From a young age, Polina found herself drawn to business trips. At twenty-nine, the project development manager viewed these journeys as a refreshing break from her family routines, a chance to focus on her professional path, and moments of solitude. The upcoming eight-day trip to Yekaterinburg held promise for productivity with plans including unveiling a new product, engaging with partners, and studying the regional market trends.
Before setting off, Polina meticulously prepared everything as usual. She made a grocery list for her husband to last the week, left money for household expenses, and organized his shirts and suits throughout the apartment. Victor, a thirty-four-year-old software engineer, was accustomed to her thoughtful arrangements. Married for four years, the couple had developed a smooth system: Polina took charge of home affairs while Victor refrained from interfering.
Their inherited apartment on Prospekt Mira, gifted by Polina’s grandmother, featured spacious rooms with high ceilings and large windows, comprising a bedroom, living room, office, and a roomy kitchen. Victor had moved in right after the wedding, selling his one-bedroom studio. The funds were directed towards renovations and new furniture, resulting in a stylish and comfortable home.
The topic of living with Victor’s mother was broached several times over the years. Galina Semyonovna, a sixty-year-old retiree residing in an old two-room flat on the city’s outskirts, would occasionally hint to her son about the loneliness she felt, declining health, and the advantages of moving closer to the family. Yet, Victor consistently diffused these conversations with humor or vague remarks like, “We’ll see, we’ll think about it.”
Polina treated these discussions with gravity. The spouses frequently weighed the pros and cons of the mother-in-law’s potential move. Financial constraints prevented renting a separate place or purchasing a new apartment for Galina Semyonovna. Although their home had enough space, Polina was aware that housing three adults together required sensitivity, well-defined boundaries, and mutual respect.
Important Consideration: Polina emphasized to Victor the necessity of establishing clear household rules and responsibilities if his mother were to join them. Victor, however, dismissed these concerns, confident that his mother’s refined nature meant no issues would arise.
Despite these talks, no decisions were made, and Galina Semyonovna continued living independently, occasionally visiting on weekends. Polina welcomed these visits since her mother-in-law was skilled in cooking traditional dishes and enjoyed sharing stories from her youth, making her pleasant company.
- Summer marked an increase in Galina’s complaints about loneliness.
- Neighborhood changes compounded her isolation.
- Local stores closed, reducing nearby conveniences.
Though Victor was concerned, he refrained from taking concrete actions. Polina suggested various ideas such as enrolling his mother in courses for seniors, helping her find social activities, and offering programs to promote active aging. Victor remained unconvinced, assuring her they could handle the situation given ample living space and youth on their side.
Every discussion about concrete plans was postponed due to indecision, leaving the matter unresolved for the time being.
Monday morning saw Polina depart for Yekaterinburg. The trip included flights, hotel stays, and meetings with regional office colleagues. The workdays passed swiftly. She called Victor each night, sharing updates on negotiations and checking in on household affairs. Victor’s brief responses reassured her all was well—typical interactions between spouses separated temporarily.
On Wednesday evening, Victor sounded somewhat unsettled but evaded detailed explanations, blaming work fatigue and project delays, while expressing his longing. Polina chose not to press further. However, Thursday brought silence except for a terse message: “All good, busy.” She assumed her husband was overwhelmingly occupied.
That Friday night, Polina joined colleagues at a restaurant to reflect on the week’s achievements and plans ahead. The mood was jovial and informal. She called home late, around eleven, awaiting Victor’s response. When he finally answered, his voice betrayed tension.
“How are you?” she inquired.
“Fine. When will you be back?”
“Tomorrow evening, flight at seven. Will you pick me up?”
“Of course. Polina…” he hesitated.
“We’ll talk tomorrow,” he concluded abruptly.
Victor’s tone stirred unease in Polina, but she resolved to not overthink; men sometimes grow somber when left alone for extended periods. Tomorrow, she hoped, would bring clarity.
