— Anechka, don’t worry so much, everything will work out,” Sofya Petrovna said as she sighed heavily and tenderly squeezed her daughter-in-law’s hand.
Tears streamed down Anna’s cheeks.
“— Please, don’t speak that way. You will definitely get better, and we will live as before.”
“— No, my dear, I feel my time is running out.”
“— I know how Maxim treats you. And I also know about his infidelities; perhaps they are still ongoing. I always tried to make you feel like part of the family. But now I can confess: you have become my real family. Not my son, but you. I have taken care of your future. Just endure a little longer. You have nowhere else to go.”
“— Sofya Petrovna, I will do everything you say, just please don’t worry. The doctors have forbidden you to get worked up.”
“— I know. These doctors only know how to forbid. They should be forbidden from treating people themselves, since they can’t do anything right.”
Anna involuntarily smiled through her tears. Sofya Petrovna was a master at complaining about doctors. Once, she even joked, “At this age, we’re bound to scold all the bosses and doctors who never learned how to cure old age.”
“— Anechka, go now, it’s late. I’m tired, I want to rest.”
Anna nodded, got up, and adjusted the blanket. She checked to see if the cup of water was nearby and smiled softly.
“— Good night.”
“— Good night, Anechka. And remember: everything will get better.”
Anna left, carefully closing the door behind her. Tears welled up in her eyes again. Sofya Petrovna had replaced her mother. She was right: Anna would have long left Maxim if it weren’t for her mother-in-law. She simply couldn’t leave her alone with such a son. And once, seven years ago, Maxim had seemed like an ideal man.
Anna used to go to Sofya Petrovna to learn the violin. The elderly woman was a legend in the music world. A laureate of numerous awards, she had raised more than one generation of musicians and once shone on stage herself. She only took on students who truly possessed talent.
If she sensed that a person wouldn’t become a professional, she immediately refused to work with them. Neither money nor persuasion could change her mind.
Maxim immediately noticed the delicate and trusting Anna. And she… melted under his attention. When they decided to marry, Sofya Petrovna only sighed: “Anna, I value you very much, but if you marry my son, forget about a career as a musician.”
Anna was surprised then. She and Maxim had dreamed that he would accompany her to all her concerts, so that no one could “steal” her away.
“— But why, Sofya Petrovna?”
“— I won’t explain now. Soon you will understand everything for yourself.”
Within a year, Anna realized the truth. In Maxim’s view, a man was not obliged to provide for the family. Yes, he worked, but he couldn’t explain where his salary went. And he was indignant that Anna even asked about it.
“— Your useless nagging doesn’t bring anything at all.”
“— But you know I need experience. We talked about you supporting me.”
Maxim squinted.
“— Where did you get such outdated views? Think for yourself. Husband and wife are separate people. That means each must fend for themselves. Besides, you live in my house, use everything. So you should contribute more.”
“— This is not your house. It’s your mother’s house.”
Maxim smirked.
“— Right, mine, not yours. You have nothing.”
Anna burst into tears and ran out of the room. A year before she met Maxim, a fire had occurred in their house. She was studying in another city when a short circuit happened at night. Her parents died. Anna was left with nothing. The day before, her mother had told her on the phone that the house insurance had expired and needed to be renewed on Monday. The house burned down on Saturday.
Maxim later apologized. They made up, but the illusions had dissipated. She began to see his true face. It was then that she might have left, but Sofya Petrovna broke her hip—so seriously that the doctors could only shrug helplessly. She would never be able to walk normally again.
Anna stopped noticing the good and the bad in Maxim. From work to home. She had to take care of her mother-in-law. And the old woman kept grumbling.
“— Anechka, take care of your hands. You were born for music.”
“— Sofya Petrovna, what do you mean ‘take care’? How will I manage then? Don’t worry, everything will be fine.”
The woman sighed.
“— You are such a good, kind girl. I don’t understand why you ended up with such a husband.”
Anna lowered her eyes.
“— You know he has a mistress?”
“— I know. Everyone told me immediately.”
“— What should I do?”
“— Have you talked to him?”
“— Yes, he denies everything.”
“— And what do you want? For him to confess? Divorce? No one can forbid you from leaving a man who treats you like this.”
“— But what about you?”
Her mother-in-law gave a sad smile.
“— I’d rather die sooner than be in the way of others’ lives.”
“What are you saying?” Anna stood up resolutely. “I won’t hear that anymore. And anyway, let him live as he wishes, while you and I will live well.”
Sofya Petrovna barely managed a smile through her tears.
“— Lord, I thank you for such a daughter-in-law…”
Almost five years passed. Maxim visited his mother once a week, no more. The rest of the time, he seemed to forget she existed, as if the door to her room had vanished into thin air. No matter how much Anna appealed to his conscience, no matter how much she asked him to give his mother more attention, his answer was always the same:
“— Any, you’re with her from morning till night. Why should I get involved? If you need something, just call.”
Anna stepped away from the door and headed to the bedroom. As expected, Maxim was not home. He only appeared a couple of nights a week. And even then, he no longer hid from Anna that he had another woman. Anna accepted it calmly. She had long stopped loving Maxim. But she was not about to abandon Sofya Petrovna in her condition.
Her husband showed up in the early morning. Anna heard him snort angrily as he settled into bed. It seemed he had quarreled with his mistress. She pretended to be asleep, and soon Maxim fell into slumber as well.
