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<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Styop, maybe we shouldn\u2019t go today? I could say I\u2019m not feeling well,\u201d Alina nervously tugged at the corner of the tablecloth, avoiding her husband\u2019s eyes.<\/p>\n
Stepan stepped over to his wife and gently took her hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlinka, we\u2019ve already talked this through. If you turn down every Sunday dinner at my mother\u2019s, she\u2019ll only be more convinced that something\u2019s wrong with you. We need to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alina sighed. Sunday dinners at her mother-in-law\u2019s had become a real ordeal. Tamara Ivanovna\u2014an elegant lady with impeccable manners and a sharp tongue\u2014never missed a chance to point out how unworthy her daughter-in-law was of Stepan.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou know how she looks at me,\u201d Alina stood and began clearing the dishes from the table. \u201cAs if I were some ragamuffin who stumbled into polite society by accident.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stepan wrapped his arms around her from behind, burying his nose in her hair.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe just hasn\u2019t gotten to know the real you yet. Give her time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cA year, Styop. A whole year, and she still treats me like a temporary fixture in your life.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stepan turned Alina to face him. His eyes shone with resolve.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re my wife. I chose you myself, and I don\u2019t care what my mother\u2014or anyone else\u2014thinks.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alina couldn\u2019t help but smile, remembering their first meeting in the library where she worked after finishing teacher\u2019s college. Stepan, a successful architect, had come in for art-history books and stayed talking with her for three hours about their favorite authors. A month later, he\u2019d proposed\u2014much to Tamara Ivanovna\u2019s shock, since she\u2019d already picked out a daughter of a university friend for her son.<\/p>\n
Alina\u2019s phone chirped with a new message. She slipped from her husband\u2019s embrace and looked at the screen.<\/p>\n
\u201cKostya says he can come by tomorrow,\u201d her face brightened. \u201cHe\u2019ll only be passing through for a day, but at least we\u2019ll see each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s great!\u201d Stepan exclaimed. \u201cI can take the day off, and we\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, no,\u201d Alina interrupted quickly. \u201cYou have that project presentation. I\u2019ll just meet him for lunch while you\u2019re at work.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stepan frowned. \u201cAre you sure? I could move things\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sure,\u201d Alina said firmly. \u201cThis presentation is too important for you. I can handle lunch with Kostya on my own.\u201d<\/p>\n
The truth was, Alina was afraid of something else. Kostya, her younger brother, was the only close family she had left since their parents died\u2014and he was as simple and unpretentious as she was. She didn\u2019t want her brother to run into Tamara Ivanovna\u2019s thinly veiled contempt, which would surely make it clear that Alina\u2019s family didn\u2019t belong.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll right,\u201d Stepan relented. \u201cBut invite him to dinner afterward. I\u2019ll be free around seven and come over.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alina buried her face in his shoulder, hiding tears of gratitude. What she loved most about her husband was how genuinely he cared about her feelings.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust let\u2019s not tell your mother about Kostya yet,\u201d she asked. \u201cShe\u2019ll want to meet him, and he doesn\u2019t have much time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stepan gently released her and looked into her eyes.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlin, eventually Mom will have to meet your brother. She needs to understand that you have a family, too.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, but not now,\u201d Alina looked away. \u201cFirst we have to survive tonight\u2019s dinner.\u201d<\/p>\n
The clock read 4:30. With an hour and a half until Tamara Ivanovna\u2019s dinner, Alina went to the bedroom to prepare\u2014or rather, to steel herself for another round of veiled barbs about her lack of education, sophistication, and social polish. She knew Stepan sincerely hoped the two most important women in his life would reconcile, but she had nearly lost hope.<\/p>\n
Caf\u00e9 \u201cAquarelle\u201d sat on a quiet alley not far from the city center. Alina chose a window table, glancing at her watch. Kostya was never punctual, but today she was glad of the delay\u2014it gave her time to collect her thoughts after yesterday\u2019s tense dinner at her mother-in-law\u2019s.<\/p>\n
