— What is this even?! — Karina exclaimed, unable to hide her irritation, standing in the middle of the living room.
Her voice trembled with outrage. She looked around the room, as if hoping to find an answer to her question among the furniture or walls.
— Again?! The third time this month! How much longer?!
On the couch, relaxed and leaning against the pillows, sat Anton. In one hand, a phone; in the other — the TV remote. He slowly shifted his gaze to his wife, but his eyes remained indifferent, as always when it came to his mother.
— What do you mean “again”? — he asked, squinting. — Don’t start the hysteria right away. I just got home, I want to rest.
— Hysteria? — Karina stepped forward, her voice rising. — You call this hysteria? Five thousand! Just like that! Without explanations, without questions! You didn’t even ask what she needed it for! You just transferred it!
Anton placed the phone beside him, sighing quietly. His face showed more fatigue than surprise.
— So what? That’s my mother. She needs money — I helped. What’s the problem?
Karina stepped closer, her cheeks burning.
— The problem is that we’re saving for the summer house! We agreed on that! Every ruble is for our joint project! And every month you throw money somewhere into nowhere! Then medicines, then repairs, now these “unexpected expenses”! Maybe she needs a new iPhone?
Anton sighed again, rubbing the bridge of his nose.
— She’s old, Karina. It’s hard for her to manage on her own. Sometimes it’s easier to help than to explain.
— Old? She’s only sixty-five! She runs around more than you! Theater, country club, another trip! And us? We have to give up our plans because of her whims?
— Karina! — Anton’s voice carried a note of displeasure for the first time. — Don’t speak like that about my mother. She raised us.
— She raised you, Anton, not me. And yes, I’m grateful to her for that. But that doesn’t mean she can constantly demand money! We live on one salary. My orders are unstable. You know that!
And she really did know. After the advertising agency where Karina worked as a creative director closed down, she had to switch to freelance. Work was there, but income fluctuated. Their budget was fragile like glass. Every unnecessary expense felt like a blow to it.
They dreamed of a summer house. That dream had lived inside them for almost three years — a small house outside the city, a terrace with climbing roses, barbecues with friends, cozy evenings by the fire. But every time the amount approached the cherished goal, something happened: repairs at the mother-in-law’s, payment for dental treatment, new wallpaper, new appliances… And they would fall back again.
— I’m just tired, — Karina said quietly, moving to the window. — Tired of being second to someone. Tired of feeling like we live by cutting costs on ourselves, while your mother lives in comfort.
Anton came up behind her but didn’t hug her.
— She’s ill, Karin. She needs help.
— What is she sick with? The desire to buy and see everything? Have you ever checked what the money is spent on? She flies to the seaside, buys things, goes to restaurants, and we haven’t even been on vacation in ten years!
— Stop it, — Anton said firmly, though his voice turned indifferent again. — I don’t want to discuss this.
— Of course you don’t! — Karina spun to face him sharply. — You never want to talk when it comes to your mother. To you, she’s a saint, and I’m the villain who wants to hurt her. But I don’t want to hurt her! I want justice! And I want our summer house!
Anton fell silent. His shoulders tensed, and his gaze dropped. Karina knew that look. He didn’t intend to argue. He would just be silent, as usual. And in a couple of hours, he would leave as if nothing had happened.
— Fine… — he said dully. — I’ll go to sleep.
And he left, leaving her alone in the middle of the room.
Karina stayed by the window, looking at the dark sky. The stars twinkled coldly and indifferently. She knew: until Anton himself made a decision, nothing would change. He was too used to being a son to become a husband. And he loved his mother too much to listen to his wife.
Morning brought not only coffee and a run but also a heavy veil of fatigue. Karina went outside, hoping the run would clear her head. Sometimes she ran to forget, sometimes to understand. Today was the latter.
When she returned, Anton was already getting ready for work. His face was somewhat softened but not completely.
— Listen, Karin, — he began, adjusting his tie, — I’ll talk to my mother. I promise.
Karina stopped, looking at him closely.
— What exactly will you talk to her about? About her spending less of our money? You know that’s useless. She can justify herself better than any politician.
— I’ll try, — he still avoided her gaze. — Maybe this time it’s really something important. I just didn’t ask.
