Who are you, Vanya, to tell me how to live?» Tamara Pavlovna’s voice was piercing, and her eyes sparkled with anger. «Do you think just because you’re courting my daughter, you can interfere in my affairs?»
«I’m not interfering, Tamara Pavlovna,» Ivan tried to speak calmly, though anger was boiling inside him, «I’m just asking you not to meddle in our relationship with Katya. It’s our personal space, and we’ll figure everything out ourselves.»
«Your personal space!» the woman mocked him with a biting sneer. «It will be yours when you start providing for yourself. As long as the daughter depends on me, her life is my concern. And I will decide who is worthy of her attention and who is not. And you…» she sneered contemptuously, «you are clearly not fit for the role of a husband.»
In the next room, Katya leaned against the door, trembling with fear and offense. Her hands hung limp, and tears stung her eyes. She understood her mother’s motives but couldn’t agree with her assessment of Vanya. He wasn’t at all like Tamara Pavlovna portrayed him. But how to explain this to her mother and calm Ivan?
«Tamara Pavlovna, let’s talk calmly,» Ivan tried to compose himself. «I know you care about Katya’s well-being, but believe me: I’m doing everything possible.» «Do you?» she scoffed. «Where are the results? Katya constantly complains that she is hungry because you don’t even have proper food. How can she be happy with you? Where are the guarantees that you can provide her with a decent life?»
Unable to withstand the tension, Katya suddenly entered the room: «Mom, stop! I love Vanya, he loves me, and we don’t need anyone’s control to decide what’s best for us.» «Fine,» Tamara Pavlovna coldly retorted, crossing her arms over her chest. «Live your own life, but don’t expect my help. You can even skip inviting me to your wedding—I’ll decide whether to show up. I’m tired of watching you throw your life away on such a…,» she glanced disdainfully at Ivan, «a man without goals.» Ivan turned pale but responded quietly yet firmly: «I have goals, they’re just different from your expectations.» «Goals?» Tamara Pavlovna smirked. «I see only irresponsibility. No money—earn it by any means, no housing—find a side job, no prospects—develop yourself! Instead, you have only excuses for the weak!»
Katya felt her heart clench with pain. Her mother had never been so harsh, especially in Vanya’s presence. The situation clearly got out of control. «Mom, please stop!» she pleaded, grabbing her hand. But Tamara Pavlovna roughly freed herself: «I’ve said everything I wanted to. I no longer want to waste time on these conversations.»
The situation escalated to the limit. Ivan turned to the window, Katya froze in the middle of the room, covering her face with her hands, while Tamara Pavlovna, demonstratively pursing her lips, headed for the exit.
The mother categorically forbade Katya to move in with Vanya, taking an uncompromising position: until she saw real financial independence from the boy, she wouldn’t even ask for her blessing.
And Vanya… How Katya loved him! He was twenty-five and worked in a small furniture workshop, creating beautiful and reliable interior items with his hands. Katya saw how dedicated he was to his craft. His earnings were modest, but he already had his own, albeit small, apartment. His simplicity and independence attracted Katya. Unlike previous acquaintances, who only built castles in the air, Vanya acted. He didn’t throw around loud promises but worked day after day.
However, for Tamara Pavlovna, he remained a «poor man» who, in her opinion, would not succeed. Vanya never talked about wanting to start his own business. He worked in his friend’s workshop, helped with purchasing materials, and even tried to promote products through the website. But progress was slow, and Tamara Pavlovna grumbled discontentedly, «How can you live on such crumbs? Is this enough for my daughter?»
Tired of the constant reproaches, Katya once asked Vanya directly: «Why don’t you try something different? You’re smart, you can find other opportunities. There are plenty of interesting vacancies in the city.» He sighed deeply: «You know, Katyusha, I thought about moving to a big city—St. Petersburg or Moscow. But then I decided that at least here I have some start. I’m sure I can develop my business in the furniture field.»
Katya didn’t argue. She liked watching his eyes light up when talking about work—whether it was creating a new design, finding innovative materials, or refining existing models. Each project was a little discovery for him.
However, Vanya rarely mentioned his family. Katya only knew that his father was a businessman. He had casually mentioned this information once. «Well, a businessman, that means,» she thought then, without giving it much importance.
In reality, Vanya’s family belonged to the upper crust, where billion-dollar fortunes and connections were the norm. But in his youth, the young man made a conscious choice: to leave the world of privileges and start all over again. Mikhail Petrovich, his father, although a man of firm principles, understandingly accepted his son’s decision: «Want to live a simple life? Please do. Independence is valuable. But remember, a time will come when you’ll have to return to the family business. Meanwhile, enjoy your freedom.»
