Sofya set a vase of flowers on the table and critically examined 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 sat desserts from the city’s best patisserie. And the weather had not let them down. The country house was bathed in greenery and sunlight.
— Perhaps we really shouldn’t have spent so much? — Alexey entered the veranda, looking disapprovingly at the festive table.
— It’s your mother’s anniversary, — Sofya shrugged. — A seventy-year celebration only comes once in a lifetime.
— But she didn’t ask for anything like this, — said her husband. — A monetary gift would have sufficed.
Sofya sighed. Of course, Nina Petrovna hadn’t asked for anything. Her mother-in-law never liked to ask her daughter-in-law for anything. Especially when Sonya was earning more than her son. But then she would spend the whole year nagging that her daughter-in-law had embarrassed her in front of her friends.
— Do as you see fit, — Alexey turned away and left.
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 handle their own relationships.
The first to arrive were the mother-in-law’s friends. Three ladies in identical colorful dresses with matching haircuts. Only their names were different: Klavdiya Maksimovna, Valentina Semenovna, and Tamara Grigoryevna.
— Nina will be here soon, — announced Klavdiya Maksimovna as she surveyed the set table. — Oh, and is that caviar?
— Both black and red, — Sofya nodded.
— And where did the meat platter come from? — inquired Valentina Semenovna with curiosity. — Was it ordered from a restaurant?
— Yes, from “Beliy Aist” (The White Stork), — Sofya replied.
— How interesting, — squinted Tamara Grigoryevna. — So you’re all about elegance, then.
Sofya nodded silently and stepped aside to greet the other guests. She noticed the whispers among her mother-in-law’s friends but chose to ignore them. Let them say whatever they wanted. For her, Nina Petrovna’s comfort was more important.
When a car appeared on the driveway carrying the celebrant, Sofya waved her hand. The taxi stopped right at the doorstep. Out stepped a short woman in an elegant blue dress, with her hair combed back smoothly and wearing bold lipstick.
— Nina Petrovna, happy anniversary! — Sofya stepped forward with a bouquet of roses.
— Oh, you shouldn’t have, — the mother-in-law pursed her lips as she accepted the flowers. — Look at how much money you’ve spent!
— It’s from the heart, — Sofya smiled. — Come on, everyone is waiting for you.
The banquet began with toasts and congratulations. The guests noisily discussed the celebrant’s life, recalling amusing stories. Nina Petrovna sat at the head of the table with a strained smile, as if gracing everyone with her presence. Sofya noticed that her mother-in-law hardly touched any food, even though the dishes had been chosen specifically to her taste.
— Don’t you like it? — Sofya asked quietly, leaning toward her mother-in-law.
— Nothing, — Nina Petrovna replied dryly. — Just no appetite.
Sofya moved away to join Alexey, who was standing by the window.
— Your mother isn’t eating anything at all, — she observed.
— I see, — her husband shrugged. — Maybe she’s on a diet.
The female guests stole glances at Sofya with barely concealed interest. She could feel those looks on her skin. Whether it was envy or discontent, 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.
A vibration in her pocket signaled a phone call. It was a client. Sofya frowned. Although it was her day off, this project was too important.
— Excuse me, — she said, rising. — I need to answer.
Sofya left the house, heading to a secluded corner of the garden. There, no one would disturb her conversation.
— Sergey Valentinovich, good evening, — she greeted. — Yes, I remember the deadlines.
The conversation lasted a few minutes. When Sofya finished, she decided to return unnoticed. She didn’t want to draw unnecessary attention. Only as she approached the veranda did she hear her name. Or rather, she heard them talking about her.
— Your daughter-in-law is really climbing the career ladder, isn’t she? — Klavdiya Maksimovna’s voice was heard. — Aren’t you tired of putting up with someone like her?
Sofya froze, pressing herself against the wall of the house. She knew eavesdropping was wrong, but her legs wouldn’t let her move any further.
— Rich, independent, always having her own opinion, — Klavdiya Maksimovna continued. — How do you put up with such a daughter-in-law, Nina?
Laughter rang out on the veranda.
— What choice do I have? — Nina Petrovna snorted. — But I don’t worry. She’s not my son’s wife. Just a girl with money, nothing more! We’ll squeeze as much as we can out of her. And then I’ll find a suitable partner for my son.
Sofya’s heart clenched painfully. She had always known that her mother-in-law disliked her, but to this extent…
— Could I ever have wished for such a daughter-in-law? — Nina Petrovna went on. — She doesn’t listen to advice, doesn’t ask for opinions. And above all—she’s impossible to control.
Sofya’s throat went dry. She slowly stepped back from the wall. Alexey! He should be there with his mother. Could it be that he thinks the same? Peeking from behind the corner, Sofya saw that it was so—her husband was standing by his mother, silent. Not a word came in her defense. It was as if he agreed with every harsh phrase.
Her legs turned to jelly. Sofya slowly retreated behind the house, where no one could see her. Tears pricked her eyes. The pain of betrayal was unbearable. The cold evening air only intensified her feeling of loneliness.
