“Mom, what are you doing?” Pavel stood in the doorway, holding Vera Nikolaevna’s hand as she made her way to the cupboard with the dishes. “I’m helping your wife set the table. Fifteen people—it’s not a small task. Everything needs to be perfectly organized,” the mother-in-law said, trying to free her hand.

“Fifteen people?” Alina froze, cloth still in hand. She had just finished washing the living room windows after recent renovations.

“I’ve already invited everyone for New Year’s. Aunt Galya and her husband, your brother and his wife with the kids, Marinka and Sergey…”

“Which Marinka?” Alina felt a shiver run down her spine.

“Well, which one? Marina Sokolova—she just married Sergey. We’re friends with her mom, so it would be awkward not to invite them.”

Pavel turned pale. Marina was his first love, with whom he had been for five years before he met Alina.

“Mom, we can’t have so many guests,” Pavel said firmly. “The apartment is small, and we’re on a tight budget right now.”

“Oh, don’t make excuses! What do you mean, ‘we can’t’? I’ve already told everyone. How can we celebrate New Year’s without family?” Vera Nikolaevna finally freed her hand and headed toward the sideboard.

Alina silently watched as her mother-in-law began rearranging the crystal glasses they had bought with their first joint salary.

“Vera Nikolaevna, we really aren’t prepared for so many guests,” Alina said as calmly as she could.

“Not prepared, they say! Who’s supposed to be ready, me?” the mother-in-law spun around sharply. “By the way, this is my son’s apartment. And I have every right to invite whoever I want.”

“Mom!” Pavel stepped forward.

“What ‘mom’? I’m telling the truth. Are you the boss here or are you too scared to argue with your wife?” Vera Nikolaevna’s words stung, and Alina felt her throat tighten. They had saved for three years to renovate their place, depriving themselves of everything, and now Vera Nikolaevna, who hadn’t even offered to help hang the curtains, was acting as if she owned the place.

“Vera Nikolaevna, let’s sit down and talk this through,” Alina tried to calm the situation.

“There’s nothing to talk about!” the mother-in-law snapped. “I’ve already made my decision. We’ll set up two tables—one in the living room and one in the kitchen. The kids will sit at a separate table…”

“Mom, stop!” Pavel raised his voice. “This is our home, and we decide who we want to invite!”

Vera Nikolaevna froze with a glass in her hand, her face filled with surprise.

“Pasha, are you going against your own mother? I’m only trying to do what’s best. Look, Alina has been so busy with the renovation, she’s even lost weight. And now, with such a celebration coming up, everyone will gather and have fun…”

“Don’t pretend to care about us,” Alina spoke softly. “In three years of renovation, you never once offered to help. You didn’t ask if we needed money or assistance.”

“And you’re accusing me?” the mother-in-law retorted. “I raised Pashenka on my own, without a father. I gave him everything—my strength, my health. And now, I don’t have the right to invite guests to his home?”

“Mom, stop guilt-tripping,” Pavel grimaced. “I’m grateful for everything, but that’s no reason to interfere in our lives. Alina and I will decide how we celebrate New Year’s.”

“Ah, so that’s how it is!” Vera Nikolaevna threw her hands up dramatically. “So, you’ve become an ungrateful son! And yet I’ve done so much for you…” She suddenly faltered and went pale. “What have you done for me?” Pavel squinted.

“Finish your sentence.”

Alina tensed. There was something about her husband’s tone that she didn’t like.

“Nothing,” the mother-in-law turned toward the window. “Forget it.”

“No, finish it. What were you going to say?”

“Pasha, let it be…” Alina reached out to him, but he gently pushed her hand away.

“It’s necessary, Alina. This needs to be addressed. Mom, I’m waiting.”

Vera Nikolaevna fell silent, nervously fiddling with the hem of her blouse.

“Alright, I’ll say it,” Pavel approached the sideboard and pulled out the bottom drawer. “Remember this box? You gave it to me when I was a kid, telling me to keep the most precious things inside.”

The mother-in-law spun around sharply.

“Put it back!”

“Do you know what I found in it a month ago, when I was going through things before the renovation?” Pavel pulled out a bundle of letters tied with a faded ribbon.

“Your correspondence with Marina’s mother. Very interesting reading, I must say.”

Alina froze. This was the first time she had seen these letters.

“Son, it’s all in the past…” Vera Nikolaevna’s voice quivered.

“Really? But the dates on the envelopes say otherwise. Here’s one from February this year: ‘Mashenka, we need to do something about this. This girl is completely unsuitable for my Pasha. She can’t cook, can’t keep the house in order. But your Marinka—she’s another matter. I can see how they look at each other when they meet by chance. We just need to help them see they’re meant for each other…’”

“Give it to me!” the mother-in-law lunged at her son, trying to snatch the letters.

“I won’t. And there’s more. Here’s another one from March: ‘The plan for Marina’s promotion at Pasha’s company fell through—his boss refused to hire a new employee. But don’t worry, I’ve come up with something better. We’ll arrange for them to meet at the restaurant where Pasha will celebrate his successful project. Alina won’t be there, she’s too caught up in her renovation, even scrimping on a new dress…’”

Alina felt the room spinning. All this time, while she and Pavel had saved every penny, the mother-in-law was secretly plotting behind their backs.

