— Are you out of your mind? We can’t even get through the holidays with her, and you invited her to live here? — Ksyusha protested.

“— It’s good for her, just bear with it a little! — Roman was not planning to back down.

“— It’d be easier for me to leave for the city on my own while she’s here!

Ksyusha and Roman had spent almost their entire life living with Roman’s mom, Natalia Anatolyevna. They had no money for their own apartment, and the mother-in-law had a big three-room apartment in the city center.

She immediately shut down any questions regarding a change.

“— As long as I’m alive, I want to live in the apartment where I was born and raised! You’re young – you can earn your own place.

The mother seemed not to understand that earning enough for an apartment these days isn’t that simple, especially with a little child and only one working adult in the family.

But Ksyusha and Roman did not despair.

When their little one eventually started kindergarten, Ksenia began taking on clients again. Since she had once worked for a major advertising agency, some of her former clients were happy they could now approach her directly.

Their financial situation improved, and soon the couple decided to invest their savings in buying a country house. Both of them liked this option – it was cheaper than an apartment and offered more space. Just what a family with an energetic little one needed.

Natalia Anatolyevna took the news as if it were an insult.

“— Why on earth do you need to go off to who-knows-where? Live here in the city. The child goes to kindergarten here, and she’ll go to school here too. Our school is good – with a mathematical focus, and Roman studied there. No, I am categorically against it, — declared the mother-in-law on behalf of everyone.

“— Mom, we’ve weighed everything and made our decision.

“— ‘Everything’? Without me? You’ll thank me later.

At that moment, Ksyusha was actually glad that they would move far out of the city, away from the overbearing mother.

But she wouldn’t relent.

“— And how do you expect me to visit you, have you thought? What if you need someone to watch over Mashenka?

“— We’ll manage on our own. If it really becomes necessary, we’ll bring Mashenka to you ourselves, — Roman calmly explained.

“— So, do you need to buy a car for the country house too? You can’t commute to work by train!

“— Ksyusha’s dad is going to give us his old car. He hasn’t driven it for a year – it’s just sitting there rusting – so I’ll fix it up a little and it will drive us for another ten years, — Roman said happily.

“— And then there’s more money to spend on repairs… — Natalia Anatolyevna continued grumbling.

“— Don’t you worry about us; everything will be fine! — Ksyusha joined her husband.

“— And no one ever asks for your opinion; these matters should be decided by a man with his mother. I, at least, have some life experience – I’ve already raised a person, while your Mashenka isn’t even taught to do simple things on her own. So, focus on the parenting while the adults talk, — the mother-in-law waved her off irritably.

“— No way, I’m sorry! — Ksenia couldn’t stand such an attitude, — this house is being bought with my money too!

“— And you don’t even have a real job! You’re in advertising. You sit online half the day just picking pictures.

“— That is my job – I create advertising banners and set up ads. If you don’t understand something, then start by working on your own development, — Ksyusha snapped, turned around, and went to her room.

“— Oh, you’re going to have a hard time with that girl. — Natalia Anatolyevna approached her son, — maybe you shouldn’t buy together, huh? There’s already an apartment – live there, and then she won’t get a thing in case anything happens, — she continued in a conspiratorial tone.

“— Mom, that’s enough! Case closed.

Ksyusha was the happiest about the house purchase of all. That thought alone gave her the strength to endure all those months of choosing and viewing their future potential home. After all, they still had to live in the mother-in-law’s apartment.

When, finally, their agent Lena called with an offer that, in her words, “one doesn’t refuse,” Ksyusha and Roman dropped everything and rushed to the suburbs.

A small but brand-new frame house on a beautiful, spacious plot was being sold urgently. That’s why the price was much lower than the market rate.

Roman and Ksyusha immediately fell in love with this cozy little nest and paid a deposit.

The move was not without its share of stressed nerves. Natalia Anatolyevna constantly groused about how the children were making a huge mistake and that in those suburban areas there was neither decent ambulance service nor police. Going there with a child is sheer madness.

Ksyusha paid absolutely no attention to her mother-in-law’s rants. She was completely absorbed in the list of things that must not be forgotten under any circumstances.

The couple settled in quite quickly. Little Mashenka was absolutely delighted with both the new house and the large plot where she could run around, as well as with the old, sprawling apple tree that stood at the edge. Everything was just perfect until, one fine day, Roman appeared to Ksyusha with some news.

“— Mom has come to live with us, — Roman said guiltily.

Ksyusha felt an icy chill inside. She dropped the glass of milk she had poured for Mashenka. Not believing her husband’s words, she rushed to the window. In the driveway, a taxi was parked, and out of it stepped Natalia Anatolyevna. As always, she looked dissatisfied with something and was arguing with the taxi driver.

“— Why didn’t you warn me? — Ksyusha asked curtly.

“— Because you wouldn’t have allowed it. And she isn’t feeling well. The doctor said she needs fresh air and minimal stress.

The ensuing argument was pointless, since her mother had already arrived and there was nowhere to go. But Ksyusha was so angry about her husband’s action – or rather, his omission – that she continued to fume until loud footsteps of the mother-in-law were heard. It seemed as if even the terrace boards were resisting her visit…📖 Read the continuation in the comments ⬇️ See less 🌒f☄️o🌏e💮c🌱j