“Give me all the gifts – you don’t deserve them!” shouted her ex, but he got an unexpected response…
“Give me everything I gave you!” Sergey demanded loudly, bursting into the room.
“What?!” Katya asked, surprised, jumping up from the old chair. She had just returned from a run, wearing sports leggings and a light sweater, and her appearance showed signs of slight fatigue.
Sergey frowned and crossed his arms over his chest. His voice was filled with obvious anger:
“I said, give me everything I gave you. You don’t deserve it.”
Katya was stunned. Just recently, she and Sergey seemed like the perfect couple—at least that’s what everyone thought. Their story started two years ago in a small bar she visited after classes at university. Katya was a third-year student in the cultural studies faculty, dreaming of a literary career and writing her first stories. Sergey worked as an IT specialist in a large company, wearing expensive watches and giving off the impression of a confident man.
“It’s strange we didn’t meet earlier,” he had smiled, pouring cider from a bottle on the night they met.
“I don’t know, I’m usually not here. A friend dragged me here… but she’s already gone,” Katya confessed.
Their conversations at the time seemed easy and casual—from book releases to politics. Sergey amazed her with his attentiveness and confidence. Katya felt that his calm strength both attracted and slightly scared her.
They dated without any specific plans. Sergey said he was tired of shallow relationships, and Katya simply enjoyed the company. He treated her to meals at cafes, occasionally surprising her with thoughtful gifts—like T-shirts with prints from her favorite books. Once, he gave her a rare edition of Tsvetaeva’s poetry, and Katya thought he understood her incredibly well.
Sergey considered himself older and more experienced, so he constantly repeated that he needed to “take care of her.” Katya found this sweet. He gave her money for taxis, bought expensive clothes “according to his taste.” Gradually, she became accustomed to his generosity without thinking that one day he might ask for everything back.
It had only been a month since they broke up. Katya thought everything had ended amicably. Sergey took his things, leaving a package of dishes and other small items she had once lent him at her door. But there was no mention of returning gifts.
Now, he stood before her, glaring at her, and uttered those very words: “Give me all the gifts—you don’t deserve them!”
“Sergei, let’s calm down,” Katya tried to calm him. “What are you talking about? What gifts? You gave them to me yourself…”
He raised his chin proudly:
“Yes, I gave them. But at that time, I thought we were together, that we had a real connection. And now\… I found out you’ve been on dates!”
Katya couldn’t believe her ears:
“Dates?! Where did you get that? And even if so, we’re no longer a couple. I have the right to live my life.”
“Of course, of course,” Sergey sneered. “But since you found a replacement so quickly, why not return the watch I gave you for our anniversary? And the laptop I paid for… Do you remember the dress from the Italian brand? And…”
“Wait,” Katya interrupted. “You seriously want me to return all these things just because we broke up?!”
Sergey nodded coldly:
“Yes. You don’t deserve them. Since you’re no longer my girlfriend, if you decided to live your life differently, let the gifts go back to the one who paid for them.”
Katya turned to the window. She wanted to laugh, but inside, frustration was building up. On the one hand, she knew she didn’t legally have to return the gifts. On the other hand, she was standing in front of a complete stranger, whose eyes were burning with childish resentment and selfishness.
“So you think that everything you gave me wasn’t a gift, but an investment? And now you want it all back?” she asked, trying to stay calm.
“I didn’t say that. But if you think you’re ‘right’ after our arguments, why do you need my things? Let your new admirer buy them, if he can,” he added venomously.
Katya felt her cheeks flush with indignation. It was clear that Sergey had come to humiliate her, to make her feel guilty. But why should she justify herself?
“A new admirer is none of your business,” she said, taking a deep breath. “And as for the gifts… Do you really want them back? Fine…”
“Yes, I do,” he repeated, though there was a flicker of unease in his voice—he clearly hadn’t expected her to agree so quickly.
