The relationship between Masha and her mother-in-law was doomed from the start. At their very first meeting, Lidiya Ivanovna had decided that the future daughter-in-law was not her kind of person.
She never missed an opportunity to convince her son of the mistake he was making: — Vitya, explain to me exactly what you saw in this girl? Neither her looks nor any special character, and yet she behaves as if the whole world should worship her.
— Mom, stop nitpicking. She even baked a pie especially for you, trying to make a good impression.
— I don’t need her baking. I need a proper daughter-in-law who will make you truly happy. What happened to Olenka? She used to be so sweet, accommodating, and domestic. Why did you choose your Masha instead?
— Let’s not compare. I love Masha and I’m sure I will be happy with her. I hope that, in time, you will find a common language.
— You’re just blind! She doesn’t love you! I can feel it. She’s only after our money. Let’s see how long your romance lasts…
Olya, mentioned by Lidiya Ivanovna, was the daughter of close family friends. Vitya had been friends with her since childhood, and both families’ parents had dreamed that this friendship would turn into a serious relationship. Olya truly liked Vitya, but his feelings were directed completely elsewhere. At twenty, he met Masha and realized that she was to be his life partner.
After the wedding, their relationship with the mother-in-law did not improve, even though Masha sincerely tried to find an approach to her. Initially, the newlyweds lived with Lidiya Ivanovna, saving on rent in order to gather the initial down payment for a mortgage.
Vitya’s family was financially well-off, but his mother refused to help them monetarily, convinced that Masha had only connected with her son out of self-interest. Allowing the young couple to live under her roof, her goal was to show her son his mistake before it was too late. She planned to act as soon as Vitya left on a long business trip.
— Lidiya Ivanovna, I’ve made borscht, would you like to try some?
— Mashenka, Vitya has already left. There’s no point in continuing this charade.
— What charade? I’m cooking for the both of us.
— Of course, you’re so perfect… People like you won’t fool me.
— Honestly, I’m tired of our constant conflicts. What did I ever do to you?
— If you don’t like it, no one is forcing you to put up with it. Vitya won’t be back for three months. In that time, you can rent your own place.
— You know what? You’re right. We won’t be able to live together.
Lidiya Ivanovna was delighted at how easily her plan was beginning to unfold. Sending the daughter-in-law to a rental place turned out to be easier than she had anticipated.
Now it was time to implement the second phase: — Hello, Olenka! This is Lidiya Ivanovna. When can you drop by? We have an important conversation.
Olga hesitated, but the chance to win back the man she loved outweighed her caution: — Are you sure this will work?
— Absolutely sure. On my own, it would be hard to change my son’s mind, but together we’ll definitely manage. The key is to follow the instructions.
— Okay, I agree.
— That’s the kind of determined and purposeful woman who should be by my son’s side.
The next day, Lidiya Ivanovna called her son and presented her version of events: Masha had supposedly left the house in a fit of anger, refusing to reconcile. That same evening, Masha called herself, saying that she had decided to live separately for the time being.
— Dear, I spoke with Mom. She’s very upset with your behavior, especially with how abruptly you left.
— I haven’t done anything wrong to her. On the contrary—she herself suggested living apart until you return.
— She told me an entirely different story.
— Don’t you believe me? I understand, she’s your mother, but there’s no point in lying to me. Maybe it really is better to live separately?
— Why can’t you get along? Both of you mean so much to me. These constant quarrels between you really worry me.
— Vitya, I don’t want to upset you, but I don’t feel any guilt for what happened.
— Fine, live separately for now. We’ll see how everything goes after I get back.
Masha was glad that her husband showed understanding toward her decision to move out, and she eagerly awaited his return. At the same time, she decided to try to mend relations with her mother-in-law.
A month later, Olga called Viktor to discuss a professional matter—since they both worked as lawyers, finding a topic for conversation was easy. During the conversation, the girl casually mentioned that she had seen Masha in the company of some man. Viktor was surprised, but didn’t attach much significance to it; perhaps he was a colleague or just an acquaintance. He had no reason to suspect his wife of any wrongdoing.
A few days later, Masha called her husband, her voice practically beaming with happiness:
— Vitya, I have amazing news!
