in her chair:
«Could we divide the ownership rights between you and Seryozha? Are we capable of harming you?»
The last phrase was spoken quietly but clearly contained a hidden threat. I felt extremely uncomfortable.
«Let’s not get carried away with legal aspects right now,» I said with a slight coolness in my voice. «I haven’t decided anything yet; I need to think everything through carefully.»
The next day, I visited my parents—I needed moral support. My mom, Zinaida Mikhailovna, treated me to tea with cookies in her cozy kitchen.
«Darling, why are you so worried? Just imagine that they have their own point of view, but that doesn’t negate your right to set your conditions.»
«Mom, I’m married…» I began to justify myself.
«Of course, you’re married, but that’s no reason to lose your own will and principles.»
At that moment, my dad, Vladimir Alekseyevich, joined in.
«Nadyusha, you’ve always been a strong girl. Firmly tell them ‘no.’ The apartment is yours, acquired long before the marriage. You have both legal and moral grounds to own it.»
«Yes, I understand that, but they’re pressuring me, especially Tatyana Petrovna. Sometimes I feel ungrateful: after all, she shared advice, helped us, we’re one family…»
«Even if it’s family, what’s yours remains yours,» dad declared resolutely. «And explain directly to Seryozha if he’s a reasonable person, he’ll understand.»
Returning home, I found unexpected company in the living room: father-in-law Pavel Viktorovich, Tatyana Petrovna herself, and Sergey. They were clearly waiting for my arrival. Taking off my coat, I noticed their tense faces.
«Nadya, we need to talk to you seriously,» began the father-in-law after a slight cough.
«I’m always ready to listen to you, Pavel Viktorovich,» I replied, settling comfortably in the chair.
They exchanged glances, and finally, the father-in-law spoke:
«Sorry if I’m frank, but the situation is this: we need to expand. Modern mortgages are a significant financial burden for young families. And you already have ready capital.»
«So, you propose to use specifically my funds?» I clarified in a calm tone.
«Not just take, but invest in a joint future,» the mother-in-law interjected. «In the end, everything will become your common property.»
I turned my gaze to my husband.
«Seryozh, maybe you have an opinion?»
He ran his hand through his hair, looking tired:
«Nadya, I want us to live together: you, me, and our future children. Parents just want to help us create comfortable conditions.»
«It seems to me, parents want me to give up the only personal asset I have, and yet think that I owe them some gratitude,» I summarized.
«What strange things you say!» Tatyana Petrovna clicked her tongue in displeasure. «We are one family, not opponents.»
I leaned forward to better express my thought:
«Suppose, I sell the apartment. Suppose, we buy a new, more spacious one. But what if everything doesn’t go according to plan? In the end, relationships might not work out or other circumstances may arise. Who then will own this new apartment?»
Seryozha nervously fiddled with the edge of his shirt, and Pavel Viktorovich made a stern face:
«If there are such doubts in your family, then what future can we even talk about?»
«That’s exactly why,» I nodded in agreement. «Since disagreements have already arisen, there’s no point in rushing the decision.»
To my surprise, my husband abruptly stood up:
«Enough, mom, dad. I can’t keep pressing Nadya. This is her personal property. Of course, I’d like new housing, but if she’s against selling, I’ll find other options. I’ll think of a way to earn the down payment and won’t force my wife to part with her home.»
«Well, that’s your choice,» the father-in-law said. «We acted with the best intentions…»
«And it turns out that I’m being reproached for wanting to keep my property,» I interjected, also rising from the chair. «I’m ready to help the family, but not at the expense of the security of my future.»
Tatyana Petrovna clearly wanted to object, but Seryozha gently touched her hand:
«Mom, dad, let’s end this conversation. I’ll figure everything out myself.»
They were silent for a bit longer, then the father-in-law, standing up, muttered something under his breath, and both headed to the exit. I felt a sense of relief, although my heart continued to beat rapidly, as if after a run.
When we were left alone, Seryozha averted his gaze.
«Nadya, sorry I didn’t support you right away. I just got confused. On one hand, parents insisted on this conversation, on the other—I really don’t want to spoil our relationship.»
I took a deep breath.
«The main thing is that you’ve realized: I’m not planning to sell my apartment. If we consider buying new housing, it will only be with consideration of my interests.»
My husband nodded quietly.
«I understand. Let’s find another solution together. And sorry for starting all this fuss…»
I looked him in the eyes and felt the tension inside me start to recede. Although the situation was complicated, I managed to stand my ground. The mother-in-law received a clear refusal and now knew that I wasn’t easy to break. And Seryozha, I hope, truly learned an important lesson: in a family, it’s necessary to respect each other’s boundaries.
