Marina always knew that Lena would show up exactly when she was least expected. It was like she had a special radar for the most inconvenient moments. Today was no exception: just as Marina tried to focus on her report for management, the door slammed and a familiar voice filled the hallway:
“Igoryok, I’m here! Mom’s driving me crazy again with her constant lectures.”
Igor looked up from his laptop and smiled—a smile that always appeared on his face whenever anyone mentioned his little sister. Marina pressed her lips together. Twenty-six years old, and still the “little girl” who ran away from mom to her brother whenever things got tough.
“Hey, Lenka,” Igor stood up to greet his sister. “What happened this time?”
“She’s just annoying me with her: ‘When are you going to get married, when will you get a real job.’ I’m just trying to find myself! Not everyone is born knowing their calling, you know.”
Lena threw this last line with a glance in Marina’s direction. Marina kept staring at her screen, pretending to be engrossed in work.
“Alright, take a seat. Want some tea?” Igor headed to the kitchen.
“I’d love some. And by the way, I have news! I’ve decided to become a lash maker. I found this awesome course, but it’s pricey…”
Marina sighed inwardly. In the past three years, Lena had tried being a makeup artist, manicurist, hairdresser, and even enrolled in a barista course. Every time, Igor faithfully paid for her training, and every time Lena quit halfway, chasing a new passion.
“How much?” Igor asked without hesitation.
“Thirty thousand. But it’s an investment in my future!”
Marina clenched her teeth. Thirty thousand—that was a third of her monthly salary before her raise. And Lena talked about it so casually, as if buying a pastry.
“Alright, I’ll transfer it to you tomorrow,” Igor nodded.
“You’re the best!” Lena hugged her brother. “So, how are things with you two? Marina, aren’t you working too much?”
“I’m fine,” Marina answered briefly, not looking away from her screen.
But things were far from fine. All year, she’d been working herself to the bone, rewriting presentations ten times over, staying late, sacrificing weekends. She had one goal: to get promoted by the end of the year. The sales department head position was almost hers; management had already hinted a decision was made.
But December passed, January too, and still no promotion. “There’s just a small delay with the final deal,” the director explained.
Lena made herself comfortable on the couch with a cup of tea and started talking about her plans. How she’d become the best lash maker in the city, open her own salon, maybe even a whole chain of salons. Igor nodded and agreed to everything, while Marina kept working, glancing at the clock from time to time.
At nine in the evening, Lena was still there.
“Lena, isn’t it time to head home?” Marina finally blurted out.
“What’s there to do at home? Mom’s already asleep, the TV’s ancient, and the internet lags. At least here I can talk to people.”
“Talk to people” really meant Igor. For Lena, Marina was more like part of the furniture—occasionally making noise.
This went on all spring. Lena really did start taking lashmaker courses, but after a month she announced that the instructor wasn’t giving her any real knowledge, so she’d just educate herself. Then she got excited about becoming a travel blogger, and after that decided to try her hand in the beauty industry as a consultant.
Igor faithfully funded all these changes, but made his sister promise that she’d at least finish the lash extension training.
Meanwhile, Marina was diving deeper into her work. And then, in March, the moment she had been waiting for finally arrived.
The deal with a major client that she’d been working on for half a year was finally, officially closed from all sides. A two-year contract, serious money, and prestige for the company. The next day, her boss called her into his office.
“Marina Sergeyevna, congratulations! As of April 1st, you’re officially the head of the sales department.”
Her heart was pounding wildly. Finally!
“And as a bonus for your outstanding performance, the company is giving you a trip to Turkey—seven days, five stars, all inclusive. You’ve earned it. Enjoy your rest—there’s a lot of work ahead.”
Marina could barely stop herself from jumping for joy right there in the director’s office. A promotion, a bonus, and a trip—all she’d dreamed of.
Her coworkers threw a little celebration right at the office. They brought in cake, congratulated her, and wished her success. Marina felt like queen of the world.
At home, she was greeted by a surprise—Lena sprawled out on the couch, flipping through a magazine.
“Oh, our workaholic is back!” Lena didn’t even look up. “Igor’s in the shower.”
“Lena, I have news!” Marina couldn’t hold back her excitement.
“Hm?”
“I got promoted! I’m now head of the sales department!”
“Ah, cool,” Lena replied indifferently, turning a page.
At that moment, Igor came out of the bathroom.
“Honey, did you say something?”
“Igor, can you believe it, I got promoted! And I even got a trip to Turkey for outstanding results!”
Igor’s face lit up with a broad smile.
“Bunny, that’s amazing!” he hugged her tightly. “I’m so proud of you!”
“Congratulations,” Lena finally looked up from her magazine. “So, Turkey, huh? That’s great. When are you going?”
“It’s a company trip, so it’s flexible—I can use it anytime within a year. I think I’ll take vacation in May.”
