“Vlad, Your Sister Said I’m Living off You! Tell Her I Have My Own Account — and a Very Nice One”
Elizaveta was washing the dishes after dinner when she heard the front door slam. Vlad had come home from work. She dried her hands on a towel and went out into the hallway.
“Hi. How was your day?” she asked, kissing her husband on the cheek.
“Fine. Just tired,” Vlad said, taking off his jacket and heading into the kitchen. “What’s for dinner?”
“Pasta with chicken. I’ll heat it up now.”
They had been living in a rented one-room apartment on the outskirts of the city for a year. The apartment was small, but it felt like theirs. Well, not exactly theirs — it was rented — but they felt at home there. No one interfered with advice about where to put the furniture or what to hang on the walls.
On weekends, they visited Vlad’s parents. Anna Petrovna, his mother, always set the table, asked about their jobs, and took interest in their plans. Elizaveta could not complain about her mother-in-law’s attitude — she treated her evenly, without nitpicking or coldness.
They hardly spoke with Vlad’s father, Sergei Nikolaevich. He was a quiet man who preferred sitting in his armchair with a newspaper while the women busied themselves in the kitchen.
But things were more complicated with Vlad’s sister.
Kristina was three years younger than her brother, but she behaved as if the whole world revolved around her. She changed boyfriends like gloves. One day she would show up at her parents’ place in tears after another breakup, and the next she would boast about a new admirer.
Kristina also changed jobs regularly. Either she did not like the team, or the boss was too demanding, or the salary was too low. Elizaveta had tried several times to talk to her kindly and give advice, but Kristina either ignored her words or snapped back.
“Liza, are we going to my parents’ again on Saturday?” Vlad asked, twirling pasta around his fork.
“Yes. Your mother called and invited us.”
“All right. Just warning you — Kristina will be there.”
Elizaveta sighed. That was news.
Kristina only appeared at her parents’ place when she needed something or when another personal drama had happened. Between those visits, she could disappear for months.
Elizaveta remembered their first meeting. It had been at Anna Petrovna’s birthday party two years earlier, when she and Vlad had only just started dating.
Kristina had entered her parents’ apartment, looked Elizaveta up and down with an appraising glance, and said through her teeth:
“Oh, so this is Vlad’s new one? I wonder how long you’ll last.”
Elizaveta had been taken aback and had not known how to react. Vlad had reprimanded his sister then, but Kristina had merely shrugged and gone into the kitchen.
Their relationship had not improved since. At every meeting, Kristina found a way to sting Elizaveta. Sometimes she hinted that Elizaveta dressed badly, sometimes she commented on her hairstyle, and sometimes she mockingly asked about her job.
Elizaveta worked at a large IT company as a project manager. The job was well paid and interesting. On top of that, she periodically received bonuses for successfully completed projects. She put that money into a separate account.
She also had an inheritance from her grandmother. It was not very large, but it was enough to begin saving for a mortgage down payment. Elizaveta dreamed of having her own apartment. Vlad knew about it and fully supported his wife.
“Don’t worry about Kristina,” he said, finishing his tea. “If anything happens, I’ll put her in her place.”
“All right,” Elizaveta nodded, though inside she felt tense with a sense that trouble was coming.
On Wednesday, Elizaveta worked from home. She had a project deadline and decided not to waste time commuting. Vlad left for the office early in the morning, promising to return by seven in the evening.
Elizaveta was sitting at her laptop when the doorbell rang. She frowned — she was not expecting anyone.
Looking through the peephole, she saw Kristina.
“Open up, I know you’re home!” her sister-in-law shouted.
Elizaveta sighed and opened the door.
“Hi, Kristina. Did something happen?”
“No, I just decided to drop by,” Kristina said, walking into the apartment without waiting for an invitation. “Is Vlad here?”
“He’s at work.”
“I see. Well, fine. You’ll do too.”
Kristina went into the room and began looking around. Elizaveta closed her laptop — there was no way she could work with such a guest around.
“Would you like some tea?” she offered.
“Sure.”
They went into the kitchen. Elizaveta put the kettle on and took out some cookies. Kristina sat down at the table and continued examining the apartment.
“Not bad here,” she drawled. “Did you buy a new TV?”
“Yes, last month.”
“Expensive?”
Elizaveta shrugged.
“Average. Normal.”
“Did Vlad buy it?”
“We bought it together.”
Kristina smirked but said nothing. Elizaveta poured tea into cups and sat across from her.
“How are things with you?” she asked, trying to be polite.
