Zinaida Vasilevna was barely holding herself together. Her daughter never listened to her, not as a child and not now. From almost birth, she was headstrong and always had her own opinion about everything that happened in the family. But Katya’s relationship with her grandmother was completely different. It was clear to everyone that the girl was her favorite granddaughter, and there was a deep understanding between them.
Today, when she came to see her daughter, the mother couldn’t hide her emotions. Yet again, her daughter showed her strong will.
And it was all because of a strange story that happened the day before. Yesterday, Katya’s brother Artyom showed up with his young wife Zhanna. They got married just a couple of weeks ago. But the reason for their rushed wedding was obvious to everyone—it was clear she would soon make her husband a father.
“Oh, Katyusha, it’s so bright in here! Imagine, the room isn’t big but the windows are huge! Is this a bay window?” Zhanna asked ingratiatingly as she began inspecting the apartment.
“Yes, that’s exactly what it is,” Katya replied reluctantly.
Everything about today’s guests irritated her. There was something odd about their arrival. She felt it strongly now, and her intuition had never failed her before.
“But you really messed up with the furniture. Come on, what is this junk? It’s all outdated, from the last century, and not fashionable at all. You need new, modern furniture here, and this stuff should go straight to the dump, no doubt! Right, Tyomik?” Zhanna said confidently, pointing at the antique handcrafted desk and the small mahogany sideboard.
“You probably don’t understand. This is antique and very valuable furniture. But even that doesn’t matter. It’s precious to me as a memory of someone dear,” Katerina replied calmly and very coldly, giving Zhanna a displeased look.
“Well, if you like it, let it stay,” the sister-in-law allowed. “And these paintings are kind of strange, gloomy even. And those silly little figurines… They’re funny, right Tyomik?”
Zhanna continued to act bold and bossy around the place.
Her brother and his wife went on inspecting Katya’s apartment, and they were doing it suspiciously slowly and thoroughly.
“Artyom, do you think a changing table would fit in here? And over there, we’ll put the crib, right? Or should we put it by the window instead?” Zhanna whispered into her husband’s ear.
Hearing their conversation, Katya was at first taken aback by this turn of events. Why on earth were her brother and his wife planning things here? Katya certainly hadn’t invited this pushy family to move in. But then it all became clear to her.
It was their mother who arranged this. Yes, she had promised Katya’s apartment to the young couple. That was the whole story!
“Well, I’ll cool them down quickly! They won’t get away with this. Such nerve, making plans already,” Katya glanced at her grandmother’s portrait and smiled. “Don’t worry, grandma. You know how strong-willed I am.”
Zinaida Vasilevna never liked her mother-in-law much. And, it should be said, the feeling was mutual. Her husband’s mother never felt much love or respect for her daughter-in-law either. She only felt thankful to her for giving birth to her favorite granddaughter, Katya.
Zinaida’s mother-in-law, who spent her entire life working in the theater, claimed to come from an old, wealthy family. She always made sure everyone knew it. So when her son married a rough and simple woman, she certainly didn’t approve of his choice.
But she immediately adored her granddaughter. She loved Katya sincerely and with all her heart. Katya reminded her so much of herself—both as a child and as a young woman. Plus, Katya had a strong character, just like her grandmother always said was the foundation of a person.
When it was her time to go, she was bedridden for several months and needed someone to care for her. Her daughter-in-law chose not to hire a caretaker. Instead, she made a straightforward decision—she sent her own daughter to look after the grandmother.
“Go to your beloved grandma, you’ll live there and take care of her until she dies. You’re seventeen—old enough to stop lazing around. Your father and I are working, we don’t have time for this. And a sitter costs money. Where are we supposed to get it?”
Katya quietly went to her beloved grandmother. Only she knew how hard it was for such a young girl. But Katya never gave up—she bravely endured every trial and stayed by her grandmother’s side until the very end.
But when her mother discovered who the grandmother had left her apartment to in her will, she was absolutely furious!
“Can you believe it? Even after death, that old hag found a way to get revenge on me! Why are you just standing there? What are we supposed to do now, huh?” Zinaida Vasilievna nagged her husband.
“What do you mean—what should we do? We don’t need to do anything. I don’t understand why you’re so upset. It’s not like Mom gave the apartment to the state. The apartment stayed in the family. Katya took care of her grandmother, so she earned that place. Honestly, this seems fair to me,” her husband replied calmly.
“Fair? Are you serious? Don’t you get it? As soon as our daughter gets married, that’s it! We can say goodbye to getting any money from that apartment or the antique furniture inside. And I already found buyers, by the way. I arranged everything with the right people—they were willing to pay us a good price!”
“So that’s what you’re really upset about,” her husband replied calmly. “You never change, Zina. No wonder my mother never liked you. That furniture is a family treasure—a real heirloom.”
“What treasure? It’ll be a treasure once someone pays me for it. And not a small amount, mind you! And I’m worried about the apartment too. We have a son besides our daughter—are you thinking about him at all?” the woman shouted angrily.