Saturday dawned bright and warm. On schedule, the plane landed. Victor greeted Polina at the airport with a hug, carried her bags, yet remained unusually quiet, offering curt answers about his week. Polina attributed this to exhaustion.
Approaching their home, she noticed several large bags piled carelessly by the entrance, resembling either a move or discarding of old belongings. Just as she intended to question Victor, he swiftly exited the car and headed inside.
“Don’t be surprised,” he explained while unlocking the door, “Mom has already moved in.”
Frozen momentarily, Polina’s mind darted through countless questions: When? How? Why without any prior discussion? Nevertheless, she asked softly, “Moved in? When?”
“Wednesday. We decided not to delay.”
Upon entering, the apartment felt different. The hallway displayed unfamiliar creams and perfumes by the mirror, a light summer jacket hung on hooks, and neat low-heeled shoes rested on the floor. The space seemed smaller and introduced a new, neutral scent—not unpleasant but distinct.
“Polinochka, dear, you’re back!” Galina Semyonovna greeted from the kitchen, beaming. “How was your business trip? Was it successful?”
Relaxed in a casual robe, the mother-in-law kissed her daughter-in-law’s cheek and took one of the bags.
“Come in, don’t stand in the hall. I live here now—let’s manage the house together.”
Polina slowly entered the living room, immediately noticing transformations. New floral cushions adorned the couch, a teapot covered with a cozy sat on the coffee table, and two large bags of clothing rested in a corner. The television was tuned to a channel Polina had never watched.
“Mom, show Polina how you’ve settled,” Victor prompted.
Galina Semyonovna eagerly toured Polina through the apartment. The office had been converted into the mother-in-law’s bedroom. Polina’s desk was shifted to the window, replaced by a folding bed. Dresses and blouses hung in the wardrobe; potted plants decorated the windowsill.
“It’s cozy, isn’t it?” the mother-in-law asked. “I moved your computer to the balcony; you’ll have better light there for work.”
Polina nodded silently, noticing her laptop indeed stood on the balcony beside drying racks and winter storage boxes.
Victor busied himself nearby, explaining the moving logistics:
- Items were transported gradually, prioritizing essentials on Wednesday.
- Galina’s old furniture remained at her former apartment for now.
- Future needs would dictate next steps.
Polina’s question about the fate of Galina’s previous apartment was answered directly:
“We plan to rent it out,” Galina stated. “It’s a modest income but still helpful. Living together is more fun and economical.”
Later that evening, Polina sought to refresh with a shower but found the bathroom door locked. Through the door, she heard water running and her mother-in-law humming softly.
“Will you be long?” Polina called out.
“About forty minutes, dear,” came the reply. “I’m used to long baths for relaxation.”
Waiting in the bedroom led Polina to spend over an hour. When Galina finally emerged, wearing a robe and slippers, she appeared content and rejuvenated.
“Sorry for the delay,” she said. “Get used to us being three now; we all need to adjust.”
Sunday morning arrived with the television already on. Polina woke to the sound at half past six; Victor slept on undisturbed. She entered the living room to find Galina sipping tea and watching morning news.
“Up early,” Polina said.
“At my age, sleep too long isn’t healthy,” her mother-in-law replied. “I can lower the volume if it bothers you.”
The sound, however, remained unchanged. Polina retreated to the bedroom, closed the door, yet the noise persisted, preventing her from falling back asleep.
During breakfast, Galina shared her day’s agenda:
- Visit downtown to purchase curtains for the office.
- Propose a movie night to create family time.
Polina ate quietly, reflecting on how drastically life at home had shifted. Just a week ago, the apartment was her and Victor’s sanctuary, a place for relaxation and authenticity. Now, a third person with separate routines and needs inhabited their space.
At midnight, Galina cranked up the television volume, selecting an old Soviet film. Victor fell asleep quickly—his remarkable ability to block out surrounding noise was evident. Polina, however, tossed and turned until three in the morning, contemplating the reality of similar restless nights ahead.
