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June sunshine bathed the spacious kitchen in light, where Anna was leisurely preparing her morning coffee. The foam was rising in the cezve, and the apartment was filled with the rich aroma of freshly brewed drink.<\/p>\n
Igor appeared in the doorway, nonchalantly buttoning his shirt.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood morning! It smells wonderful!\u201d<\/p>\n
Anna poured the coffee into cups, knowing that her ability to brew the perfect coffee was one of the things that Igor always especially appreciated.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow did you sleep?\u201d she asked, placing a cup in front of her husband and sitting down beside him.<\/p>\n
\u201cSplendid. By the way, Mom called yesterday when you weren\u2019t around.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anna took a sip, trying to remain calm. Calls from her mother-in-law rarely heralded anything pleasant.<\/p>\n
\u201cDid something happen?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing major. She just wanted to know if you could take her to the clinic tomorrow. She has an appointment with the doctor at nine in the morning.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anna froze, cup in hand. The next day she had an important presentation for clients, one she had been working on for two weeks.<\/p>\n
\u201cIgor, that\u2019s impossible for tomorrow. You know about the presentation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnya, but it\u2019s Mom,\u201d Igor\u2019s voice took on a reproachful tone. \u201cShe doesn\u2019t ask for such favors often. Can\u2019t you help?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about a taxi? Or Lena? She\u2019s free.\u201d\u201cLena is busy with the kids, and a taxi\u2026 Why incur extra expenses when you can ask family?\u201d<\/p>\n
Anna sighed deeply. These kinds of conversations were becoming more and more frequent. At first, they were small requests\u2014buying medicine, helping with cleaning, going to the dacha. Then they began to pile up like a snowball.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlright, I\u2019ll try to reschedule the meeting,\u201d she managed to say, though internally she resisted the decision.<\/p>\n
\u201cGreat!\u201d Igor rejoiced. \u201cI\u2019m so glad I have such an understanding wife. You always know how important family is.\u201d<\/p>\n
He uttered the word \u201cfamily\u201d with a special warmth. From the very beginning of their relationship, he had constantly emphasized the importance of being close to loved ones, supporting them in difficult times.<\/p>\n
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That same evening, Lena, Igor\u2019s sister, called.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnya, dear, could you help with the kids on Saturday? My husband and I have long wanted to go to the theater, and we\u2019ve already bought the tickets.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anna was just about to visit her parents. Her mother had been inviting them for lunch for a long time.<\/p>\n
\u201cLena, sorry, but we planned to visit my\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on, your parents can wait!\u201d Lena\u2019s tone became petulant. \u201cDo I ask for favors like this often? The kids just adore you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anna glanced at the calendar. It had been a month since she\u2019d met her parents.<\/p>\n
\u201cOkay,\u201d she conceded again.<\/p>\n
When Igor returned in the evening, Anna told him about the conversation with his sister.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood on you for agreeing,\u201d her husband approved. \u201cLena really needs a break; she\u2019s with the kids all day.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd what about me?\u201d Anna asked quietly.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, come on, you\u2019re in the office all day. That\u2019s entirely different.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anna fell silent. Arguing was futile.<\/p>\n
A week later, a call came from her father-in-law, Viktor Mikhailovich.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnnushka, here\u2019s the thing\u2026 The car broke down, and we still need to get around. Could you let us use yours for a couple of weeks?\u201d<\/p>\n
Anna was taken aback. Without a car, her life was practically impossible\u2014she had work across the city, meetings with clients.<\/p>\n
\u201cViktor Mikhailovich, I can\u2019t manage without my car. I have a tight schedule\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCome on, dear, riding the metro a couple of times isn\u2019t a problem!\u201d her father-in-law replied cheerfully. \u201cWe\u2019re all family; we should help each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
Later, another conversation took place with Igor.<\/p>\n
\u201cIgor, how am I supposed to work without my car? I have meetings, presentations\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnya, it\u2019s only temporary. Your dad really needs it. Besides, he\u2019s right\u2014you can endure a little for the sake of family.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anna increasingly noticed that her life was turning into an endless series of concessions. Every time she tried to say \u201cno,\u201d she was reminded: \u201cWe\u2019re family.\u201d<\/p>\n
The real test came with her promotion at work. Anna had worked hard to reach that position, studied a lot, and put in immense effort. Finally, her hard work paid off\u2014she was promoted to department head.<\/p>\n
Joyfully announcing it to her husband, she added:<\/p>\n
\u201cImagine, now we can finally fulfill our long-time dream! Remember, we wanted to go to Europe?\u201d<\/p>\n
Igor smiled oddly.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know, here\u2019s the thing\u2026 Mom and Dad decided to renovate the kitchen. And Katya\u2019s wedding is coming soon\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Anna froze. Once again, relatives were more important than their own plans.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd what?\u201d she asked cautiously.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, they need financial help. Now that your salary has increased\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
Anna couldn\u2019t believe her ears:<\/p>\n
\u201cSo you\u2019re suggesting I give up my money for the renovation and the wedding?\u201d<\/p>\n
Igor merely shrugged:<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy not? We\u2019re all family.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anna looked at her husband as if seeing him for the first time. When had his family become more important than their own?<\/p>\n
That evening, she oscillated between thoughts of how they once dreamed of traveling together and building a future. All those plans were dissolving amidst endless requests from his relatives.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to talk seriously,\u201d Anna resolutely announced as she entered the room where Igor was absorbed in watching television.<\/p>\n
\u201cAbout what?\u201d he barely tore his eyes from the screen.<\/p>\n
\u201cAbout our relationship. About money, about our plans.\u201d<\/p>\n