— I can tell by your tone! What happened?
— I’m expecting a baby!
— I don’t know what to say… I’m just beside myself with joy! How far along are you?
— Eight weeks.
— How much I love you!
— And I love you too.
Masha asked her husband to keep the news secret until the end of the first trimester. She had read somewhere that announcing a pregnancy too early was considered bad luck. Although she didn’t really believe in omens, she didn’t want to take any risks. Viktor agreed to keep quiet, even though he was secretly elated at the prospect of impending fatherhood.
Soon an unforeseen situation arose. Lidiya Ivanovna accidentally noticed her daughter-in-law leaving the gynecological clinic. She was waiting for her friend, a nurse, so they could go to lunch together.
Seeing her mother-in-law, Masha immediately realized that it was now impossible to hide her pregnancy. She had to tell everyone about the baby, to which Lidiya Ivanovna reacted extremely emotionally:
— So, is that it? Your husband is away on a business trip, and we’re already going to have a baby? This sounds a lot like your methods.
— What are you saying? I love your son with all my heart and would never betray him. This is his baby.
— And yet I have my doubts…
Lidiya Ivanovna continued voicing her suspicions and attacking her daughter-in-law. The stress made Masha’s head spin, and she fainted. Fortunately, it all happened right at the entrance to the medical facility. After an examination, the doctors determined that she absolutely could not get nervous. They recommended complete rest, temporary hospital stay, and avoiding any stressful situations.
Frightened by her condition, Masha obeyed the doctors. She only told her husband about what had happened, but she didn’t mention the details that might have caused him additional worry. The important business trip was too significant for his career.
Lidiya Ivanovna felt guilty about her daughter-in-law’s condition, yet she remained firmly convinced of her own righteousness. She decided at all costs to put an end to this marriage and once again try to pair her son with Olya—a well-educated, intelligent, and perfectly suitable girl in every way. The very thought of leaving her son without control was unbearable.
There were only two weeks left until Viktor’s return, so action had to be swift.
— Hi, son! How’s work going?
— Mom, it’s so nice to hear your voice! Everything’s great, and you?
— I’m fine, but I have some news that I’m afraid you won’t like.
— Has something happened?
— The thing is… I visited Antonina, and we decided to have lunch together, when I accidentally met your Masha.
— If you mean her pregnancy, then I already know. We planned to announce it in a month.
— Of course, that’s your business, but she wasn’t alone. I thought you should know.
— What do you mean by “wasn’t alone”?
— Think about it, you’re an adult now. In my opinion, your Mashenka is not being entirely honest. You left, and she has found company here.
A couple of days before Viktor’s return, they were preparing to discharge Masha from the hospital. Upon hearing about this from her friend, Lidiya Ivanovna went to pick up her daughter-in-law.
— Mashenka, I’m ashamed of what I said before. Let’s put this unpleasant chapter behind us.
— I’d love to forget all the bad things. I’m glad to hear your words.
— Then come back home. Vitya will return soon, and we can greet him as one united family.
— Agreed, Lidiya Ivanovna. I really don’t want to be alone.
— Excellent, it’s wonderful that we’ve found a common language.
By the evening, Masha, having gathered all her things, returned to her mother-in-law’s house, hoping that their relationship would finally improve.
Meanwhile, Lidiya Ivanovna was meticulously working out the details of her plan, which was designed to convince her son to dissolve the marriage. Olga was to be in the right place at the right time to support Vitya in a difficult moment and win his trust. In her mind, everything was unfolding perfectly.
— Hello, son?
— Hi, Mom!
— I’m fine, but I have some news that I’m afraid you won’t like.
— Did something happen?
— The thing is… I was at Antonina’s, and we decided to have lunch together when I accidentally met your Masha.
— If you mean her pregnancy, I already know. We planned to announce it in a month.
— Of course, that’s your business, but she wasn’t alone. I thought you should know.
— What do you mean by “wasn’t alone”?
— Think about it, you’re an adult now. In my opinion, your Mashenka isn’t being completely honest. You left, and she found company here.
A few days before Viktor’s arrival, Masha was about to be discharged from the hospital. After hearing about this from her friend, Lidiya Ivanovna went to meet her daughter-in-law.