Vanya truly enjoyed every moment. He studied, worked, sought his path. He wasn’t attracted to the idea of living off parental capital. He took pleasure in creating: developing designs, drafting sketches, working with wood, assembling furniture, painting it. His small apartment had a special atmosphere of coziness. Every detail was made by his hands: an original kitchen set with secret shelves, a compact but functional wooden table. Guests, entering his place, admired his work and wondered why such a talented person lived so modestly.
Tamara Pavlovna, unlike Vanya’s friends, didn’t even try to see the depth of his character. For her, he remained «a mediocre without prospects.» She dreamed of marrying her daughter to a man who could provide her with a carefree life. Katya grew up in a poor family: her father left when she was three years old and hardly helped her mother. Tamara Pavlovna devoted her whole life to raising her daughter and now hoped that Katya would choose a partner with money.
Katya herself was calm, patient, and a bit dreamy. She studied, worked as a photographer at weddings, loved animals, and helped a friend organize a shelter for homeless cats and dogs. She never aspired to high status, only wishing for simple happiness—to be loved and to love. With Vanya, she felt protected for the first time. Although financial stability was not his strong point, he gave her confidence and inner support.
But her mother’s taunts became increasingly sharp. «It’s time for you to break up with this person! Find someone worthy!» Tamara Pavlovna repeated over and over. Katya tried to ignore these words.
The day the conflict reached its peak was a turning point. Tamara Pavlovna held back nothing, expressing all her displeasure in front of Vanya. He patiently listened to her attacks, but his patience was running out inside. The conflict turned into a loud quarrel, after which the mother slammed the door and left, leaving the young people in tense silence.
«Katyusha, I don’t know what to do,» Vanya confessed a few days later, sitting in his kitchen. «Your mom doesn’t give us a chance to be together. I’m afraid we can’t handle this pressure.» «Vanya, mom is just worried,» Katya tiredly laid her head on her hands. «But she goes too far. I’m trying to explain to her that you’re not a slacker, that you have plans and a goal…»
«It seems she’s not ready to hear me,» Vanya sadly looked at her. «She wants to see me successful today: with an expensive car, a spacious apartment… And I don’t have that yet. But we can achieve everything together.» «Mom doesn’t believe in building a future together,» sighed Katya. «She’s tired of poverty and wants me not to repeat her mistakes.»
«What should I do?» Vanya clenched his fists, feeling powerless. «I can’t just tell her the truth about myself…» «What truth?» Katya asked, surprised. «Never mind… nothing important,» he dismissed. «I just can’t change her opinion. I’m sorry. I don’t want you to have to choose between us.»
«And I don’t want such a choice,» whispered Katya. «Maybe we should temporarily stop communicating with mom? If we live separately, she’ll understand that our relationship is serious, and she’ll calm down.»
The idea seemed reasonable, and they decided to try it. However, a couple of days later, the situation only worsened. Tamara Pavlovna called her daughter, sobbing into the phone: «How could you do this? I’m sick, lying alone, and you’ve abandoned me! It’s all because of that guy of yours…»
These accusations made Katya feel guilty, and she began to take it out on Vanya. He silently accepted her tears and reproaches, but resentment festered inside. This is how their first serious quarrels began.
In the end, when both of their patience ran out, Katya couldn’t hold back and shouted that she could no longer live in constant tension, torn between her mother and her loved one. Vanya remained silent, understanding her pain but finding no way out of the situation. One evening, he said: «Maybe we should break up for a while? So you can focus on your mom, and I can focus on my life. Let’s see how it all turns out.»
«Are you serious?» Katya couldn’t believe her ears. «I see how you’re suffering. I want you to be happy, even if it means taking a step back.»
A few days later, they made the decision to part ways. Katya returned to her mother, deciding to focus on supporting her. Vanya stayed alone in his small apartment, immersed in bitter thoughts.
Half a year passed. Spring was nearing its end, bringing sunny days and the smell of blooming trees. But the atmosphere in Tamara Pavlovna’s home remained heavy and musty. Katya continued her studies, worked hard, tried to minimize conflicts with her mother. She still thought about Vanya—with pain, with sadness, sometimes with hope. But the fear of new pain stopped her: she didn’t dare to call or write to him.
One day, Tamara Pavlovna, casually flipping through TV channels with no particular interest, heard the doorbell. It was her neighbor Galya.