“Awesome! I’d love to go somewhere too, I’m tired of just sitting around,” Lena stretched. “By the way, Igor, I’ve finished my courses. I think it’s time to start practicing. Could you get me some supplies? For lash extensions?”
“Of course, Lenka. Make a list of what you need.”
Marina shook her head. Even on her special day, the conversation had shifted to Lena’s needs.
The weekend went on as usual. Marina planned to relax, but Lena showed up early Saturday and stayed until late evening. On Sunday, it happened all over again. Lena talked about her ideas for social media promotion, showed pictures of work she found online, and asked Igor to evaluate her “artistic vision.”
On Sunday evening, after Lena finally left, Marina turned to her husband:
“Igor, can we talk?”
“Of course, honey. About what?”
“It’s about your sister. I think she comes over way too often.”
Igor frowned.
“Marina, she’s my sister. Besides, she’s bored at home.”
“Her boredom isn’t our problem. She’s twenty-six—it’s time she became independent.”
“She’s trying to find herself. That’s normal.”
“At your expense?”
“She’s family, Marina. If I can help, why shouldn’t I?”
Marina sighed. It was pointless to argue. Igor never saw a problem with his sister’s behavior.
Monday morning, Marina dove into her new work responsibilities. Leading a department turned out to be harder than she expected, but it was her dream and she was prepared for the challenges.
Then on Tuesday, Lena showed up at their place again.
“Igoryok, I’m stressed!” she announced as she walked in. “Mom started going on about work again. Says it’s time to stop playing around and get serious with my life.”
“What happened?” Igor put his dinner aside.
“She saw that I ordered lash supplies and started in: ‘So your brother is paying for your materials again? How long are you going to keep investing in this?'”
Marina nearly choked.
“Lena, isn’t your mom right?” Marina asked carefully.
“How exactly is she right?” Lena turned to Marina, her eyes defiant.
“Well, you do switch hobbies often…”
“I’m finding myself! It’s normal self-discovery. Not everyone finds their calling right away.”
There was an undercurrent of reproach in Lena’s tone, as if Marina’s career success was less an achievement and more just luck.
“Alright, girls, let’s not argue,” Igor interrupted. “Len, maybe you should try finishing something?”
“But I do finish! Sometimes you just realize it’s not for you.”
“After just two months of learning?”
“What, are you supposed to force yourself for years in a job you hate?”
That jab was clearly directed at Marina. She got up from the table.
“I’m going to get some work done.”
“You’re always working,” Lena grumbled. “You need to learn to relax sometimes.”
“Not everyone is lucky enough to live off their relatives,” Marina couldn’t hold back.
Silence fell. Lena blushed, Igor tensed up.
“Marina, why would you say that?” he said quietly.
“Sorry,” Marina sighed. “I’m just tired.”
“I get it,” Lena said coldly. “Since I’m not wanted here, I’ll go home.”
“Lena, don’t be upset…”
“It’s okay, Igoryok. I know not everyone enjoys having me around.”
Lena packed up her things dramatically and left. Igor watched her go, then turned to his wife.
“Why did you upset her?”
“Igor, she’s here every day! She has her own place, her own mother. Why does she have to live with us?”
“She’s not living here, she just visits.”
“Every day! And you always pay for her latest hobbies, which she drops a week later.”
“It’s my money.”
“It’s our money. We’re a family.”
“Then that makes her family too.”
Marina felt the conversation was going nowhere. Igor would never admit his sister was taking advantage of his kindness.
The next day, Lena didn’t show up. Or the day after. Marina almost thought the conflict did some good. But on Friday, Lena came back with red eyes.
“Igoryok, I’m depressed,” she said, collapsing on the couch. “Nothing’s working out, life just isn’t coming together.”
“What happened, Lenka?”
“That’s it! My mom’s always nagging me, all my friends are either married or working, and here I am, running around like a fool not knowing what to do. Honestly, I think I’m having a midlife crisis.”
“A midlife crisis at twenty-six?” Marina said in surprise.
“What, do you think crises only happen after thirty?” Lena snapped back.
“Lena, don’t get so upset,” Igor sat down next to his sister. “Things will work out.”
“I just need a break somewhere, clear my head. I’m completely lost in life right now.”
Marina grew wary. She recognized that tone in Lena’s voice—it was just the same when she was about to ask for money for another course.
“How about we go away for a weekend?” Igor suggested. “Maybe to the country house?”
“No, I need a total change of scenery. I want a real vacation, somewhere by the sea.”
“Lena, I can’t just take time off work…”
“I’m not asking you to go. I’d go myself, but I don’t have the money.”
Igor started thinking. Marina could practically see the calculations happening in his head. A trip for one to Turkey would cost around fifty thousand. That was a big chunk of their budget.
