Your mother just announced that I’m obligated to hand over the keys to our apartment!” Marina burst into the bedroom, where Pavel was stretched out on the bed, lazily scrolling through his phone.

Your mother just announced that I’m supposed to hand over the keys to OUR apartment!” Marina burst into the bedroom, where Pavel was calmly scrolling on his phone while lying on the bed. He looked up and shrugged, as if it were something completely ordinary. “So what’s the big deal? Mom wants to have a … Read more

Listen, my dear—if you’re so eager to show off in front of your girlfriends, then go find yourself a job or a new husband, because I’m not paying for this nonsense. Not for anything

— I need two hundred thousand. Urgently. I’ve already told the girls we’re going to the best spa club in the city. On Saturday. Angela fluttered into the kitchen like a bright tropical bird that had accidentally flown into a gray city apartment. The air instantly filled with the thick, sweet scent of her new … Read more

— I’m tired of being your live bank and your free babysitter! — Olga shouted, and the entire clan of her mother-in-law’s relatives froze into silence.

— I’m going to hit you, Andrey! — Olga said, slamming her palm on the table so hard that the spoon jumped out of the mug and clicked sharply against the laptop lid. — Do you even understand what you’ve done? He sat there with his eyes downcast—like a little boy caught doing something stupid. … Read more

— Lena, we’re already at the gate — the sister-in-law didn’t know that an Alabai would be the one to greet them instead of the hostess

Lena, why aren’t you picking up? We’re already on the Novorizhskoye Highway! One hour left—put the kettle on!” Irina’s voice—my sister-in-law’s—was so shrill I had to turn the volume down so the speaker wouldn’t rattle. I glanced at my phone screen. December 30th, 2:15 p.m. Outside the window, wet Moscow snow was drifting lazily down, … Read more

“You spend too much on yourself,” my husband said. So I suggested he live for one month on his salary alone.

Look, Tolya, what a great buy!” I showed my husband my new winter boots. “Leather—and they were fifty percent off!” Anatoly glanced at the box and grimaced. “Boots again? You already have, what, five pairs! You spend too much on yourself, Olya. You’re always buying something. A dress, boots, some expensive cosmetics…” I counted in … Read more

“I didn’t invite them and I don’t want to see them! If they come, you’ll be ringing in the New Year without me!” — the wife gave her husband an ultimatum.

Anton was zipping up the last zipper on the travel bag when Lena walked into the room with her phone in her hand. The look on her face told him immediately—something had happened. “Your mother called,” she said quietly—too quietly. “She congratulated you on the trip. Said she’s very happy for us. And that Sveta … Read more

— “I’ll get straight to the point. You’re going to transfer all your savings to me right now, and I’ll tell Tolya that you’ve realized you were wrong. Then your husband will come back to you.”

— “I’ll get straight to the point. You’re going to transfer all your savings to me right now, and I’ll tell Tolya you’ve realized you were wrong. Then your husband will come back to you.” “Sorry… what exactly am I supposed to do?” “Don’t play dumb,” her mother-in-law smirked. “I know everything. You were saving … Read more

“Your place is in the kitchen!” the husband shouted in front of the guests. “And yours is with your mother,” the wife replied calmly, handing him the divorce papers.

“Your place is in the kitchen!” Alexey shouted, cutting his wife off sharply in front of the astonished guests. The table on the veranda, decorated with a festive tablecloth and summer flowers, fell into a stunned silence. Tatyana slowly lifted her eyes from her plate and met her husband’s gaze. There were no tears and … Read more

— “If you don’t like that I come to your home, then don’t come to mine either,” Lera said to her mother-in-law, closing the door.

Lera wiped the sweat from her forehead and glanced at the clock. It was half past five in the evening, and at home nothing was ready yet for her husband’s return. The August heat made cleaning especially exhausting, but in the two-room apartment she had inherited from her parents, order always had to be maintained. … Read more