Sweetie, take Lenochka with you to the south,” the mother asked her older daughter to take her younger sister on the trip.
“Mom, your Lenochka behaves too boldly. Besides, I’m going with my husband, why do I need an extra woman there?” Vika snapped.
“But you are sisters. And you are older, you should help her.”
“Before having a doll, give birth to a nanny.” Vika hated this phrase her whole life.
Or rather, not her whole life. The first ten years of her life were absolutely cloudless. Her parents loved her, pampered her, paid attention to her. However, at one point everything changed. Vika, even as she grew older, could not confidently say what had happened between her parents, but her dad once hugged her and left the house with a suitcase. The parents did not explain the reason, but Vika suspected that dad had an affair. He was a handsome man and often went on business trips. Anything can happen! But then it all seemed to Vika like a terrible nightmare that she wanted to get rid of quickly.
Her mom cried, locked herself in the bathroom and paid no attention to her daughter. A month later, dad returned. More precisely, he flew into the apartment as if on wings and rushed to mom. He spun her in his arms and kissed her belly. That’s how Vika found out that she would soon become an older sister.
The child, who mended the broken marriage, became the favorite of both parents. Charming Lenochka grew up as a wonderful child. All the neighbors were amazed at how beautiful the girl turned out to be. While she didn’t resemble either parent, Vika even had the thought that maybe mom cheated on dad with some handsome man. But mom was of strict Puritan views, and Vika dismissed this thought almost immediately.
Lenochka was openly spoiled, turning the older sister into a nanny and helper.
“Ah, how good – they gave birth to a nanny first, and then the doll!” – the neighbors repeated, seeing the happy family (more often just Vika alone) walking with Lenochka.
It turned out that the doll, the child, was only Lena. And she, Vika – was an unsuccessful version of a child, only to be used as a nanny. The child’s brain refused to love this little creature that turned her whole happy world upside down.
If only she knew how much trouble this little girl would cause in her life… She would never have agreed to be a nanny.
Years passed. Vika became more independent, more mature. And Lenochka, no matter how old she was, remained a little girl. Vika remembered well how strictly she was raised, how she was scolded for every ‘B’ grade, for not being skilled enough in music and art school (it was because of this constant pressure from her parents that Vika came to hate drawing and music).
The syndrome of being an excellent student was cultivated in the older daughter so successfully that even after receiving a diploma with honors, Vika considered herself not “the best” enough.
Studies, dancing, sports, reading – Vika was torn between activities, trying to be the best in everything everywhere. “The best” – was the only possible level in everything she undertook.
And what about Lenochka? This girl grew like a dandelion in the sun, with the only difference that a dandelion paved its own way in life, while people around tried for Lenochka.
Lenochka learned weakly, showed no interest in anything. Everything she undertook bored her literally within a minute. Vika was indignant, seeing how easily her parents forgave the younger one’s truancies and bad grades. She tried to reason with them, but in response, she received only reproaches.
The last straw was that Lenochka ruined a fashionable snow-white coat, for which Vika had been saving for almost a year. She had already got a job, but continued to live with her parents, diligently paying utility bills and buying groceries. The coat was necessary for her to somehow adapt to the new team. Female colleagues flaunted expensive outfits, and Vika diligently hid the wear and tear and cheap labels on her clothes.
And then, one evening, the younger sister decided to “show off” in front of her friends. She had just turned fifteen – she began trying alcohol and cigarettes, but her parents stubbornly did not notice this. She ran away to hang out while Vika did not see that the coat was gone. She returned after midnight, drunk, in a dirty and torn coat.
Vika could not speak from bitterness and resentment. She swung and slapped her sister. Lenochka, who had never been spanked or punished, instantly sobered up and screamed as if her arm had been torn off.
The parents poured all the possible dirt and insults on Vika that they knew or could remember.
“Ah you, ungrateful wretch! You live here on everything ready! You eat at our expense and still have the audacity to beat your sister!”
“I pay for the apartment and fully pay for the groceries! So, I’m not on everything ready here! I saved for this thing for a year so I wouldn’t look like a scrub at work! And this insolent brat turned the coat into a rag. And I’m to blame for you? Where has the world gone mad?”