“Fine. I found a new job.”
“Where?”
“At a beauty salon. As an administrator.”
“That’s good. Do you like it?”
“So far, yes. We’ll see how long I last.”
They drank tea in silence. Elizaveta felt the tension and could not understand why Kristina had come.
“And is your sofa new too?” Kristina suddenly asked, nodding toward the living room.
“Not exactly. We bought it six months ago.”
“Was it expensive?”
“Kristina, why do you need to know?”
Her sister-in-law shrugged.
“I’m curious. My brother bought it, right?”
Elizaveta set her cup down.
“We bought it together. We both chipped in.”
“Sure, of course,” Kristina said, getting up and walking into the room. Elizaveta followed her.
Kristina went up to the TV and touched the screen.
“My brother bought this too.”
“Kristina…”
“And this table,” she pointed at the coffee table by the sofa. “And this lamp. And the rug. My brother bought everything.”
Elizaveta folded her arms across her chest.
“My parents gave us the lamp as a housewarming gift. I bought the rug myself. And yes, Vlad bought the table.”
“There, you see!” Kristina exclaimed triumphantly. “You live off my brother!”
“What?!”
“Yes, yes, don’t deny it. He bought all these things! And you pretend to be independent!”
Elizaveta felt her face flush.
“What are you even talking about? I work! I earn my own money! Vlad and I split expenses equally!”
“Oh, come on,” Kristina waved her hand. “Everyone knows women say one thing and do another. You sit here in his apartment, use his things, and then tell everyone how independent you are.”
“This is a rented apartment! We pay for it together!”
“Sure, of course. Half and half,” Kristina smirked. “Don’t make me laugh. You don’t really work anyway.”
“I do work! As a project manager!”
“Right, you sit in an office and drink coffee. Some job.”
Elizaveta took a deep breath, trying to hold back her rage.
“Kristina, did you come here to insult me?”
“I’m telling the truth. You just don’t want to hear it.”
“What truth? You know nothing about our life!”
“I know enough. My brother spends money on you, and you take advantage of it.”
“I do not take advantage of him! I earn my own money! I have my own money!”
Kristina laughed.
“Your own money? Seriously? How much do you have in your account? Fifty thousand?”
Elizaveta clenched her fists. She had no intention of discussing her finances with this woman.
“That’s none of your business.”
“Exactly. You have nothing. You live off my brother and still act arrogant.”
“Enough! Get out of my apartment!”
“Your apartment?” Kristina raised an eyebrow. “This is my brother’s apartment. You’re just a temporary resident here.”
“Get out! Now!”
“Fine, fine, I’m leaving. No need to get hysterical. Otherwise you’ll run and complain to Vlad that I offended you.”
Elizaveta threw the door open.
“Out!”
Kristina slowly put on her jacket and picked up her bag.
“I’ll tell my brother how you spoke to me. We’ll see what he says.”
“Tell him whatever you want! Just get out!”
Kristina stepped over the threshold and turned around.
“You’ll regret this.”
“I doubt it.”
Elizaveta slammed the door and leaned against it. Her hands were shaking with indignation. How dared she? How dared she come here and insult her?
She went into the kitchen, poured herself some water, and drank it in large gulps. She needed to calm down. Wait for Vlad and tell him everything.
Vlad came home at half past seven. Elizaveta met him in the hallway.
“Liza, did something happen?” he immediately noticed her tense face.
“Yes. Your sister came by.”
“Kristina? Why?”
They went into the kitchen. Elizaveta told him everything that had happened. Vlad listened, frowning more and more.
“She really said that?” he asked when his wife finished.
“Yes! She walked around the whole apartment, pointed at things, and said you bought all of it! That I live off you!”
“This is nonsense.”
“Vlad, your sister said I’m living off you! Tell her I have my own account — and a very nice one.”
Vlad stood up and paced around the kitchen.
“I’ll talk to her. I’ll call her right now.”
“Not now. I’m tired of this conversation. Let’s do it tomorrow.”
Vlad sat back down and took his wife’s hand.
“Liza, you know I don’t think you live off me, right?”
“I know.”
“We’re a family. We earn together, we spend together. You work no less than I do, sometimes even more. Don’t listen to Kristina. She’s just… that way.”
“What way?”
Vlad sighed.
“Envious. She’s always been envious. If someone is doing well, she always finds a way to spoil their mood.”
“Why does she behave like that?”
“I don’t know. Maybe because nothing works out for her. She changes jobs every three months, things don’t go well with men. She sees that we’re doing fine, and it makes her angry.”
