— What did you bring? — Lidiya Ivanovna looked at the package of cottage cheese with disgust. — Olga, can’t you buy a decent one?
— Decent? — Olga put the bags on the table. — This is the nine-percent one, just as you asked.
— I asked for the fat-free! — her mother-in-law’s voice grew sharper. — I have a sensitive stomach, and you buy me this!
— Lidiya Ivanovna, you said nine percent. — Olga started taking out the other groceries. — I even wrote it down.
— You didn’t write anything! — the mother-in-law grabbed the receipt. — How much money you spent! You bought expensive bread, and the wrong sausage!
— It’s the same bread we always get. — Olga’s patience was fading fast. — The sausage has no additives, just like Andrey likes.
— Don’t you dare contradict me! — Lidiya Ivanovna threw her hands up to the ceiling. — What kind of daughter-in-law are you? You can’t save money, you can’t cook!
— What did I cook wrong? — Olga’s face flushed.
— Yesterday’s soup was just water! The meat was tough, the potatoes undercooked!
— The meat was fresh, I boiled it for two hours. — Olga was holding herself back with great effort. — The potatoes were fluffy.
— Don’t argue! — the mother-in-law put her hands on her hips. — I’ve been cooking for forty years, and you’re trying to prove something to me!
Andrey burst into the room. His shirt was unbuttoned, his tie was loose. His face red with irritation.
— What’s all this yelling? — the husband barked. — I just came home from work, and it sounds like a market here!
— Son! — Lidiya Ivanovna instantly softened her tone. — Olga bought the wrong things again. She wastes money but it’s no use!
— Mom is right! — Andrey didn’t even listen to his wife’s explanations. — How many times do I have to tell you — save money!
— Andrey, I bought everything on the list. — Olga turned to her husband. — Your mother asked for nine-percent cottage cheese.
— Don’t lie! — Andrey flared up. — Mom’s right!
— She asked for fat-free! — the mother-in-law jumped in. — And this one brought something completely different!
— Lidiya Ivanovna, you yourself… — Olga started.
— What do you mean “myself”? — Andrey stepped toward his wife. — Do you think my mother is stupid?
— Don’t twist my words. — Olga’s voice trembled. — I just want to sort this out.
— There’s nothing to sort out! — Andrey gestured wildly. — Mom said it, so that’s how it is!
— Mom said, mom’s always right… — Olga shook her head. — Did you forget that mom lives in our apartment?
— What?! — Andrey was stunned by the surprise. — What did you say?
— What I said. — Olga straightened up. — The apartment is ours, and three of us live here.
— How dare you! — Lidiya Ivanovna huffed in outrage. — Ungrateful! I help you, and you talk to me like this!
— Help? — Olga laughed bitterly. — You sit at home all day, nitpicking every little thing!
— Olga! — Andrey shouted. — Apologize to mom immediately!
— Apologize for what? — the wife looked at her husband. — For telling the truth?
— For what you say! — Andrey got close. — Mom gave birth to me and raised me! And who are you?
— Your wife! — Olga stood her ground. — And the mistress of this house!
— You’re no mistress! — Andrey yelled. — As long as mom is alive, she’s the boss here!
— Son, don’t worry! — Lidiya Ivanovna stroked Andrey’s hand. — Don’t get nervous because of her.
— I do! — the husband turned to his wife. — Pack your things and get out!
— What? — Olga blinked, unable to believe what she heard.
— Get out of my house! — Andrey repeated. — I’m fed up with your complaints!
— Out of our house? — Olga slowly pronounced each word. — The apartment is registered to both of us.
— I’ll file for divorce! — Andrey waved his hand. — I’ll take everything, you’ll see!
— That’s right, son! — the mother-in-law approved. — No reason to keep her here!
— Andrey, are you serious? — Olga’s voice softened. — You’re kicking me out of my own home?
— You must respect your mother! — Andrey pointed at his wife. — And you’re rude and sassy!
— I’m defending myself! — Olga shouted. — From constant attacks!
— Then you defend yourself badly! — the husband smirked. — Go complain to your mom!
— Son! — Lidiya Ivanovna hugged her son by the shoulders. — Why do you need such a wife?
— I’m not going anywhere! — Olga crossed her arms. — This is my apartment too!
— Yours? — Andrey scoffed. — Forgot who paid the mortgage?
— We paid it together! — Olga lifted her chin. — I worked too!
— Worked… — the husband said contemptuously. — Brought home pennies!
— More than half the mortgage was paid by my salary! — Olga’s voice grew stronger. — And the documents will prove it!
— You won’t live in our apartment! — Andrey shouted, waving his arms. — I’ll make your life a living hell!
— Ours! — Olga repeated. — No matter what you imagine!
— I have a lawyer friend! — Andrey jabbed a finger in the air. — He’ll show you your place!
— Let him explain! — Olga didn’t flinch. — The law is on my side!
— What do you know about laws! — the husband laughed. — My Sergey Nikolaevich will handle everything!
— Son is right! — Lidiya Ivanovna chimed in. — Why do we need such a neighbor?
— I’m not a neighbor! — Olga shouted. — I’m a wife!
— Was a wife! — corrected Andrey. — Now no one!
