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<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
God, please let everything go well,\u201d Anzhela thought for the hundredth time, smoothing the creases in her new dress. The pale\u2011blue silk shimmered in the light of the setting sun.<\/p>\n
In a small box on the dressing table lay a brooch\u2014the very one her mother\u2011in\u2011law had been harping on about for the past six months.<\/p>\n
\u201cTamara Petrovna\u2019s daughter\u2011in\u2011law gave her one exactly like this. And what about mine? She hasn\u2019t even guessed!\u201d<\/p>\n
Anzhela smiled at the memory of those hints. Well, tonight was the anniversary; maybe this gift would melt the icy heart of Lidiya Ivanovna.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnzhel, are you coming?\u201d Oleg poked his head into the bedroom, dressed in his best suit. \u201cWe\u2019ll be late!\u201d<\/p>\n
Three years of marriage hadn\u2019t helped her understand why her husband pretended not to notice the cold war between her and his mother. He seemed loving, caring\u2014until his mother started her usual sniping, and then he simply vanished behind excuses:<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, come on, she\u2019s just worried,\u201d \u201cYou\u2019re imagining things, she\u2019s joking.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m coming,\u201d Anzhela said after one last glance in the mirror. \u201cOleg, you remember the gift, right?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOf course,\u201d he answered, but not very confidently.<\/p>\n
The restaurant greeted them with a hum of voices. Lidiya Ivanovna sat at the head of the table like a queen on her throne, accepting congratulations from the guests.<\/p>\n
Seeing her son, she broke into a radiant smile.<\/p>\n
\u201cOlezhek! At last! I\u2019ve been waiting for you!\u201d<\/p>\n
Anzhela felt as if someone had cut her out of the frame\u2014again, as always.<\/p>\n
The first hour passed quietly enough: toasts, congratulations, clinking glasses. The daughter\u2011in\u2011law even began to hope that everything would be fine.<\/p>\n
She was wrong.<\/p>\n
\u201cLidiya Ivanovna,\u201d Anzhela approached with the gift, \u201ccongratulations!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd what are you doing at my anniversary?\u201d the mother\u2011in\u2011law sneered. \u201cI invited only my son. I don\u2019t recall inviting his wife. Get out!\u201d<\/p>\n
Silence fell, then someone snickered; others joined in, and soon half the guests were openly laughing at her.<\/p>\n
\u201cMum, what are you doing?\u201d Oleg began, but stopped under his mother\u2019s heavy gaze.<\/p>\n
\u201cAh, I must have mixed things up,\u201d he mumbled, looking away. \u201cIt happens\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
His wife turned and looked at him closely.<\/p>\n
What a coward! It was the last straw.<\/p>\n
A lump rose in Anzhela\u2019s throat, her eyes stinging. Without thinking, she spun around and fled toward the exit.<\/p>\n
Behind her Oleg called out, but she no longer listened.<\/p>\n
Anzhela burst from the restaurant, swallowing tears. The guests\u2019 mocking laughter still rang in her ears. How could she have been so stupid? She\u2019d hoped this damned anniversary would change something\u2014that the gift would thaw her mother\u2011in\u2011law\u2019s icy heart.<\/p>\n
\u201cTaxi, taxi\u2026\u201d She searched frantically, feeling the curious stares of passers\u2011by. At last a yellow cab pulled up.<\/p>\n
\u201cSevernaya Street, twenty\u2011three,\u201d she managed, collapsing onto the back seat.<\/p>\n
The driver nodded sympathetically and started the meter; he\u2019d probably seen plenty of tear\u2011streaked, overdressed women in a hurry.<\/p>\n
\u201cEnough!\u201d pounded in her temples. \u201cI won\u2019t allow this anymore!\u201d For three years she\u2019d bent over backward for that woman, endured barbs about being \u201cthe wrong match for her darling boy,\u201d heard how \u201ca real wife should\u2026\u201d And Oleg? He just waved it off: \u201cMom is Mom\u2014you can\u2019t change her.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anzhela clenched her fists until they hurt. Either her husband would finally put his wife above his mother\u2019s whims or\u2026 he could go back to Mommy. She wasn\u2019t going to be the family punching bag any longer.<\/p>\n
\nThat\u2019s it. Period. Enough.<\/p>\n
She stormed into the apartment and flung her purse into a corner. Tears still streamed down her cheeks, but now they were tears of rage\u2014at her mother\u2011in\u2011law, at her husband, at herself for enduring it so long.<\/p>\n
The doorbell made her jump.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnzhel, open up! I forgot my keys!\u201d Oleg\u2019s anxious voice sounded.<\/p>\n
Of course\u2014here he was to apologize. She could leave him out there, but she knew he wouldn\u2019t go away.<\/p>\n
The lock clicked. Anzhela stepped aside without looking at him. Oleg froze on the threshold at the sight of her tear\u2011stained face.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d He reached for her hand. \u201cWhy are you crying?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d She recoiled as if struck. \u201cI can\u2019t take it anymore! Your mother, her jabs, her\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
