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<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Sofya placed the vase of flowers on the table and critically inspected the result. Everything was perfect. A pristine white tablecloth, crystal glasses, expensive champagne in a silver bucket with ice. In the kitchen, a duck with apples was baking in the oven, and in the refrigerator there were desserts from the city\u2019s finest pastry shop. And the weather had not let them down. The country house was bathed in greenery and sunlight.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe we shouldn\u2019t have spent so much?\u201d Alexey entered the veranda, glancing at the festive table with displeasure.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is your mother\u2019s anniversary,\u201d Sofya shrugged. \u201cA seventieth birthday comes only once in a lifetime.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut she didn\u2019t ask for any of this,\u201d said her husband. \u201cThey could have just given her money, period.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sofya sighed. Of course, Nina Petrovna hadn\u2019t asked for anything. A mother-in-law never liked to ask her daughter-in-law for anything, especially when Sonya earned more than her son. But then, for the rest of the year, she would constantly remind everyone that her daughter-in-law had shamed her in front of her friends.<\/p>\n
\u201cDo what you think is best,\u201d Alexey turned away and left.<\/p>\n
It was always like that. No support at all. Sofya bit her lip and continued decorating the cake with fresh berries. Alexey never took her side. He preferred to remain neutral, not getting involved in the conflicts between his mother and his wife. In his opinion, women should sort out their own relationships.<\/p>\n
The first to arrive were the mother-in-law\u2019s friends. Three ladies in identical colorful dresses and with identical haircuts. Only their names were different: Klavdia Maksimovna, Valentina Semenovna, and Tamara Grigorievna.<\/p>\n
\u201cNinochka will be here soon,\u201d announced Klavdia Maksimovna, surveying the set table. \u201cOh, and is that caviar?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBlack and red,\u201d Sofya nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd where is the meat platter from?\u201d asked Valentina Semenovna curiously. \u201cDid you order it from a restaurant?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, from \u2018Belyy Aist\u2019 (White Stork),\u201d answered Sofya.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow interesting,\u201d squinted Tamara Grigorievna. \u201cReally classy, then.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sofya nodded silently and stepped away to greet the rest of the guests. She noticed the murmuring among her mother-in-law\u2019s friends but chose not to pay attention. Let them talk what they wanted. What mattered to her was Nina Petrovna\u2019s comfort.<\/p>\n
When a car appeared on the driveway with the celebrant, Sofya waved. The taxi stopped right at the doorstep. Out stepped a short woman in an elegant blue dress, with her hair slicked back and wearing bright lipstick.<\/p>\n
\u201cNina Petrovna, happy anniversary!\u201d Sofya walked forward with a bouquet of roses.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, you shouldn\u2019t have,\u201d the mother-in-law pursed her lips as she accepted the flowers. \u201cHow much money you must have spent!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt comes from the heart,\u201d Sofya smiled. \u201cCome on, everyone is waiting for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
The banquet began with toasts and congratulations. The guests noisily discussed the celebrant\u2019s life, recalling cheerful stories. Nina Petrovna sat at the head of the table with a strained smile, as if bestowing a favor with her mere presence. Sofya noticed that her mother-in-law barely touched her food, even though the dishes had been chosen especially to suit her taste.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t you like it?\u201d Sofya quietly asked, leaning toward her mother-in-law.<\/p>\n
\u201cNothing,\u201d Nina Petrovna replied dryly. \u201cI just have no appetite.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sofya stepped away to where Alexey was standing by the window.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour mother isn\u2019t eating anything at all,\u201d she remarked.<\/p>\n
\u201cI see,\u201d her husband shrugged. \u201cMaybe she\u2019s on a diet.\u201d<\/p>\n
The female guests glanced at Sofya with unmistakable interest. She felt those stares on her skin. Whether it was envy or disapproval, Sonya was long accustomed to such reactions. Many were irritated by her independence and confidence. And also by the fact that she had built a successful career without relying on her husband.<\/p>\n
The phone in her pocket vibrated. A call from a client. Sofya frowned. It was her day off, but this project was too important.<\/p>\n