Unable to withstand the reproaches of her parents, Vika packed her things and left the house. The first time was difficult. There were days when her salary was not even enough for food. To avoid fainting from hunger at work, Vika drank liters of coffee.
At the same time, she managed to become the best here too. She was noticed and promoted. At the corporate party, she met a striking young man, who turned out to be the head of one of the branches. The romance was swift – within a year they got married and bought their own apartment.
Vika finally got everything one could dream of. As for becoming unnecessary to her family, the girl tried not to think about it, now her family was a beloved and loving husband.
Five years passed. Everything was perfect in Vika’s family, at work she had long been promoted to a managerial position. Travel, expensive clothes, and jewelry – the girl achieved everything she dreamed of. If only she knew how little time she had left for happiness.
Another year passed.
“Sweetie, take Lenochka with you to the south,” the mother asked her older daughter to take her younger sister on the trip.
“Mom, your Lenochka behaves too boldly. Besides, I’m going with my husband, why do I need an extra woman there?” Vika snapped.
“But you are sisters. And you are older, you should help her.”
“Lena is already 21 years old. Let her help herself.”
Vika genuinely did not understand why she should pay for her sister’s vacation? This mare neither studied nor worked, preferring to live off her parents’ pension and salary, as well as regular help from her sister.
However, under persistent persuasion, blackmail, tears, and complaints, she eventually gave in and agreed to take her sister with her.
A few days later, Vika caught her husband and sister in the hotel bathroom in a rather unambiguous activity. It turned out that this flirt had already insinuated herself into their family and bed for half a year, convincing Vika’s husband to leave “this old hag” and marry her.
Vika returned home alone, to pack her things and think about how to live on.
Literally the next day, her mother called. She didn’t even try to hide how happy she was for Lenochka and how Vika deserved it.
“Well, just think! You’re already old, you can’t give birth! But Lenochka is young and healthy, she’ll give birth to your Pasha’s children.
“Mom! Your Lenochka is a cheeky dumpling, who in a couple of years will become a harpy, weighing under a hundred kilos! You’ve loved and spoiled Lenochka all your life, considering her weak and delicate. You considered me a soldier who constantly needed drilling and punishment!”
“Oh, something’s wrong with my heart,” was heard on the phone!
“I don’t care! You’ll listen to me!” – Vika could no longer remain silent.
“You’ve protected this wretch from the dangerous world all your life? She herself is the danger! Capricious, lazy, impudent, envious! She long stopped being a charming girl and became ordinary trash, who can’t connect two words. You’ve raised a monster who doesn’t want to grow up and get off your neck!”
Vika could no longer talk, she hung up the phone and burst into tears.
Vika sat on the floor with the phone in her hands for several hours. She wanted to disappear, dissolve, hide under the baseboard so that no one could hurt her anymore.
Pavel prudently did not show up for several days. Then he sent a message and offered to meet, discuss the divorce and division of the apartment. Vika’s first impulse was to leave him everything, to turn this nasty page of life. Let him take it, she would still earn. Just so as not to see him and his sister.
But then she thought well and decided that it was not worth giving up everything so easily.
“Hell no! Then Lenochka will get everything on a silver platter again: my husband, our apartment, and the expensive renovation with an interior from a designer, into which I put my soul. No, dear sister, create everything with him from scratch.”
Vika remembered an article that she had recently come across in a magazine. It talked about the fact that for a mistress, someone else’s husband seems perfect, as if assembled precisely according to the scheme. But when trying to take this perfect constructor home, “parts” start to fall off – those qualities that the wife instilled in him and which seemed basic to the mistress. In the end, the rival gets only a bunch of parts, from which she herself must again assemble something worthwhile. And it is not a fact that she will succeed in creating the same perfect version that she received.
Then Vika considered the article nonsense, but now she was ready to believe it. Let Lena take Pavel. Let’s see what remains of this perfect man, who at the dawn of their relationship did not have half the prospects and qualities he had now.