As Katya gathered her thoughts, memories of their last days together resurfaced. It all started with a small argument when she announced she was going to the beach with her friends. Sergey replied coldly: “Why do you need those friends? Why can’t we just relax together?” Over the night, their conversation turned into a big conflict, where they aired all their accumulated grievances. Sergey blamed her for not spending enough time at home and being too busy with her dreams. Katya accused him of controlling her and not respecting her personal space.
The argument continued. Sergey made degrading comments about her education, and Katya replied, “Your character has become unbearable. I’m leaving.” They broke up that same day, agreeing to “remain friends,” but in practice, it went completely differently.
Katya looked at Sergey. He flipped his hair back and nervously curled his lips:
“Well, will you bring everything or should I rummage through your apartment myself?”
“Rummage? You won’t,” Katya retorted sharply. “Sit on the couch if you want. I’ll gather it all.”
She entered the room, turned on the light, and looked around. “What did he give me?” she thought. The watch was in the jewelry box, the laptop was on the table, the dress hung in the closet, the bracelet rested in its box… And there were also sneakers, a bag, and many other things. “Fine, here’s a surprise for you,” Katya decided.
As she placed the gifts in a bag, she felt both resentment and satisfaction. She didn’t want to keep these items as a reminder of Sergey. “Take them if you need them. I’ll manage without them,” she told herself.
When Katya brought out the heavy bag, Sergey only glanced at it:
“Is that all?”
“Maybe not, but let’s start with this,” she replied.
Sergey began to rummage through the contents of the bag, like an auditor checking everything. First, he took out the dress, inspected the label, and snorted:
“I doubt you’ve worn it even once. Fine, you’ll wash it, maybe I’ll sell it.”
Katya stayed silent, watching the scene. Then he pulled out the bag, the bracelet… Finally, he reached the laptop, neatly packed in a black case.
“This is definitely mine. I paid for it. As we agreed: return it.”
Katya nodded, staying calm. But inside, the question echoed: “Why is he so petty? Is it just because he wants to take revenge?”
At the bottom of the bag were the watches—the ones with the engraving: “To my beloved Katya – together forever.” Sergey took them in his hands, read the inscription. For a moment, a trace of longing flickered in his eyes, but then it was replaced with disdain.
“These too. The engraving no longer matters,” he said coldly. “What else is left?”
“Looks like everything,” Katya answered indifferently. “Unless you want the small things: stuffed toys, bouquets, candies… Maybe you want the candies too?”
She couldn’t help the sarcasm, but Sergey took it literally:
“Give me the toys too. I gave them to you when we were together. So they’re mine.”
Katya sighed, feeling a mix of laughter and bitterness. She went into the room and brought a couple of plush bears that had been collecting dust on the shelf. She put them in the bag.
“Well, are you happy?” he sneered.
“I don’t know, you’re the one trying to get something,” she replied, frowning.
Katya remembered the friendship bracelet Sergey gave her at the beginning of their relationship. Simple, bought at a street fair. Back then, it seemed so touching. She had kept it in her father’s jewelry box, next to photos and old postcards.
“Why not? Let him take it, since that’s the story,” she thought.
She brought the box, took out the faded string with a metal bead, and threw it in the bag. Sergey didn’t immediately realize what it was, but then he recognized it. His brow twitched.
“I never thought you’d keep this. But fine, since you’re returning everything, let’s have it.”
Katya noticed a flicker of nostalgia in his eyes. Maybe he too remembered their walks along the embankment, laughing, and sharing ice cream from the same cup. But pride and resentment prevailed.
At that moment, the doorbell rang. Katya opened it to find her friend Oksana with bags of groceries. They were planning to make pizza and watch a series. When Oksana saw Sergey with the bag in his hands, she was surprised:
“Hi. What’s going on?”
“My ex came, demanding the gifts back,” Katya shrugged.
“Really?” Oksana exclaimed. “Doesn’t it seem a bit much?”
