— What is this? What the hell?!
Ekaterina froze on the threshold of her apartment, confusedly looking at the empty walls and floor, lit by bright daylight streaming freely through windows without curtains.
— Didn’t I make myself clear enough? Yuri and Olga will be living here, — her mother-in-law walked past her, adjusting her expensive scarf. Her heels clicked sharply on the wooden floor.
The apartment looked foreign and lifeless: no furniture, no familiar things. Instead, near the entrance were neatly stacked boxes with her personal belongings. From one of them stuck out a family photo frame — the glass was cracked. The atmosphere Ekaterina had built over two years was simply taken away.
The door opened again, and a tall man entered the room carrying a large box. Sweat dripped down his forehead, muscles tensed from the weight.
— Where should I put this? — he asked, briefly glancing at Ekaterina and immediately looking away as if feeling awkward.
— Put it by that wall for now, — Anna Pavlovna ordered, pointing with a hand adorned with a massive bracelet. — And tell the workers to bring in the sofa faster. Olga wants to start settling in today.
Ekaterina finally came to herself. Her heart pounded, her head buzzed from a wave of adrenaline. She squeezed the keys in her hand so tightly she felt pain.
— Excuse me, but this is my apartment, — she said, trying to keep calm though everything inside was boiling. — No one had the right to move the furniture or take out my things. Where are they? What have you done with them?
Anna Pavlovna didn’t even bother to answer, as if Ekaterina wasn’t there. She kept giving instructions:
— After this box, bring the dressing table. Olga wanted to put it by the window. And we’ll hang the brother’s photo above the bed.
Ekaterina took a deep breath, trying to hold back her emotions. This apartment was inherited from her grandfather; it held so many memories. In three days, she was supposed to become Vadim’s wife, and they planned to build their life here together. That was the agreement. At least, that’s what she thought.
— Anna Pavlovna, I repeat: where is my furniture? — Ekaterina raised her voice, feeling tears coming. — This is no longer funny!
Her mother-in-law finally noticed her, slowly turning with an irritated expression.
— Of course, we threw it out. No need for that junk in the house, — she said, fixing her hair. — Especially since your room will be somewhere else. Your furniture doesn’t match the overall interior of the house.
— What house? — Ekaterina didn’t understand. — Vadim and I will live here! This is my property! He himself said…
— Oh, you’re so loud, — the woman grimaced. — Vadim decided that you’ll stay with us for a while. Olga and her husband will move here — they need a separate apartment. Especially now, with a baby on the way, — she added with particular pleasure.
Yuri came in again with a box labeled “Fragile. Handle with care.” Ekaterina decisively blocked his way.
— You won’t pass! No more boxes! This is my home, and I didn’t give permission to change anything!
But the man simply pushed her aside with his shoulder, nearly knocking her down. His look was full of contempt, as if saying, “Don’t interfere.”
— Don’t throw a tantrum, Katya, — Anna Pavlovna said coldly. — It’s Vadim’s decision. Get used to the fact that men are the head of the family. You will live with us. It’s cozier at mom’s place.
— I haven’t discussed any of this with Vadim! — Ekaterina protested. — This is absurd! It’s illegal! You have no right to manage my apartment!
A young woman appeared in the doorway — head held high, confident smile, hand on her belly.
— Well, here’s the bride, — Olga drawled with fake surprise. — How do you like the changes? Now this is my apartment. Yuri, dear, put the box here.
— This is not your apartment, — Ekaterina replied firmly. — I have the documents.
— You’re mistaken, darling, — her sister-in-law smiled. — This is my space now. Brother decided so. And tonight you’ll come to us — to discuss the final wedding formalities.
Her hands trembled as Ekaterina dialed Vadim’s number. Each ring seemed to last forever.
— Hi, sunshine, — came the voice in the receiver, a voice that once warmed her heart but now sounded alien.
— Vadim, what’s going on? Why are your mother and sister throwing out my things and living in my apartment?
Pause. Then a heavy sigh.
— Katya, don’t worry. I really thought it’d be better for us to live at my mom’s place. It’s more spacious, more comfortable, and mom will help you adjust. Besides, the apartment needed repairs for a long time, and Olga has good taste.
— But we agreed to live here! This is my apartment! My memories!