Pavel came in the evening with a suitcase. Gathering the most necessary things, trying not to meet his wife’s eyes, he said:
“Vika, I filed for divorce. We need to file for property division. What is more convenient for you – to keep the apartment for yourself or to receive half its value?”
“I will keep the apartment for myself. And what half of the value are you talking about, if we took the entire amount from my savings. It won’t be difficult for me to prove it. Remember – you saved your finances for a dream – a car. And my money was used for the renovation. I have all the receipts and statements. If you want to get involved in legal battles – I do not recommend it. There’s nothing of yours in this apartment.”
“It was acquired during marriage.”
“With the money that we withdrew from my account. I deposited it there before marriage.”
The man left, promising that they would have to sort it out in court.
“Good riddance!” – the wife threw at him on farewell.
Vika was struck that her husband did not even try to apologize or explain anything. A few hours later, her mother called. Vika didn’t want to pick up the phone, but her mother insistently decided to clarify the situation. She sent several angry voice messages to her daughter:
“Vika, are you out of your mind? What court? What property division? As a good older sister, you should silently leave and leave the apartment to Lenochka. They have a young family being born, God willing, a child will appear. They don’t need expenses and spending now. Don’t be foolish, leave the apartment to Pavel during the divorce. Let your sister live like a human being. You can still buy for yourself. And how much do you need at your age?”
“So, barely over thirty, and they’ve already written me off as a pensioner. It seems I didn’t tell you enough about your Lenochka,” Vika said to herself, deciding not to answer her mother.
Searching through her contacts, Vika found the number of her old acquaintance. Kostik had been her admirer at university, but Vika was not into romance and relationships then, she put all her efforts into studying. After graduation, their paths diverged, but the girl sometimes maintained communication on social networks. Judging by the photos, Kostik had become a solid man, having opened his own law practice. Just what she needed in her situation.
Parents and the younger sister persistently tried to call Vika to explain how wrong she was, trying to leave her husband without housing.
“Vika, you are selfish! You knew that Pasha had no money for another apartment, so you started all this! But consider, I won’t just let this go. I also have connections!” – Lena decided not to let the matter drift and pressurize her sister until she deigned to pick up the phone.
“Oh my God, who are you trying to scare?” – Vika laughed, listening to endless threats from her sister. Lena also didn’t bother to apologize for her betrayal, she was so furiously shouting that she even lost her voice. The conversation was cut off mid-sentence, as Vika got tired of listening to the nonsense spoken by her younger sister.
A couple of days later, Vika gathered her thoughts to call Kostik and ask for his help. It was awkward since she had almost completely cut off communication with him in the past because her husband was jealous of her with everyone. And now, when Kostik was needed as a professional, she remembered him.
“Ultimately, what am I afraid of? If he refuses – I’ll find another lawyer.”
Deciding, Vika dialed Konstantin’s number.
“Vika, hello, is something urgent?” – Kostya’s voice changed, the girl did not recognize him immediately.
“Hello, no, not really. I need your consultation, as a specialist.”
“I’m on the road right now. Can we meet tomorrow? Around seven?”
“Do you work that late?”
“Well no, dear. I’m not going to miss the chance to invite you to a restaurant. Even if it’s about work!” – it was clear that the man smiled.
“Okay. Then see you tomorrow.”
Hanging up, Vika felt her heart beating faster. It had been a long time since she felt like this. Just a conversation. What would happen tomorrow? It turns out that attention from other men can still cause a flutter. The girl thought that after her husband’s betrayal she wouldn’t be able to look at anyone. But…
The next evening Kostya picked her up and drove her to a restaurant. Over the years, the man had changed a lot. He matured, became more confident in himself, calmer, authoritative notes appeared in his voice. There was almost nothing left of the quiet, timid, and insecure nerdy Kostik, whom all the girls in the group befriended but none considered him as a potential partner. Except perhaps the gaze and smile were just as open and cheerful. Vika knew that the boy had been in love with her, although he himself never dared to take an important step and confess his feelings. Seeing a friend almost ten years after graduation, Vika realized that she would have preferred Kostik to her husband if it came to comparing their external data. For some reason, he did not look so confident and authoritative in the photos.