Yesterday, Tamara Ivanovna had been unusually restrained, though she couldn\u2019t help commenting that Alina\u2019s blouse\u2014bought at a regular shopping mall\u2014looked \u201cquite cute for its price,\u201d and that Alina\u2019s haircut was \u201cpractical, though lacking refinement.\u201d Stepan had frowned but said nothing; Alina, as always, had smiled and nodded, swallowing her resentment along with the gourmet meal.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlinka!\u201d came a joyful call, and she looked up.<\/p>\n
Kostya, sun-tanned and thinner from working down south, stood at the caf\u00e9 door with a broad smile. Alina jumped up, and a moment later her brother had lifted her off the ground in a tight hug.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re like nothing weighs you down,\u201d he teased, setting her back down. \u201cDoes your husband starve you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOn the contrary,\u201d Alina laughed, sitting again. \u201cStepan believes good food solves all problems.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kostya plopped into the chair opposite her and studied her face.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny problems?\u201d he asked, immediately serious.<\/p>\n
Alina waved her hand. \u201cJust the usual family stuff. Nothing special.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMother-in-law giving you a hard time?\u201d Kostya always had a knack for reading her. \u201cI remember you said she wasn\u2019t thrilled with our match.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alina sighed as she looked at the menu. \u201cLet\u2019s not be sad. Tell me about you. Did you find work in Krasnodar?\u201d<\/p>\n
Seeing she didn\u2019t want to talk about her troubles, Kostya didn\u2019t press. They spent the next hour talking about his new job in construction, his plans to start his own firm, and old friends. When dessert arrived, Alina finally asked:<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe you\u2019ll come over tonight? Stepan really wants to see you. He\u2019ll be free around seven.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d love to,\u201d Kostya nodded. \u201cBut first I need to stop by Sergeich to pick up some documents. It won\u2019t take long, then I\u2019ll come straight to you.\u201d<\/p>\n
They chatted a bit more, then Kostya insisted on paying despite Alina\u2019s protests, and they left the caf\u00e9, hugging again goodbye.<\/p>\n
Alina didn\u2019t notice that Galina Petrovna\u2014Tamara Ivanovna\u2019s neighbor\u2014had been sitting at the next table.<\/p>\n
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\nDinner at Tamara Ivanovna\u2019s began, as always, with aperitifs in the living room. Besides Stepan and Alina, there were Stepan\u2019s cousin with her husband and Galina Petrovna, a retired colonel\u2019s widow who lived next door and was the hostess\u2019s best friend.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlina, dear, you look especially\u2026 rested today,\u201d Tamara Ivanovna remarked, appraising her daughter-in-law. \u201cWas it a good day?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you, Tamara Ivanovna,\u201d Alina forced a smile. \u201cJust a normal day at work.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd lunch?\u201d Galina Petrovna suddenly asked, giving Alina a curious look. \u201cWhere did you have lunch today?\u201d<\/p>\n
Alina blinked in surprise. \u201cAt the caf\u00e9 near the library. Why?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, nothing,\u201d Galina Petrovna exchanged a meaningful glance with Tamara Ivanovna. \u201cJust curious.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stepan, seated in an armchair with a glass of wine, frowned at the tone in which his mother\u2019s friend had spoken. But before he could say anything, Tamara Ivanovna announced that dinner was served, and everyone moved to the dining room.<\/p>\n
At first the conversation around the table was neutral\u2014about the weather, the latest city news, the upcoming park renovation. Alina almost relaxed, until Galina Petrovna leaned over and whispered something to Tamara Ivanovna. The hostess\u2019s face changed in an instant\u2014her lips pressed into a thin line, her eyes narrowed.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlina,\u201d Tamara Ivanovna\u2019s voice was deceptively soft, \u201cI didn\u2019t realize you were so\u2026 secretive. I wonder what other interesting\u2026 acquaintances you keep.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alina looked at her mother-in-law in confusion. \u201cWhat do you mean, Tamara Ivanovna?\u201d<\/p>\n
Tamara Ivanovna sipped her wine. \u201cYour companion today,\u201d she said, turning to Stepan. \u201cGalina saw you at the caf\u00e9 with a young man. You two looked very\u2026 close.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stepan set down his fork and faced his mother. \u201cMom, what are you talking about?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat your wife apparently spends time with strange men,\u201d Tamara Ivanovna cut in. \u201cGalina saw you embrace.\u201d<\/p>\n
Silence hung in the air. Alina felt her cheeks flush. She opened her mouth to explain, but Tamara Ivanovna wouldn\u2019t let her speak.<\/p>\n
