Kristina stood in front of the mirror, smoothing out the wrinkles on her new dress. The dark blue silk shimmered beautifully in the morning sunlight. The dress fit perfectly, accentuating all the curves of her figure, but this very fact made her feel uneasy. Her mother-in-law would surely find something to criticize again.
«You’ll see, everything will be fine,» said Andrei, appearing in the doorway. «Mom’s just nervous about the celebration.»
Kristina remained silent. After three years of marriage, this phrase had become so familiar that it no longer caused anything but a dull irritation. Her mother-in-law had «worried» constantly — when they chose an apartment, when they planned a vacation, when Kristina got a new job. And every time, this «worry» turned into sharp comments and veiled hints about the wrong choices her son was making.
«I finished with the cake, I informed the musicians,» Kristina adjusted her hairstyle. «I just need to pick up the order from the restaurant.»
«Mom said she’ll organize everything herself,» Andrei frowned. «You know how she feels about…»
«About a girl from a simple family trying to make decisions?» Kristina turned to her husband. «Yes, I know very well. Every family holiday reminds me of that.»
Andrei sighed heavily and sat down on the edge of the bed.
«Please don’t start. It’s your father’s anniversary today, let’s just…»
«Just what?» Kristina felt her voice tremble. «Just sit in the corner and pretend I don’t hear your mom discussing me with the aunts? Or maybe I shouldn’t come at all? Would that be easier for everyone?»
The phone on the nightstand vibrated. Svetlana Mikhailovna, as if sensing she was being talked about, decided to remind Kristina of her presence.
«Kristinochka,» her mother-in-law’s voice oozed honey. «You remember that you need to be… a little more modest today, right? After all, the whole family will be there, many respected people…»
Kristina closed her eyes, slowly counting to ten.
«Yes, Svetlana Mikhailovna. I remember.»
«And about the food…» her mother-in-law made a significant pause. «Maybe just bring some Olivier? No need for anything special.»
A year ago, such a conversation would have made Kristina cry from hurt. Now, she simply rubbed her temple wearily.
«Of course. As you say.»
Her best friend, Marina, had warned her about this before the wedding. «Look at how your Andrei reacts to his mother’s whims. Right now he promises things will change, but later… Are you sure you’re ready for this?»
Back then, Kristina was sure. Love seemed stronger than any prejudices or family dramas. Three years later, that confidence was melting away like morning fog.
«I forgot something at the store,» Kristina grabbed her purse. «I’ll be back in an hour.»
Andrei yelled something as she left, but she had already slammed the door. The hallway was cool and quiet. Kristina leaned against the wall, trying to collect her thoughts.
The phone buzzed again. This time, it was Marina texting: «How are you? Ready for another round with your mother-in-law?»
«I don’t know,» Kristina honestly replied. «I think I’m tired of fighting windmills.»
«Why should you even fight? Where’s your husband?»
Kristina didn’t respond. She had asked herself that question a thousand times. Where was Andrei when his mother hinted at his bride’s «unsuitable background»? Where was he when relatives whispered behind her back, discussing the «poor choice» of his beloved nephew?
Usually, he stood by, pretending not to notice what was happening. Or he smiled softly, «Oh, don’t worry, they didn’t mean it like that.» Or he simply stayed silent, preferring not to get involved in «women’s squabbles.»
Kristina stepped outside. The spring sun blinded her eyes, but even its warmth couldn’t melt the icy lump in her chest. In four hours, her father-in-law’s anniversary would begin. The whole family would gather — aunts, uncles, cousins — and there would be long toasts about family values and traditions, about how important it is to stay together.
And Kristina would sit at the table, feeling like an outsider. She would again hear hints that «some people» should learn manners from the «real» members of the family. She would see Andrei look away when the next aunt would begin discussing how «their family always chose worthy life partners.»
The phone rang again. Svetlana Mikhailovna decided to add a few more instructions for the evening.
Kristina took a deep breath and answered the call.
«Kristinochka, are you on your way?» her mother-in-law’s voice sounded unusually soft. «We made some changes to the seating arrangement. You won’t mind sitting a little further from our side of the table, will you? Vera Nikolaevna and her husband are coming, they’re close family friends…»
The family’s country house greeted the guests with bright lights and music. Kristina got out of the car, feeling her knees weaken. Andrei, unaware of his wife’s condition, was already hurrying toward his parents.
Nikolai Petrovich, the guest of honor, was receiving congratulations in the living room. Tall and stately with noble gray hair, her father-in-law had always treated his daughter-in-law with neutrality — neither particularly warm nor openly hostile. Svetlana Mikhailovna, on the other hand, shone in the spotlight, constantly adjusting her pearl necklace.
«Andryushenka!» her mother-in-law embraced her son. «I’m so glad you came! Kristina, come on in, sit over there,» she casually waved her hand toward the far end of the table.
Relatives arrived one after another. Aunts in evening dresses, uncles in formal suits, young cousins — all hurried to congratulate Nikolai Petrovich. Kristina watched this parade, feeling like a ghost.
«Andrei, son,» Svetlana Mikhailovna kept calling her son over, whispering something in his ear. After each such conversation, Andrei would glance at his wife with a guilty look but would not approach her.
The first toasts were long and solemn. They spoke about family values, traditions, and the importance of choosing the right life partner. At these words, some guests exchanged knowing glances.
Kristina mechanically raised her glass, barely touching the champagne. Fragments of the recent conversation with Marina swirled in her head: «You see, nothing changes. How much longer can you put up with this?»
