— The notary said everything is ready. We’re signing tomorrow — Tatyjana’s voice sounded far too cheerful for someone talking about a will.
She stood in the doorway of the living room, and there was such an excited gleam in her eyes as if a long-cherished dream were about to come true.
Marina froze with a teacup in her hand. The hot porcelain burned her fingers, but she barely felt the pain. All her attention was fixed on her mother-in-law, who was clearly waiting for a reaction.
On the couch, just a few feet away, Andrey sat absorbed in his phone, pretending the conversation didn’t exist.
— What will? — Marina asked quietly, though her stomach had already tightened with a premonition.
With a theatrical sigh, Tatyjana stepped further into the room. She moved around the apartment as if it were hers, even though she lived separately.
The three-room apartment in a good neighborhood had been a wedding gift from Marina’s parents. Four years ago, she and Andrey had moved in full of hope, plans, and faith in a happy future together.
— What do you mean, what? — her mother-in-law settled comfortably into the armchair. — We discussed it. Andryusha is my only heir, and I want everything arranged properly. So there won’t be any problems later.
Marina slowly placed the cup on the table. No one had ever discussed this with her. She glanced at her husband, but Andrey stubbornly studied his phone screen.
— And what exactly are you planning to arrange? — Marina asked, her voice calm though anger simmered inside her.
— Oh, nothing special — Tatyjana waved her hand. — My apartment, the summer house, and this apartment as well. Everything in Andryusha’s name. As it should be, from mother to son.
The air seemed to grow heavier. Marina’s fingers curled into fists.
— This apartment? — she repeated in disbelief.
— Of course — her mother-in-law shrugged. — Come on, you’re family. What difference does it make whose name it’s in? At least there won’t be any taxes to pay later.
Marina stood up. Her knees trembled, but she forced herself to straighten her back.
— This apartment was a gift from my parents. To me. It’s registered in my name.
— Oh, don’t make me laugh! — Tatyjana burst out laughing. — You’re not planning to divorce, are you? Or are you hiding something from us?
It was one of her favorite tactics: putting someone in a position where any answer seemed suspicious. Marina had grown used to her manipulations, but something inside her finally broke.
— Andrey — she turned to her husband. — Did you know about this?
The man finally looked up. His face showed a mix of awkwardness and irritation.
— Mom, let’s talk about this later — he muttered.
— What later? — Tatyjana snapped. — I have an appointment with the notary! You can’t treat people like this!
Marina looked at her husband, waiting for him to say the truth. That the apartment belonged to his wife, and no one had the right to include it in someone else’s will. But Andrey remained silent.
— I’m not signing anything — Marina said firmly.
— What? — her mother-in-law jumped to her feet. — You don’t trust your own husband? What kind of person are you? We accepted you into this family, and this is how you repay us?
— Mom, enough — Andrey intervened, but his voice was weak.
— No, not enough! — Tatyjana shouted. — I’ve lived my whole life for my son, and now some woman is going to order me around?
Without a word, Marina left the room. Behind her she heard her mother-in-law’s angry shouting and her husband’s uncertain attempts to calm her. In the bedroom, she took out her phone and called her father.
— Dad, I need a good lawyer. Immediately.
The next two days passed in icy silence. Tatyjana demonstratively refused to speak to her, yet spent hours on the phone with her son, complaining about “that woman’s” ingratitude.
Andrey was torn between two fires, but most often he chose his mother’s side — because it was easier.
On the second evening, Marina returned home with a folder full of documents. Andrey was eating dinner in the kitchen.
— We need to talk — she sat down across from him.
— Mom just went too far — he began. — She didn’t mean any harm.
— Respect is not a matter of going too far — Marina replied, opening the folder. — I saw a lawyer today. Here is the deed of gift.
— And what does that mean?
— I’m transferring the apartment temporarily to my mother’s name. Until your mother drops this inheritance idea.
The spoon clattered loudly against the plate.
— Have you lost your mind? This is our apartment!
— No — Marina shook her head. — It’s my apartment. And I will not allow anyone to put it into their will.
— We’re family!
— Then let’s act like it.
The next morning Marina got up early. Andrey had slept in the living room — demonstratively not coming to the bedroom. She quietly got ready and left for the law office, where her father was already waiting.
— Are you sure? — the lawyer asked.
— Completely.
The procedure was quick. Signatures, stamps, official registration — and the apartment temporarily belonged to her mother.
When she returned home, a “family council” was waiting. Tatyjana sat on the couch like on a throne, Andrey beside her.
— Satisfied? — her mother-in-law hissed. — You’ve destroyed the family!
— I protected what is mine — Marina answered calmly.
— From your own husband?
— From the one who didn’t stand up for me.
The argument was fierce. Accusations, insults, tears. Finally, Marina packed her things.
— I’m going to my parents for a few days. Think about what you really want.
Three days passed. Her father spoke to her honestly.
— If he can’t set boundaries with his mother, that says a lot about him.
On the fourth day, Andrey called.
— Come home. We need to talk. Mom left.
She returned in the evening. The apartment felt unusually quiet. Andrey was waiting with a bouquet of her favorite chrysanthemums.
— I’m sorry. You were right.
— The problem isn’t just that she went too far. It’s that you let her.
A long conversation followed. Promises, explanations. But when Marina asked:
— Will you be able to say no to her?
Andrey hesitated. And in that hesitation was every answer.
— I think it’s better if we divorce — Marina said quietly. — Love is not enough without respect.
The divorce went peacefully. Marina transferred the apartment back into her own name. She gave Andrey time to find a new place to live. Tatyjana tried to create a scandal, but it was useless.
Six months later, Marina sat alone in the living room — now truly her own home. There was silence. Peace. She didn’t have to fight anyone within her own walls.
She knew she had made a painful decision. But she had preserved herself, her dignity, and her home.
And Tatyjana never managed to include someone else’s property in her own will.
Justice sometimes prevails. Even if hearts break along the way.