“Why, mom?” Pavel asked quietly. “Why?”

Vera Nikolaevna collapsed onto the sofa.

“I only wanted the best…” She trembled, “Marina comes from a good family, we’ve known her mom all our lives. And she truly loves you, I see it…”

“Mom, do you hear yourself? What love? Marina married Sergey two years ago!”

“Out of convenience!” Vera Nikolaevna exclaimed. “She was angry that you got involved with this…,” she faltered under Pavel’s gaze, “with Alina, so she married the first man who came along!”

Vera Nikolaevna, have you ever wondered why Pavel chose me? Not Marina from a good family, but an ordinary girl from the provinces?”

“Because she’s real, mom,” Pavel squeezed Alina’s hand. “She doesn’t try to be something she’s not. She doesn’t plot behind anyone’s back. She just loves and cares. And your Marina… Remember how she demanded expensive gifts? How she threw tantrums when I was late from work? How she tried to turn me against my friends?”

“She’s just emotional!” Vera Nikolaevna threw her hands up. “But at least she was a good housekeeper, always kept the house sparkling…”

“Because she had a housekeeper,” Pavel smirked. “And Alina does everything herself. And works alongside me.”

“Exactly!” the mother-in-law chimed in. “Isn’t it right that a wife should stay at home, make things comfortable for you?”

“At whose expense, mom? So you can judge every penny spent, like you did with dad?” Vera Nikolaevna turned pale.

“Don’t mention dad! He left us!”

“No, mom. You pushed him away with your demands and reproaches. I remember everything, even though I was little. And I don’t want that to happen again.”

“Pasha…” Vera Nikolaevna sobbed. “I only wanted the best…”

“Well? These letters—are they good? Trying to ruin our family—does that show love? When I read your letters, I realized you haven’t changed. You’re still trying to control everything. You can’t accept that I’ve grown up and live my own life.”

“I’m not controlling!” Vera Nikolaevna protested. “I just want the best for you!”

“Everything is good, mom. Exactly because I chose my own way. Alina and I have a wonderful family. We do everything together—work and relax. We support each other. And you… you’re trying to destroy it.”

“I’m not destroying anything!” Vera Nikolaevna jumped off the sofa. “I’m just trying to open your eyes! This girl isn’t good for you! She can’t even cook properly!”

“But she knows how to love,” Alina said quietly. “And will never betray. Unlike some…”

“What are you implying?” the mother-in-law leaned forward threateningly.

“That your Marina was unfaithful to Pavel. Didn’t you know? Or did you just think it was fine, because she comes from a good family?”

Vera Nikolaevna froze.

“What nonsense! Marina would never…”

“Mom, stop,” Pavel interrupted. “I knew everything. About Sergey, her affair while we were dating. About her boss. About her classmate. You think I ended the engagement for no reason?”

“What engagement?” Alina squeaked.

“That one. The one you set up, before we even met. You invited all the relatives, set the table… but the bride didn’t show. She was busy in a hotel room with her boss.”

“Oh God…” Alina pressed her hands to her cheeks. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t want to stir up the past,” Pavel hugged his wife. “But everything is fine now. Marina can live as she likes.”

“Still, she’s better suited to you by status!” Vera Nikolaevna insisted.

“So what, she had a little fun in her youth! Now she’s settled down, married…”

“Mom, do you hear yourself?” Pavel shook his head. “What status? What ‘had a little fun’? You always said the most important thing is honesty and decency. Where did that go?”

“I just want you to be happy!” tears glistened in the mother-in-law’s eyes.

“I am happy, mom. Truly happy. And you know why? Because the person next to me loves me for who I am. Doesn’t try to change me or make me meet other people’s expectations. Just loves and accepts me.”

“And me? You think I don’t love you?”

“You do, mom. In your own way. But your love suffocates. Like ivy—wrapping around and not letting you breathe.”

Alina silently watched the conversation unfold. It hurt her to see her husband suffer, but she understood—this conversation needed to happen.

“What now?” Vera Nikolaevna’s voice trembled. “Are you going to kick me out?”

“No, mom. I won’t kick you out. But I won’t allow this anymore. No manipulation. No uninvited guests for New Year’s.”

“What about family? What will I tell them?”

“The truth. That Alina and I are celebrating the holiday alone. We have that right—our first New Year’s in a renovated apartment.”

“Alone?” the mother-in-law clutched her heart. “And what about me?”

“You, mom, if you want, come on January 2nd. We’ll sit quietly, talk. Have some tea.”

“Tea?” Vera Nikolaevna smiled bitterly. “With a daughter-in-law who can’t even bake a pie?”

“Vera Nikolaevna,” Alina stepped forward confidently. “I can learn to bake pies. And cook borscht. And make dumplings. It’s not hard. But can you learn to respect boundaries? Accept your son’s choice? Rejoice in his happiness, even if it doesn’t meet your expectations?”

The mother-in-law opened her mouth to respond, but then paused. Something in Alina’s voice made her stop.