“What for?” — Sofya thought, leaning against an old apple tree. — “What did I do wrong?”
She had invested herself fully in this marriage. She had supported her husband when his business went under. Cared for him when he was ill. And as soon as she became successful, they began to consider her an unsuitable wife.
Wiping away her tears, she adjusted her makeup. After a few minutes she took a deep breath and straightened up. It was time to go back to the celebration. Let no one suspect that she had heard everything.
“Well, my mother-in-law is right in one thing,” Sofya thought with a wry smile. — “I am indeed independent. And I’m not about to cry in front of these people.”
Straightening her shoulders, Sofya returned to the veranda. The guests continued their lively discussions, paying her no heed. Only Nina Petrovna watched her with a sharp glance. Alexey stood by the window with a glass in hand, casually chatting with some distant relative.
Sofya approached her husband and touched his elbow.
— I need to leave immediately, — she said calmly. — I got a call from work; there’s a problem with a project.
— On your day off? — Alexey didn’t even turn toward his wife. — Fine, go if you must.
No questions. No concern. Just an indifferent agreement. Inside, an icy calm spread.
— Stay with your mother, I’ll call a taxi, — she added.
Sofya noticed how Nina Petrovna smirked, clearly pleased that her daughter-in-law was leaving before everyone else. Their eyes met for a moment. Sonya smiled and nodded to her mother-in-law in farewell.
— Nina Petrovna, — Sofya said, — happy anniversary once again.
Sofya traveled 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 done nothing to make their home cozier. All the responsibilities had fallen on her shoulders, even though Sofya worked much harder than her husband.
Without excess emotion, Sofya took out a suitcase and carefully packed Alexey’s things. Shirts in one pile, trousers in another. Socks in a special bag. She did it methodically, as if carrying out a routine task.
After finishing with his belongings, she opened her laptop and found the contact information for a company specializing in door installations and lock replacements. Despite the late hour, the dispatcher promised to send a technician by nine in the morning. Sofya thanked him and hung up.
Sofya knew she was doing the right thing. For some reason, her soul felt lighter, as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders. She took a shower and went to bed.
At exactly nine in the morning, someone rang the doorbell. The technician worked quickly and professionally. An hour later, the old locks had been replaced with new ones, and Sofya received a set of keys.
Around ten, Alexey called, sounding displeased. Sofya didn’t explain the reason for her departure over the phone. Let him come and hear everything in person.
At half past ten, the doorbell rang again. Sofya opened the door and saw her bewildered husband. Alexey looked disheveled, as if he hadn’t slept well.
— What’s going on? — he asked, attempting to come in.
Sofya blocked his way.
— I heard your conversation at the anniversary, — she said calmly, looking Alexey straight in the eyes. — “She’s not my son’s wife. Just a girl with money, nothing more!” I quote your mother verbatim.
Alexey paled and lowered his gaze.
— Those are just words, — his husband mumbled. — You know how your mother is, she always speaks like that. It’s her celebration, she’s the star, and everyone talks about you.
— But you were silent, — Sofya snapped. — You stood there and didn’t say a word in my defense.
— I didn’t want any conflicts, — Alexey tried to justify himself. — Why make things worse? We’ll drink and forget all about it.
Sofya shook her head. By the door stood a suitcase with her husband’s belongings.
— It took me only one night to realize that I don’t need this marriage.
— You can’t just decide everything like that! — Alexey protested.
— I can and I have decided, — Sofya declared firmly. — I’m filing for divorce. I don’t want to spend any more time or money on people who don’t appreciate me.
Alexey grabbed his suitcase and retreated toward the stairs.
— You’ll regret this someday, — he tossed as a final remark.
Sofya closed the door. Inside, she felt a resolute certainty. Enough was enough. Five years of an unequal marriage was enough time to understand that nothing would ever change.
An hour later the phone rang. Nina Petrovna’s name appeared on the screen. Sofya took a deep breath and answered.
— What do you think you’re doing?! — Nina Petrovna’s voice rang with indignation. — How could you cast my son out?!
Sofya silently listened to the stream of accusations—“selfish,” “careerist,” “heartless.” Her mother-in-law spared no harsh words. Then came the final blow.
— With your behavior, you have endangered our family! — Nina Petrovna exclaimed. — I always knew you’d only bring trouble!
Sofya smiled. Unassailable logic.
— Nina Petrovna, — she replied calmly, — if you were so dissatisfied with the daughter-in-law who paid for your anniversary, now you’ll have the chance to find someone better.
Without waiting for a reply, Sofya hung up and turned off the phone. Ahead lay a new life—without constant criticism, toxic relatives, and a husband who was never on her side. Just the thought of how much strength and nerve she would now preserve brought a sense of lightness to her heart.
“Free,” Sofya thought.
She did not regret her decision. Five years were enough to realize that the person next to her was not the one. Sofya knew that everything would be different now.