\u201cExcuse me,\u201d she said, rising. \u201cI need to answer.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sofya left the house, heading to a distant corner of the garden. There, no one would interrupt her conversation.<\/p>\n
\u201cGood evening, Sergey Valentinovich,\u201d she greeted. \u201cYes, I remember the deadlines.\u201d<\/p>\n
The conversation lasted several minutes. When Sofya finished, she decided to return unnoticed. She did not want to attract unnecessary attention. Only upon reaching the veranda did she hear her name. Or rather, she heard them talking about her.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour daughter-in-law is climbing the career ladder, isn\u2019t she?\u201d Klavdia Maksimovna\u2019s voice resounded. \u201cAren\u2019t you tired of putting up with her?\u201d<\/p>\n
Sofya froze, pressing herself against the side of the house. She knew it was wrong to eavesdrop, but her legs refused to move.<\/p>\n
\u201cRich, independent, always having her own opinion,\u201d continued Klavdia Maksimovna. \u201cHow do you put up with such a daughter-in-law, Ninochka?\u201d<\/p>\n
Laughter erupted on the veranda.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd what choice do I have?\u201d Nina Petrovna snorted. \u201cBut I\u2019m not worried. She is not my son\u2019s wife. Just a girl with money, nothing more! We\u2019ll milk as much as we can from her. And then I\u2019ll find a proper match for my son.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her heart clenched painfully. Sofya had always known that her mother-in-law harbored ill feelings toward her, but not to this extent\u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cCould I ever have wished for such a daughter-in-law?\u201d continued Nina Petrovna. \u201cShe doesn\u2019t listen to advice, never asks for opinions. And most of all, it\u2019s impossible to control her.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sofya\u2019s throat went dry. She slowly backed away from the wall. Alexey! He must be there with his mother. Could it be that he thought the same? Sofya peeked from behind the corner. Indeed, her husband stood next to his mother in silence. Not a single word in defense of his wife. As if he agreed with every harsh phrase.<\/p>\n
Her legs buckled. Sofya slowly retreated behind the house where no one could see her. Tears stung her eyes. The pain of betrayal was unbearable. The cold evening air only amplified her sense of loneliness.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat for?\u201d Sofya thought, leaning against an old apple tree. \u201cWhat did I do wrong?\u201d<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
She had given her all to this marriage. Supported her husband when his business failed. Cared for him when he was ill. And as soon as she became successful, they began to consider her an unsuitable wife.<\/p>\n
Wiping away her tears, she fixed her makeup. After a few minutes, she took a deep breath and straightened her posture. It was time to return to the celebration. Let no one know that she had heard everything.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, her mother is right about one thing,\u201d Sofya mused to herself with a slight smile. \u201cI really am independent. And I\u2019m not about to cry in front of these people.\u201d<\/p>\n
Straightening her shoulders, Sofya returned to the veranda. The guests continued to chatter loudly about something, paying her no attention. Only Nina Petrovna gave the daughter-in-law a withering look. Alexey stood by the window with a glass in his hand, casually chatting with some distant relative.<\/p>\n
Sofya approached her husband and touched his elbow.<\/p>\n
\u201cI need to leave immediately,\u201d she said calmly. \u201cI got a call from work; there\u2019s a problem with the project.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOn your day off?\u201d Alexey didn\u2019t even turn to face her. \u201cAlright, go if you must.\u201d<\/p>\n
No questions. No concern. Just an indifferent acceptance. Inside, an icy calm spread.<\/p>\n
\u201cStay with your mother; I\u2019ll call a taxi,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
Sofya noticed Nina Petrovna smirking, clearly pleased that her daughter-in-law was leaving before everyone else. Their eyes met for a brief moment. Sonya smiled and nodded to the mother-in-law in farewell.<\/p>\n
\u201cNina Petrovna,\u201d Sofya said, \u201chappy anniversary once again.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sofya drove home in complete silence. Once in her apartment, she turned on the light and looked around. Five years of marriage. They lived in her apartment. During that time, Alexey had never done anything to make their apartment cozier. All the responsibilities had fallen on her shoulders, even though Sofya worked far more than her husband.<\/p>\n
