Lately, Nika hadn’t been herself.
Serious cracks had appeared in her relationship with her husband, and she didn’t know what to do in this painful situation.
It all started with small things — as it usually does.
After work, Tolya began to notice her poisonous remarks.
His jokes were full of anger, each word hurting more than a blow.
Day by day, the man’s behavior worsened.
Even on vacation, he gave her no respite.
“You look like an old hag!” he said without looking away from his phone.
“Other guys have wives who act like wives, but mine is some wrinkled dried apricot!”
Indeed, Nika looked older than her years.
Her job was hard and demanding — it left its mark on her face.
But it was especially painful to hear such words from her own husband.
She worked for the family, earning twice as much as him, so he had no reason to complain.
Tolya, however, spent his money as he pleased, consulting no one: “I spend it where I want! No kids to save for!”
Nika endured this too. Overall, they had enough to live on.
They were not officially married, but lived as husband and wife and weren’t even rushing to get married.
However, Tolya’s mother had long called Nika her daughter-in-law, and Nika considered her mother-in-law.
The mother-in-law was intrusive and unhappy with life.
She constantly meddled in the young couple’s affairs, and most of the complaints were aimed at Nika.
The couple lived in a private house.
Although they were in the city, the house required constant care.
Often Nika asked her husband to help:
“I just can’t keep up — I work from morning till night!”
“And what’s that to me?” Tolya replied. “This is your house, you’re the mistress here, what do I have to do with it?”
Indeed: in winter the house stood buried in snowdrifts until Nika took up the shovel herself.
In summer, the grass grew almost up to the windows.
They had to hire people to tidy things up, and then Nika finished the work herself after work.
Meanwhile, Tolya lay on the couch and only occasionally got up to check on the progress.
The woman forgave a lot, but the last straw was what she saw returning home after a hard day at work.
She was so tired she could barely drag her feet, and even stopped by the store on the way.
Now her palm ached from the heavy bag.
She hoped Tolya would meet her — she even called, but he didn’t answer.
Sighing and wiping sweat, Nika heard music coming from the yard.
Leaving the bag by the fence, she hurried into the house where a lively disco was underway.
Inside, resentment and anger grew — today she decided to say everything that had built up.
And there was a real party in the house!
Loud music filled the room, windows trembled.
On the table were snacks and prepared food that Nika had made in advance, so she wouldn’t have to fuss in the evening.
And Tolya, ignoring his wife, danced with some woman who was clearly drunk and dressed quite provocatively.
Without a word, Nika walked through the room and turned off the music.
Tolya slowly shifted his clouded gaze: “What are you doing?” he asked with a slur, swaying.
“I should be asking you that! What’s going on? Who is that woman?”
His partner continued moving to her own rhythm as if nothing was happening.
“So what?” Tolya snorted. “Met an old classmate, just celebrated. Or can’t I relax in my own house?”
“If you remember, you yourself said this is my house and you have nothing to do with it.
So clean up right now, see your guest out, and then we’ll talk!”
“I won’t!” Tolya tried to stand up straight but swayed.
Nika already felt disgust toward him.
He had long ceased to be a man to her.
And no help from him — only a burden.
Live with him out of fear of loneliness? No way!
Firmly taking the woman by the elbow, Nika led her out the gate: “Time for you to go!”
Then she returned to the house: “Should I see you out or will you leave on your own?”
The man shrugged, grabbed a salad and a bottle from the table, and staggered toward the exit.
“You’ll live without me, call me, you hysteric!” he threw over his shoulder.
“Oh dear!” Tolya’s mother wailed, holding her head. “My head is splitting!”
“Mom, don’t shout! Nika kicked me out. She didn’t like that I didn’t meet her,” the son lied, knowing his mother would take his side.
“And why should you meet her?” the woman wondered.
“Who knows! She’s always picking on me: this not right, that not right! I’m worn out!
Maybe I’m tired at work too? Do you think it’s easy for me? And why should I help in someone else’s house?”
“That’s right!” the mother supported her son. “Let her get the house in order first, get a share, then she can ask!
Look at her, acting all important! That I should meet her! She’s healthy herself, she should manage!”
“That’s what I told her! And she got offended!”