— Sunshine, I made the decision as your husband. It will be better this way. A good family is when the wife trusts the husband. Come in the evening, we’ll talk. Mom will bake your favorite shangi.
Ekaterina put down the phone. Was this really the same Vadim who used to admire her character? When did he become like this?
Anna Pavlovna, watching with obvious satisfaction, approached closer:
— There’s your instructions. In three days, you’ll be my son’s wife. Time to learn obedience. In our family, the husband is the head, and the women are keepers of the hearth.
Stunned, Ekaterina retreated to the kitchen. Pouring water, she nearly dropped the glass — her hands were shaking. Meanwhile, the rearranging continued in the room.
Feeling reality slipping away, Ekaterina returned to the living room:
— Anna Pavlovna, this is unfair! You should have at least warned me. This looks more like a takeover than help!
She just rolled her eyes and exchanged a glance with her daughter.
— Katya, for God’s sake, be quiet. My head is splitting from your hysterics. We’re helping you, and you’re making a scene. Better pack your things — Yuri will take them to us. You have an hour. Then we finish here and go home. Olga wants to start measuring for curtains today.
Ekaterina dialed Vadim’s number again. Her heart pounded as if trying to break free from her chest. Through the thin walls came the creak of moving furniture and the smug giggling of Anna Pavlovna. One, two, three rings — each echoed pain in her temples.
— Hi, Katya, — the carefree voice of the groom sounded. In the background, laughter, clinking dishes, and muffled conversations. He was dining somewhere cozy as her life was falling apart before her eyes.
— Did you really agree to let your sister take over my apartment? — Ekaterina tried to sound calm, but her voice trembled. Her fingers clenched the phone so hard her nails dug into her palm. — This is all I have left from my grandparents. My only connection to them.
A sigh was heard — impatient, irritated.
— Katyusha, we’ll have a great time! — Familiar tones of condescension slipped into his intonation over the past weeks. — Mom’s place is spacious; she even has my collection of model airplanes. Thirty-six pieces, each assembled by hand! And the syrniki she makes… You’ll forget about your apartment!
Ekaterina closed her eyes, feeling a wave of pain and indignation rising inside. Where was the Vadim who admired her independence? The man who claimed to value her strength of character?
Olga silently crept up to her. Her face was almost an exact copy of Vadim’s — the same high cheekbones, slightly haughty lip line. She leaned in and whispered just loud enough to not be heard on the phone:
— What was yours is mine now. Get used to it.
Her breath smelled of mint chewing gum.
— Apartment near the office, perfect for a family. And Vadim has always been a generous brother.
Ekaterina recoiled. Behind that phrase was not just arrogance — it was certainty that everything can be taken if you’re used to being first.
— Vadim, — she continued, struggling to hold back a lump in her throat, — have you really decided to evict me from my home? From the apartment that was bequeathed to me? Where every item is a part of my life?
— Katya, stop stirring things up, — his voice grew colder. — No one is kicking you out. Just live with me at mom’s. Is that worse than that old two-room with the leaking pipe?
Her heart clenched. That old two-room? A home filled with her love, memories, warmth?
— And you let your mother boss things here? Your sister mock me? And her husband shove me? — Ekaterina’s voice trembled, rising in pitch. — Yuri literally pushed me when I tried to protect my writing desk — where I wrote my thesis!
Something fell with a dull thud somewhere in the room, and Anna Pavlovna’s angry voice rang out:
— Yuri, be careful! That’s an antique!
Ekaterina shuddered. The dresser inherited from her great-grandmother was also in the hands of these people…
— Sunshine, it will all work out, — Vadim said softly, as if soothing a child. — You just aren’t used to family life. In a couple of weeks, you’ll laugh at this. I have to go. Love you. See you tonight.
The phone went dead. Ekaterina remained standing in the kitchen, images of the last months flashing through her mind: romantic walks, plans for a shared future, meeting the parents… When did she miss the warning signs? Maybe when Vadim started asking too often about her apartment details? Or when his mother began “accidentally” planning their life together?
Anger slowly pushed away confusion.
Her pale face with wide-open eyes was reflected in the kitchen window. “Did I really plan to marry him?” she thought. Three days before the wedding. Three days to make a decision that would change her entire life.