“What does that have to do with me?”
“Nothing. You’re just an easy target.”
Elizaveta took a sip of tea that had already gone cold.
“I don’t want to communicate with her anymore.”
“I understand. But on Saturday we’re going to my parents’, and she’ll be there.”
“Maybe we shouldn’t go?”
“Liza, Mom will be offended. Let’s go, but I’ll make sure Kristina keeps her mouth shut.”
On Saturday, they went to Vlad’s parents. Anna Petrovna met them at the door, but her smile was strained.
“Come in,” she said coldly.
Elizaveta sensed that something was wrong. They took off their shoes and went into the kitchen. Sergei Nikolaevich was sitting at the table with a newspaper and nodded in greeting.
Kristina came out of the room with a triumphant look.
“Oh, here are the newlyweds!” she drawled.
Elizaveta nodded silently and sat at the table. Vlad sat beside her.
Anna Petrovna was setting the table — salads, roasted chicken, potatoes. Everything was as usual. But the atmosphere was tense.
“So, how are things?” Sergei Nikolaevich asked, putting down his newspaper.
“Fine,” Vlad answered. “A lot of work, but we’re managing.”
“That’s good,” his father nodded.
Kristina poured herself some tea, sat opposite Elizaveta, and stared at her.
“Mom, did you hear what happened this week?” she began.
Anna Petrovna turned around.
“What happened?”
“I stopped by Vlad and Liza’s place on Wednesday. I just wanted to visit and see how they were doing.”
Elizaveta tensed.
“And do you know what Liza did? She kicked me out! Just took me and kicked me out!”
“What?!” Anna Petrovna turned to Elizaveta. “Is that true?”
“Not exactly…”
“Yes, exactly!” Kristina interrupted. “I came over, we were talking peacefully, and then she suddenly started shouting at me! She demanded that I get out!”
“That’s a lie!” Elizaveta stood up from the table. “You came and started insulting me! You said I live off Vlad!”
“I never said that!”
“You did!”
Anna Petrovna slammed her spoon down on the table.
“Elizaveta, how dare you speak to my son’s sister that way?”
“But she—”
“No buts! Kristina came to visit you, and you kicked her out! That’s disrespectful!”
“Mom, wait,” Vlad intervened. “Liza told me everything. Kristina really did say nasty things.”
“Nasty things? What nasty things?” Kristina pretended to be surprised. “I simply asked who bought the TV! Is that an insult?”
“You said I live off your brother!” Elizaveta raised her voice.
“I did not! I said Vladik was a good man for taking care of you! You took it as an insult!”
“That’s not true!”
Anna Petrovna stood up and approached Elizaveta.
“Listen to me, young lady. Kristina is my daughter. Vladislav is my son. And I will not allow you to turn them against each other!”
“I’m not turning anyone against anyone! She herself—”
“Stop making excuses! You should have been hospitable! Instead, you kicked her out!”
Vlad stood up from the table.
“Mom, Kristina, stay out of it, because this is my wife, and I will protect her.”
Silence fell. Anna Petrovna stared at her son.
“What did you say?”
“I said, stay out of it. Elizaveta is my wife. And if she says Kristina insulted her, then that’s what happened. I know my wife. She doesn’t lie.”
“Vladislav!” Anna Petrovna turned pale. “You’re choosing her over your family?”
“She is my family. Mom, I love you. I love Kristina too. But Liza is my wife. And I’m on her side.”
Kristina jumped up from the table.
“You see, Mom?! See what she’s done to him! She turned him against his own family!”
“No one turned me against anyone,” Vlad said firmly. “I see everything myself. Kristina, you behaved badly. And I demand that you apologize to Liza.”
“What?! Me?! Apologize?!”
“Yes. You.”
Kristina laughed, but the laugh came out hysterical.
“Never! I’m not guilty of anything!”
“Then we’re leaving,” Vlad said, taking Elizaveta by the hand. “Liza, let’s go.”
“Vladislav, you have no right to leave!” Anna Petrovna shouted.
“I do. I’m sorry, Mom, but I won’t allow anyone to insult my wife. Not even relatives.”
They went into the hallway and put on their jackets. Sergei Nikolaevich still had not said a word — he sat at the table with an unreadable face.
“Vladislav, come back immediately!” Anna Petrovna’s voice trembled.
But Vlad opened the door, and they left.
In the car, Elizaveta was silent. Vlad started the engine and drove out of the yard.
“Liza, forgive me,” he said quietly.
