Alexey spoke as if he were casually announcing the weather forecast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marina didn\u2019t immediately grasp the gravity of his words. He sat at the table wearing a smug expression. A stack of papers lay before him. He leaned forward, watching her reaction intently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou\u2019re joking, right?\u201d Her voice trembled for a moment, but she quickly composed herself. \u201cDo you really think you can claim what you never put a single penny into?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He shrugged, tilting his head slightly.
\u201cThe law is the law, Marina. We\u2019re married, so everything is shared.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His tone was smooth, almost syrupy, with a careless edge. A faint smile played on his lips, as if he were savoring the moment. Marina noticed how his fingers nervously fiddled with the edge of the documents\u2014a subtle reveal of his hidden anxiety. But compared to the storm raging inside her, it was nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That morning had begun with such wonderful news. Marina had received a message: \u201cDocuments have been registered. Congratulations.\u201d She stood by the window and cried tears of joy for the first time in a long while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marina had always known that owning her own apartment was more than just walls\u2014it was freedom. Freedom to close the door and be in a space where she didn\u2019t have to explain herself, apologize, or please anyone. Especially living with a mother-in-law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Galina Sergeyevna, Alexey\u2019s mother, was a commanding woman with firm ideas about how her family should live. Every morning began with criticisms: Marina slammed doors too loudly, folded laundry incorrectly, brewed coffee not to Alexey\u2019s liking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy dear,\u201d she\u2019d say in a tone that mixed feigned care with venom, \u201cyou should be thinking about your future, not these silly apartments. Look at Nastya\u2014she\u2019s expecting her third already, and you\u2019re still obsessed with work.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marina swallowed the remarks silently. She worked as a freelance designer, saving every ruble. Three years without vacations, restaurants, or new clothes. Alexey, her husband, never supported the idea of buying an apartment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019re fine as is. Mom cooks, cleans, keeps everything under control. You and your fussing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But when the realtor Olga called and said there was a perfect two-bedroom apartment in a new building, Marina rushed to see it\u2014bright walls, spacious kitchen, park view. And now, the apartment was hers. Or was it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She stood by the kitchen table, clutching a long-cold cup of tea. In the far corner, a clock ticked softly, marking the seconds of her old life. Alexey sat opposite her, lazily tapping a pen against a stack of papers. His eyes glowed with a strange, almost brazen calm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEverything acquired during marriage is split in half. That\u2019s the law,\u201d he repeated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From the next room came a muffled voice. Galina Sergeyevna, as if choosing the perfect moment, appeared.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAlexey, have you discussed everything already?\u201d Her voice was soft but carried an icy undertone. She entered the kitchen, casually leaning on the doorframe. Triumph gleamed in her eyes, carefully masked as sympathy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marina looked up at her. Thin lips pressed into a tight smile, posture straight, gaze sharp and calculating.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou knew?\u201d Marina felt her hands weaken and gripped the cup tighter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Galina took a slow step forward\u2014graceful like a cat stalking prey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDarling, we\u2019re just thinking about your future. It\u2019ll be easier if you agree. Without all this\u2026 stress.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Without all this stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marina laughed softly, but it was dry and hollow. She didn\u2019t believe a word of it. They had planned everything. Talked behind her back. Alexey knew she had worked tirelessly, saving every kopek for the apartment. And now that she\u2019d reached her goal, he was ready to take her efforts away as if they meant nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSo that\u2019s it.\u201d She set the cup down with a dull thud. \u201cYou were with me only for the apartment?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alexey smirked, leaning back in his chair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t exaggerate. It just happened.\u201d He spoke casually, but his fingers kept nervously drumming on the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marina took a slow breath, feeling anger rising inside\u2014not a fiery rage that made her shout or smash dishes, but a cold, burning fury from within.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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