Victoria stared at yet another unpaid bill spread out on the kitchen table. She mechanically tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear and let out a heavy sigh. In the next room, Artem was enthusiastically talking on the phone to someone about his new project—online self-improvement courses.
«Can you imagine, it’s simply a revolution!» His excited declaration reached her ears. «Everyone now is eager to find themselves, and I’m going to help them do it…»
Victoria gave a bitter smile. In five years of marriage, she had learned to recognize these periodic “epiphanies” of her husband. First, it was the eco-friendly store, then a bicycle repair workshop, followed by meditation courses. Each time it was the same story: Artem got carried away with an idea, borrowed money, and when the venture failed, she had to solve the financial problems.
The phone vibrated—it was her mother-in-law calling. Victoria closed her eyes for a second, bracing herself for the conversation ahead.
«Good morning, Tamara Semyonovna.»
«Vika, did you transfer the money for Artem’s phone?» her mother-in-law immediately got down to business.
«I paid it yesterday…»
«But that’s not enough!» she interrupted. «He needs to actively engage with potential clients and develop his business online.»
Victoria pressed her lips together. In the travel agency where she worked, massive layoffs had begun, and every penny was worth its weight in gold. But how could she explain this to her mother-in-law?
«I’ll try to arrange something,» she replied coolly.
«Excellent,» Tamara Semyonovna’s tone softened. «You always understand how important it is to support our Artemushka. He’s so special; he just needs time to unlock his potential.»
After the call, Victoria sat for a long while, staring at one spot. Outside, the rain was starting to fall, droplets streaming down the window, blurring the outlines of the gray buildings. On the table lay the utility bills, a bank reminder about an overdue payment, and a list of debts that needed to be repaid urgently.
«Vika!» Artem burst into the kitchen, beaming with joy. «You won’t believe it! A potential partner just called. He says my idea is simply a bomb!»
«Wonderful,» she managed to say, trying to smile. «And how much investment will it need this time?»
Artem looked slightly embarrassed but quickly regained his composure:
«About three hundred thousand… But that’s peanuts compared to what we’ll get!»
«We don’t have that kind of money,» she replied calmly.
«I know!» he said, loudly sinking into the chair opposite her. «But we can borrow it. Maxim says…»
«Maxim?» she tensed.
«Yes, my friend from college. He’s willing to lend the money,» Artem dodged her gaze diligently.
«Willing to lend more? And did you pay him back the last loan?»
«Vika, please!» he frowned. «I told you I’d sort it out as soon as we launch the project…»
At that moment, the phone rang again. An unknown number flashed on the screen. Victoria frowned but answered:
«Hello?»
«Victoria Andreevna? Good day. I’m calling regarding your aunt, Elena Pavlovna Sokolova…»
Victoria froze. She barely knew Aunt Lena—she lived in another city and rarely visited the family. The last time they saw each other was three years ago at a family celebration.
«Did something happen to her?»
«Unfortunately, Elena Pavlovna is no more,» the notary’s sympathetic voice said. «However, she left a will… and you are the sole heiress.»
Victoria sat in shock. Why would her aunt choose her? They hardly communicated… She remembered the last conversation at that family celebration. Aunt Lena had carefully asked about her work and future plans. And it seemed she was listening very seriously to the answers…
«What wonderful news!» Artem was already unfolding his plans. «This means new possibilities will open up for us…»
He didn’t finish his sentence—the doorbell rang. Standing at the door was Tamara Semyonovna carrying bags of groceries.
«I brought you some food…» she began, then paused, noticing the expressions on Victoria’s and her son’s faces. «Has something happened?»
«Mom, can you imagine!» Artem grabbed his mother’s hands. «Vika has an inheritance: an apartment, a country house, and money!»
Tamara Semyonovna froze. Her gaze slowly shifted to her daughter-in-law. Something new and unfamiliar flashed in her eyes.
«An apartment, you say?» She carefully set the bags down on the floor. «And a country house? What a twist…»
Victoria felt increasingly uncomfortable under her mother-in-law’s intense scrutiny. The small kitchen suddenly felt cramped and stifling.
«Perhaps, I’ll be on my way,» she mumbled, grabbing her purse. «I need to go to work.»
The rest of the day, Victoria couldn’t concentrate. Clients were asking about tours, but all she could see was that evaluating look from Tamara Semyonovna. By evening, the phone practically exploded with calls—her husband’s relatives had somehow gotten wind of the inheritance.
When Victoria returned home, she found Artem and his mother in a heated discussion. Tamara Semyonovna hurriedly tucked some documents into her bag, but Victoria had already noticed a familiar bank logo on the papers.
«Vika, how good it is that you’re here!» Tamara Semyonovna beamed with contrived joy. «We were just discussing…»
«Discussing what exactly?» Victoria asked, tensing up.
«Oh, just family matters,» exchanged knowing glances between mother and son. «You know, I think we should meet tomorrow to discuss everything… and also draft an approximate calculation.»
«A calculation of what?»
«Oh, dear! You must understand,» Tamara Semyonovna leaned forward. «We need to figure out how much money we can get from selling the property. An apartment in the center—it’s a fortune! And the country house? Do you even know where it’s located?»
Not even a day had passed, and her inheritance was already being mentally divided and spent.
The next morning, the phone woke Victoria at seven.