“For what?”
“For the way my family behaves.”
“You’re not guilty of anything.”
“I am. I should have put Kristina in her place earlier. At the very first meeting. But I thought it was just her character, that she would grow out of it.”
“She won’t.”
“I know.”
They drove in silence. Elizaveta looked out the window, trying to calm down.
“What happens now?” she asked.
“I don’t know. I think we won’t communicate with them for a while.”
“Your mother will be offended.”
“Let her be. She took Kristina’s side without figuring out the situation. That was her choice.”
“And if she doesn’t forgive you?”
Vlad shrugged.
“Then she doesn’t. But I chose you. And I don’t regret it.”
After that incident, they really did stop visiting Vlad’s parents. Anna Petrovna called a couple of times, but the conversations were short and strained.
Instead, they began visiting Elizaveta’s parents more often. Olga Viktorovna and Igor Alexandrovich always welcomed their son-in-law warmly, asked about work, and joked.
“Vlad, how are things at work?” Igor Alexandrovich would ask, pouring tea.
“Good. We successfully closed a project, and I got a bonus.”
“Well done! And how is Liza doing?”
“She’s doing great too. Next week she’s starting a new project.”
Olga Viktorovna set the table — pies, salads, homemade preserves.
“Eat, eat. Don’t be shy.”
Elizaveta looked at her husband and felt grateful. He had truly chosen her. He had not been afraid of conflict with his mother and sister.
“Liza, what are you thinking about?” Vlad asked when they were returning home.
“Nothing. I’m just thinking about what a good man you are.”
“Why?”
“Because you defended me. Not every man would do that.”
Vlad shrugged.
“You’re my wife. Who am I if I don’t protect you?”
Elizaveta smiled and took his hand.
They continued living their lives. They worked, saved money, and made plans. Every month Elizaveta put part of her salary and bonuses into her account. Vlad knew about it and supported her.
“How much more do you need for the down payment?” he sometimes asked.
“About a year. Maybe a little less.”
“Excellent. That means we’ll have our own apartment soon.”
“Yes. Finally.”
A year passed. Then another six months. Elizaveta saved stubbornly, denying herself unnecessary expenses.
One evening, she was sitting at her laptop and browsing apartment listings. Vlad came up behind her and looked over her shoulder.
“Looking at options?”
“Yes. I like this one,” she said, pointing to a photo of a two-room apartment in a new building. “Not far from the center, a good district, reasonable price.”
“Let’s go see it.”
The next day, they went for a viewing. The apartment turned out to be even better than in the photos. Bright, spacious, with good renovations.
“Do you like it?” the realtor asked.
“Very much,” Elizaveta nodded.
“Would you like to leave a deposit?”
She looked at Vlad. He nodded.
“Yes. I’ll leave one.”
A week later, they were finalizing the deal. Elizaveta sat in the notary’s office and signed the documents. The apartment was being registered in her name — it was being bought with her money.
“Vlad, are you sure you don’t mind that it’s in my name?” she asked before signing.
“Of course I don’t mind. It’s your money, your apartment. Register it however you want.”
Elizaveta signed the last document. The apartment officially became hers.
The move went quickly. They transported their things and bought the missing furniture. Vlad helped assemble wardrobes, hang shelves, and connect appliances.
“What do you think?” Elizaveta asked when they had finished settling in.
“It’s wonderful. This is our home.”
“Ours,” she repeated and hugged her husband.
They were happy. At last, they had their own place. No rented apartment, no landlords to pay every month.
Several months passed. One evening, Anna Petrovna called.
“Vlad, it’s Mom.”
“Hi, Mom.”
“Listen, your father’s anniversary is in two weeks. I wanted to arrange a family celebration. Will you come?”
Vlad was silent for a moment, then looked at Elizaveta. She shrugged — it was his decision.
“We’ll come,” he said.
“Good. I’ll be waiting.”
After hanging up, Vlad hugged his wife.
“Are you sure you want to go?”
“I don’t know. Do you?”
“My father is my father. He isn’t guilty of anything. I don’t want him to think I’m angry with him.”
“All right. We’ll go.”
On the day of the anniversary, they arrived at Vlad’s parents’ place. Anna Petrovna opened the door. Her smile was forced.
“Come in.”
Relatives had already gathered in the apartment — uncles, aunts, cousins. Sergei Nikolaevich sat at the head of the table accepting congratulations.
Kristina stood by the window with a glass of wine. When she saw Vlad and Elizaveta, she merely nodded.
