I always knew that my in-laws were very cunning and mercenary people who loved freebies, but I never suspected how far they could go.
And when we went on a family vacation together to Georgia, their audacity showed itself in full glory. They clearly forgot that every patience has its limit. Including mine!
“What a vacation!” — I kept thinking as I looked at the marble columns of the lobby of the five-star hotel on the Black Sea coast. The snow-white reception desk gleamed with cleanliness, and the polite female administrator was already finishing processing our documents.
To be honest, I immediately felt something was off when my mother-in-law Antonina Petrovna and father-in-law Viktor Semyonovich suddenly suggested going to the seaside all together. “A family-style vacation.”
My husband Artem got excited about the idea, and I… Well, I had to agree, although my intuition was screaming danger.
Even on the plane, I noticed how mother-in-law kept exchanging meaningful looks with my father-in-law, as if they were preparing some surprise. Only their “surprises” usually backfired on me.
Like that time on my birthday, when they invited twenty of their friends to the restaurant and then said they didn’t know they had to pay for their guests themselves. Or the story with their wedding anniversary, where we had to pay for a banquet for fifty people. They returned the money later, but the unpleasant aftertaste remained.
“A wonderful hotel we chose, didn’t we, Lenochka?” — chirped mother-in-law, adjusting her designer hat.
I silently nodded. After three years of marriage, I knew her habits well. This woman never did anything just like that.
“Your bill for accommodation,” the administrator politely handed over a sheet. “Four hundred and twelve thousand rubles for two weeks, including meals and spa treatments.”
I felt my hands go cold. The amount was unexpectedly large. Artem and I usually chose more modest vacation options. But the in-laws insisted on this hotel.
“Oh, we forgot the wallet at home!” — Antonina Petrovna exclaimed theatrically, throwing her hands up.
“Can you imagine, such a misfortune! No money, no cards with us,” her husband played along, smiling slyly.
I saw them exchange a look, clearly pleased with themselves.
Artem awkwardly shifted his gaze from his parents to me. Typical situation: they constantly put us in uncomfortable positions and then enjoyed our embarrassment.
Over the past year, I spent a lot of time in therapy, working through toxic family relationships. So now, looking at their self-satisfied faces, I suddenly felt a strange calm. No more manipulation! I wouldn’t allow it!
In my mind flashed numerous attempts by my mother-in-law to “swindle money” from us. When Artem and I obediently paid their bills every time, afraid to offend the older generation.
But today everything changed. Maybe it was the confidence I gained during months of therapy, or maybe their attempt to outsmart us was just too obvious. After all, the in-laws knew perfectly well they were going to the sea and could not have “accidentally” left all their funds at home.
My therapist Marina often said:
“Elena, setting boundaries isn’t about conflict; it’s about self-respect.”
So now, standing in front of the gorgeous reception desk, I finally understood I was ready to set those boundaries.
“You know,” I said, taking out my phone, “I think we’ll have to cancel the booking. Unfortunately, Artem and I are not ready to pay for four people. I’ll look for more budget-friendly options… for two.”
A tense silence settled in the lobby.
Antonina Petrovna turned pale so much that even her expensive makeup couldn’t hide it. Viktor Semyonovich nervously adjusted his glasses. I knew this gesture well — he always did it when he lost control of a situation.
“Lenochka, what are you saying?” — mother-in-law tried to laugh, but it came out fake. — “How can it be for two? Let me remind you, we came to Georgia as four. As one family!”
I felt Artem tense beside me. He always got lost in such situations, torn between his wife and parents, trying to please everyone. But now this was even fitting. Let him see how to calmly resist manipulation and the audacity of relatives.
“Excuse me,” I addressed the administrator, “we need a few minutes to discuss the situation. Is there somewhere to sit?”
The girl smiled professionally and pointed to a cozy corner with leather armchairs.
As we walked there, I noticed mother-in-law whispering something quickly to her husband, who pulled out his phone and stepped aside.
“Elena, what are you doing?” Antonina Petrovna hissed as soon as we sat down. “You do realize we were just joking about the wallet? Dad will call the housekeeper now, she’ll find the cards and dictate the details to us…”
“Antonina Petrovna,” I interrupted her as politely as possible, “let’s be honest. Are you seriously saying you went on a two-week vacation and didn’t take a single card with you? No cash? Not even for a taxi to the airport?”
Mother-in-law faltered. Her cheeks flushed red.
Artem sat, head down, nervously fiddling with the strap of his favorite watch.
“Mom, Dad,” my husband suddenly spoke up, “Elena is right. This somehow… looks ugly and wrong.”
Viktor Semyonovich returned with a displeased face.