Her steps became resolute as Ekaterina entered the living room. Olga and Yuri were arranging things under Anna Pavlovna’s direction. Sunshine poured through the empty window, illuminating the foreign objects that had invaded her home like unwanted guests.
Her hands no longer shook. Something inside had broken but simultaneously become stronger.
— Good job, — she said loudly. — Now everyone out. Immediately.
They turned, surprised. A pause hung in the air. Anna Pavlovna put down a vase she had just unpacked.
— Oh, the little mouse decided to growl? — Olga laughed, tossing her hair back. — Vadim said you sometimes act strange when nervous.
Yuri snickered, continuing to arrange books. His figure took up nearly the entire bookshelf where her favorite novels used to be.
— Need help packing your things? — he offered condescendingly. — We need space for the nursery. Olga wants wallpaper with bunnies. So your dark green curtains — trash.
Nursery? In her bedroom? Where she herself had chosen the wall color to match a malachite box?
— Sweetie, no one asked you to speak, — Anna Pavlovna sharply cut her off. — Go put on the kettle. And check the fridge — you have nothing edible. How will Vadim survive?
Turning to her daughter, she added: — Move the sofa to the window. And we’ll dismantle the bookshelves — they take too much space.
Ekaterina watched as Olga grabbed the edge of her beloved vintage sofa — covered in emerald velvet, found at a flea market and lovingly restored. The decision matured suddenly. With a cold, calm motion, she picked up the phone again and began dialing.
— Calling Vadim again? — Olga smirked sarcastically. — Or consulting your lawyer friend again? So… dependent.
Ekaterina looked up. Her face was almost serene.
— This is the police, — she said clearly. — They entered my apartment without permission. Refuse to leave. Yes, there are threats. They’re here right now.
For a second, silence hung in the room. Yuri froze, Olga dropped a pillow, Anna Pavlovna flushed with rage.
The mother-in-law jumped up and grabbed the phone.
— Have you lost your mind?! — she screamed. — Want to disgrace my son? What will the police say? What will they think of our family?!
But fear no longer held Ekaterina. Everything became clear. These people would never be her family. And Vadim had long since chosen his side — and it was not hers.
— Give me back the phone, — she said calmly. — Or, in addition to illegal intrusion, you’ll add theft.
At that moment the door opened, and Vadim entered holding a bouquet of scarlet roses. His cashmere coat was unbuttoned, and a satisfied smile played on his face.
— So, did you manage to scare the bride? — he asked cheerfully, but his expression darkened when he noticed the phone in his mother’s hand.
Anna Pavlovna, Olga, and Yuri suddenly burst out laughing as if on cue. The tension vanished, replaced by exaggerated laughter.
— You should have seen her face when I said the furniture was sent to the dump! — Olga exclaimed, laughing hysterically. — She nearly fainted!
— And she tried to call the police! — Yuri snickered, carefully putting a book back on the shelf. Sweat dripped down his forehead. — Weak actress. You can tell she’s bluffing.
Ekaterina silently observed this sudden change: a moment ago they ruled her house as if it were theirs, now they were putting on an innocent comedy.
Vadim came up to her, hugged her shoulders, and kissed her cheek. He smelled of expensive cologne and faint feminine perfume. Ekaterina instinctively pulled away.
— Don’t be angry, no one is going to live here. It was a test to see how strong you are. Mom says a real Nikitina must be tough and calm.
He tried again to hold her, but Ekaterina stepped back. Something inside her finally snapped. All the pieces fell into place: Anna Pavlovna’s pressure, Vadim’s strange behavior, Olga’s mockery… This wasn’t a random breakdown — it was a demonstration lesson, a lesson in obedience they wanted to teach her before the wedding.
— Strength and endurance? — Ekaterina’s voice was even, but the tension in the room was palpable. — Then I’m afraid I failed your test.
She slowly looked around at everyone: the haughty Anna Pavlovna, the smug Olga, the rude Yuri, and Vadim himself — the man she trusted but apparently did not know at all. Their laughter pricked like needles from the inside.
— Darling, don’t be angry, — the mother-in-law patted her shoulder with her manicured fingers adorned with massive rings. — We just tested your mettle. Wanted to know what you’re made of.
— Now you know, — Ekaterina said quietly. — Get out of my apartment.