“Don’t interfere,” Sergey cut her off. “I’m only taking what’s mine.”
Oksana shook her head:
“Katya, do you want help gathering his gifts? Maybe we’ll find his toothbrush?”
Katya smirked, and Sergey’s ears turned red with anger. He wanted to say something, but changed his mind.
Finally, Katya approached the door, opened it, and looked at Sergey indifferently:
“Here’s everything you gave me. If you find a pen in the closet, let me know, I’ll send it by mail. There’s nothing else.”
Sergey squeezed the bag, which threatened to burst from the number of items. He expected tears, pleas to keep the laptop or the watch. But Katya just stood there—calm and seemingly even relieved.
“You’re not even protesting? Not trying to keep them?” he asked in surprise.
“Why? It’s your choice to demand them back. Mine is to give them back. I don’t need reminders of who you’ve become.”
He was silent, then asked:
“But the laptop, you need it for your studies. For your studies and all that…”
“I’ll manage. I’ll earn and buy another one. Freedom is worth more than your ‘gifts.'”
Sergey snorted:
“Well, if that’s the case… Goodbye. Let’s see how you’ll live without everything.”
He turned and went down the stairs (the elevator wasn’t working). Katya closed the door. Oksana dropped the bags and ran over to her friend:
“How are you? Aren’t you sad about the laptop, the dress? It’s valuable!”
“A little upset,” Katya admitted. “But let him take it. I want to start life anew, without his control. Let him keep everything soaked in his pride.”
“Cool! I’d probably argue, but you just let go. That means you deserve better.”
Katya smiled sadly:
“Let’s see. For now, let’s make pizza. Later, maybe we’ll feel sad, but not for long.”
They went to the kitchen, and Katya felt lighter than she had in the past few months.
Later, her phone buzzed. A message from a classmate: “Hey, there’s a creative evening in a week. Can you help with the decorations? They say you have good taste.” Katya remembered her dream—to organize literary events. And here was her chance.
“Oksana, I’m being asked to decorate for a poetry evening! How amazing!”
“Of course, accept it! It’s a great opportunity. New people, connections…”
Katya realized: now she was free. No one would dictate how she lived anymore.
A few days later, while buying new sneakers at the mall, she noticed a familiar silhouette. It was Sergey with an elegant blonde by the jewelry store. They were laughing, chatting animatedly.
Katya felt a slight jab: “A new passion? Will he demand her gifts back too?” she thought sarcastically.
She tried to hide, but Sergey noticed her. He froze for a moment, then turned away and continued his conversation. Katya felt that she didn’t care. Only a quiet tiredness and certainty: “It’s over. And that’s for the best.”
The next day, Sergey’s mother—Marina Petrovna, whom Katya had always respected for her kindness—called:
“Katya, hello. I’m sorry to bother you, but I really don’t understand what happened between you two… Yesterday Sergey came to me with a whole bag of your things and said you broke up and he ‘returned the gifts.’ What does that mean? Why did he bring them to me?”
Katya sighed:
“Hello, Marina Petrovna. Yes, we broke up. He demanded everything back that he gave me. I gathered it all and gave it to him. I guess he brought it to you. I don’t know what he plans to do with it. Maybe he’ll sell it…”
“Oh, my dear, what a fool he is… I’m sorry,” Marina Petrovna sighed. “I’ve tried to talk to him, but he’s being stubborn. I’m so sorry. You’re such a wonderful girl. I thought you’d get married…”
Katya felt sadness:
“Thank you for the kind words, Marina Petrovna. But unfortunately, we didn’t work out. His behavior… strange, to say the least. Although, maybe it’s for the best. I don’t want to go back to those relationships. It’s all over.”
“I understand,” the woman said softly. “If you need any help or want to take something you didn’t manage to tell him, you can always call me. I’m truly sorry.”
Katya thanked her and hung up. She sat for a long time, staring at the wall. Sergey clearly lacked the maturity to maintain a normal relationship. He chose the path of petty revenge. “Well, I’m not going to suffer because of it,” she firmly decided.