“Can you imagine, the housekeeper isn’t answering! Probably went to the store…”
“Dad,” Artem slowly looked up at his father, “let’s drop it. I saw you paying at duty-free. You have at least two cards with you. Enough.”
I barely restrained a smile. It seemed my husband was finally waking up.
But the in-laws weren’t going to give up so easily.
“Artemushka,” Antonina Petrovna went on the offensive, “will you really allow your wife to treat your parents this way? We’ve been there for you your whole life… And she…” — mother-in-law took out a handkerchief and wiped her dry eyes — “she doesn’t even understand how important it is to help parents! And money… What is money compared to the closest people in your life?”
“You know,” I calmly replied to mother-in-law, “you are wrong. I really value family relationships. But only if they are built on honesty and respect. Not on constant money manipulation.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed some hotel guests glancing at us with interest. No wonder! Our family scene was getting more and more tense.
“What manipulation?” Viktor Semyonovich indignantly clucked from his chair. “How dare you talk like that! We just wanted to spend time with our son, and you spoil everything!”
At that moment, the administrator quietly approached us:
“Excuse me, but I need to know. Are you staying or should we cancel the booking?”
“One moment,” Antonina Petrovna jumped up. “Artem, son, shall we step outside for a minute to talk?”
I tensed. This was mother-in-law’s favorite tactic: isolate Artem from me and pressure him alone. Usually, after such “talks,” he returned subdued and ready to do anything to please the parents.
“No, Mom,” my husband replied firmly and unexpectedly. “Say everything you want here. In front of Elena. I have nothing to hide from her.”
Mother-in-law turned pale.
“Have you completely lost your mind? That woman of yours…” — she stopped abruptly, glancing at the administrator — “is turning you against your parents!”
“Antonina Petrovna,” I tried to stay as calm as possible, “let’s skip the drama. You have ten minutes to get your card and pay your part of the accommodation. We all know you have money. Otherwise, Artem and I are leaving.”
“You…” — mother-in-law gasped indignantly — “we…”
And then something happened that no one expected. Antonina Petrovna’s purse fell out of her handbag. The very one they supposedly forgot at home. Leather, branded, clearly not empty.
Artem slowly bent down, picked up his mother’s wallet, and sharply opened it. Inside were several bank cards and a decent stack of cash.
“Mom, what is this?”
I saw how the emotions on my husband’s face changed: from disbelief to realization, from hurt to anger. All these years he believed his parents unconditionally, justified their actions, convinced me I judged them too harshly. And now…
“Artemushka, it’s not what you think!” — Antonina Petrovna babbled. “I just… We wanted… It’s all for you!”
“For me?” Artem raised his voice at his mother for the first time. “For me, you have been deceiving us for years? Making us pay for you while pretending you forgot money? That’s your special kind of care for me?”
Viktor Semyonovich sharply stood up and stood between his wife and son:
“Stop the hysteria! What are you, a child? We just wanted to check how you take care of your parents…”
But before Antonina Petrovna could come up with another explanation, a loud screech of brakes and a crash sound came from outside. We all turned to the panoramic windows of the lobby.
In the hotel parking lot, a silver Mercedes crashed directly into our rental car. The very car where all our things were left while we were sorting out the check-in…
Through the glass, I saw a well-dressed middle-aged woman getting out of the Mercedes. She nervously looked around, clearly searching for the owners of the damaged car.
Something in her behavior seemed strange to me, as if this “accidental” hit was not accidental at all…
“Elena? Elena Vorontsova?” — the woman suddenly said, looking closely at my face. Familiar intonations appeared in her voice that stirred something inside me.
“Marina Alexandrovna?” — I couldn’t believe my eyes.
In front of me stood my beloved psychology professor.
But how she had changed!
Instead of a strict suit, she wore an elegant designer dress. Instead of her hair in a bun — a stylish haircut, and her posture and manners spoke of the confidence that only true success and prosperity give.
“Oh my God, what a meeting!” — the woman hugged me warmly. — “Five years since I left… And you’re still as clever as ever, I immediately felt something familiar in your gaze!”
Antonina Petrovna and Viktor Semyonovich looked confused at our meeting. Their plan with the “forgotten” wallet was clearly losing relevance against this unexpected encounter.
“You… have changed,” — I managed to say, still not believing what was happening.
“Life knows how to surprise,” — Marina Alexandrovna smiled. — “Remember, I always said in lectures that opportunities come unexpectedly? Well, at a conference in Batumi, I met my future husband. He owns a construction company here. So now I have a villa by the sea and a completely different life.”
“And the accident… sorry, it was not on purpose,” — she looked apologetically at our car.
“No problem,” Artem intervened. — “The main thing is that everyone is safe!”
“Wait,” Marina Alexandrovna looked around our group. — “You’re just checking in, right? At this hotel?”