Everyone laughed, thinking she was joking. Olga even winked at her husband as if saying, “What an interesting bride.”
— There will be no wedding, — Ekaterina said louder. — Wanted to test me? Here’s your result. Get out of my house. All of you!
The smile slowly faded from Vadim’s face. He looked at his mother in confusion, expecting support.
— Katya, what are you doing? It was just a prank! Olga went through the same when she got married! — he reached out to calm her, but Ekaterina recoiled.
— No more wedding. You decided to test me? Here’s your answer. You’re pathetic people. Now get out.
Silence fell on the room. Anna Pavlovna stopped smiling.
— Stop hysterics, Ekaterina! It’s a harmless joke! Proper families know how to take such tests, — she adjusted her necklace. — Vadim, tell her!
— Harmless? — Ekaterina’s voice grew louder. — You broke into my home, threw out my things, humiliated me. You, Vadim, stood silent while they called me worthless. What kind of husband are you if you can’t protect your bride?
Vadim stepped forward, trying to hug her.
— Sunshine, forgive me… I thought you’d understand…
The sound of a slap cut through the air. Vadim’s cheek flushed, and Ekaterina barely held back tears.
— Don’t you dare touch me! Never again! — she decisively headed for the door, pushing him into the hallway.
Then she took off the ring — a gift he gave three months ago when he proposed. She threw it into his pocket.
— Scoundrel! Wretch! Decided to test me? Thought I’d endure all this? — she turned to Anna Pavlovna. — And you, grown woman, decided to torment the person who respected you? So, are you laughing now? Remember: there will be no wedding. I hate you, Vadim.
Anna Pavlovna went pale. For the first time all day, she looked lost.
— Katya, maybe we really went too far, — there were notes of remorse in her voice. — Don’t make rash decisions. We can discuss everything calmly.
— Out! — Ekaterina pointed to the door. — Everyone out. Now. Or I call the police.
Olga and Yuri, who had previously watched with mockery, realized this was serious. They silently moved toward the exit.
— Looks like we really overdid it, — Olga whispered, thinking no one heard her. — Maybe we shouldn’t have touched her things right away?
— Seems like there will be no wedding, — Yuri replied. — Brother messed up.
— Don’t say that! — Olga hissed. — They’ll make up. Just need time. All brides get nervous before the wedding.
Ekaterina approached Vadim, who still stood confused and defeated.
— Everyone out. No more talk about the wedding. I will never marry a man like you.
Each word was like a nail in the coffin of their relationship.
Only then did she notice Lidia Petrovna — Anna Pavlovna’s friend, also present at this “bride’s exam.”
— Out! — Ekaterina repeated. — I didn’t ask you to teach me life lessons. Especially in my own home.
— Ekaterina, stop the hysteria! — the woman began. — We just joked a little. Laughed it off. No need to make a tragedy out of it.
— Out! — Ekaterina was shouting now. — You’re strangers to me. I didn’t invite you.
— The wedding is in three days! — Anna Pavlovna exclaimed. — The Vera Wang dress, the White Swan restaurant, photographers from FotoStudio. Do you even realize how much that costs?
Ekaterina shook her head, ignoring the financial arguments. For Anna, money and outward show mattered most, not her son’s feelings or her own.
— You started this circus — so pay for it. Thanks for showing your true face. At least I learned the truth before the wedding. Now — out!
Slamming the door hard, Ekaterina felt the first relief of the day. Voices could be heard outside: complaining Vadim, reproachful Anna Pavlovna…
But she no longer listened.
Only after they left did Ekaterina allow herself to cry. The bitterness of humiliation, the pain of betrayal, the shattered dream — all burst out. But along with the tears came realization: she hadn’t just broken the engagement — she had saved herself from a life with a man who didn’t protect her even when his family humiliated her.
— They thought I was some stupid girl they could twist around? Not a chance!
Anger gradually gave way to bitter emptiness. She sat on the edge of the bed, absentmindedly smoothing the bedspread.
— It’s a pity the wedding won’t happen… So many plans, — she whispered. — But there’s time. I will definitely find someone worthy of love. Just not him. — Her gaze flicked toward the door. — Not this liar and his disgusting family with fake smiles and hypocrisy.