Igor reluctantly turned off the TV.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy are you upset? It\u2019s just the usual situation. Your family needs support.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, it\u2019s not the usual situation,\u201d Anna sat on the edge of an armchair. \u201cThese are my hard-earned money, Igor. I worked so hard, strived for this promotion.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd what now? Are you going to manage all our finances on your own?\u201d Igor abruptly stood up. \u201cYou\u2019ve changed, Anya. You used to be different. Now you only think about yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n
His words struck her deeply. Anna clenched her fingers into fists.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think about us,\u201d her voice became firmer than she had expected. \u201cAbout the plans we built together. About the journey we promised each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen will you find time to dream?\u201d Igor dismissed her. \u201cYour sister\u2019s wedding is around the corner. Our parents have started a renovation.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd what about our family? Our shared dreams?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEnough!\u201d Igor raised his voice. \u201cIn a proper family, a wife helps her husband\u2019s relatives. It\u2019s natural and right.\u201d<\/p>\n
The days that followed turned into an endless \u201csilent war.\u201d Anna left for work long before dawn and returned late in the evening, when the house was shrouded in darkness. Igor deliberately ignored her existence.<\/p>\n
Even her mother-in-law, Nina Pavlovna, did not stay on the sidelines. Every day she called her son, loudly reprimanding her daughter-in-law over the phone.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour wife has completely lost her way,\u201d she lamented. \u201cIn my day, no one would dare behave like that. We knew our place.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anna pretended not to hear these conversations. She threw herself even more deeply into her work. New projects demanded her complete dedication, but at the office she was valued for her professionalism rather than being accused of selfishness.<\/p>\n
Their fifth wedding anniversary was approaching. Anna hoped that day would be a turning point\u2014maybe Igor would remember how happy they once were, how they supported each other.<\/p>\n
But that evening, upon returning home, she found her husband sitting at the kitchen table. He sat with his arms crossed, his face set in a tense expression.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been thinking about something,\u201d he began, exhaling deeply.<\/p>\n
Anna froze in the doorway. His tone made it clear: the upcoming conversation would be difficult.<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course, you have the right to your own opinion,\u201d Igor continued, \u201cbut you must understand one simple thing. In a family, everyone supports each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
He paused, as if giving her a chance to object. But Anna remained silent, waiting for him to continue.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy mother devoted her whole life to me,\u201d his voice grew louder, filled with emotion. \u201cSleepless nights when I was sick. Three jobs for my education. What can I do for her now, if not ensure help?\u201d<\/p>\n
Igor spoke faster and faster, as if trying to convince not only his wife but also himself.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd Katya? She\u2019s twenty. A wedding is an important milestone in life. How can we not help? And for us, it\u2019s enough. We live comfortably.\u201d<\/p>\n
Each of his words struck her like blows. Anna felt a storm of misunderstanding building inside.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re my wife, not someone else\u2019s!\u201d she declared, her voice cold and resolute.<\/p>\n
Igor rolled his eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cHere we go again. All you think about is money. Your life revolves around it,\u201d his tone dripped with contempt.<\/p>\n
That night, Anna didn\u2019t sleep. She lay awake, staring at the ceiling, recalling everything: canceled meetings with her parents, weekends spent helping her mother-in-law, money lent without any expectation of return. Endless concessions and compromises that seemed never-ending.<\/p>\n
The next morning, Anna woke up earlier than usual. She took out a large suitcase and began packing her belongings and documents. Igor watched her actions with a mocking smile.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is this spectacle?\u201d he asked, leaning against the door frame. \u201cDecided to show some character?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m leaving,\u201d she replied calmly, locking the suitcase.<\/p>\n
Her husband laughed.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you being capricious again? Do you really think I\u2019ll believe you\u2019re serious?\u201d<\/p>\n
Silently, Anna picked up the suitcase and walked past him toward the front door. In Igor\u2019s eyes, a hint of surprise flickered.<\/p>\n
\u201cAre you really doing this?\u201d his voice wavered.<\/p>\n
An hour later, she was opening the door of her old apartment\u2014a small studio she had once bought to rent out. Now, it seemed like a true refuge. Here, no one would demand, judge, or reproach her.<\/p>\n
For the first time in a long while, she felt free. No longer did she have to account for every penny. No longer would she have to sacrifice her time for others\u2019 needs. She could simply live.<\/p>\n
Days turned into weeks, weeks into months. Anna completely immersed herself in work, met with friends, and began exercising. Life began to paint itself in new colors again.<\/p>\n
Igor appeared three months later. The phone rang late in the evening.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s meet, let\u2019s talk,\u201d his voice was soft, almost pleading. \u201cI understand everything now. I promise I\u2019ll change.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anna smiled as she looked at her phone.<\/p>\n
\u201cToo late,\u201d she whispered quietly. \u201cFar too late.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her husband didn\u2019t understand the main point: it wasn\u2019t the refusal to help his relatives that destroyed their relationship. The problem was that, in his eyes, she had long ceased to be a complete individual. She had become merely a resource for his family.<\/p>\n
Even the fifth anniversary of their wedding passed unnoticed. Igor forgot the date, and for Anna, that was yet another sign. She spent that day at work, and in the evening she strolled along the embankment. The wind tousled her hair as the sun slowly dipped below the horizon.<\/p>\n
Strangely, instead of sorrow, a sense of liberation emerged. It was as if a heavy backpack had been lifted from her shoulders. Now, this life belonged only to her. There was no need to be convenient\u2014only to be happy.<\/p>\n
Anna took out her phone and opened the airline\u2019s website. Her vacation was starting in a week. It was time to fulfill her long-held dream of traveling around Europe. Even if alone\u2014it would be on her own terms<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
June sunshine bathed the spacious kitchen in light, where Anna was leisurely preparing her morning coffee. The foam was rising in the cezve, and the apartment was… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":23833,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-23831","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n