«Hello, Tamara!» she greeted her, entering the apartment. «Are you watching the news? I accidentally saw something interesting! A local channel was broadcasting the opening of a new furniture factory. With speeches, ceremonial ribbons, and even the mayor’s presence. And guess who I noticed there? Your former almost-son-in-law Vanya! Turns out, he’s the president of some major holding!»
Tamara Pavlovna looked at her in surprise: «What?! It can’t be! Probably someone similar…»
«No, really! They introduced him by name: ‘Ivan Mikhailov—president of «Art-Mebel»‘. The host said that he’s the son of billionaire Mikhail Petrovich Mikhailov and now heads the family business. Looks like he inherited it all.»
Tamara Pavlovna turned pale and froze. For the first time in a long time, she was at a loss for words. Galya, noticing her reaction, shook her head: «Oh, Tamara… What a turn. Katya, by the way… How did they even break up? I remember you had loud scandals…»
«Yes…» whispered Tamara Pavlovna. «We argued a lot. I thought he had no future, that he was poor, and I filled Katya with these thoughts.»
«Well, you see,» sighed Galya. «And you probably said a lot to him… I know your character. He probably decided to step back.»
Galya left, and Tamara Pavlovna remained sitting in front of the TV, but she saw nothing. Her own words, taunts, and disbelief in that boy, whom she considered «worthless,» swirled in her head. And he, it turned out, was simply following his own path, not boasting about his origins. If she hadn’t interfered, maybe Katya would be with him now, happy and confident in the future.
Katya returned home just at that moment. Seeing her mother’s thoughtful face, she asked worriedly: «Mom, what happened?»
«Katya, sit down,» Tamara Pavlovna looked lost, which Katya had never noticed before. «I need to tell you something… I… I was wrong about everything.»
«About what?» Katya frowned, feeling anxious.
«Turn on the internet, find the news broadcast… But better sit down, I’ll explain.»
Tamara Pavlovna told her everything she heard from Galya. Katya first thought it was a joke, but after checking the video online, she saw for herself: her Vanya was standing on stage, elegant and confident, talking about the development of production. He was called a «young leader» who successfully continues his family’s business.
«Why did he keep quiet?» Katya said in shock, turning off the recording. «Why didn’t he tell me?»
«I think he wanted to prove to everyone that he could succeed on his own. And to you too, probably,» Tamara Pavlovna covered her face with her hands. «I’m such a fool… I said so many bad things…»
«Mom, calm down,» Katya was in shock, but her heart also clenched at the memory of how Vanya endured her mother’s attacks. He apparently only sought to maintain his principles.
«Maybe you should call him?» Tamara Pavlovna suggested after a while. «I’m ready to apologize… I realized I was wrong.»
Katya took out her phone, found the number, and froze, not daring to press the button. After a few rings, the answering machine picked up. She put down the receiver, feeling disappointed.
«Call later,» her mother said softly, taking her hand. «Everything will be okay.»
A week later, on Sunday, as Katya was wiping her hands with a towel after cooking, the phone rang. An unfamiliar number appeared on the screen.
«Hello?» she answered cautiously.
«Hi, Katyusha, it’s me, Vanya.»
«Vanya!» her voice trembled. «I’m glad to hear from you.»
«Sorry I didn’t call back right away, was on a business trip… Just found out about your call. How are you?»
«Good… Vanya, I found out…» she paused. «About your business, about your father.»
Silence stretched, then Vanya softly said: «Now you know everything.»
«Vanya, forgive me…» Katya’s voice trembled. «I didn’t support you back then. And mom too… We were both wrong.»
«Katyusha, I understand,» he replied calmly. «It was important to me that love was sincere, without the influence of money. I myself didn’t expect to end up in the company so quickly. But I don’t hold any grudges against you.»
«Really?» she whispered.
«Of course. If you want, we could meet, talk. I miss you.»
Her eyes filled with tears of happiness: «I miss you too.»
Tamara Pavlovna, seeing her daughter’s radiant face, suddenly felt relief. Now she faced the difficult task of reconciling with Vanya, but she was ready to do everything possible. The main thing was that Katya was glowing with joy again, not with offense.
«Vanya,» Katya said, «can you come tomorrow? Mom wants to talk to you… And I, of course, want to see you.»
«I can stop by. I’ll be in your area. Let’s agree on a time.»
Katya put down the phone and hugged her mother. Although they both still felt anxiety, they understood: fate had given them a second chance. Vanya held no grudge, and Katya still loved him—a man of strong principles, who had proven his worth as a person. Now, perhaps, their story would continue, and Tamara Pavlovna would learn to accept her daughter’s choice, whatever it might be.