«Do you remember, Svetochka,» Kristina overheard one of the aunts say, «how we all hoped Andryusha would marry Vera Nikolaevna’s daughter? She was such a nice girl, from a wonderful family…»
«Yes,» sighed Svetlana Mikhailovna, deliberately not lowering her voice.
The sound of clinking glasses and music suddenly faded in Kristina’s ears. Time seemed to stop. These words, spoken with such contempt, felt like sharp needles piercing her heart.
Andrei stood nearby, engrossed in conversation with a cousin. Didn’t he hear? Or was he pretending not to, as usual?
Kristina slowly stood up from the table. No one noticed — the guests were busy with another toast. Only her mother-in-law gave her a cold look as she walked away.
In the spacious hallway, it was quiet. Kristina sat on the bench, staring at her trembling hands. Three years. Three years she had tried to become part of this family. She had cooked for the holidays, helped organize events, endured mockery and barbs. And what did she get in return?
Voices echoed outside the door. Svetlana Mikhailovna was telling someone how hard it was to find a good daughter-in-law these days.
«Girls these days are so different,» sighed her mother-in-law. «Not like we were. No manners, no upbringing…»
Kristina sat, clutching her purse. Marina’s words echoed in her head: «You deserve more. Why stay in a family that doesn’t appreciate you?»
The music in the hall grew louder. Someone started singing, and the others joined in. Andrei was probably there too — laughing, singing, pretending everything was perfect. As always.
The party was coming to an end. Nikolai Petrovich, flushed from the drinks, was hugging each departing guest. Svetlana Mikhailovna was showering people with gratitude, casually reminding them of the next family gathering.
«Kristina, where have you been?» Andrei finally noticed his wife’s absence. «It’s time to say goodbye to my parents.»
«Yes, of course,» Kristina slowly rose from the bench. Inside, everything was numb, as if after a long anesthesia.
«Thank you for a wonderful evening,» Kristina said the rehearsed words, kissing her father-in-law on the cheek.
Svetlana Mikhailovna gave her a condescending look.
«I hope you weren’t too bored with our little circle.»
The drive home seemed endless. Andrei, pleased with the celebration, tried to start a conversation:
«I think it went great! Dad really liked our gift.»
«Let’s talk at home,» Kristina replied quietly, staring out the window at the passing streetlights.
«Is something wrong?» Andrei cast a concerned glance at his wife. «You seem off.»
«At home, Andrei. Please.»
In the apartment, the smell of morning coffee and Svetlana Mikhailovna’s perfume lingered — her mother-in-law had stopped by before the celebration to check on her son’s outfit. Kristina kicked off her shoes and walked into the living room.
«Sit down,» Kristina asked her husband. «We need to talk.»
Andrei sat in the armchair, looking at her with confusion.
«What’s wrong? You’ve been acting strange all evening.»
«I heard what your mother said,» Kristina’s voice was unexpectedly calm. «About how I’m not worthy of your family, and all that…»
«Mom just…» Andrei started, but Kristina interrupted him.
«Don’t. Please, don’t say she didn’t mean it like that. Or that I misunderstood everything. Three years, Andrei. Three years I’ve been hearing this. And for three years, you’ve been pretending nothing is happening.»
«But what am I supposed to do?» Andrei raised his hands in confusion. «Make a scene at my dad’s anniversary?»
«You could just tell your mom that I’m your wife. That it’s not okay to talk like that about someone you supposedly love. You could have at least stood by me once.»
Kristina stood up and headed to the bedroom. Andrei heard the wardrobe door open.
«What are you doing?» Andrei jumped up from the chair.
«Packing,» Kristina methodically folded clothes into a suitcase. «I can’t live like this anymore.»
«Wait, let’s talk about this!» Andrei tried to hug his wife, but Kristina pulled away. «I’ll talk to mom, I swear! Everything will be fine.»
«No, Andrei. Nothing will be fine,» Kristina zipped up the suitcase. «Because it’s not about your mom. It’s about you. You’ll never be on my side. You’ll always be her obedient little boy who doesn’t want conflicts.»
«Where are you going?» Panic sounded in Andrei’s voice.
«To my parents. Then I’ll rent an apartment.»
«What about our marriage? Our family?»
Kristina bitterly smiled.
«What family, Andrei? You already have a family — mom, dad, aunts with their endless advice. And I’ve remained a stranger.»
All night, Andrei tried to reach out to his wife. He promised to change his attitude toward the situation, swore to talk to his parents, begged her for another chance. Kristina lay silently, staring at the ceiling.
In the morning, when the first rays of the sun painted the sky pink, Kristina called a taxi. Andrei was asleep in the armchair — apparently, he had dozed off in the early hours. Kristina left her wedding ring on the table and a short note: «Sorry, but I choose myself.»
The taxi drove Kristina away from the home she had lived in for three years. Her phone was buzzing with calls — apparently, Andrei had woken up. Kristina silenced it and pressed her forehead against the cool glass.
Somewhere in the city, Svetlana Mikhailovna was waking up, unaware that her dream had finally come true — the simple daughter-in-law had disappeared from her beloved son’s life. Perhaps now there would be a chance to introduce Andrei to Vera Nikolaevna’s daughter…
But it was unlikely to be that simple. Because with Kristina, something important had left — something Andrei had never noticed before. A love that didn’t require titles or status. A devotion that wasn’t measured by the thickness of a wallet. And the courage to be oneself — something Andrei had always lacked.