Without extra emotion, Sofya took out a suitcase and carefully packed Alexey\u2019s belongings. Shirts separately, trousers separately. Socks in a special bag. She did it methodically, as if carrying out a routine errand.<\/p>\n
After finishing with the belongings, she opened her laptop and found the contacts of a firm that installed doors and replaced locks. Despite the late hour, the dispatcher promised to send a technician by nine in the morning. Sofya thanked him and hung up.<\/p>\n
Sofya knew she was doing the right thing. Somehow, her soul felt lighter, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders. Sofya took a shower and went to bed.<\/p>\n
At nine in the morning, the doorbell rang. The technician worked quickly and professionally. Within an hour, the old locks were replaced with new ones, and Sofya received a set of keys.<\/p>\n
Alexey called around ten, sounding displeased. Sofya chose not to explain the reason for her departure over the phone. Let him come and hear it all in person.<\/p>\n
At half past ten, the doorbell rang again. Sofya opened the door and saw her bewildered husband. Alexey looked disheveled, as if he hadn\u2019t slept well.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s going on?\u201d he asked, trying to step inside.<\/p>\n
Sofya blocked his way.<\/p>\n
\u201cI heard your conversation at the anniversary,\u201d she said calmly, looking Alexey straight in the eyes. \u201c\u2018She is not my son\u2019s wife. Just a girl with money, nothing more!\u2019 I am quoting your mother verbatim.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alexey paled and lowered his gaze.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose are just words,\u201d he mumbled. \u201cYou know how my mother is\u2014she always talks like that. It\u2019s her celebration; she\u2019s the star, and everyone talks about you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut you were silent,\u201d Sofya snapped. \u201cYou stood right there and didn\u2019t say a word to defend me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t want any conflict,\u201d Alexey tried to justify himself. \u201cWhy make the situation worse? We drink, and everything will be forgotten.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sofya shook her head. By the door stood a suitcase with her husband\u2019s belongings.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne night was enough for me to realize that I don\u2019t need this marriage.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t just decide everything like that!\u201d Alexey protested.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can, and I have decided,\u201d Sofya said firmly. \u201cI\u2019m filing for divorce. I no longer want to waste my time and money on people who don\u2019t appreciate me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alexey grabbed the suitcase and retreated toward the stairs.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019ll regret this,\u201d he threw over his shoulder.<\/p>\n
Sofya closed the door. Inside, she felt a firm conviction. Enough was enough. Five years of an unequal marriage was enough time to understand that nothing would ever change.<\/p>\n
An hour later, the phone rang. The caller ID showed her mother-in-law\u2019s name. Sofya took a deep breath and answered.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat do you think you\u2019re doing?!\u201d Nina Petrovna\u2019s voice rang out with indignation. \u201cHow could you kick my son out?!\u201d<\/p>\n
Sofya listened silently as a torrent of accusations\u2014\u201dselfish,\u201d \u201ccareerist,\u201d \u201cheartless\u201d\u2014poured in her direction. The mother-in-law didn\u2019t hold back. And then she hit the main point.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour behavior has put our family at risk!\u201d Nina Petrovna exclaimed. \u201cI always knew you would only cause problems!\u201d<\/p>\n
Sofya smiled, her logic unassailable.<\/p>\n
\u201cNina Petrovna,\u201d she replied calmly, \u201cif you were so dissatisfied with a daughter-in-law who paid for your anniversary, now you\u2019ll have the chance to find someone better.\u201d<\/p>\n
Without waiting for a response, Sofya hung up and turned off the phone. Ahead lay a new life\u2014without constant criticisms, toxic relatives, and a husband who had never been on her side. Just thinking about how much strength and nerves she would save made her feel light.<\/p>\n
\u201cFree,\u201d Sofya thought.<\/p>\n
She had no regrets about her decision. Five years were enough to realize that the person by her side was not the one. Now, Sofya knew that everything would be different.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sofya placed the vase of flowers on the table and critically inspected the result. Everything was perfect. A pristine white tablecloth, crystal glasses, expensive champagne in a… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":24063,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24061","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n