– Mm? – He reluctantly tore himself away from the screen.
— About our finances. For the last six months, we have been constantly going over budget.
Andrey put the phone down and rubbed his temples tiredly.
– You see, Larisa is in a difficult situation. Do you want my nephews to starve?
Sonya clasped her fingers, trying to stay calm.
– No one talks about starving children. But we spend more on your sister than on ourselves. Remember, we were going to save up for a vacation this year?
– Sonya, it’s just a vacation, – Andrey sighed irritably. – And Larisa’s children don’t have winter clothes.
– Without winter clothes? – Sonya’s eyebrows shot up. – Last month we transferred her thirty thousand for winter clothes! Where did that money go?
– You don’t understand, – Andrey got up from the sofa. – Children grow up, things quickly become too small. And Antoshka needs new skates for the section.
– Sections? – Sonya smiled reservedly. – And two weeks ago we paid for his swimming pool. Where’s the logic?
Andrey spread his hands, irritation evident in every gesture.
– You are so petty! The boy wants to do sports, and you are counting pennies!
“This isn’t a pittance, Andrey,” Sonya said quietly but firmly. “This is our future. We’ve been saving up for repairs for three years, and every time the money goes to your sister’s needs.
“The repairs can wait,” Andrey snapped. “Unlike the children.”
The conversation reached a dead end again. Sonya realized that her husband took any discussion of helping his sister as a personal insult. Deep down, she was increasingly worried about her savings.
The doorbell rang, breaking the tense silence. Larisa stood on the threshold, a stylish blonde with a fashionable haircut and an unhealthy blush on her cheeks.
– Hello, dear ones! – Larisa hugged her brother, then nodded slightly to Sonya. – I won’t be long, just to talk.
Sonya silently went to the kitchen to put the kettle on. A familiar ritual before another request for help. Larisa showed up at their house every two weeks, as if on schedule.
“The holidays are coming soon,” Larisa’s voice reached Sonya. “The kids need to go somewhere to relax. You know, it’s a divorce, you won’t get any alimony…”
Sonya exhaled quietly. She put three cups on the tray. She added cookies, which Larisa loved so much. The outward hospitality helped to hide her growing irritation.
“The camp is worth a lot,” Larisa continued when Sonya returned to the room. “But the children haven’t been out for so long. Katyusha even got sick from overwork.”
“Of course, we’ll help,” Andrey didn’t even look at his wife. “How much do you need?”
– Actually… – Larisa hesitated, taking a small sip of tea. – It’s about seventy thousand for two. I know it’s a lot, but maybe you could lend me some from your savings? I’ll definitely pay you back.
Sonya almost dropped the cup. Seventy thousand! Just recently Larisa asked fifteen for a tutor, then thirty for clothes… Now this amount?
“Laris, we don’t have that kind of savings,” Sonya said quietly.
– Sonya, stop it, – Andrey interrupted sharply. – Of course, we have savings. You have a whole account opened for this… coffee shop of yours.
Sonya froze. Ten years of strict savings, ten years of dreaming and planning. Every extra hour of work, every refusal of new clothes or vacation – all for the sake of the coffee shop. Her own little freedom.
“Andrey, we can’t spend this money,” Sonya tried to speak calmly. “We agreed that personal savings are inviolable.”
– So, some imaginary coffee shop is more important to you than your nephews? – Andrey stared at his wife incredulously. – These are children, Sonya! They deserve a rest!
“Of course they deserve it,” Sonya turned her gaze to Larisa. “But for some reason I don’t see their mother saving at all. A new phone, a manicure every week, branded clothes…”
– What are you hinting at? – Larisa’s face flared up. – Do you think it’s easy for me to be alone with two children?
“No, I think it’s convenient for you to have a constant source of income in the form of your brother,” Sonya answered bluntly. “Who you never pay back.”
– Sonya! – Andrey barked. – Apologize immediately!
– No, Andrey, – Sonya stood up. – This has been going on for over a year. We put our lives on hold so that your sister can spend money on her whims under the guise of caring for the children.
