“You once kicked me and my children out into the cold, remember? Oh, that never happened? You have such a short memory!”
— Valentina Stanislavovna, you once kicked me and my children out into the cold, Elizabeth said, looking her mother-in-law straight in the eyes. Do you remember? Oh, that never happened? You have such a short memory! Valentina Stanislavovna, do you really think you have the moral right to count on my help? I wouldn’t even give you a glass of water! I spent six months treating my one-year-old son for pneumonia—pneumonia he got thanks to you!
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Before the Wedding
Elizabeth was running around the city, searching for the perfect dress. She was getting married. She and Kolya had been together for three years—their relationship had started back in university. They graduated together, job-hunted together, and even lived in a rented apartment for a while. Elizabeth’s parents welcomed their son-in-law with open arms. Both her mother and father liked Nikolai—he was a simple, hardworking, and down-to-earth guy. But things weren’t as smooth with Kolya’s mother. Neither Elizabeth nor her family got along with her.
Valentina Stanislavovna, a former ballerina and a self-proclaimed “star” of the Soviet Union, carried herself like the Queen of England. She took great pride in her past. Of course, Elizabeth knew the real story—Kolya had told her. In her youth, his mother had been lucky enough to join a ballet troupe. She even performed on stage four times, though only as part of the corps de ballet, the background dancers. Her career was short-lived—she was quickly kicked out of the troupe due to her difficult personality.
Out of spite, she married, had a son, gained weight, and settled into a quiet life at home. But to anyone who would listen—whether they knew her or not—Valentina Stanislavovna would spin tales of how she used to fill entire theaters with adoring crowds.
She didn’t think much of her future daughter-in-law’s family either. In fact, she considered Kolya’s in-laws nothing more than “snobs and commoners.” Elizabeth’s mother worked at a hospital, while her father spent his life behind the wheel of a truck as a long-haul driver. When Kolya introduced Elizabeth to his mother, Valentina Stanislavovna interrogated her as if she were a criminal. Right in front of her son’s fiancée, she openly voiced her disapproval:
— Son, did you hear that? Your Liza isn’t even a native Muscovite! Her parents moved here from the north. Forgive me, Kolya, but couldn’t you find someone more respectable?
Kolya was mortified by his mother’s behavior. At first, Elizabeth was deeply offended, but she quickly composed herself and delivered a fitting response to her future mother-in-law.
— Valentina Stanislavovna, tell me, please, how long have your ancestors lived in Moscow? I’d love to hear about the work your parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents did here.
Valentina Stanislavovna pressed her lips together. She avoided discussing her own origins—she had also moved to Moscow years ago, chasing dreams of stardom. There was no real conversation after that. The women parted on bad terms, and Valentina Stanislavovna repeatedly tried to break up her son’s relationship with the “brazen provincial.” But Kolya refused to give in. He married Elizabeth anyway.
The Housing Question
Even before the wedding, the issue of housing came up. Having already experienced her future mother-in-law’s personality, Elizabeth was adamant—she did not want to live in Kolya’s apartment. She would have gladly moved in with her own parents, but unfortunately, there simply wasn’t enough space in their two-bedroom home. Elizabeth’s parents had two other children—a younger daughter and a son. Her mother suggested:
— Let me help you pay for rent? Your father and I are willing to cover part of it.
— Mom, Kolya and I are saving every spare penny for our own home. If we rent, we’ll have to say goodbye to our savings. After paying rent, we’ll have nothing left. We just need a year somewhere, then we’ll start applying for a mortgage.
— Liza, you know we can’t give you a separate room, sighed Svetlana Andreyevna. Where would we put your brother and sister? Lera could still share, but Vitya is already fourteen. He needs his own space, and he constantly argues about not wanting to share a room with Lera.
— Alright, Mom, we’ll figure something out, Liza sighed. Worst case, we’ll stay with my mother-in-law. She’s alone in a three-bedroom apartment, after all.
Kolya eventually convinced his wife. But dealing with his mother was another battle—Valentina Stanislavovna didn’t want the “detestable daughter-in-law” living under her roof. Kolya had to remind her:
— Mom, this apartment is partially mine. I don’t want to fight or go to court. Let’s settle this peacefully. We’ll live here for two years, then we’ll get our own place and move out. Can’t you set aside your principles for your only son? What has Liza ever done to you? She’s always been polite, she tries to please you. Mom, what’s your problem with her? She’s not a native Muscovite? You’re not one either. Dad told me how you two met—I know you’re from the Urals!
— I’ve lived in Moscow my whole life, Valentina Stanislavovna huffed. So I count as a native. But that’s not the point. The point is, I don’t like your Liza as a person! I don’t trust her! I figured out her plan ages ago. She’s sick of living in a tiny two-bedroom apartment, so she’s doing everything she can to move into my three-bedroom! Sure, you own half of this place, but do you have the heart to take your own mother to court? Is that how I raised you?
After a grueling argument, they reached an agreement: Kolya and Liza could stay for two years while they saved for their own home.
— Kolya, I don’t want to hear any ‘Mom, can we stay a little longer?’ After two years, you move out—no excuses. Even if your new place is unfinished, you’re leaving! I’m only making this sacrifice for you. Two years of suffering in your Liza’s company.
The Unexpected Pregnancy
Liza took over all the household chores, giving Valentina Stanislavovna plenty of free time. She started seeing friends more often, got a tiny toy terrier, and even had suitors—though they never lasted long.
But three months in, Liza found out she was pregnant. Kolya was thrilled. His mother, on the other hand, was furious:
— This is the worst possible time for a baby! You have no home, you’re freeloading off me, and now you’re adding a child to the mix! Are you expecting me to raise it too? Register the baby here, and I’ll never be able to kick you out!
Despite her protests, their daughter Masha was born. Not long after, Liza became pregnant again. The thought of telling her mother-in-law terrified her.
— Kolya, your mother barely tolerates Masha. She constantly complains about her crying. What will happen when she finds out we’re having another? How will we survive?
— We’ll manage, Kolya reassured her. Two kids close in age—it’s great! We’ll get through it!
Their son, Tolik, was born. But Valentina Stanislavovna despised him even more than Masha. She began making Liza’s life unbearable, picking fights and refusing to help.
The Breaking Point
One night, while Kolya was away, she finally snapped.
— Take your screaming brats and get out! I’m sick of this noise! Leave, or I’ll throw you out myself!
Liza begged for time, but her mother-in-law refused. She stood outside with her children for an hour in the freezing cold until her mother came to get her.
When Kolya found out, he was furious. He took legal action, forcing his mother to sell the apartment and give him his share. She was left with a small one-bedroom. Years later, she returned, broke, demanding to move in.
— You owe me! I tolerated your wife for two years—now it’s my turn!
Liza laughed bitterly.
— You threw my children into the cold. Now, you expect my help? You’ll die on the street before I lift a finger for you!
Kolya refused to take her in. She sued for alimony but was left with only a small payment. Now, she works as a babysitter. Her son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren remain strangers to her.