“Hello. You’ve changed!” – Vika wanted to continue the communication in the same manner as in her student years, but suddenly all the words and jokes were forgotten.
“Yes, the years have roughed me up and toughened me up. Well, tell me. Why do you need me after all these years?” – Kostya’s charming smile slightly confused Vika.
While driving to the restaurant, Vika described the situation she was in with just a couple of phrases.
“With all due respect, why do I need you? A first-year student can handle this. If you have all the evidence, the apartment is yours. Let your husband and sister not count on anything. But if you’ll feel more at ease, I can look in on the hearing a couple of times. I can even wag my finger at them, but the maximum your ex can count on is compensation for funds invested in the renovation.”
“Indeed, I didn’t expect our marriage to end like this.” – Vika was left with a strange feeling. On the one hand, she met with Kostik as a lawyer for her divorce process, but the meeting in the restaurant began to play completely different colors. She no longer wanted to discuss her unsuccessful marriage and how to divorce with the least losses.
“Yes, rose-colored glasses – they are like that,” smiled Kostik. “But some think with a cool head, and some…” – he looked intently at the saddened Vika. – “In general, some rationally assess all possibilities, so they sign a prenuptial agreement, while others hope that everything will be like in a fairy tale. As a rule, the former have fewer disappointments.”
“You know, I’ve always been a pragmatist. I didn’t jump headfirst. But I didn’t expect such betrayal from both sides.”
“Tell me more about what happened there with your sister and him.” – Konstantin wanted to engage Vika, gain her trust. He had seen many such women before. After heavy divorces, they “fade,” become withdrawn, stop trusting the world in general and men in particular. As a rule, Kostik did not meet with his clients again. Few people after tough divorces sought to enter new relationships and a new marriage.
Vika had been in love with him since the first course. He loved her, understanding that such a girl would hardly look at him. No matter how hard he tried to impress her, there was no result – she saw him only as a friend. And now, when her personal life shattered to pieces, Kostik could not miss his only chance. The main thing – not to scare Vika now, not to press her. To become her friend again, attract her trust. And then you can move on to more decisive actions. Kostik knew that he had changed for the better over the past years. He saw that Vika also noticed and appreciated it. It remained to wait for his hour.
Meanwhile, the divorce process went exactly as Kostik had assumed. Pavel could not provide evidence that he financially invested in the purchase and renovation of the apartment. At the same time, Vika had plenty of it. The habit of saving all important data, started many years ago, played into her hands.
Lena was furious and staged scandals in the courtroom, for which she was repeatedly taken out into the corridor. Pavel rapidly lost attractiveness in her eyes. Without an apartment, he was of no use to her. And in communication, he turned out to be a terrible bore, too correct and demanding. Lena had already regretted getting involved with him, losing a lot of time and nerves.
“Lena, I’m not used to fast food. Vika cooked me healthy breakfasts. We adhered to a healthy lifestyle. We woke up very early. I don’t like that you sleep until noon and don’t work. I alone cannot financially support our family right now. Besides, court expenses haven’t been canceled. Vika found a savvy lawyer. I’m afraid we won’t get anything from the apartment.”
“Vika, Vika, Vika!! How tired I am of hearing her name in every sentence. You’re already getting on my nerves! Can you even take a step without her? I will live as I like, eat and drink what I want. And sleep until noon. And I’m not obliged to work. Why did I dig up a husband for myself?”
Lena broke up with Pavel even before he officially divorced. The “constructor” turned out to be too complex for Lena. Neatly assembled by her sister, it used to be perfect. In reality – boring and not as promising as she thought.
As soon as Lena broke off the relationship, Pavel realized what a mistake he had made, and decided to try his luck with his ex-wife. Choosing the most spectacular bouquet, the man went to make peace. Without a wife, he really didn’t have as many opportunities for development. Vika always supported him, encouraged him, believed in him, gave him confidence. Lena, like a vampire, only pulled energy and money from him. After breaking up with his mistress, Pavel felt as if he was hungover.
“What are you doing here?” – Vika was genuinely surprised by Pavel’s appearance on the doorstep.
“We need to talk.” – swallowing, he said. “Here, this is for you, your favorites.”