“Lena, let’s talk about this later, okay?” he finally said.
“Alright,” Lena nodded, but Marina noticed a sly glint in her eyes.
That evening, after Lena left, Igor seemed deep in thought.
“What are you thinking about?” Marina asked.
“About Lena. She really does look miserable.”
“Igor, she just needs to get her act together and start living independently.”
“That’s easy for you to say. Not everyone finds their path in life right away.”
“And mooching off your brother—is that what counts as finding your place in life?”
“Marina, don’t get angry. I just feel sorry for her.”
Marina could see where this conversation was heading, but she hoped she was wrong.
On Saturday morning, as she was lying in bed planning a lazy weekend, Igor brought her coffee and sat on the edge of the bed.
“Babe, I want to talk to you.”
“I’m listening.”
“About Lena. I have an idea on how to help her.”
Marina sat up in bed.
“What idea?”
“Well, you mentioned that you have a trip to Turkey lined up…”
Her heart skipped a beat.
“And?”
“Babe, I gave your trip to my sister, she needs it more—she’s going through a crisis,” Igor said, blinking innocently, as if he were just mentioning he bought some bread.
Marina stayed silent. Her mind just couldn’t process what she had heard.
“What?” she finally managed to say.
“Well, think about it. You have to be at work, you just got promoted and have new responsibilities. Lena is free, and she seriously needs to clear her head…”
“You gave away MY trip? The one given to ME for MY achievements?”
“Babe, please don’t yell. I thought you’d understand…”
“I’m supposed to understand that you gave away my reward without even asking me?”
Igor looked completely lost.
“But it’s family…”
“Family is you and me! She’s your sister, living off you—and now she’s having a vacation at my expense!”
“Marina, she’s having a crisis…”
“And you think I’m not? I worked my butt off all year for that promotion! I EARNED that trip!”
“We can go some other time, I’ll pay for it myself…”
“Another time? Igor, this was a company gift! It was a gesture recognizing my hard work! And you just handed it off to the first person you saw!”
“Lena isn’t just anyone, she’s my sister!”
“Who’s never worked a day in her life! Who lives off you!”
— She’s on a journey to find herself!
— How long is it going to take to find yourself at twenty-six?!
Igor got up and began pacing nervously around the room.
— Marina, I don’t understand why you’re so upset. It’s just a vacation.
— Just a vacation? — Marina got up from the bed. — It’s NOT just a vacation! It’s recognition for my achievements! It’s what I worked my tail off for all year!
— But we can go another time…
— NO! We can’t go another time! Because THIS time was special! And you stole it from me!
— I didn’t steal anything…
— You made a decision about my gift without asking me! What do you call that?
Igor fell silent. In his eyes, Marina saw bewilderment and a lack of understanding.
— Fine, — he gave in. — We can just cancel the trip…
— What, and offend your precious little sister? No way.
— So, Marina, what are we supposed to do?
Marina silently walked over to the computer and opened up a travel agency website.
— What are you doing?
— Buying myself a trip. To Bali. For ten days.
— Babe, that’s really expensive…
— It’s very expensive. Three times more than Turkey. And I’m paying for it from our joint account.
— Marina, be reasonable…
— I am being reasonable. From now on, every time you make decisions for me, I’ll make up for my losses—from our joint account.
She finished buying the trip and turned to her husband.
— That’s it. Tomorrow I’m flying to Bali. Alone.
— Marina, you can’t…
— Yes, I can. And I will. Every single time you decide your sister’s needs are more important than mine.
Igor turned pale.
— Babe, I didn’t mean to…
— Now call your sister and explain to her that from now on, her problems are hers to handle. Let her learn to solve them herself.
— Marina…
— Or we’re getting a divorce. Your choice.
A heavy silence fell over the house. Igor looked at his wife as if seeing her for the first time.
— Are you serious?
— More than ever.
— Okay, — he said quietly. — I’ll talk to Lena.
— And tell her to stop coming over every day.
— I’ll ask her not to come every day.
— Then we’re good.
Marina started packing her suitcase. A day later she was in Bali, by the ocean, with a cocktail in hand and the feeling that her life finally belonged to her.
Igor called every day, apologized, and promised he had spoken to Lena. When Marina came home tanned and refreshed, she found flowers and a letter from her husband waiting for her.
“Forgive me. I realize now I was wrong. Lena won’t interfere in our lives again. You deserve better.”
Lena truly did stop coming over every day. Now she’d drop by once a week, briefly, and no longer asked for money for new hobbies. Marina learned an important lesson: sometimes, you have to defend your boundaries firmly, without compromise.
Igor realized something too. His wife wasn’t just patient and hardworking—she was strong enough to stand up to anyone who dared to threaten her achievements. It scared him a little—but in a good way.