The husband grabbed Olga’s hand. Pulled her toward the door. Lidiya Ivanovna pushed from behind.
— Let go! — Olga struggled. — This is illegal!
— Illegal? — Andrey dragged his wife to the door. — Then live on the street!
The door slammed. Olga froze on the stair landing. Only her handbag in her hands. The keys stayed inside.
Neighbor Aunt Zina peeked out from her apartment.
— Olenka, what happened? — the elderly woman tightened her robe.
— They kicked me out… — Olga squeezed out. — From my own apartment…
— Kicked you out? — Aunt Zina was outraged. — How dare they!
— Dare… — Olga smiled bitterly. — Apparently, they can.
— Come to me! — Aunt Zina opened the door wide. — We’ll have some tea and talk!
The next morning Olga stood outside the courthouse. In her hands were divorce papers. The second set — for property division.
— Did your husband kick you out of the apartment? — the court clerk asked.
— Yes, together with his mother. — Olga nodded. — By force.
— Any witnesses? — the woman wrote down the testimony.
— The neighbor saw it. — Olga gave the address. — Zinaida Petrovna Morozova.
The court process dragged on for three months. Andrey came with a lawyer. A grim man in an expensive suit.
— My client has the right to half! — Olga’s lawyer declared.
— My client paid the mortgage alone! — Sergey Nikolaevich objected.
— We have documents! — Olga’s lawyer spread out the papers on the table.
Lidiya Ivanovna sat in the hall. Whispering something into her son’s ear. Making unhappy faces.
— Your Honor! — Olga’s lawyer stood up. — The plaintiff made equal payments!
The judge studied bank statements, employment certificates, mortgage documents.
— The court recognizes the plaintiff’s right to half of the apartment! — announced the woman in robes.
Andrey jumped up.
— This is unfair! — the husband shouted. — I worked like a horse alone!
— Decision made! — the judge said firmly. — The apartment is to be sold!
A month later the apartment was put up for auction. Buyers were found quickly. A three-room flat in a good area.
— Here is your share! — the notary handed Olga a check.
Andrey got the same amount. His face was gloomy, lips pressed tight.
— Happy? — the ex-husband asked at the exit. — You destroyed everything!
— You destroyed it! — Olga replied. — When your mother became more important than your wife!
Lidiya Ivanovna wept into a handkerchief.
— Where will we live now? — the mother-in-law lamented. — You kicked my son out on the street!
— Mom, don’t cry! — Andrey hugged his mother. — We’ll figure something out!
Olga didn’t listen to their lamentations. She walked to the bus stop. Phone in her pocket. Mom was already waiting for her call.
— Mom, it worked out! — Olga said into the phone. — We have the money!
— Well done, darling! — her mom’s voice trembled with emotion. — I saved up some money too!
Mom added her savings to Olga’s. It was just enough for a two-room flat in a new district.
— As long as my daughter is happy! — Olga’s mom said.
Olga cried with gratitude. Hugged her mom tightly.
— Thank you! — the daughter whispered. — Thank you for everything!
The new apartment turned out bright and cozy. Large windows, modern renovation. Olga arranged the furniture. Mom helped hang curtains.
— How nice it is here! — sighed the elderly woman. — Quiet, peaceful!
— And no one nitpicks! — Olga laughed. — About cottage cheese, about soup!
A week later the phone rang. An unknown number.
— This is Lidiya Ivanovna! — the mother-in-law’s voice trembled with anger. — You robbed us!
— What? — Olga couldn’t believe her ears.
— We went to a lawyer! — the former mother-in-law continued. — He said we can contest!
— Contest what? — Olga sat down on the sofa.
— Property division! — Lidiya Ivanovna shouted. — You stole the money!
— The court decided by law! — Olga answered calmly. — Everything is fair!
— Nothing’s fair! — the mother-in-law cried into the phone. — Now we have no home! And you have a two-room flat!
— Andrey got his share! — Olga reminded her.
— That’s not enough! — Lidiya Ivanovna sobbed. — We barely have enough for a one-room!
— Not my problem! — Olga hung up.
The calls repeated every day. Lidiya Ivanovna threatened with court. Promised to restore justice.
Andrey also called. Asked to return some money. Pleaded conscience.
— Conscience? — Olga asked again. — Where was your conscience when you kicked me out? When you tried to take my share in the apartment?
The ex-husband’s lawyer filed appeals. All were rejected by the court. The decision was legal.
— Nobody will give them anything back! — Olga’s lawyer reassured her. — The case is closed!
A year passed. Olga got a new job. Good salary, friendly team.
Lidiya Ivanovna stopped calling. Andrey was silent too. Apparently, they came to terms with the loss.
Olga sat on the balcony with a cup of coffee. Watching the sunset. Mom watered the flowers.
— Do you regret it? — Mom asked. — About the past? Husband, marriage, ring on your finger?
Olga looked at her hand. A pale mark from the ring was visible on her ring finger. But all that was in the past.
— No! — Olga answered firmly. — Not a bit!
— That’s right! — Mom smiled. — A person should be happy!
Olga nodded. Finished her coffee. A new life was just beginning. Without reproaches, nitpicks, and scandals.