\u201cI always thought it suspicious that such a simple girl could wrap my son around her finger so quickly,\u201d she continued, lifting her chin proudly. \u201cI suppose you have a lot of experience, don\u2019t you, Alinochka?\u201d
\nTamara Ivanovna, you\u2019ve got it all wrong,\u201d Alina said, her fingers clutching the napkin beneath the table. \u201cThat was my brother Kostya. He came to town for just one day.\u201d<\/p>\n
The sharp clink of the glass Tamara Ivanovna had set down sounded unexpectedly harsh.<\/p>\n
\u201cOh, your brother?\u201d she arched an eyebrow sarcastically. \u201cHow convenient. And why haven\u2019t we heard a word about him until now?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMother,\u201d Stepan leaned forward, \u201cI knew Kostya was coming. Alina told me everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd you believe that fairy tale?\u201d Tamara Ivanovna fixed her son with a look of genuine incredulity. \u201cStepan, you\u2019ve always been trusting, but this is ridiculous!\u201d<\/p>\n
Cousin Galina Petrovna, savoring the effect she had created, was quick to add, \u201cThey hugged each other so much, stared at each other\u2026 It didn\u2019t look at all like a sibling reunion, if you ask me.\u201d<\/p>\n
A lump rose in Alina\u2019s throat. Tamara Ivanovna\u2019s cousin and her husband exchanged glances and began to examine their plates with exaggerated interest.<\/p>\n
\u201cGalina Petrovna,\u201d Alina tried to keep her voice steady, \u201cI haven\u2019t seen my brother in nearly a year. We were simply happy to see each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSure, sure,\u201d the neighbor agreed with feigned naivet\u00e9. \u201cExcept it\u2019s odd that this \u2018brother\u2019 looks exactly like the young man I saw near your house a couple of months ago. Was that a \u2018brotherly\u2019 hug too?\u201d<\/p>\n
Stepan straightened abruptly. \u201cGalina Petrovna, where on earth did you get that information?\u201d<\/p>\n
The neighbor flushed with indignation. \u201cI was just walking by and\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2014And happened to be in a different part of the city,\u201d Stepan finished for her. \u201cAmazing how often these coincidences occur for you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tamara Ivanovna rapped her knife on the rim of her plate to call attention back to herself. \u201cLet\u2019s not get distracted. The fact remains: Alina was seeing a man and hid it from us.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMother, I repeat: that was her brother,\u201d Stepan\u2019s patience was clearly wearing thin. \u201cKostya came on business for one day.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSo why didn\u2019t he stop in to meet his sister\u2019s family?\u201d Tamara Ivanovna parried. \u201cSomething about your story doesn\u2019t add up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Seeing the tension rise, Alina tried to defuse the situation. \u201cKostya plans to come by this evening. You can all join us and meet him, Tamara Ivanovna.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her mother-in-law let out a short laugh. \u201cHow sweet of you to offer that now. Had time to call and arrange it while we\u2019ve been sitting here?\u201d<\/p>\n
With a clatter, Stepan pushed back his chair and stood. \u201cMother, that\u2019s enough. This has gone too far.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cToo far?\u201d Tamara Ivanovna also rose, leaning on the table with both hands. \u201cYou\u2019ve brought a deceiver into my home who\u2019s got you wrapped around her finger! And now she\u2019s lying to our faces!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTamara, maybe you should listen\u2014\u201d began the husband of Tamara\u2019s cousin, but he fell silent under the icy glare of the hostess.<\/p>\n
\u201cShut up, Viktor! You don\u2019t understand anything!\u201d she snapped, turning back to her son. \u201cFrom the start I told you she isn\u2019t one of us. She\u2019s hunting your money, your status.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAlina\u2019s been working at the library for five years and didn\u2019t quit her job after marriage, even though I offered,\u201d Stepan said coldly. \u201cThat\u2019s a strange way to \u2018hunt for your money.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s camouflage!\u201d Tamara Ivanovna exclaimed. \u201cA distraction! She\u2019s playing you, and you\u2019re gobbling it up!\u201d<\/p>\n
Alina stared silently at her plate. In the past year of marriage she had learned to detach herself from scenes like this\u2014but today\u2019s accusation stung too deeply.<\/p>\n
\u201cMother, stop,\u201d Stepan\u2019s voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. \u201cI\u2019m asking you for the last time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, son, I will speak,\u201d Tamara Ivanovna swept her gaze over the assembled guests as if calling them to witness. \u201cI\u2019ve been silent for a year, turned a blind eye. To how this \u2026 girl latched onto you and pulled you away from your family. To how she pretends to be modest while she\u2019s running around with men behind your back.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTamara Ivanovna, I swear I\u2019ve done nothing of the sort\u2014\u201d Alina began, but her mother-in-law cut her off with a wave.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou won\u2019t get a word in! Sit and listen!\u201d Tamara hissed. \u201cI\u2019m your mother! I know what\u2019s best for my son, and it\u2019s certainly not some nobody librarian who sits in cafes with men!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStepan, I asked her to\u2014\u201d Alina tried again.<\/p>\n