— Mashenka, I’m ashamed of what I said before. Let’s put this unpleasant chapter behind us.
— I’d love to forget all the bad things. I’m happy to hear your words.
— Then come back home. Vitya will return soon, and we can welcome him as one united family.
— Agreed, Lidiya Ivanovna. I really don’t want to be alone.
— Wonderful, it’s great that we’ve found a common language.
That same evening, Masha, having gathered all her belongings, returned to her mother-in-law’s house, hoping that their relationship would truly improve.
Meanwhile, Lidiya Ivanovna was carefully planning the next steps of her strategy, which was designed to convince her son to annul the marriage. Olga, on the other hand, would be in the right place at the right time to support Vitya during a difficult moment and win his trust. In her view, everything was unfolding perfectly.
— Hello, son?
— Hi, Mom! It’s great to hear your voice! How’s everything?
— I’m fine, but I have some news that I’m afraid you won’t like.
— Did something happen?
— The thing is… I was at Antonina’s, and we decided to have lunch together, when I accidentally met your Masha.
— If you mean her pregnancy, I already know. We planned to announce it in a month.
— Of course, that’s your business, but she wasn’t alone. I thought you should know.
— What do you mean by “wasn’t alone”?
— Think for yourself, you’re an adult now. In my opinion, your Mashenka isn’t being completely honest. You left, and she has found company here.
A few days before Viktor’s return, Masha was being prepped for discharge from the hospital. After hearing this from her friend, Lidiya Ivanovna went to meet her daughter-in-law.
— Mashenka, I’m ashamed of what I said before. Let’s close this unpleasant chapter of our story.
— I’d gladly forget all the bad things. I’m glad to hear your words.
— Then come back home. Vitya will be back soon, and we can welcome him as one united family.
— Agreed, Lidiya Ivanovna. I really don’t want to be alone.
— Excellent, it’s wonderful that we’ve found a common language.
That evening, Masha, having gathered all her belongings, returned to her mother-in-law’s house, hoping that their relationship would finally mend.
Meanwhile, Lidiya Ivanovna was carefully planning the details of her scheme, which was meant to convince her son that the marriage must end. Olga was to be in the right place at the right time to support Vitya during his difficult moment and win his trust. In her mind, everything was unfolding perfectly.
— Hello, son?
— Hi, Mom! How’s work going?
— I’m fine, but I have some news that I’m afraid you won’t like.
— Did something happen?
— The thing is… I was at Antonina’s, and we decided to have lunch together, when I accidentally met your Masha.
— If you mean her pregnancy, I already know. We planned to announce it in a month.
— Of course, that’s your business, but she wasn’t alone. I thought you should know.
— What do you mean by “wasn’t alone”?
— Think about it, you’re an adult now. In my opinion, your Mashenka isn’t being completely honest. You left, and she found company here.
A few days before Viktor’s return, Masha was about to be discharged from the hospital. After hearing about this from her friend, Lidiya Ivanovna went to meet her daughter-in-law.
— Mashenka, I’m ashamed of what I said before. Let’s put this unpleasant chapter behind us.
— I’d love to forget all the bad things. I’m glad to hear your words.
— Then come back home. Vitya will return soon, and we can greet him as one united family.
— Agreed, Lidiya Ivanovna. I really don’t want to be alone.
— Excellent, it’s wonderful that we’ve found a common language.
That same evening, Masha, having packed up all her belongings, returned to the house of her mother-in-law, hoping that their relationship would truly improve.
Meanwhile, Lidiya Ivanovna was meticulously planning the details of her scheme that was meant to convince her son to call off the marriage. Olga was to be in the right place at the right time to support Vitya in his moment of need and win his trust. In her view, everything was unfolding perfectly.
— Hello, son?
— Hi, Mom, how’s work going?
— I’m fine, but I have some news that I’m afraid you won’t like.
— Did something happen?
— The thing is… I was at Antonina’s, and we decided to have lunch together, when I accidentally met your Masha.
— If you mean her pregnancy, I already know. We planned to announce it in a month.
— Of course, that’s your business, but she wasn’t alone. I thought you should know.