A week later, Katya fully immersed herself in preparations for the poetry evening at the university. She was in charge of decorations and the opening script. She ran around stores for fabric, arranged with the artist for a banner, and selected music. An incredible energy awakened within her. The breakup and return of the gifts seemed to free her from constant stress and Sergey’s reproaches.
The evening went successfully—the decorations and script received many compliments. Katya felt the inspiration she had forgotten long ago. At the end of the event, one of the invited poets, a young man named Gleb, approached her:
“Katya, right? Great idea with the lanterns on stage and the musical pause. Very atmospheric. Do you write poems too?”
She blushed:
“Sometimes I try, but I don’t show anyone.”
“Too bad. It would be interesting to read. If you want to share, write to me,” he handed her his business card.
Katya took it mechanically and smiled. “A new chapter begins,” she thought.
The next morning, the doorbell rang. At the doorstep stood a courier with a package. Katya brought it inside and discovered the familiar laptop, neatly packed in the same case. There was also a note: “Take it back, I don’t need it. Do whatever you want with your texts. Sergey.”
Katya shook her head and smiled bitterly: “I guess he decided it would be hard to sell it, or there’s not enough money. Or maybe his mom advised him to return it. Well, at least this way.”
Oksana, who Katya immediately texted, suggested: “If you don’t want to use the thing he returned, you can sell it and buy a new one. But if you need it for work, keep it.”
Katya thought for a moment and decided: “I’ll take it as a soulless tool. There’s no emotional attachment anymore.”
A month passed. Katya was actively organizing cultural events, had an internship at a creative center. Her first earnings, though small, allowed her to live. She bought a watch, comfortable sneakers, and enrolled in a course on literary editing.
One evening, while having tea with Oksana at a café, her phone rang. The screen displayed “Sergey.” Katya looked at her friend, who shrugged: “Answer, who knows.”
“Hello?” Katya said.
“Hi…” Sergey’s voice sounded tired. “I wanted to know how you are. Is everything okay?”
Katya closed her eyes and exhaled quietly. The words “Give me all the gifts—you don’t deserve them” flashed in her mind. But now, she only felt a slight pity.
“Everything’s fine, Sergey. I have my studies and work. How about you?”
“Yeah, just the usual. Listen, I realize I behaved badly. I’m sorry, if you can,” he said softly. “I wouldn’t want to completely lose contact with you.”
“Well… I accept your apology, but the past can’t be returned. Let’s not drag this out. Everyone has their own path,” Katya calmly replied.
Sergey was silent for a few seconds:
“Got it… Maybe one day, at least we can meet as old acquaintances?”
“I don’t think that’s necessary. Good luck,” Katya said, ending the call without any guilt.
She placed the phone on the table and smiled at Oksana. Seeing in her eyes that the conversation was over, Oksana asked:
“So, what did he want?”
“He seems to regret what he did. But I don’t want to go back to the past. It’s over,” Katya quietly replied, feeling the pleasant freedom.
The waiter approached them to take their dessert order. Katya thought that life was moving forward, and now she was choosing the direction. No more “gifts” from the past could dictate her terms.
Six months later, Katya graduated from university, continued working at the cultural center, and released her first essay collection in an online journal. She rented a small cozy apartment, furnishing it with only what she considered necessary. One day, while moving, she found the box with the friendship bracelet (which Sergey had also returned through his mother). Katya smiled, remembering the beginning of their story.
But the mixed feelings didn’t last long. She placed the trinket back in the box and continued sorting the books. “Let the past stay in the past,” she decided. Somewhere deep inside, she knew she made the right choice by giving those “gifts” back but preserving the most important thing—her dignity and the ability to move forward.
Now, if someone says, “Give me everything I gave you,” she knows how to respond. This answer isn’t about material things; it’s about who she has become—a person who no former revenge can prevent from being happy.