«Good morning, dear!» Tamara Semyonovna’s voice was excessively chipper. «Have you found out the exact value of everything yet?»
«Tamara Semyonovna, I haven’t even seen the documents yet…»
«How can that be?» her mother-in-law’s tone grew irritated. «We need to act quickly! For example, Artemushka’s debt…»
«What debt?» Victoria was stunned.
«Oh, right, you weren’t aware!» Tamara Semyonovna hurriedly corrected herself. «Artem took a small business loan, secured by our apartment. But that’s a minor detail! Now we’ll solve everything… and help little Dima.»
«Which Dima?»
«Artem’s brother, of course! He’s in trouble, needs a good lawyer… and funds to clear his debts.»
Without a word, Victoria pressed the end-call button. Her head was buzzing. The news about the loan overwhelmed her—when had this happened? And why was Artem hiding it? And now his brother’s problems as well…
By evening, Artem unexpectedly suggested arranging a family dinner.
«Let’s invite mom, sit down, and talk,» he said casually while slicing the bread.
«Why?» Victoria asked warily.
«Why not? We’re family. We need to discuss our next steps.»
Before she could answer, Artem was dialing his mother’s number.
Tamara Semyonovna arrived half an hour later, armed with a cake. As she set the table, she constantly smiled that peculiar, conspiratorial smile of hers.
«Well, my dears,» her mother-in-law began ceremoniously, raising her glass. «I want to congratulate everyone! Finally, our family is experiencing a turning point.»
Victoria stared silently at her plate. Anxiety was building inside her. She sensed that this news would change everything, but she couldn’t yet grasp—what exactly.
«Now all family troubles can be solved!» Tamara Semyonovna continued with enthusiasm. «Victoria, as befits a good wife, will be able to help us. Right, son?»
Artem nodded, avoiding his wife’s gaze.
«Let’s celebrate the inheritance from your aunt!» her mother-in-law raised her glass even higher. «And we’ll sort out my youngest’s debts immediately. The lawyer is already waiting…»
Victoria’s fingers, clutching her fork, went white from tension. In the silence, the ticking of the old wall clock—the very one she had bought with her first salary—was all that could be heard.
Slowly, she lifted her eyes and looked at Artem. Her husband was buried in his plate, smearing the remains of his salad along the edges. Not a single word of objection, no hint of support—only silent compliance with his mother.
«Artem,» she whispered softly. «Don’t you have anything to say?»
He shrugged, continuing to look down:
«Mom is right. Dima really does need help. And so do I.»
Victoria took a deep breath. The clock continued to count the seconds—tick-tock, tick-tock. Five years. Five long years she had borne this marriage alone: extinguishing loans, paying bills, enduring her husband’s failures and her mother-in-law’s endless directives.
«Do you really think I’m obligated to hand over my money to your family?» Victoria turned to Tamara Semyonovna, her tone laced with sarcasm and indignation.
Her mother-in-law smiled condescendingly as she adjusted a brooch on her blouse.
«What else are the money for if not for the family? Do you plan to just hoard it? In a family, you need to help each other.»
«In which family?» Victoria slowly rose. «In one where the daughter-in-law is seen as a bank account? Or in one where the husband hides his debts from his wife?»
«Vika, please!» Artem tried to intervene.
But she wasn’t listening anymore. In the bedroom, she pulled out an old travel bag and began packing her things. Her hands trembled slightly, but her thoughts were crystal clear.
«Where are you going, dear?» Tamara Semyonovna appeared in the doorway. «Let’s discuss this calmly. Perhaps you’re just tired?»
Victoria methodically continued to pack the essentials: her toothbrush, comb, documents, and a photograph of her parents.
«Vika, you can’t just leave like that!» her mother-in-law’s voice grew hysterical. «What about Artem? What about the family?»
She zipped up her bag and turned to her mother-in-law:
«You know what, Tamara Semyonovna? I’ve finally realized one important thing. You have a family—just you and your sons. And I was used merely as a source of funds. But that won’t happen again.»
A week later, Victoria filed for divorce. She moved into a modest apartment. She submitted her resignation. Artem called every day, but his words rang hollow:
«Vika, let’s work something out. You understand you can’t do it all alone…»
«I’ve been managing on my own for five years, Artem,» she replied calmly. «Now it’s just going to be official.»
The divorce proceeded quickly and quietly. Their shared apartment was sold, and the money was split equally. When all the inheritance documents were finalized, Victoria decided not to sell her aunt’s apartment. Instead, she renovated it and moved in herself. In the spacious three-room apartment, she created a home office—very timely, as she soon opened her own travel agency.
She also kept the country house. Every weekend, Victoria would go there, gradually tidying up the property. The physical work in the fresh air helped clear her mind of anxious thoughts. Life in the new city brought relief—no one could bother her here.
She invested the money in her business. Within a year, Victoria’s agency became one of the best in the city. She specialized in exclusive travel experiences and quickly carved out her niche in the market.
One day, while sorting through her Aunt Lena’s old belongings, Victoria found a diary. On the last page was a note: «Financial independence is freedom. But only if you decide for yourself how to use your money.»
Victoria smiled—apparently, her aunt truly understood her.
Now, sitting in her cozy office overlooking a park, Victoria sometimes reflected on how one decision could completely change a life. She was no longer the woman who was afraid to say “no.” Her life now belonged solely to her—and that was the most precious inheritance she had ever received.
