— Roma, I handed all the envelopes over to my mom. When they were handed out, you could feel the contents and there were decent stacks. — I felt it too, Svetochka, it’s clear that my dad holds a high position in the government. But I’ve long refused his handouts, ever since I started working myself. I’ll never forgive him for leaving mom. She died of heartache in this one-bedroom apartment of ours. — What can we do? Our mortgage has collapsed. It’s not ideal living in a one-bedroom with a child. I really didn’t want to take money from your father.
— I wouldn’t want to either, Svetik. He has another family, and I’m sure he invited those guests specifically to improve our living conditions. He knows I won’t take anything from him. — Romochka, let’s go to my mom’s. Let her explain this situation.
— Why are you two not sleeping? — Larisa, Svetlana’s mother, opened the door sleepily. — Mom, can you clarify the situation? I’ll never believe that respected people, my father’s acquaintances, would give empty envelopes.
— There were no empty ones, my daughter. I was putting them in a bag.
— Mom, did you always hold that bag?
— No, Svetochka, I entrusted it to your sister-in-law when they invited me to dance at the restaurant.
— Wake up Karina and Yura. We’ll clarify things, — Svetlana was determined.
Svetlana’s brother came out of the room, followed by his disheveled wife in a grease-stained robe.
— Svetka, why have you turned up so early? — Yuri was rubbing his eyes.
Svetlana explained, showing the empty envelopes. Karina was outraged:
— Yuri, your sister is out of line. They took them out at their own home and are blaming us. So many envelopes were gifted, but it’s still not enough for them, — Karina spat on the floor and went to the kitchen.
From the nursery, two curly dark-haired heads of Yuri and Karina’s children peeked out.
Roman realized that it was a mistake to come, and, taking his wife by the hand, opened the front door. Already in the car, he expressed his opinion.
— It’s clear it was Karinka, but the uncaught are not thieves. Tomorrow I’ll call dad to arrange money for the down payment.
— Let’s, Roma, put your one-bedroom up for sale, that should be enough for a new three-bedroom.
— Svetik, we wanted to leave it for our future child.
— We’ll earn for him later. Let him be born and grow up first.
Yuri’s apartment took a long time to sell. Many came to see it, but the ground floor was a dealbreaker, even with a balcony.
Svetlana’s mother, Larisa, came to visit.
— I have news for you. Yura and Karina took out a loan and are already packing up. They bought a three-bedroom in the suburbs.
— Mom, where did Yura get the money? Karina doesn’t work. And they need to support two children. Even though he’s a plumber at the housing office and has some side earnings, it’s not enough to put down 30% immediately. And banks don’t accept less now.
— Svetochka, I thought the same. And then I realized it was Karina’s doing. I have a proposal for you. I wanted to leave my apartment to you and Yura as inheritance. Not anymore. Let’s arrange a deed of gift. I’ll give you, Svetlana, our four-room, and you give me the one-bedroom. Let Yura bear the consequences of his actions.
Thus, Larisa resolved the property issues, punishing the thieving daughter-in-law. Plus, she rid herself of her presence in the apartment. She was tired of cleaning up after them and still working at the company.
After moving his mother into a one-bedroom, Yuri came to argue. He regretted that the whole family registered in the new apartment, even more so in the suburbs.
Now, 15 years to pay off the mortgage, with interest. Commuting to work by train, since he sold his car.