— Of course. Always important. Especially when it comes to her wishes, — Karina sighed, feeling the usual fatigue growing inside her.
— Okay, I have to go. We’ll talk in the evening, — he kissed her forehead quickly and left.
Karina was left alone. The apartment was filled with silence — oppressive and heavy.
They met at a mutual friend’s party. Back then, everything was different. Anton was attentive, confident, a little romantic. Karina was full of energy, ideas, and faith in love. They complemented each other like day and night.
She met Galina Semyonovna before the wedding. The woman was strict but smart, with a sharp gaze and a voice that could silence with just one intonation.
— I hope you’ll make my son happy, — she said then, scrutinizing Karina. — He’s special.
Back then Karina thought it was just motherly care. Now she understood — it was a warning.
After the wedding, they moved into their own apartment. Galina Semyonovna was left alone. And every month, her calls became more frequent. At first, it seemed normal to help a family member. But over time, the help turned into an obligation.
Once Karina was at her mother-in-law’s when she was telling a neighbor that her son had bought her a new washing machine with drying and all functions.
— The old one was noisy, — she said with a satisfied smile. — Anton immediately decided we needed a new one.
Karina clenched inside. The old one worked fine. Galina Semyonovna just wanted something new. And of course, Anton paid for it.
Since then, Karina began to realize: her mother-in-law didn’t just ask for help — she controlled her son.
They decided to act cleverly. They stopped sharing their plans with her. Quietly, without extra words, they started saving for an apartment. And when the amount finally allowed them to get a mortgage, they did it quickly — without pomp, without celebration. Only keys, smiles, hopes.
But at the housewarming, Galina Semyonovna still came. And the first thing she said was:
— Well, you could have warned me, Anton. I would have helped you.
— Mom, we managed on our own, — Anton replied.
Galina Semyonovna smiled, but there was something else in her eyes. Something like offense. Or loss of control.
Their apartment was cozy but too small for Karina’s big soul. She loved order, light, and space — things their square meters could not give her. Over time, she realized: she needed more. Not just to live, but to breathe, to feel the earth under her feet, to see outside not a concrete wall but a field, trees, flowers. The dream of a summer house arose like a distant bell — at first quietly, then louder and louder until it became an obsession. She imagined a little house in the woods, with a terrace where she could read in the mornings, with a garden smelling of freshness after rain, with a fire in the evening and friends gathered around it. This dream gave her strength to continue when it seemed they would never get out of the vicious circle of renting and saving.
Anton, seeing her desire, agreed. He was always like that — ready to support, especially if it concerned her happiness. So they started saving money again. But soon it turned out their budget was leaking again — through the same place: Galina Semyonovna.
A week after the last scandal connected to another money transfer to the mother, Karina was sitting at her computer, working on a new project. At that moment, the doorbell rang. Opening it, she saw Galina Semyonovna — slender, neatly dressed, with a leather bag in her hand and a smile that somehow caused unease.
— Hello, Karinochka! — the woman greeted warmly. — Anton said you were home. I dropped by for tea if I’m not disturbing.
Karina tensed internally. Galina Semyonovna never came just like that.
— Please come in, Galina Semyonovna. Of course, you’re not disturbing.
She entered, looked around the apartment like an experienced expert.
— How cozy you have it! Bright and clean. You’re great, Karinochka, such a housekeeper.
Karina thanked her, trying not to show her anxiety.
— What’s the occasion?
— Nothing special, — Galina Semyonovna put the bag on the floor and took out a container. — Just wanted to check on you. Baked some pies — take them, don’t be shy.
They sat at the kitchen table. Tea was brewed, but the mood was more businesslike than hospitable.
— Karinochka, — Galina Semyonovna began, lowering her voice slightly, — I was thinking… Anton is so busy, work, household. And I’m alone in my apartment. Sometimes even lonely.
Karina looked at her warily.
— And how do you deal with it?
— Well, you know… — Galina Semyonovna paused for effect. — I talked with my friends, and they told me how good it is in the village. Peace, fresh air. So I thought… — she looked at Karina intently — it would be great if you had a summer house too.
Karina almost choked.
— A summer house? — she repeated, trying to hide her surprise.
— Yes! You’re saving for one, Anton told me himself.