Monday commenced with another moment of frustration: the bathroom shelf was overtaken by the mother-in-law’s products. Galina’s towels hung over the hooks that once held Polina’s and Victor’s. The household dynamic was visibly shifting.
Dinner conversations grew tense when Galina addressed Polina quite candidly:
“You work too much—business trips, overtime, meetings. Women should prioritize home and family more.”
Polina felt a tightening in her shoulders and carefully replied, “I enjoy my job; my career is important to me.”
“Career is fine, but family is more so,” Galina countered. “I’ve dedicated my life to maintaining the home and supporting my husband. And look—my son grew up well and married a wonderful woman.”
An uneasy silence fell. Victor focused on his meal, avoiding the exchange. Polina realized the debate over her priorities was just beginning.
The following day, Galina conducted a thorough inspection of the apartment, commenting on its layout and furnishings:
- Questioned the design choices of rooms placement.
- Criticized the distance between the bedroom and bathroom.
- Remarked on the narrow kitchen and small balcony.
Polina clenched her lips, protecting the home she cherished as her grandmother’s legacy, where every detail mattered deeply.
“It’s an old design,” she answered calmly. “Victor and I find it convenient.”
Galina dismissed this, reminding Polina the bedroom wardrobes were wrongly positioned and the living room wallpaper needed replacing. Though Polina remained silent, tension made her lips pale.
Once Galina retired to her room, Polina approached Victor:
“Victor, we agreed to make significant decisions together.”
“What decisions?” he shrugged.
“Your mother’s move here is a major step affecting us all.”
He responded nonchalantly, “Mom’s just settling in. Give it time; things will settle.”
“Does my opinion not matter to you?”
“Why worry? We have space; Mom doesn’t interfere but helps.”
Polina concluded he had chosen not to involve her in such a life-altering choice. The decision was made unilaterally, and she was expected simply to accept it.
That night she lay awake, haunted by thoughts of becoming a stranger in her own home—a feeling both frightening and infuriating.
Early the next morning, with the apartment still quiet, Polina left without breakfast, seeking relief in solitude. Descending the stairs, she experienced an unusual sense of freedom, free from constant scrutiny and unsolicited advice.
Her journey to work was enveloped in silence—no radio or music to distract. Her thoughts were clear, pragmatic. She recognized Victor had independently decided on sharing their home with her mother-in-law, disregarding her viewpoint. Moreover, Galina treated the apartment as her domain, establishing rules and complaints at will. Polina found herself marginalized within her own space.
Colleagues noticed Polina’s unusual reserve and tenseness. She gave brief answers and avoided socializing, preferring to remain at her desk during lunch, engrossed in documents. Yet, she was planning her next course of action.
In the afternoon, Polina visited the notary Alexander Mikhailovich, a man in his fifties with a gray beard, located in a historic building near the regional court. After hearing her story, he inquired, “Is the apartment registered under your name?”
“Yes, inherited from my grandmother. My mother-in-law has no official residence here.”
“Then you have full authority to demand she vacate. You can file a complaint with the local officer or seek court intervention.”
“What if they refuse to leave voluntarily?”
“Forced eviction through the courts, which takes one to two months, but the outcome is certain.”
Polina obtained the necessary forms and contact details for the precinct officer, feeling a newfound resolve to end years of compromise.
Later, she stopped by the police station where Denis Vladimirovich, a young lieutenant, initially suggested mediation. Polina firmly refused, declaring the decision was final and unilateral with consequences.
The officer agreed to assist with eviction procedures that evening. Polina requested two witnesses to validate the protocol.
Returning home around 6:30 pm, Polina, the officer, and two elderly neighbors familiar with apartment ownership—Nikolai Petrovich and Valentina Ivanovna—stood ready. Galina Semyonovna, startled by the official presence, asked what was happening.
“Galina Semyonovna,” the officer stated formally, “you must vacate the premises. The owner demands an end to your unauthorized stay.”
“Unauthorized? I’m the mother of the owner! My son allowed it!”
“Your son is not the owner,” Polina corrected. “The apartment belongs to me, and I have not consented to your living here.”
