“Oh, you impudent bitch!” Irina Viktorovna cried loudly and furiously, scowling bitterly.
Her hand shot up to Natasha’s head, and a loud slap on the back of the head sounded like a gunshot at the table. Natasha shook in surprise, dropping her spoon onto her plate. This was not her mother-in-law’s first conflict, but it was the first time it had come to a batter.
Irina Viktorovna regarded her daughter-in-law an unvaluable person. Having worked all her life as a storekeeper at a vegetable warehouse among drinkers and former prisoners, Irina Viktorovna considered her daughter-in-law as a “lady” whom she deeply detested.
This attitude became especially sensitive after her son lost his job and could no longer pay for the rented apartment – then they moved in with her. From that moment on, real patience started…
Natasha tried to conciliate with her mother-in-law, but when her husband, previously beloved, began to take care off his mother and gradually turn into a tyrant himself, she began to think about escaping from this whole situation.
And now Irina Viktorovna herself recommended the solution to her.
Before that, Natasha got angry at Volodya – he was standing in front of her again with an indifferent face. The soup, which he was telling something about work, accidentally dropped on the floor.
“Now clean it all up yourself!” Natasha screamed in a breaking voice.
At that moment, Irina Viktorovna hi:t her daughter-in-law with all her might.
Watching the expression on his wife’s face after the blow, Volodya abruptly laughed loudly and, turning to his mother, said:
– Mom, you’re just a hero! Just look at her! It’s like a comedy! Natasha, you’re like a scared chicken that was chased off its roost!
– Well, you would cry! Just like a little girl! – Volodya called after her and reached for the TV remote.
He didn’t even move to stop her or even ask what occured – he didn’t care.
“When he comes back, let him clean up the soup,” he said.
“Mom, don’t go near that puddle under any circumstances! Let Natasha control it herself.”
– You’re right, son, – answered Irina Viktorovna.
– She’s still young, too susceptible… This young lady has always been wealthy. Let her have a good time, settle down – she’ll have no choice. And do you hear me: don’t let her hurt you anymore! Got it? There should be a leader in the family – a man!
An hour later Natasha really did return. She was calm and gathered.
And the next morning, Volodya and his mother received an unpredicted surprise.
Waking up late, as usual, Volodya stretched and headed to the kitchen, dreaming of a cup of coffee and something tasty. But as soon as he opened his eyes, he spotted that the living room was empty.
– Mom! What, are you trying to rearrange the furniture? Where’s my watch? Where’s my laptop? And where’s Natasha anyway?
– What clock, son? What’s going on?
— The clock on the nightstand is gone! No laptop! Not even a phone!
– Mom, I don’t understand anything! Where did all my things go?!” Volodya screamed, already starting to panic.
“Maybe we were sacked?” Irina Viktorovna grasped, turning pale. “How are we still alive?!”
She didn’t even think about the fact that Natasha could have left on her own. In her thought, her daughter-in-law might be run out for bread or to take out the trash. They found a note neatly lying on the kitchen table under a vase of flowers.
Volodya read aloud:
“I have tolerated you both for a long time, but I am not a slave or a toy for beatings. What I took is payment for everything you have done to me. I will not live with you anymore, Vova. You have become completely different since moving in with your mother. Don’t look for me – I will file for divorce myself. Natasha.”
Having finished reading, Volodya looked at his mother in confusion.
– What a scoundrel! She took everything! She simply stole it, do you understand?!
Volodya rushed to the door:
– I’ll bring her back! I’ll show her who’s owner here! So she’ll remember!
Meanwhile, Natasha was already at her mother’s. She said:
– Mom, I couldn’t stay there any longer! It was a nightmare, not a family!
– I told you a long time ago, daughter. You should have left earlier. It’s always hard to live with a mother-in-law, and especially with one like yours.
At that moment the doorbell rang. Natasha’s mother opened it.
– Where is your daughter? What kind of tricks are you doing?! Why did you take my things?!
— Stole? I stole it? This is my compensation for three years of being his wife! If you want them back, welcome to court.
– What moral damage are you talking about?! Are you crazy? – screamed Volodya.
– What do you think? Am I not right? Over the years, you and your mother have driven me to the limit. Do you think this will be free?
– Give me back my things! Give me back my watch! – he continued to shout.
– Stop vrying! You’ll only get it through the court. Or buy them at a pawnshop. Do you want me to give you the address?
– You’ve completely… lost your mind! – Volodya grabbed his head.
Volodya fell silent, confused and bothered. And Natasha handed him the receipts from the pawnshop:
– I’m not a thief, Volodya. I just don’t want to rely on you anymore. Take it and go.
After all the experiences, Natasha filed for divorce. Her decision was final and inevitable.
And at home, Volodya and his mother could not quiet down.
– Son, you have to give her back! This is a disgrace! Let her know who’s in charge here!
– Mom, how can I get her back? She just kicked out!
– She must have friends! Try to look for through them where she is hiding now! She can’t be confined!
As a result, Volodya was left without a wife. But Natasha, finally freed from the toxic relationship, started a new life – calm, decorous and full of joy.