“Congratulations on the inheritance from your aunt!” exclaimed the mother-in-law.

Victoria stared at the unpaid bills spread out on the kitchen table. In the next room, Artem was enthusiastically describing his new project—an online self-development course. Over five years together, she had seen him repeatedly pursue ideas that led nowhere: an eco-friendly store, a bicycle repair shop, meditation courses. Every time, he borrowed money, and every time, she was left to fix the financial mess.

Her phone buzzed—it was her mother-in-law.

“Vika, did you transfer money to Artem’s phone?” she asked.

“I paid yesterday…” Victoria replied, though every penny mattered now that layoffs had started at her agency.

“He needs more support!” her mother-in-law insisted. Victoria coldly promised to help, despite her financial strain.

Later, Artem rushed in, glowing with excitement. “A potential partner just called. He says my idea is brilliant!”

“How much will we need to invest this time?” Victoria asked.

“About three hundred thousand,” he said. “But it’s nothing compared to what we’ll make!”

“We don’t have that kind of money,” she replied.

“I know! But Maxim is ready to lend it,” Artem said.

Her stomach churned. “Did you pay him back the last loan?”

Before Artem could respond, Victoria’s phone rang. A notary was calling about her aunt, Yelena Pavlovna Sokolova.

“Yelena Pavlovna has passed away,” the notary said, “and you are the sole heir.”

Victoria froze. She barely knew Aunt Lena, but now she was inheriting a city-center apartment, a country house, and savings. Artem’s face lit up. “This is our chance!”

Just then, her mother-in-law entered. When she heard the news, her eyes gleamed.

“An apartment and a country house? What a turn,” she said, eyeing Victoria closely.

Victoria felt uncomfortable under her mother-in-law’s scrutinizing gaze. That evening, Artem and Tamara began discussing the inheritance, already mentally dividing it up.

The next morning, Tamara called again. “Did you find out the value of everything?” she asked. When Victoria said she hadn’t seen the documents, Tamara urged her to act quickly, mentioning Artem’s loan secured against their apartment and his brother’s financial troubles.

Victoria’s mind was spinning. Why had Artem kept the loan secret? Why were her in-laws already planning how to spend her inheritance?

That night, Tamara and Artem casually discussed “family matters” over dinner, with Tamara suggesting the inheritance should go toward paying off debts.

Victoria’s frustration boiled over. “Do you think I owe it to give my money to your family?” she demanded.

Tamara smiled, unfazed. “In a family, you need to help each other.”

Victoria stood up. “I’ve been used as a source of funds. It won’t happen again.”

A week later, Victoria filed for divorce. She moved into her aunt’s apartment, choosing to renovate it and start fresh. She set up a home office and opened her own travel agency, which quickly gained recognition. She also kept the country house, spending weekends there to clear her mind.

While sorting through Aunt Lena’s belongings, Victoria found a diary. On the last page was a note: “Financial independence is freedom. But only if you decide yourself how to manage your money.”

Victoria smiled. Her aunt had known exactly what she needed to hear. In her new life, with her agency thriving, Victoria knew one thing for sure: her life was finally her own.