“Thanks, but no need. Give them to Lena. Although, she’s hardly surprised by flowers. Here, a stack of money – that, yes! She’ll appreciate it.”
“Vic, well, I’m sorry, we broke up with her. She turned out to be rude, impudent, mercenary. Doesn’t do anything, doesn’t cook, sleeps and eats all sorts of junk. I forgot when I last went jogging and ate healthy foods. How can you be so different?! She got on my nerves horribly in just a month. Before, she was cheerful, gentle, attentive, laughed at my jokes. And now she only demands money…”
“Well, sorry, not everyone in our family raised themselves. Some had their way in life paved by their parents.” – Vika found it funny to watch her ex, so lost and upset. He was hoping to get a younger copy of his tiring wife, but he got a fresh, but already life-worn girl, to whom his ideals and aspirations seemed empty noise.
“Vika, let’s try again, huh? I’ve realized everything, believe me. Nothing like this will ever happen again! Understand me, a devil in the ribs, gray hair in the beard.” – Pavel let out a tear, which made Vika laugh even more:
“What gray hair? Or did Lenochka’s antics already make you nervous? Well, get used to it, but at least she’s young, can bear and feed your child.”
“Who will she bear? She doesn’t need children at all. She hung noodles on her parents’ ears so they would support her. But in reality, she needs money and an easy life. That’s why she decided to take me away from the family.”
“And you didn’t resist much, as far as I remember. Even threatened to take the apartment away from me.” – Vika noted, changing her laughter to a haughty smile.
“I’ve realized everything. Leave the apartment to yourself, I won’t claim it.”
“Of course you won’t, it’s mine after all. Anyway, Pash, go to your place. During our marriage, you should have understood – I don’t forgive betrayal and don’t betray myself. So our paths diverged.”
“Ah, of course! She doesn’t betray! Didn’t the husband leave the house when you already dragged another guy in!” – unexpectedly, Pavel yelled. “You think I didn’t see how he looks at you? How he rushes to defend you! You call me a betrayer, and you sleep with another man, even before you get a divorce!”
Vika listened to him and couldn’t understand: was he joking or serious. How could he ask for forgiveness for infidelity in one sentence and then accuse her of infidelity? Maybe Kostya did allow himself a couple of meaningful glances, but this is definitely not a reason to equate everyone by himself and accuse of betrayal.
“Take the flowers to Lena – maybe she’ll appreciate them and take you back!” – Vika slammed the door in front of her ex-husband.
But Lenochka lost interest in him and went looking for a new candidate. Parents, as if nothing had happened, began inviting their older daughter to visit, hinting that now she didn’t have to spend on the family, she could start helping them financially. Vika, as much as she could, pretended to “not understand” the hints. And when the parents pressed too hard, she changed the topic or turned off the call. She never visited her mom and dad all this time. Meeting her sister was still unbearable. Even her husband’s betrayal Vika did not experience as painfully.
Kostik adhered to the chosen strategy. After the divorce was finalized, there were no reasons for meetings or conversations, so Kostik began to arrange dates, as if by accident.
They accidentally met in a shopping center – why not go to a cafe, have a cup of coffee.
Unexpectedly bumped into each other during a run in the park, since Kostya’s home was several kilometers away.
Vika began to get used to Kostya’s constant presence in her life, as if they were first-year students again. The girl did not plan new relationships, but did not exclude that something might work out with Kostya. She knew his advantages and disadvantages. There were far more of the former, and he learned to cope with the latter. Almost every day, Vika looked forward to an accidental meeting, to spend at least half an hour next to a self-confident man from whom she received positive emotions.
Almost a year later, Kostik made a proposal to Vika, rightly judging that delay in this matter could end badly for him.
The newlyweds decided to have a wedding in a quiet circle of closest friends. Vika did not invite her sister and parents, the offense was too strong. And in general, she decided not to enlighten her relatives about the details of her personal life. Where her sister learned about her marriage, Vika never found out. But one fine morning, she found Lena on the threshold of her apartment.
“Vika, hello! How are things, sister! Oh, haven’t seen each other in a hundred years, you’ve changed, by the way. Did you get Botox or plump your lips?” – giggling, Lena slipped into the apartment past Vika, caught off guard.