Around seven in the morning, Anna suddenly jumped up. Something was troubling her inside. Throwing on her robe, she went to check on Sofya Petrovna. Usually, the old lady didn’t get up before nine and wouldn’t even drink tea. Anna peeked into the room—Maxim’s mother seemed to be asleep, but her face looked strangely different. Anna stepped inside and immediately understood everything.
“— Maxim!”
He rushed in disheveled, confused, and then saw his mother.
At the funeral, many people had gathered. Sofya Petrovna’s students, colleagues, and friends had come. Maxim, with a sorrowful expression, accepted condolences, while Anna despised him with all her heart. That very day, in the morning, he had been talking with his mistress, persuading her to endure for just another six months until he inherited. Then he planned to throw Anna out of his life so he could live happily with his mistress.
“— I’m sure: my mother has substantial savings. We’ll immediately go to the seaside, and I’ll buy you a car. No, I can’t kick Anna out right now. Someone must look after the house, cook… And besides, my mother was a peculiar person. Who knows, maybe she mentioned Anna in her will? I don’t want my fortune to go to someone else.”
Anna cautiously stepped away from the door. What a scoundrel he was. She hated him with all her heart. But she decided to pretend that she knew nothing. She would work hard, save money, so that at least for the time being she could get on her feet. In six months, she could accumulate enough.
After the funeral, Maxim disappeared for three days. Presumably, those who had come to say goodbye gave him money, considering it their duty to help. The people were well-off, and the sum was considerable. However, apparently, it wasn’t enough for long.
When he returned, he was angry and irritated. It turned out that during those three days, Vika had spent all the money on trinkets. And when she realized nothing was left, she sarcastically asked:
“— Aren’t you coming home? To your wife? I’m not going to support you. I’d rather buy sausages for a stray cat.”
Maxim was hurt by such a comparison. He tried to brush it off as a joke:
“— Oh, come on, dear! Power shifts. Sometimes I support you, sometimes you support me.”
But Vika did not take the joke.
“— Tell your little fairy tales to your beloved. I don’t need that. Call me when there’s money on your phone.”
Maxim wanted to retort that he had money, but then realized it was just another mockery.
“— Vika, if you think you’re so clever, then know this: when I get the inheritance, I might not even call. There will be others who are more affectionate and tender than you.”
“— Well, then it’s not meant to be.”
“— Come on, can’t you take a joke? But you should still go home. You’ve been hanging around here for three days already.”
Thus, Maxim had to return to the “dull and proper” Anna.
They practically didn’t interact. Once they met, and Maxim asked irritably:
“— Listen, why is there absolutely no food in our house now? The fridge is empty!”
Anna peeked inside and made a surprised face.
“— Wow, it really is empty. Did you buy anything?”
“— Strange. Maybe the lock has been changed? Are we being robbed?”
Maxim blushed with anger.
“— Since when did you become so smart?”
Anna shrugged.
“— I always was. I just took care of Sofya Petrovna.”
“— Sofya Petrovna is no more, but I am. And I’m the master of the house. When I feel like it, I can kick you out today.”
Anna looked at him calmly.
“— Gathering your things?”
Maxim had no answer. He stormed out of the house, slamming the door. But he quickly returned. Anna thought to herself: the mistress, being penniless, simply outplayed him. Well done, that woman knew exactly how to handle him.
Six months passed by unnoticed. Anna was gradually packing her things. She managed to save a little money. Tomorrow they were going to the reading of the will. The notary insisted that she be present. Of course, Maxim was indignant. It was clear that his mother had mentioned her. No, he would make Anna return everything.
They sat at the table. Anna sat away from her husband, trying not to even touch his sleeve. She knew that down in the car, his mistress was sitting, probably already imagining herself as the mistress of their home.
Maxim even smiled. Perhaps mentally counting the banknotes that were soon to rain down on him. The notary began reading the documents.
“— I bequeath all movable and immovable property to my daughter-in-law.”
When the reading was over, Maxim sat there, mouth agape, staring at Anna. She was utterly stunned. Sofya Petrovna had bequeathed everything to her: the house, the money, and, most importantly, her priceless violin, made especially for her.
“— What? This is impossible! This is rigged!”
“— Nothing of the sort. I personally drafted the will in the presence of two witnesses. Everything is by the book. Your mother left a wish for you to work harder and appreciate money earned.”
Anna lingered at the notary’s office to discuss the details. When she stepped outside, a real scandal was unfolding on the street. A crowd had gathered near Maxim’s car.
Maxim’s mistress was unleashing a torrent of insults on him.
“— You’re a worthless wretch! You only know how to raise yourself high, but in reality, you can’t do anything. And in bed, you’re a complete failure. No woman will stay with you for more than three days if you don’t have money!”
Maxim looked around, trying to shove her back into the car. He kept hissing, demanding that she speak more quietly. But no way… Vika could never be made to shut up.
Anna watched the scene with a smile. Vika had moved from words to actions. She took her purse out of the car and hit Maxim several times with all her might.
He only returned home in the evening.
“— Any, I’ve finally realized everything. I was a fool. I forgot what love we had. I deserve no forgiveness. You’re kind, I know. I know you’ll forgive me.”
Anna laughed.
“— You really are rotten through and through. And I am very kind. I spent an entire hour packing your things. Goodbye. I’ll file for divorce myself.