She broke off, lunged at the closet and yanked the doors open. Clothes flew onto the bed.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, what are you doing?\u201d Oleg stammered.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat does it look like?\u201d She dragged a suitcase from under the bed. \u201cI\u2019m leaving! I\u2019ve had enough!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWait, let\u2019s talk\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTalk?\u201d She spun on him. \u201cThree years, Oleg! Three damned years I\u2019ve endured her humiliations! And you? Did you ever\u2014just once\u2014stand up for me? No! You acted as if nothing was wrong!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t realize you took it so hard,\u201d he muttered. \u201cI thought you understood\u2014that\u2019s just Mom\u2019s way. Her humor is\u2026 special\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHumor?\u201d She laughed bitterly. \u201cThat\u2019s not humor, it\u2019s hatred! From the first day I crossed your threshold! And you know what\u2019s worst? I don\u2019t know who I hate more\u2014her for doing it, or you for letting her!\u201d<\/p>\n
Clothes kept flying into the suitcase, and tears rolled again.<\/p>\n
\u201cGo,\u201d she said quietly.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGet out!\u201d she screamed. \u201cGo to your mommy\u2014she\u2019s more important than anyone!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStop.\u201d He stepped closer, trying to hug her. \u201cWe can fix this. Please\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCan\u2019t I?\u201d She shoved him away. \u201cShe can do anything, but I can\u2019t? Just leave, Oleg. It\u2019s over.\u201d<\/p>\n
He stood in the doorway, hardly recognizing the furious woman who had once been his gentle, calm wife.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease,\u201d she said more softly. \u201cI need to be alone.\u201d<\/p>\n
When the door shut, Anzhela slid down the wall. Sob after sob shook her, but she knew there was no going back. No more silent victim. No more forgiveness for everything.<\/p>\n
Oleg burst into the restaurant like a hurricane. His temples throbbed, his hands trembled. He had never felt such fury toward his own mother.<\/p>\n
Anzhela\u2019s tear\u2011streaked face flashed before him, her trembling lips as she threw him out.<\/p>\n
\u201cGo to your mother\u2014she\u2019s the most important person in your life!\u201d<\/p>\n
The words hit him like slaps. She was right. He\u2019d buried his head in the sand while his mother systematically destroyed his marriage.<\/p>\n
The hall was still buzzing. Guests whispered eagerly, casting glances at Lidiya Ivanovna, who sat unbothered, chatting with a friend.<\/p>\n
\u201cMum!\u201d His voice cut through the room; silence fell. \u201cWe need to talk.\u201d<\/p>\n
She frowned. \u201cOlezhek, not now. It\u2019s my anniversary, remember?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo\u2014now!\u201d He shoved a chair aside. \u201cStop pretending nothing happened!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did happen?\u201d She spread her hands theatrically. \u201cYour wife threw a fit. I have every right to invite whomever I want. I didn\u2019t want to see her. So what?\u201d<\/p>\n
Someone giggled. Oleg felt his blood boil.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour right?\u201d He laughed\u2014a humorless sound. \u201cEnough games! You humiliated her on purpose! How could you? She\u2019s my wife!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cExactly,\u201d Lidiya tightened her lips. \u201cYour wife. And I\u2019m your mother. And I see she\u2019s not right for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2014\u201d he choked. \u201cYou just can\u2019t accept that I love her! Three years, Mum! Three years of your torment, and I, like a coward, kept silent. Never again!\u201d<\/p>\n
Guests began edging away; some fiddled with phones, pretending not to hear.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow dare you!\u201d she cried, jumping up. \u201cI devoted my whole life to you! And she\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe loves me! And listen: if you don\u2019t apologize to my wife right now and stop your antics, I\u2019ll erase you from my life.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d She turned pale. \u201cYou wouldn\u2019t dare!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI would,\u201d he said softly, coldly. \u201cChoose, Mum. Either you accept Anzhela and treat her with respect, or you lose your son. Decide.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lidiya sank onto her chair. Never had she seen her boy like this\u2014hard, determined, a stranger.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe party\u2019s over!\u201d Oleg announced to the room. \u201cPlease, everyone, leave.\u201d<\/p>\n