Larisa demonstratively sobbed, covering her mouth with her hand.
“I always knew you hated me,” she whispered. “What do the children have to do with it? They’re your nephews!”
“Not mine,” Sonya answered firmly. “And I don’t hate you. I hate manipulation and eternal promises to return the money that are never fulfilled.”
– You only talk about money! – Andrey threw the kitchen towel on the table in irritation. – What about human compassion?
Sonya shook her head resignedly. This was not the first time this quarrel had happened. Compassion, helping loved ones, family values – beautiful words camouflaged ordinary financial irresponsibility.
– Andrey, you’re turning a blind eye to what’s happening, – Sonya tried to speak calmly. – Larisa isn’t trying to change her situation. Why, if there’s you?
– She’s a single mother!
– So what? – Sonya raised her voice. – That doesn’t stop her from changing her wardrobe every month. Or do you think I haven’t seen her new bag? Do you know how much one like that costs?
Andrey waved his hand, not wanting to continue the argument.
– Sit with two children yourself, and then judge!
Sonya was about to say something, but only sighed wearily. The argument with her husband was increasingly reminiscent of a conversation with a stone wall. When it came to Larisa, reasonable arguments did not work.
“I need a shower,” she muttered. “And let’s end this conversation.”
The warm water soothed her irritation a little, washed away the fatigue of the workday. Sonya stood under the streams, replaying in her head a recent conversation with the owner of the premises for the coffee shop. Prices were rising, and if she continued to postpone the opening, her savings might not be enough.
Coming out of the bathroom, wrapped in a soft robe, Sonya froze on the threshold of the bedroom. Andrey was sitting on the bed, leaning over her phone. Her husband’s face glowed tensely from the screen in the semi-darkness of the room.
– What are you doing? – Sonya came closer.
Andrey jerked in surprise. A bank transfer was open on the phone screen, and Sonya clearly saw the amount with six zeros – 2,300,000 rubles.
“Are you translating?” Sonya asked incredulously, although the answer was already obvious.
– Sonya, listen to me, – Andrey put his palm forward. – Larisa has serious problems. Her ex doesn’t pay alimony, and collectors are threatening to take away the apartment for debts. For the ex’s debts, by the way! She’s having a hard time!
“Give me the phone,” Sonya demanded quietly but firmly.
“I’m almost done,” Andrey continued to press the screen. “Larisa will return everything when she gets back on her feet.”
Sonya rushed forward and snatched the phone from her husband’s hands.
– Stop poking into my savings! Your family’s problems are no longer my concern.
Andrey’s eyes narrowed, his face distorted with anger.
– Do you hear yourself? Larisa will be thrown out onto the street with the children! And you will sit on the money? This is wrong!
– And how do I know about this when you’re trying to steal my money? – Sonya frantically checked her phone, making sure the transfer hadn’t gone through. – Two million, Andrey! That’s all my savings!
“I wouldn’t call it theft,” Andrey hissed, jumping out of bed. “We’re husband and wife! We have common property!”
– We agreed that personal savings are inviolable! – Sonya was clutching the phone tightly in her hand. – You gave your word!
– I don’t care! – Andrey was getting more and more heated. – Larisa is my sister! My blood! And you are… who? A stranger who is stingy with money for her husband’s family?
Sonya took a step back.
– On my husband’s family? – She shook her head in confusion. – Andrey, what about our family? We’ve been together for so many years, and you’re ready to steal my savings because of problems I didn’t even know about!
“Don’t be dramatic,” Andrey waved his hand. “Larisa will return the money. You know I wouldn’t…”
– Wouldn’t what? – interrupted Sonya. – Betray me? Lie to me? Secretly take my money? You’ve already done all that!
– We are a family! – Andrey shouted. – Do you understand? In a family, everything is shared!
“Then why are you secretly taking my phone?” Sonya remained frighteningly calm. “Why didn’t you discuss the situation with me?”
Andrey ran his hands through his hair, nervously ruffling it.
– Because I knew you would refuse! You’re always counting pennies!