I nodded, trying not to look at the in-laws who clearly felt uncomfortable.
“Don’t even think about it!” — the woman declared decisively. — “I have a huge villa, four guest bedrooms, a private beach. Elena, you were my best student. Remember how we prepared your thesis on corporate ethics? Now I see how you apply that knowledge in life,” — she glanced meaningfully at the in-laws. — “I insist that you and your husband stay with me. And I don’t accept refusals!”
“But we…” — Antonina Petrovna began, but Marina Alexandrovna interrupted her:
“And you must be Artem’s parents? You know, I have a wonderful friend who owns a boutique hotel in the old town. I’m sure you’ll like it there more than here. And prices are very reasonable.”
I saw mother-in-law open her mouth to argue, but Marina Alexandrovna already took out her phone:
“I’m calling my driver now to pick up your things. And don’t worry about the car. My mechanic will fix it in a couple of days. Elena, darling, you have no idea how much we need to discuss!”
“Wait,” Viktor Semyonovich interrupted, “we planned a family vacation!”
“Oh, trust my experience as a psychology professor,” Marina Alexandrovna smiled the very smile I remembered from lectures when she was about to say something important, “sometimes the best way to save a family is to give each other some space. Besides, the old town is the heart of Batumi, the atmosphere is amazing! And my villa currently hosts a professor from Oxford, a family psychology specialist. I’m sure the kids will enjoy talking to him.”
At the mention of Oxford, Antonina Petrovna visibly brightened. Of course! The chance to brag to her friends about meeting a foreign professor was on the horizon!
“Oh, I’m so glad we met!” — Marina Alexandrovna chattered nonstop. — “We have a heated pool at home, a terrace with a sea view. My husband, by the way, is now at a regatta in Monaco, so the whole villa is at our disposal!”
I saw mother-in-law’s eyes light up. She was literally absorbing every word about the luxurious life, and when Marina Alexandrovna mentioned a private beach and a personal chef, Antonina Petrovna couldn’t hold back:
“Artemushka, maybe we should all go to Marina Alexandrovna together? After all, family should be together…”
“Yes, yes,” Viktor Semyonovich chimed in, “we are even ready to pay our part!”
Marina Alexandrovna raised an elegant eyebrow:
“What payment? I’m inviting my favorite student and her husband to stay with me. As for the others…” — she turned to me — “Elena, dear, you decide. Whatever you think is right will be.”
I felt all eyes turn to me. Mother-in-law looked pleadingly, clearly imagining how she would tell her friends about a vacation at a millionaire’s villa. Viktor Semyonovich nervously fiddled with his tie, calculating the benefits of such an acquaintance.
“You know,” I began slowly, savoring the moment, “I think Antonina Petrovna and Viktor Semyonovich would be more comfortable at the hotel. There they have Russian-speaking staff and all the conditions. Besides,” — I allowed myself a slight smile — “since they have a wallet with cards, they can choose any room to their liking.”
“Artem!” — mother-in-law exclaimed hysterically. — “Say something!”
My husband, who had been silent all this time, shrugged indifferently:
“I agree with Lena. After today’s… show with the so-called forgotten money, I think we really need to have some time apart.”
“But how…” — Antonina Petrovna switched to a dramatic whisper — “we could all be together… Marina Alexandrovna, you don’t understand what a close-knit family we are! And how well we know how to organize leisure! Viktor Semyonovich is great at bridge, I make amazing tinctures…”
“Oh, no doubt,” Marina Alexandrovna replied with a barely noticeable irony. — “But you know, my villas have one strict rule: the guests’ wishes come first. And for the next two weeks, my dear guests will be Artem and Elena.”
The in-laws blinked in confusion.
“Wonderful!” — the woman clapped her hands. — “Problem solved. Oh, and here’s my driver!”
A luxurious black Range Rover pulled up to the parking lot. A young Georgian in uniform quickly moved our things from the damaged car.
“Well then, have a nice vacation!” — I waved to the in-laws as I got into the car. — “Don’t forget to get a receipt at the hotel. And don’t ‘lose’ your wallet again!”
The last thing I saw in the rearview mirror were the confused faces of Antonina Petrovna and Viktor Semyonovich, frozen in the middle of the parking lot. It seems for the first time in their lives, their manipulations backfired on them.
“You know,” Artem whispered to me as the car moved off, “I feel so good for the first time!”
Marina Alexandrovna, sitting in front, turned to us and cheerfully chirped:
“This is just the beginning, my dears. Just the beginning. You have no idea what a wonderful vacation awaits you!”
The car smoothly drove onto the embankment and sped along the road at great speed. Ahead of us were two weeks of true freedom, sea, sun, and perhaps a long-awaited liberation from toxic family ties.