“Happy anniversary, Dad,” Vlad said, hugging his father and handing him a gift.
“Thank you, son.”
They sat at the table. Anna Petrovna served salads and appetizers. The atmosphere was tense, but everyone tried to keep up appearances.
The feast began. Guests congratulated Sergei Nikolaevich, made toasts, and laughed at old stories.
At one point, one of the uncles turned to Vlad.
“So, how are you living, nephew? Still renting an apartment?”
Vlad smiled.
“No. We bought our own.”
Silence fell around the table.
“Bought one?” the uncle repeated. “Congratulations! Well done!”
“Thank you. Actually, my wife bought the apartment. With her own money.”
Kristina choked on her wine. Anna Petrovna froze with a spoon in her hand.
“What do you mean, with her own money?” she asked quietly.
“Exactly that. Liza saved for several years. Plus her inheritance from her grandmother. It was enough for the down payment.”
“You… you registered the apartment in her name?” mistrust sounded in his mother’s voice.
“She registered it in her own name. It’s her money, her apartment.”
Kristina abruptly stood up from the table.
“What?! You allowed her to buy an apartment without you?”
“Why without me? I live there.”
“But it’s in her name!”
“So what? Is that a problem?”
Anna Petrovna put her spoon down.
“Vladislav, you don’t understand what you’re doing! If you divorce, you’ll be left without housing!”
Vlad laughed.
“Mom, we’re not planning to divorce. And anyway, what business is it of yours whose name the apartment is in?”
“We do care!” Kristina flared up. “You’re our brother! We’re worried about you!”
“Worried?” Vlad looked at his sister. “Or jealous?”
“What?!”
“You heard me perfectly. You’re jealous that Liza managed to save for an apartment. And you didn’t.”
Kristina turned pale.
“I’m not jealous!”
“Oh, yes, you are. Remember how you came to our place and said Liza was living off me? Well, it turned out she has her own account. And a very nice one.”
Elizaveta sat silently, watching what was happening. Inside, everything sang with triumph.
Anna Petrovna stood up from the table.
“Vladislav, I will not allow you to speak to your sister like that!”
“And I won’t allow my sister to insult my wife. Mom, enough. Enough defending Kristina. She is a grown woman and should answer for her words.”
“But she…”
“She came to our home and accused Liza of living off me. She said nasty things and humiliated her. And when Liza asked her to leave, Kristina ran to complain to you. And you took her side without understanding what had happened.”
Anna Petrovna lowered her eyes.
“I didn’t know…”
“You knew. You simply didn’t want to admit that your daughter was behaving badly.”
Kristina grabbed her bag.
“I’m not staying here and listening to this!”
“Then leave,” Vlad said calmly.
She looked at her mother, expecting support. But Anna Petrovna remained silent.
“Fine! I’m leaving! And I never want to see you again!”
Kristina ran out of the apartment, slamming the door. An awkward silence settled over the table.
Sergei Nikolaevich cleared his throat.
“Well, shall we continue the celebration?”
The guests nodded uncertainly. Someone poured wine, someone took an appetizer. Little by little, the meal resumed, but the atmosphere was no longer the same.
Anna Petrovna approached Elizaveta.
“I… forgive me. I really didn’t understand the situation back then.”
Elizaveta looked at her mother-in-law.
“You took Kristina’s side without even listening to me.”
“I know. It was wrong. It’s just… Kristina is my daughter. I have always defended her. Even when she was wrong.”
“That’s understandable. But I am also part of your family. And I deserve respect.”
Anna Petrovna nodded.
“You’re right. Forgive me.”
Elizaveta did not answer. She was not ready to forgive so quickly. Too many resentments had built up.
Vlad took his wife’s hand under the table. She squeezed his palm in response.
The celebration continued, but Elizaveta and Vlad left early. They said goodbye to Sergei Nikolaevich and wished him good health.
“Come visit again,” he said. “Don’t forget an old man.”
“We won’t forget you, Dad,” Vlad promised.
In the car, Elizaveta leaned back against the seat and closed her eyes.
“Tired?”
“Very.”
“But Kristina shut up.”
Elizaveta smirked.
“Yes. You should have seen her face when you said about the apartment.”
“I did. She almost choked.”
They laughed.
“You know,” Elizaveta said, “I’m glad I saved up for the apartment. Not only because we now have our own home. But also because I proved to Kristina that she was wrong.”
“You didn’t have to prove anything to her.”
“Maybe I didn’t. But it feels good.”
Vlad nodded.
“It feels good to me too. I’m proud of you.”