\u201cBe quiet!\u201d Stepan raised his hand, and even his mother fell silent, stunned by the fury blazing in his eyes. \u201cI\u2019ve put up with your antics for a year. Your insinuations, your mockery, your contempt. I hoped you\u2019d come to your senses and see what a wonderful, kind, sincere woman I chose. But you refused. You enjoy making her suffer.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStepan, I only wanted\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShut up!\u201d he snarled. \u201cI don\u2019t care what you wanted! I see exactly what you\u2019re doing! Alina never once answered back. She endured it all for my sake. But my patience has run out!\u201d<\/p>\n
He turned to his wife, who sat with her head bowed, and held out his hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlina, we\u2019re leaving. Right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hesitantly, she placed her palm in his and stood.<\/p>\n
\u201cStepan, don\u2019t do this,\u201d Tamara Ivanovna pleaded, as they headed for the door. \u201cLet\u2019s talk calmly\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s nothing to talk about,\u201d Stepan cut in. \u201cFrom today on, consider that you have no son until you apologize to Alina\u2014sincerely, on your knees\u2014and then we\u2019re strangers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cStepan\u2014\u201d Alina whispered.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re doing the right thing,\u201d he said firmly, looking only at her. \u201cThis should have happened long ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
They walked out, leaving stunned guests and Tamara Ivanovna frozen in mortal offense.<\/p>\n
\u201cStepan!\u201d she called to him in the entryway. \u201cIf you go now, don\u2019t think of coming back!\u201d<\/p>\n
He didn\u2019t look back as he helped Alina into her coat.<\/p>\n
\u201cFine, Mother. We won\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
The door closed behind them with a finality that ended the protracted conflict.<\/p>\n
In the taxi, they were silent. Alina furtively wiped away her tears, while Stepan stared out the window, still seething with anger. Only once they were home, having shed their outerwear and settled at the kitchen table with cups of tea, did they finally speak.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d Stepan took his wife\u2019s hands in his. \u201cI hoped she would change, that she\u2019d understand. But I was such a fool.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not your fault,\u201d Alina offered a weak smile. \u201cYou only wanted what was best.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, it is,\u201d he insisted. \u201cI should have stood up to her from the start, not let her insult you all year. But now it\u2019s over. I won\u2019t let anyone hurt you again\u2014even if it\u2019s my mother.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alina\u2019s phone rang\u2014it was Kostya. She quickly filled her brother in on what had happened and asked if they could postpone their meeting until tomorrow.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe suggested going to see your mother,\u201d she said after hanging up. \u201cHe says he\u2019s ready to explain everything to her.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stepan shook his head. \u201cNo. It won\u2019t help. Even if she believes he\u2019s your brother, she\u2019ll just find another excuse to start a scandal. I turned a blind eye for too long. We did the right thing by leaving.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut she is your mother,\u201d Alina gently reminded him. \u201cSooner or later you\u2019ll have to make peace.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOnly after she apologizes to you,\u201d Stepan said firmly. \u201cUntil then\u2014no contact. I chose you, Alina. And I will always choose you. Even if it\u2019s against the whole world.\u201d<\/p>\n
She buried her face in his shoulder, feeling the tension of the past hours finally ease.<\/p>\n
\u201cThank you,\u201d she whispered. \u201cThank you for standing by me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re a team,\u201d Stepan replied, kissing the top of her head. \u201cAnd no one can tear us apart. Not even my mother\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Styop, maybe we shouldn\u2019t go today? I could say I\u2019m not feeling well,\u201d Alina nervously tugged at the corner of the tablecloth, avoiding her husband\u2019s eyes. Stepan… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":25913,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25912","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n