— What do you mean by “wasn’t alone”?
— Think for a moment, you’re an adult now. In my opinion, your Mashenka isn’t being completely honest. You left, and she found company here.
A few days before Viktor’s return, Masha was getting ready to be discharged from the hospital. After hearing about this from her friend, Lidiya Ivanovna went to meet her daughter-in-law.
— Mashenka, I’m ashamed of what I said before. Let’s put this unpleasant chapter of our story behind us.
— I’d gladly forget all the bad things. I’m happy to hear your words.
— Then come back home. Vitya will return soon, and we can welcome him as one united family.
— Agreed, Lidiya Ivanovna. I really don’t want to be alone.
— Excellent, it’s wonderful that we’ve found a common language.
That same evening, as Masha gathered her belongings and returned to her mother-in-law’s house, she hoped that their relationship would finally mend.
After a while, Lidiya Ivanovna began executing the final stage of her plan. On the day Viktor returned, she decided to stay at work a little longer, giving the young couple a chance to talk in private. According to her calculations, by the evening Masha should have already left the house.
— Vitya! I’ve missed you so much!
Masha, with joyful exclamations, rushed toward her husband as soon as he stepped through the door.
— Masha, we need to talk seriously.
— Did something important happen?
— I’m afraid so.
— Then let’s sit down in the kitchen. I’ve just made some tea.
Viktor had never been known for his emotional outbursts or theatrics. This time, too, he preferred a calm dialogue that could clear things up. Over the next few minutes, he detailed everything he had heard from his mother.
Masha listened carefully in silence. When her husband finished, she paused, and then told her version of events:
— I didn’t cheat on you. I’m ready to swear on anything.
— There are too many coincidences. And why would my mother make up such stories?
— You know how she feels about me.
— Maybe there is some basis for her suspicions? My mother is not someone prone to baseless accusations.
— I agree, she’s not completely unreasonable. The problem is different—she simply hasn’t accepted me and isn’t going to. I’m sure she genuinely believes her assumptions. She’s convinced that I got together with you not out of love, but that I became pregnant by someone else while you were away.
— You see, now I’m forced to choose between the two most important women in my life—my mother and my wife. One of you is undoubtedly lying, even though both of you speak with such certainty.
— I’m not happy with this situation either, but you need proof. Here’s what I propose: let’s call your mother on speakerphone. You’ll hear everything for yourself.
Masha’s confidence began to restore Viktor’s trust in her, and the idea of fully sorting out what was happening seemed reasonable to him.
— Lidiya Ivanovna, how could you do this to me?
— So, does that mean your son has decided to kick you out?
— You have destroyed our family using lies. You should be ashamed. You never saw me with another man, just as your Olya couldn’t have.
— Darling, you can hide all you want, but you won’t fool me. Besides, I will never accept you by my side. And Olya will become a real part of our family, and soon enough, you’ll be nothing more than a memory to Vitya.
Throughout the conversation, Lidiya Ivanovna repeatedly confirmed that she had deliberately misled her son, believing it was for his own good. She was convinced that Masha was foolish and naive, and she never suspected that her phone conversation was being monitored.
That evening, Lidiya Ivanovna returned home and found suitcases in the hall, and on the kitchen table—her son with his daughter-in-law.
— I thought you would have managed to get rid of her before I got here.
— Mom, I know the whole truth. We’re leaving together.
— What did she tell you?
— Nothing special, Mom. You yourself said it all during our recent conversation.
— Son, forgive me… I did it all for your happiness…
— There’s no need to explain anything right now. In three weeks, we’re going for an ultrasound to find out our baby’s gender. If you decide to mend your relationship with my beloved woman, we’d be happy to see you. But if you choose to continue this conflict, know this: any negative word about my wife or any attempt by Olya to interfere in our lives will result in a final break. For me, there is now only one family.
The son and daughter-in-law left the house, leaving Lidiya Ivanovna in a state of deep shock. She could not believe that her stubbornness might cost her her son. Over the next three weeks, she realized that Vitya had indeed grown up and become an independent man, ready to make decisions for the sake of his family. On the appointed day, she met them at the entrance of the gynecological clinic, hoping to start everything afresh.