“Thank you.”
They came home. Elizaveta took off her shoes, went into the kitchen, and put the kettle on.
“Want some tea?”
“Sure.”
They sat in the kitchen, drank tea, and said nothing. But it was a pleasant silence. The silence of two people who understood each other without words.
The following months passed calmly. Anna Petrovna sometimes called, but the conversations were short. She did not apologize again, but she also made no complaints.
Kristina did not get in touch. Vlad wrote to her a couple of times, but she did not reply.
“She’s probably offended,” he said.
“Let her be,” Elizaveta answered. “I don’t feel sorry.”
They continued making the apartment cozy. Elizaveta bought new pillows for the sofa, hung pictures on the walls, and placed flowers on the windowsills.
“What do you think?” she asked her husband.
“Wonderful. It really feels like home here.”
Vlad got a promotion at work. His salary increased, and new opportunities appeared. They began saving money for a car.
“In a year or two, we’ll have enough,” Vlad said.
“Yes. That will be great.”
One day, Elizaveta met a friend of Kristina’s on the street. The woman greeted her and started a conversation.
“I heard you and Vlad bought an apartment?”
“Yes.”
“Congratulations! Kristina told me.”
“She told you?” Elizaveta was surprised.
“Yes. Though she wasn’t very happy. She said it was wrong that the apartment was in your name.”
“I see.”
“Don’t pay attention. Kristina just has… well, you know. That kind of personality.”
Elizaveta nodded and said goodbye. As she walked home, she thought that Kristina had not changed after all. She continued discussing her and Vlad behind their backs.
But it no longer mattered. They lived their own life — happy and peaceful.
A year and a half passed. Elizaveta was sitting in the office working on a presentation when her phone rang. The number was unfamiliar.
“Hello?”
“Liza, it’s Anna Petrovna.”
“Hello.”
“Listen, I was thinking… Maybe you could come over on the weekend? We haven’t seen each other in a long time.”
Elizaveta was silent for a moment.
“All right. I’ll ask Vlad.”
That evening, she told her husband about the call.
“What do you think?” she asked.
“I don’t know. Do you want to go?”
“Probably. They are still your parents.”
“All right. We’ll go.”
On Saturday, they went to Sergei Nikolaevich and Anna Petrovna’s place. Her mother-in-law greeted them with a smile, this time a sincere one.
“Come in, come in! I baked a pie!”
Kristina was not there. Elizaveta breathed a sigh of relief.
At the table, Anna Petrovna asked about their life and work. She was interested in how they had arranged the apartment.
“Maybe we could come see it sometime?”
“Of course,” Elizaveta nodded. “Come over.”
Sergei Nikolaevich silently ate pie and listened. Toward the end of dinner, he looked at Elizaveta.
“Liza, you’re a fine young woman. Not every girl can save up for an apartment at your age.”
“Thank you,” she smiled.
“And you, son, did well by supporting your wife,” he added, turning to Vlad.
“I’m always on her side,” Vlad replied.
Anna Petrovna nodded.
“That’s right. Family is what matters most.”
As they were leaving, Elizaveta felt that the tension between her and Vlad’s parents had finally begun to fade.
A few months later, Elizaveta learned that Kristina had moved to another city. She had found a job there and rented an apartment.
“Maybe she’ll finally start living her own life,” Vlad commented.
“Let’s hope so.”
Elizaveta and Vlad continued building their life together. They saved for a car, planned a vacation, and discussed the possibility of having a child.
One evening, they sat on the balcony with cups of coffee and looked out over the city.
“Do you know what I’m thinking about?” Elizaveta asked.
“What?”
“How much everything has changed over these couple of years. Remember when we rented that little one-room apartment?”
“I remember. You were afraid you wouldn’t manage to save for an apartment.”
“Yes. And now look — our own apartment, a good job, a beloved husband.”
Vlad put his arm around his wife.
“You achieved everything yourself. I was just beside you.”
“You weren’t just beside me. You supported me. You protected me when it was needed. That means a lot.”
“You’re my wife. I will always protect you.”
Elizaveta rested her head on his shoulder.
“I’m happy.”
“So am I.”
They sat in silence, watching the stars appear above the city. Ahead of them was life — shared, happy, full of plans and hopes.
And somewhere in another city, Kristina was arranging her own life. Maybe she had finally understood that one should think about oneself instead of envying someone else’s happiness.
But that no longer mattered. Elizaveta and Vlad had found what they had been striving for: independence, respect, and love.
And that was the most important thing.