“Our son will earn his own apartment. If my mother decided things this way, Katya should live there. That’s her wish,” her unyielding husband said, refusing to take Zinaida’s side.
But contrary to her mother’s fears, Katya didn’t get married right away. She moved into her grandmother’s apartment, which was closer to the university she attended. And she just kept living there.
After graduating, Katya started working. Her personal life didn’t really take off, but she wasn’t in any rush anyway. She wasn’t trying to force fate. She just enjoyed her life and often remembered her wise grandmother’s words: “Katya, remember—what’s yours won’t go anywhere. It’ll come at the right time. Just be patient.”
Then suddenly the younger brother, Artyom, rushed into marriage. Now, with her son’s brand-new family struggling to set up their life, Zinaida Vasilievna decided it was time to push things forward.
“Mom, what is going on? Can you explain to me why Zhanna is walking around my apartment deciding where they’ll put the baby’s crib and where the plasma TV will hang?” Katya asked her mother with irritation after visiting her parents the day after her brother and his wife’s visit.
“What’s going on? Don’t you know? Your brother got married and soon he’ll have a child. If you missed or forgot about that, let me remind you—that’s what’s happening,” Zinaida Vasilievna replied, getting nervous.
“Oh, I noticed, it’s kind of hard to hide such excitement. But what does that have to do with my apartment?”
“Who told you it was yours? Who?! That senile old lady who bequeathed it to you? But that apartment belongs to all of us! Both morally and legally! Got it?”
“Let’s not talk about morality, mom. I wouldn’t even suggest you start,” her daughter replied, clearly shaken. “Where was your conscience when you left a seventeen-year-old girl alone with a terminally ill, dying person right before her graduation exams? And how I managed on my own back then didn’t seem to bother you too much! What mattered was that the problem was solved. Did I sum that up right?”
The mother, not expecting such a response from her daughter, stayed silent, preparing to answer with the utmost strictness.
“And you really shouldn’t mention the law either. As far as the law is concerned, the apartment is mine and no one else’s! Is that clear?”
“How dare you talk to your mother like that, you shameless girl? Think you’re all grown up and independent? I’m telling you, pack up and move out! It’s about time. You live there alone anyway. No one envies you—lived to be 27! With your temperament, finding a husband would take a miracle!” her mother yelled, losing control. “You’ll move in with us and Artyom and Zhanna will live there. That’s fair. You’ve lived in your grandma’s flat long enough—now let your brother have a turn. He has a family, that’s a good reason.”
“The fact that I’m not married yet has nothing to do with any of this!” Katya replied, barely holding back tears. “But I’m not leaving my apartment! And I’m saying this loud and clear—did you hear me, brother? You tell your wife too: this is my apartment! Mine and no one else’s! Remember that and don’t bring this up again.”
“Just look at you! Arguing with your mother? Treating your brother like he’s nobody? Did you really think this through before saying such things to us?”
“Yes, I have. Grandma warned me this would happen. She said there’d come a day when you’d try to kick me out of the apartment. Because there’s no limit to human greed and shamelessness.”
She also told me that a man should earn a home for his own family—meaning Artyom. Let him hustle and figure it out himself. If he managed to make a baby, he should be worrying about where his family will live now. It’s time to use his head—and not just for one thing.
“What a nerve she has! Just look at her! She’s even insulting all of us. She doesn’t care about her family or our problems. We raised a selfish daughter, and now it’s coming back to haunt us!” Zinaida Vasilyevna protested.
“Exactly, Mom! She’s a complete selfish person! Tell me, what’s wrong with my room? You could’ve just moved in here and lived with your parents in peace! Or are your own parents now too much for you? You grabbed Grandma’s apartment and now you’re just happy about it!” Artyom shouted as he came out of his room.
Right after him came Zhanna, who decided she needed to add her two cents as well.
“Katya, this just isn’t right. Do you really dislike your brother that much? He’s about to become a father. Then again, you wouldn’t know what that means, which is probably why you’re so cold-hearted.”
“Thanks for your advice, but I didn’t ask you what to do or who I am. I’d manage just fine without you,” Katerina shot back with sarcasm.
“Enough talk! I’m asking one last time, when are you leaving the apartment? Zhanna is having her baby in a month. So when?” Zinaida Vasilyevna asked angrily.
“Leave her alone, Zina! Can’t you see it’s pointless? Katya’s got your stubbornness. Good for you, daughter, you take after your grandmother. You did the family proud. Stand your ground for your whole life. Don’t bend or break for anyone. That’s where your strength lies!” her father said with a smile.
“Are you serious? Why are you encouraging her nonsense?” his wife persisted.
“Thank you, Dad!” Katerina replied calmly. Then, turning to her family, she said, “If that’s all, I’m leaving now. I’m going home. To my own apartment. Get that through your heads—everyone here! And don’t bring this up again unless you want to lose your daughter and sister!”
She said this in a calm voice, then walked out of the apartment with her back straight and her head held high, just as her beloved grandmother had taught her.
At that moment, her grandmother was looking down from above, feeling so proud of her granddaughter!
Absolutely right! Well done, my girl!