No one argued. Five minutes later the hall was empty.<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s go,\u201d he took his mother\u2019s arm. \u201cWe\u2019re going to see Anzhela. You\u2019ll apologize. Now.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo buts,\u201d he cut her off. \u201cI won\u2019t let you destroy my family or humiliate my wife any longer. Your anniversary is the perfect starting point for this.\u201d<\/p>\n
They headed outside.<\/p>\n
Lidiya climbed into the car, unable to believe her scheme had collapsed. She\u2019d planned to humiliate her daughter\u2011in\u2011law publicly and be rid of her once and for all\u2014and instead\u2026<\/p>\n
She would have to yield, or lose her son. That she could not allow.<\/p>\n
Anzhela sat on the bed, arms around her knees. Clothes lay strewn about\u2014she hadn\u2019t the strength to finish packing. Images from the evening kept whirling: her mother\u2011in\u2011law\u2019s mocking stare, the guests\u2019 laughter, Oleg\u2019s bewildered face.<\/p>\n
The doorbell rang.<\/p>\n
On the threshold stood her husband; behind him, Lidiya Ivanovna. Anzhela\u2019s stomach knotted.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy did you bring her? I told you\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWait,\u201d Oleg squeezed her hand. \u201cMum has something to say.\u201d<\/p>\n
The older woman shifted from foot to foot, clearly uncomfortable. Gone was the haughty matron who\u2019d mocked her before the guests.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2026\u201d she began, but Anzhela cut her off:<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, hold on. You really think you can just come here, apologize, and everything will be fine?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnzhela\u2014\u201d Oleg tried.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, let me finish!\u201d she raised her voice. \u201cFor three years I endured your barbs, your contempt. I cooked your favorite dishes, bought presents, swallowed your remarks. And you\u2014tonight you staged a show to humiliate me, didn\u2019t you? To prove I\u2019m \u2018nothing\u2019!\u201d<\/p>\n
Lidiya Ivanovna turned pale.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t think\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou thought it through perfectly!\u201d Tears sparkled in Anzhela\u2019s eyes. \u201cThe funniest part? I truly hoped tonight would change things. I bought you that damned brooch you kept hinting at!\u201d<\/p>\n
She pulled the little box from her purse and flung it onto the coffee table.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnzhela, I was wrong. Oleg\u2026 made me realize I could lose my son. I don\u2019t want that.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, so that\u2019s it! You\u2019re apologizing not because you see your fault, but because you\u2019re afraid of losing him?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes,\u201d the mother\u2011in\u2011law admitted unexpectedly. \u201cI won\u2019t love you. But I\u2019ll try to accept you. For Oleg\u2019s sake.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anzhela looked at her husband. His fists were clenched; she saw how anxious he was. In that moment she understood that he truly loved her: for the first time in three years he had taken her side and stood up to his mother.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know what?\u201d she inhaled deeply. \u201cI\u2019ll stay. Not for you\u201d\u2014she glanced at her mother\u2011in\u2011law\u2014\u201cbut for my husband. Because tonight he finally showed I matter more than anyone. Even you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lidiya Ivanovna exhaled in relief, but Anzhela wasn\u2019t finished:<\/p>\n
\u201cBut you will never cross this threshold again. Your apology saved your son\u2019s marriage, not our relationship. Leave.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat? But\u2014\u201d She looked to Oleg.<\/p>\n
He nodded silently. \u201cMum, you\u2019d better go. It\u2019s the right thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lidiya did not protest. Head held high, she left the apartment.<\/p>\n
When the door closed behind his mother, Anzhela felt the tension of the past hours drain away.<\/p>\n
How ironic: her mother\u2011in\u2011law had wanted to humiliate her at the anniversary, yet ended up humiliated herself\u2014first by her son in front of the guests, and now by her daughter\u2011in\u2011law.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Oleg whispered, hugging her. \u201cI should have done this long ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
Anzhela smiled, resting her head on his shoulder.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat matters is that you did it now. We\u2019ll get through the rest\u2014together.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
God, please let everything go well,\u201d Anzhela thought for the hundredth time, smoothing the creases in her new dress. The pale\u2011blue silk shimmered in the light of… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":25510,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25509","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n