Galina paled, clasping her chest. “My blood pressure! How can you treat an elderly person so?” she exclaimed.
The officer remained resolute. A protocol was drafted enforcing voluntary eviction. Understanding the gravity, Galina began packing, tearfully but compliant.
Victor arrived an hour later, visibly upset.
“Polina, what are you doing? She’s my mother!” he protested.
“She is your mother, and your responsibility,” Polina responded calmly.
“This is unacceptable! We are family!”
“Family means making decisions together, not springing facts on each other.”
Polina gathered Victor’s belongings into a large sports bag—shirts, suits, underwear, documents from the nightstand.
Victor, bewildered, questioned her actions; she reminded him of their four-year marriage, that the apartment had been hers all along, and that the mother-in-law’s move had been discussed extensively without her benefiting from a say.
Handing him the bag, Polina asserted, “You chose your mother. Live together where you wish, but not here.”
Victor implored for reconsideration, promising dialogue after emotions settled; Polina declined, affirming her stance.
By eight that evening, the apartment was empty. Galina and Victor had returned to the mother-in-law’s old residence. The officer and neighbors finalized the clearance protocol. Polina remained solitary.
Her immediate step was changing the locks. The old keys no longer fit, and the landlord’s office was notified of tenant changes—now only the rightful owner lived there. The intercom code stayed but Polina refused to answer calls.
Taking two days off work, Polina finally enjoyed uninterrupted rest—free from midnight television blares, door slams, and early kitchen chatter. Sleeping until ten, she leisurely ate breakfast, indulged in a long bath, and switched off her phone, avoiding conversations with Victor or Galina.
The peaceful days were spent engrossed in books, movies, and music, roaming the apartment barefoot, conversing with herself, and singing quietly. The tension in her body eased, and her burdens felt lighter.
Returning to work Monday, her phone buzzed with seven missed calls from Victor and three from Galina. She ignored messages and blocked their numbers.
A week later, an envelope appeared in her mailbox with Victor’s handwriting. Inside, he penned a lengthy letter, urging her to reconsider, promising mutual understanding and compromises, assuring his love and commitment to preserving their marriage. Having read it twice, Polina tore it up and refrained from replying.
Instead, she proceeded to the district court and filed for divorce. They had no shared property—she owned the apartment, and he had a car—nor were they registered at each other’s addresses. The divorce was expected to proceed quietly and swiftly.
One month later, sitting in the courtroom, Polina listened as Judge Elena Viktorovna declared their marriage dissolved. Victor appeared downcast and tried speaking with Polina, who answered only the judge’s questions, avoiding him.
“The marriage between Polina Andreevna and Viktor Sergeyevich is officially terminated,” pronounced the judge.
Leaving the courthouse, Polina felt a weight lifted. Four years of marriage had ended, opening a path toward a future without compromises forced upon her, and free from the need to prioritize others’ interests above her own.
Since then, Polina has lived alone in her inherited three-room apartment on Prospekt Mira. She wakens according to her own rhythm, enjoys breakfasts of her choosing, and watches programs that truly interest her. Her bathroom shelves hold only her creams, and her towels hang where she desires.
Business trips now hold a different meaning. Polina knows that at home, tranquility reigns, order reflects her own rules, and surprises in the form of unexpected houseguests are a thing of the past. No one makes decisions for her anymore—especially during her absence. The apartment has reclaimed its role as a home rather than a battleground for the right to be oneself.
When colleagues inquire if living alone feels lonely, Polina smiles and replies: “Loneliness is feeling out of place in your own home. But living by your own rules, surrounded by things you cherish, with the sounds you choose—that is freedom.”
In conclusion, Polina’s experience underscores the importance of communication, mutual respect, and joint decision-making in family dynamics. Her story reflects challenges many face when balancing professional ambitions with personal life and the complexities of multi-generational living. Ultimately, reclaiming autonomy and setting boundaries brought her peace and the ability to live authentically in her own space.