A hot summer day was slowly drawing to an evening. The sun was still mercilessly scorching, but a pleasant coolness reigned in the spacious living room of the country house. Galina Petrovna, an elderly woman with gray hair and a kind face, sank into a soft armchair with relief.
“Oh, how nice it has become here!” she exclaimed, fanning herself with her hand.
Her daughter-in-law Lena, a young woman with chestnut hair and a determined look, nodded in response. She stood by the window, watching the asphalt melt from the heat outside.
“Indeed, it would be unbearable here without air conditioning,” Lena remarked. “Good thing we managed to install it before this heatwave started.”
Vasily Alekseevich, Lena’s father-in-law, a man with a stern appearance, unexpectedly spoke up from his corner:
“A wise purchase, no doubt about it.”
Kostya, Lena’s husband, beamed at his father’s rare praise.
“Dad!” he exclaimed enthusiastically. “All credit goes to Lena. She’s had the house in perfect order since last summer.”
Lena nodded again, feeling a mix of pride and slight irritation.
“Yes, it took a lot of effort,” she said. “This country house came from my uncle. Last summer, I was too busy at work to spend time on renovations, but over a few seasons, I managed to replace the floors, level the walls, and redo the wiring. Not to mention buying household and climate control appliances.”
She surveyed the spacious room, mentally noting every detail into which she had invested so much effort and resources. The new pastel-colored wallpapers, modern furniture, and large windows letting in plenty of light—all created an atmosphere of coziness and comfort.
“Now we can live here all summer peacefully,” Lena added, casting a meaningful glance at her mother-in-law.
Galina Petrovna seemed not to notice the hint. She leaned back in her chair with pleasure and drawled:
“Yes, dear, you’re right, it’s simply wonderful now. Vasya and I are so glad that we can spend the summer here away from the city’s hustle and bustle.”
Lena felt the tension inside her rising. Since the end of winter, her husband’s parents had been living here. They retired early and didn’t want to suffer in the city. Therefore, Galina Petrovna pressured Kostya, and he pressured Lena, and the woman agreed to let his father and mother stay in the house temporarily. Only then did she learn that her mother-in-law often invited Oleg’s family, Kostya’s younger brother, to join them. During these times, they had to bring much more food to feed everyone, all at Lena and Kostya’s expense. The woman tried to argue with her husband, but he brushed her off and persuaded her not to pay attention. However, Galina Petrovna didn’t understand hints or even direct words. She refused to leave.
“There’s even room for a backyard pool. You’ll buy it, right, Kostik?” her husband nodded, and Lena’s patience snapped. She apologized and dragged her husband to the back room.
As soon as they were alone, she burst out:
“Darling, our vacation starts in a few days. Maybe you could hint to your parents that it’s time for them to leave?” Lena hissed at her husband. “I’m fed up with this situation. Galina Petrovna changes the topic every time I mention that we want to live in the house during the summer.”
“Lena,” Kostya sighed, “but there’s still time.”
“No! We still need to clean up here, bring things over, stock the fridge. And your mom constantly invites guests—Oleg and Valya. I’m not going to feed them at my expense again. So tell her to start packing.”
No sooner had Lena finished speaking than her mother-in-law burst into the bedroom:
“Oh, what an important person you are! Look how you talk! Planning to kick me out!”
“Galina Petrovna, were you eavesdropping?” Lena asked displeased.
“Of course! I need to know what you’re up to! There’s no living peacefully with you!” the mother-in-law exclaimed.
“Well, Galina Petrovna, since you’ve heard everything, pack your things and leave. We will be resting here alone this summer,” Kostya remained silent, which did not please his wife.
“No way! The young should toughen up, leave the country house to the old folks. We’ll take care of everything here. When else can you peacefully live in a house with air conditioning? Understand?” Lena barely managed to keep from laughing.
“Of course! Because they’re not the ones paying the bills. Galina Petrovna, are you confused? What made you think you can tell me how to spend my vacation? The house had a lot of money put into it specifically so it would be comfortable in the summer. I went along with you, allowed you to stay for a while, but the charity show is over.”
The mother-in-law made a sharp gesture, and Lena barely dodged her heavy hand.
“No! We and Vasya will spend time here. It’s better for the kids to live outside the city. Understand? Find another place, Lena!” the mother-in-law snorted and stormed out of the room.
Lena looked at her husband in shock. Kostya sat on the bed and stared at the floor. During the conversation, he hadn’t moved a muscle. Lena approached him and sat down to look into his eyes.
“Is everything okay?” he shook his head no.
“I don’t like that you and mom are fighting.”
“Do you think I enjoy this? But Galina Petrovna doesn’t listen to me. Kostya, you need to talk to her.”
Her husband jerked and jumped up:
“Can’t you just give in this time, Lena? Mom is already old, and you keep bothering her. Put yourself in her shoes. So she wants to spend the summer here—let her stay. We have our whole lives ahead of us.”
“Lena,” his voice was harsh and stern, “I’ve decided. Tomorrow morning we’re returning to the city. Enough of the hysterics and scandals. Mom needs peace. And we’ll spend our vacation somewhere else, finish the repairs later.”
Lena could no longer hold back. She tried to resolve everything peacefully, but it didn’t work. Taking a deep breath and gathering her strength, she firmly stated:
“You have 15 minutes to pack. If you don’t leave the house, I will call the police, and you will be removed by force.”
“Lena! What silly jokes are these? You can’t be serious?” Lena silently took out her phone and dialed the necessary number.
“Hello, police?”
Seeing this, Vasily Alekseevich turned pale and began hurriedly packing. Galina Petrovna, still in disbelief, tried to appeal to her son:
“Kostya, tell your wife to stop this farce! We are your parents!”
Kostya, stunned by the events, could only helplessly shift his gaze from his mother to his wife. Lena, not waiting for a response, coldly stated:
“By the way, Kostya, I’m filing for divorce.”
“Lena, what divorce? Why?” her husband finally spoke.
“Because you don’t listen to me. You’re always on your mother’s side. I’m tired of it. I don’t need a husband like that,” Lena firmly replied.
As Kostya tried to process what he heard, Galina Petrovna made one last attempt:
“Lena, think it over! You can’t do this to us! We’re family!”
But Lena remained resolute:
“I’ve already told you everything. Time is ticking. You have 12 minutes left.”
Realizing Lena was serious, the family began to hurriedly pack. Exactly 15 minutes later, Lena opened the front door:
“Time’s up. Please leave.”
Vasily Alekseevich silently exited first, dragging heavy suitcases. Behind him, sobbing and casting angry glances at her daughter-in-law, followed Galina Petrovna. Kostya lingered on the threshold:
“Lena, let’s talk. Is this really the end?”
“Yes, Kostya, this is the end. I’m tired of being second to your mother. You need a different wife, and I need a different husband. Goodbye,” Lena replied and gently but firmly closed the door.
Left alone in her house, Lena leaned against the door and took a deep breath. A wave of relief washed over her. For the first time in a long time, she felt like the master of her own life. Now her new happy life could begin.