Karina’s cheeks flushed. So he told her everything again. Without asking. Without discussion.
— We’re saving, Galina Semyonovna. But we haven’t saved enough yet.
— That’s great! — the mother-in-law clapped her hands. — I’ll help you! I have some money. For a rainy day. But I want to use it for something good.
Karina looked at her in amazement. It was so unexpected she didn’t immediately know what to say.
— You have money?
— Of course! — Galina Semyonovna pulled out a thick wallet from her bag. — I worked all my life for this. And I see how hard you try. I want to help. After all, you’re my children now too.
She pulled out a stack of bills and handed them to Karina.
— Here. Take it. Buy a nice, big summer house. So there’s enough space for everyone. And for me too if I want to come.
Karina looked at the money as if it were a trick. It was too generous, too sudden. Joy at the possibility of fulfilling the dream mixed with cautious suspicion. Something was not right here.
— Galina Semyonovna, this is too much…
— Don’t worry, Karinochka. I have more. This is for a good memory.
That evening, when Anton returned, Karina met him with an unusual expression.
— Your mother came.
Anton frowned.
— Did she ask for something again?
— No. This time she gave us.
He froze.
— What?
Karina showed him the stack of bills. Anton counted them, his eyes widened.
— This… this is serious money. Where did she get it?
— She says it’s her savings. And she wants to help us. About the summer house, grandchildren, spending time together.
Anton thought.
— Maybe she really decided to change?
Karina shook her head.
— Maybe. But I still feel this is not the end of the story.
In the end, they decided to accept the money. With this sum, their dream became a reality.
Two months later, Karina and Anton became owners of a small but cozy house in a picturesque place surrounded by pines. The plot was not very large but enough for a greenhouse, flower beds, and a gazebo. They spent their first weekend there, enjoying every minute. Karina dug in the soil, Anton repaired the roof — they were happy. The dream was coming true.
Galina Semyonovna called several times, asking how things were going. Karina answered politely but reservedly. Inside, distrust still lingered. Her generosity was too unexpected.
The housewarming day arrived. They invited family and friends. The table was rich, the atmosphere warm and festive.
Galina Semyonovna arrived among the first. She inspected the summer house like an inspector and smiled, though her gaze revealed other thoughts.
— How beautiful here! Cozy! Where are the guest rooms?
Karina tensed.
— There’s a small one.
— Oh, that’s inconvenient! You should have taken a bigger house. Well, never mind, we’ll manage somehow.
The evening was fun. Everyone laughed, drank, and reminisced. Anton raised his glass:
— I want to thank everyone who came. Especially my mother, Galina Semyonovna. Thanks to her help, we were able to buy this summer house!
Applause. Galina Semyonovna’s smile grew wider. Her gaze lingered on Karina for a moment. There was something elusive in it.
The night passed, guests left. Only Galina Semyonovna remained.
In the morning at breakfast, she said as if in passing:
— Oh, you built a good, spacious summer house! Let’s come stay for a month with Petka.
Karina felt a chill run down her spine. Petka was her beloved cat who messed everywhere, scratched furniture, and was the embodiment of chaos in a soft form.
She slowly turned to Anton. His face turned pale.
— What? — he said with difficulty.
— Well, what? — Galina Semyonovna smiled. — I’m lonely. It’s quiet here, fresh air, nature. I’ll stay with you for a couple of weeks. Especially since I helped you buy it. What’s wrong with that?
Karina looked at Anton. His shoulders slumped. He didn’t know what to say.
— Galina Semyonovna, — Karina said calmly, — do you have a litter box and a bowl for Petka? Because we already have Jerry — our yard dog. He’s currently at the clinic, being treated for something, but he should return tomorrow. So you and Petka will have someone to get to know.
Galina Semyonovna’s face twitched. She hated dogs, especially big noisy ones like Jerry.
— What Jerry?
— Oh, well, it just happened, — Karina smiled. — He came with the plot as inheritance. Very loyal. Loves to socialize. Especially with cats.
Anton looked at his wife. Understanding flickered in his eyes. And a slight, almost invisible, pride.
Maybe this summer house will be a battlefield, but Karina already knew one thing: she would not let anyone take away her dream. Not for any money.