— What perfect timing that you received this inheritance! — Denis rubbed his hands together excitedly as Nastya stepped into the apartment after a long, exhausting day. — My sister Lena could really use an apartment right now.
Nastya froze in the hallway, clutching the old keys and documents. A cold wave of anger and exhaustion gripped her heart; everything around her seemed to stand still.
Aunt Nina had raised her like a mother, giving her all her love and care. And now, after Nastya had just accompanied her on her final journey, her husband stood in the middle of the room with shining eyes, dividing up the late relative’s property among strangers.
Denis and his arrogant family had been acting selfishly for years, but now it had crossed every possible line.
— Denis, do you even hear yourself? — Nastya’s voice trembled, but she forced herself to look him straight in the eyes. — Aunt Nina was the closest person I had.
And you’re already giving her apartment away? On what grounds should your sister get it?
— What’s wrong with that? — Denis protested sincerely, stepping closer. — Lena is divorcing her husband, she has nowhere to live with her child! We are family, we have to help each other.
We already have a two-room apartment, why would we need another one? Renting it out would just bring trouble. This way we help the family.
— That two-room apartment came from your parents, and I’m not even registered there. I am nobody in it — Nastya replied coldly and firmly.
— And this is the last gift from the woman who raised me. I will not give the memory of her to your sister. Lena is an adult woman, let her work and rent a place if she has to.
Denis turned red with anger in an instant. His kind mask slipped, revealing his true face.
— You’re so greedy! I thought we were one, but you only care about yourself. My mother was right when she said you couldn’t be trusted. You’re just selfish!
— Tell your mother I couldn’t care less about her opinion — Nastya said, taking off her shoes and walking into the room. — Aunt Nina’s apartment will remain mine. The conversation is over.
She lay down on the couch and turned toward the wall. She had no strength left to argue or prove she was right.
The following weeks turned their lives into a living nightmare. Denis tormented her with constant reproaches and cold silence.
Her mother-in-law called every day, accusing her of heartlessness and cruelty toward Lena’s small child. The sister-in-law sent long tearful messages, trying to manipulate her with pity.
Nastya simply blocked their numbers and buried herself in work, trying to cope with her grief.
One evening, when she returned home from work, she couldn’t find the keys to Aunt Nina’s apartment. Denis shrugged innocently, saying he hadn’t seen them.
Two days later, the keys were found in the pocket of her coat. Nastya didn’t think much of it — in the stress after the funeral, she could have put them there and forgotten.
As time passed and the pain of loss eased slightly, Nastya decided to visit Aunt Nina’s apartment to carefully sort through old photo albums and keepsakes.
She reached the familiar door and pressed the bell, wanting to warn the neighbors there might be noise while she went through things. But the door suddenly swung open, and Lena stood there with a wide smile.
Behind her, in the hallway, stood an unfamiliar man in a formal suit, holding a folder of documents.
— Oh, Nastya, hi! We’re just discussing a deal — her sister-in-law chirped sweetly, blocking the entrance.
— What deal? — Nastya felt the ground slipping from beneath her feet. — What are you doing in my apartment? Where did you get the keys?
Denis slowly stepped out of the kitchen. When he saw his wife, he froze and avoided her gaze, nervously adjusting his shirt collar.
— Nastya, let’s not make a scene — he began quietly. — We’re selling the apartment. We found a very good buyer, ready to pay cash today.
— Selling?! — Nastya pushed Lena aside and stepped inside. — By what right?! The apartment is in my name!
Lena smirked, pulled a thick white envelope from her bag, and boldly shoved it into Nastya’s hands.
— Here. Thirty thousand rubles. A token of gratitude from our family for your understanding. We’ve already received a deposit from the buyer. Here’s the purchase agreement, and here’s your signature. Everything is legal.
Nastya went cold. She opened the document and immediately saw it — the signature resembled hers, but it was clearly forged. Too neat, lacking her distinctive strokes.
The picture formed instantly in her mind: the keys missing for two days, Denis’s recent calmness, and his realtor friend who was always ready for shady deals for a commission.
— You copied my keys — Nastya’s voice trembled with fury. She stared at her husband as if seeing him for the first time. — And you forged my signature on the documents. You committed a crime for your shameless sister.
— Prove it! — Lena sneered, feeling untouchable.
— The signature is yours, the documents are in order. The buyer checked everything. So take your money and go cook dinner. Denis did everything right. You support your real family, not sit on your treasures.
Denis remained silent, staring at the floor. He didn’t even try to defend his wife.
Nastya didn’t cry. She didn’t scream or lash out at them.
Slowly and calmly, right in front of them, she tore the envelope apart and threw the money on the floor.
Then she took her phone from her pocket and firmly dialed a number.
— Police? I would like to report large-scale fraud, document forgery, and unlawful entry into a home. Yes, the perpetrators are at the address right now. I’ll give you the address…
Lena’s face changed instantly. Her smug smile disappeared. She rushed at Nastya, trying to snatch the phone from her hands.
— What are you doing, are you crazy?! You want to send your own husband to prison?!
— No, Lena — Nastya stepped back, looking at her with icy contempt. — I want all of you arrested. And your realtor friend who handled the fake documents.
The man in the suit, realizing he was involved in a criminal situation, quickly gathered his papers and ran out of the apartment, shouting that the deal was off and the deposit would be returned.
Denis finally lifted his head. There was open terror in his eyes.
— Nastya, please cancel the call… I’ll lose my job, I could go to prison… Lena convinced me! She said you would accept it!
— Wait for the police, Denis. And prepare to explain to the investigators how you forged my signature — Nastya stepped into the hallway, putting an end to their relationship.
— You tried to steal what was most precious to me. Now you will answer for it. With your own hands.
The investigation lasted for several difficult months. A handwriting expert quickly proved that the signature had been crudely forged.
The “perfect” plan of the husband and his sister collapsed just as quickly as their confidence.
The realtor, afraid of real prison time, immediately told investigators the entire scheme. Denis received a suspended sentence with a four-year probation period, a ruined reputation, and lost his job.
Lena avoided criminal charges, as her direct involvement in the forgery couldn’t be proven — her brother took all the blame. But she had to urgently sell her car to pay for lawyers.
The ex-husband’s family sank into debt and endless internal conflicts.
Nastya filed for divorce the same day she reported the crime. In court, she didn’t even turn her head toward the man she had lived with for five years.
For her, he simply ceased to exist.
Now Nastya sat in a comfortable armchair by the window. Aunt Nina’s apartment was filled with the smell of fresh pastries and cleanliness.
She had renovated it into a bright, beautiful space, keeping only the antique wooden cabinet as a memory of the dearest person in her life.
Outside, soft white snow was falling. Nastya held a warm mug in her hands and smiled sincerely.
In her new life, there were no more liars, selfish people, or shameless relatives. She had learned to stand up for herself and defended her right to peace.
And now, in her own home, she could finally breathe freely and lightly.