She talked and talked, not stopping, trying to quickly glance around the apartment and find the man her sister had married. Lena heard from acquaintances that it was some old friend of Vika’s. Interesting, what kind of guy? Recalling a conversation with one lady, Lena decided that it was time for her to reconcile with her sister, and at the same time get acquainted with the new relative.
Dressed in her most seductive dress, leaving little to the imagination, Lena was sure that this husband of her sister would fall at her feet as soon as she looked at him.
“And I didn’t invite you. I have things to do, please go home.” – Vika tried to evict the uninvited and unexpected guest, but the latter had other plans.
“Come on, Vic. What, are you still mad at me? Stop it! Who brings up the past – out goes the eye! We are sisters, we should share everything!” – Lena laughed at her successful joke.
At that moment, Kostik came out of the shower, still wrapped in a towel. Years of working out in the gym were not in vain, he looked attractive, from which Lena lost the gift of speech for a moment.
“Hello! I’m Lena, Vika’s sister. I’m so glad to meet you! We are now relatives. You’ll be like a brother to me. I’ve always dreamed of an older brother!” – examining Kostik’s muscular figure, Lena didn’t notice that it was he who represented her sister’s interests in court. Although on that day, some lawyer of her sister’s didn’t interest her much. – What’s your name?
“Konstantin.” – the man clearly did not want to continue the conversation.
“Vic, what are you standing there for? Pour us some tea! Not every day your sister comes to visit.” – Lena brazenly slipped into the kitchen.
Vika barely held back from throwing her sister out. Still, she took a deep breath and followed her. The husband went to the room to change clothes.
“I’ll help you, just let me wash my hands.” – Lena opened the bathroom door, but immediately turned towards the room as soon as Vika disappeared from sight.
“And where does my sister find such specimens?” – quietly entering the bedroom and closing the door behind her, Lena examined her sister’s husband, who had not yet managed to put on his underwear.
“Get out of the door,” Kostya felt a heavy gaze on his back. “Or better – get out of the apartment.” – he gruffly whispered.
“Oh, stop playing shy. I saw how you looked at me. I have something to brag about, unlike my sister – a dried fish.” – Lena gently ran two fingers down the protruding vertebrae of his back while Kostya was pulling on his jeans.
“I’m telling you for the last time – get out of here.” – Kostya turned around, fastening his belt.
“Kostya!” – suddenly Vika called her husband, noticing that her sister had suddenly disappeared.
The next moment, Lena threw herself at the man and hung on his strong neck. Fortunately, Kostya’s reaction was much quicker. Twisting her arms, he dragged the cheeky girl out of the room, towards his wife.
“A-a-a-a, what are you doing! It hurts! Let go right now, you’ll break my arm!” – Lena screamed like a madwoman.
“What’s going on here?” – Vika was dumbfounded, seeing her husband leading her bent-over sister.
“Nothing! Your sister decided to play out the work scenario again. If it worked to seduce one of your husbands, why not try her luck with the second, huh? And it doesn’t matter that you’re here, nearby. That we’re not acquainted. The main thing is to present her ‘advantages’ more profitably!”
“Damn you! I have a bunch like you! I wanted to check how faithful you are. And you turned out to be a wild psycho. You almost broke my hand.” – Lena cried, standing by the front door and rubbing her wrists when Kostya finally let her go.
“Get out,” Kostya said angrily and nodded towards the door.
“Very much you need me!” – Lena rushed home, intending to complain to her parents about her sister and her insane husband.
“There will be a scandal in the evening,” Vika remarked resignedly. “Father and mother will make me apologize to her.”
“Really? Maybe it’s time to stand up for your interests and not communicate with her? She’s inadequate. Loves no one but herself. Why do you need such a person around? Does the fear of upsetting your parents still hang over you and not let you live happily?”
Vika listened to her husband and was glad that her life turned out exactly like this. If not for Lena with her unbearable character, Vika would not have had the chance to appreciate Kostik and marry him. And what her mom and dad think – their problems. Let them sort out what they raised and educated.