“Let her be offended! Don’t give in! No need to yield! Wants to get married — she’ll have to put up with it!
Not a little girl to be acting all high and mighty!”
“So what am I supposed to do now?” Tolya asked, hanging his head.
“Endure it, son!” his mother advised. “She’ll crawl back like a sweet little thing, begging you to come back!
Spend a week alone — she’ll realize what she did!
And don’t give in — as soon as she returns, demand registration. Or she’ll be without you!”
Thus the woman coached her son on how to control Nika.
He listened carefully, nodding along.
“You’re right, Mom! I won’t tolerate her whims! Who does she think she is, bossing me around?
I’m not some slave, but a grown man! Master of myself!”
Following his mother’s advice, Tolya really decided to act.
He didn’t come home, didn’t call Nika, waited exactly one week.
Though his mother also lived a hard life. She constantly nagged him: do this, do that.
When he tried to object, the woman reminded him of the old-fashioned discipline methods — she gave him a good whipping with a switch on the back:
“You’re not at your wife’s, but at your mother’s house! Don’t work — no lunch for you!”
Clear and without extra words. Don’t even try to argue with her.
Finally, barely enduring those seven days, Tolya prepared to go home: “I’ll go, Mom!
I’ll see how she is without me. She should already be crawling on her knees begging me to come back!”
“Go, go! Just don’t give up! Speak clearly — you’ll come back only on your own terms!”
He left the house looking like a winner.
He’d show her who was boss now!
Chin proudly raised, back straight, step confident — even a little swagger.
He reached the gate, entered the yard… and froze.
Something was wrong.
He looked around: the yard was neat, grass cut evenly like with a ruler, windows sparkling, flowerbeds trimmed, paths clean with no sign of overgrowth.
And that wasn’t all — everything around looked somehow alive, colorful, well cared for.
Even the gate was new — not the old creaky one, but sturdy and reliable.
Tolya took out his key but realized it no longer fit.
He stood for a moment, then decisively headed to the door and knocked.
Steps stopped inside, then the door opened.
But this wasn’t the Nika who had walked around gloomy with dark circles under her eyes.
Before him stood a fresh, smiling woman with sparkle in her eyes.
“I thought you were suffering here alone… But you… You could at least have called me!”
“And why?” Nika smiled gently and tilted her head playfully.
“How ‘why?’ Your husband hasn’t appeared for a week, and you don’t care?”
“I don’t have a husband,” she answered calmly.
“Where would he come from?” Nika laughed. “There was one ‘visitor’, but it didn’t work out.
Not even worth remembering!”
Tolya flushed red: “Are you talking about me?! You’ll get slapped and talk differently!
Should’ve disciplined you before! I was too soft back then!”
He stepped forward, but Nika didn’t even flinch.
A tall man came out from behind the door, put his hand on her shoulder, and firmly said: “Hey, man, leave.
And it’s better if you do it peacefully.”
“And who’s this? Got a lover now? Good — if you chase him off, I’ll forgive you and come back!
I even promise not to hit you!” Tolya declared generously.
And then something strange happened.
Either gravity failed or time glitched — one moment he was standing, the next he was running.
Running as if chased by devils! And someone behind was helping him pick up speed.
Nika stood on the porch laughing to tears, watching how her older brother chased the ex off the yard.
He was practically flying to the gate, and her brother was pushing him with a couple of sharp kicks.
As soon as Tolya was outside, the brother slammed the gate and returned to his sister:
“Nikulechka, don’t you dare take that fool back!
Honestly, I don’t understand how you put up with him at all!”
Nika sighed deeply: “I’m a fool, that’s why I put up with him. I kept thinking — maybe he’ll change.”
“They don’t change, you kick them out! If you need help around the house — call me, I’ll come help.
And let this one understand he’s not welcome here anymore.”
“What if he doesn’t understand?”
“Then I’ll explain again,” her brother winked and went inside with her.
And inside, the guests were already having fun, watching the whole scene through the window.
“Well, birthday girl, here’s to you!”
“To the birthday girl!” came the reply, glasses clinking.
Nika smiled.
How good it was to have such an older brother — caring, strong, and always near!