“You know, Vera Nikolaevna,” Alina continued, “I never tried to come between you and Pasha. On the contrary, I was always happy when you visited. Set the table, tried to please… And you, all this time, were trying to destroy our family.”

“I didn’t…”

“Yes, mom. That’s exactly what you were doing,” Pavel said firmly. “And you know what’s the saddest thing? You don’t even realize how much you hurt me with your actions. Not to mention Alina.”

Vera Nikolaevna slowly sank onto the sofa. For the first time during the entire conversation, she looked truly puzzled.

“Pasha… daughter…” she shifted her gaze from her son to her daughter-in-law. “I didn’t mean to offend anyone. I just… I was worried…”

“About what, mom? That I wouldn’t meet the standards of your friends? Or that I would stop being your little boy, whom you could control?”

Vera Nikolaevna covered her face with her hands.

“Son, you don’t understand… I’ve been alone all my life. After dad left, I lived only for you. And now…”

“And now it’s time to learn to live your own life, mom,” Pavel said softly. “You’re still young, beautiful. There’s so much you can discover for yourself.”

“How young…” the mother-in-law sighed. “Fifty-five…”

“A wonderful age!” Alina unexpectedly joined in. “Vera Nikolaevna, you’re still so active. I know you used to love dancing…”

“Where from?” the mother-in-law looked up in surprise.

“Pasha told me. He showed me photos from your youth. You were so graceful…”

“Yes…” a spark of interest lit up Vera Nikolaevna’s eyes. “We used to go to classes every week with the girls. And then life happened—work, home, Pashenka…”

“Why not go back?” Alina suggested. “There are so many styles now. And groups for adults.”

“At my age?” the mother-in-law skeptically shook her head.

“Why not? My aunt signed up for yoga at fifty-eight. She says it’s like being reborn—improved posture, better mood.”

Pavel looked at his wife in surprise. He hadn’t expected her to speak so warmly and kindly to his mother.

“Vera Nikolaevna,” Alina continued, “shall we start over? No grudges, no manipulation, no intrigues. Just talk like normal people. You’ll let us live our lives, and we’ll be happy to see you as a guest.”

“And the pies?” the mother-in-law asked childishly.

“We can learn to bake them together,” Alina smiled. “If you want to share your recipes.”

“I have one…” Vera Nikolaevna perked up. “With cabbage and mushrooms. It’s my grandmother’s recipe. I never gave it to anyone. I thought I’d pass it on to Marinka…”

“Mom!” Pavel warned.

“Oh, sorry, son,” Vera Nikolaevna lowered her eyes. “Old habits…”

Alina stepped forward. “Of course, I’d love to learn. Maybe we can bake it for Christmas?”

“For Christmas?” Vera Nikolaevna looked hopefully at her son.

“Definitely, mom,” Pavel nodded. “Come to us on January 7th, and we’ll bake together. But Alina and I will still spend New Year’s alone, alright?”

Vera Nikolaevna paused, smoothing the wrinkles in her skirt.

“Alright, son. You’re right—it’s your holiday. I guess I’ll go back to dancing. I’ll find out if there are any groups…”

She stood up and headed toward the door. Before leaving, she turned around:

“Alina… daughter… forgive me if you can. I really wanted what’s best. I just didn’t understand…”

“It’s okay, Vera Nikolaevna,” Alina replied gently. “The important thing is that you understand now.”

When the door closed behind her mother-in-law, Pavel hugged his wife tightly.

“You’re amazing. I couldn’t have done it—after all the tension.”

“I see how much you care about her,” Alina rested against her husband. “And she’s just a lonely woman, afraid of losing the most important thing she has.”

“But that’s no excuse for trying to ruin our happiness.”

“Of course not. But now that everything’s out in the open, maybe she’ll realize that we’re not enemies. That we can be a family—without drama.”

Pavel kissed the top of her head. “Do you really want to learn her pie recipe?”

“Of course!” Alina grinned. “First, it’s delicious. Second, it’ll make her feel needed. And third…” she paused.

“What third?”

“Third, I’ve wanted to learn something special for our family. Something that we’ll always remember.”

“Kids?” Pavel raised an eyebrow.

“Not yet!” Alina laughed. “Let’s finish the renovation first. I’m just thinking ahead.”

“Well, we’ll figure it out,” Pavel smiled. “But how about we get that tree this Saturday?”

“Let’s do it! But first, let’s hang the curtains in the bedroom. They’ve been in that box for two months!”

“Deal. Should we order the rods too?”

“Not a chance!” Alina playfully wagged her finger. “We said we’re saving every penny!”

“Alright, alright, you win,” Pavel pulled her close. “But no complaints later when the weekends are all about renovations.”

“I won’t complain. But when it’s all done, we’ll have so much to be proud of! Just us, doing it together…”

Just then, the doorbell rang. They exchanged puzzled glances.

“Could it be mom again?” Pavel frowned. Alina opened the door, and the downstairs neighbor stood there.

“Hello! Sorry to interrupt, but we decided to put up a Christmas tree in the yard for New Year’s. Would you like to join? We’ve been celebrating separately every year, but we thought it’d be nice to have a communal celebration this time.”