“I don’t count pennies,” Sonya said slowly. “I’ve been saving for my dream for ten years. Ten years, Andrey! And you’re ready to destroy my dream with one transfer!”
“People’s lives are at stake!” Andrey exclaimed. “Your coffee shop can wait!”
– Like the bathroom renovation? Like the vacation? Like all our plans for the last three years? – Sonya’s lips were trembling, but not from tears – from rage. – Everything can wait, because Larisa has eternal problems!
Andrey turned away, crossing his arms over his chest.
– You are selfish. You always have been. You think only about your desires.
Sonya sank to the edge of the bed. The marriage was falling apart before her eyes.
“You know what’s scary?” she asked quietly. “You really can’t see what you’re doing.”
– What am I doing?! Helping my sister!
“No,” Sonya looked her husband straight in the eye. “You’re destroying our family for a man who uses you as an ATM.”
The next morning Sonya woke up early. Andrey was sleeping on the sofa in the living room after a night of fighting. She quietly got dressed and left the apartment.
In one day, she changed all the passwords to her accounts, transferred her savings to a new account, and scheduled a meeting with a lawyer. Returning home, she realized that her marriage was over. Not by today’s argument, but by years of betrayal.
“I need to talk to you,” Andrey was waiting for her in the hallway. “I got carried away yesterday.”
“I want to talk too,” Sonya took off her shoes and went into the kitchen. “I was at the lawyer’s.”
Andrey froze, looking intently into his wife’s face.
– For what?
“Because you tried to steal my money,” Sonya said calmly, as if discussing the weather. “And I can’t trust you anymore.”
“These were emergency circumstances!” Andrey jumped up. “I would have returned everything!”
– When? – Sonya smiled bitterly. – Do you know how many times I’ve heard similar promises from your sister?
Andrey gritted his teeth but remained silent.
“I’m filing for divorce,” Sonya said firmly. “We don’t have children, we don’t have much joint property. I hope it goes quickly.”
– Because of money? – Andrey shook his head in disbelief. – You’re destroying a family because of money?
“No,” Sonya smiled sadly. “Because of the trust you destroyed. And because of myself – I don’t want to be the person who always puts her life on hold for the sake of other people’s problems.
A month later, Sonya officially filed for divorce. On the day of the trial, Andrey came with Larisa.
“I hope you’re happy,” Larisa said, passing Sonya in the courtroom corridor. “You ruined your brother’s life.”
Sonya just shook her head. Words no longer mattered.
The spring sun flooded the coffee shop “Mechta” with warm light. The small but cozy space with bohemian decor and the aroma of freshly ground coffee quickly became popular in the city. Sonya was already hiring a third barista – the influx of visitors required more hands.
The doorbell rang melodically, and Sonya looked up from the cash register. Andrey stepped over the threshold hesitantly, looking around with undisguised interest.
“Hello,” he nodded to his ex-wife. “It looks… impressive.”
“Thank you,” Sonya smiled. Six months after the divorce had smoothed out the rough edges. “What will you order?”
“Americano,” Andrey looked tired. His face was sunken, his stubble sloppy, his jacket worn. “And maybe a croissant.”
While Sonya was preparing the order, Andrey continued to explore the coffee shop – stylish shelves with books, vintage furniture, photographs on the walls.
“How are you?” asked Sonya, serving coffee.
“It’s fine,” Andrey looked away. “I rent an apartment in a residential area. I work there too.”
Sonya nodded. She had heard from mutual friends that Larisa’s financial problems had dragged Andrey into a debt hole.
“And how… Larisa?” Sonya asked out of politeness.
– Moved to another city, – Andrey smiled wryly. – Met a man. A promising one.
Sonya remained silent, but thought that the plan had apparently remained the same – find a source of funding.
“It’s a beautiful place,” Andrey took a sip of coffee. “You’re great for finishing this.”
There was a mixture of regret and admiration in his eyes. Sonya thought that perhaps he now understood the value of his mistakes.
“Thank you,” she replied simply. “It’s nice when dreams come true.”
