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“A husband’s debt is a wife’s debt, pay it,” the mother-in-law announced. Vera took out a piece of paper, and the smile instantly disappeared from the guest’s face. Vera was setting the table in the kitchen when her mother-in-law sat down with the confidence of someone at home. The guest adjusted her bracelet, looked around the shelves, and grimaced. Vera pretended not to notice the grimace. “Tea or coffee?” Vera asked softly. “Are there any biscuits? I bought them this morning.” “You’d better sit down, I have something to talk about,” Tamara said, tapping her fingernail on the counter. “By the way, this is a serious conversation.” “I’m listening carefully,” Vera said, putting down the kettle and sitting across from him. “Don’t scare me or make me run out the door, I’m in a good mood today.” “Igor has debts,” Tamara blurted out bluntly. “A big debt.” And now he’s in debt, my boy.” Vera calmly put her hands on the table and nodded. For a week now, she had sensed her husband’s despondency and averted gaze. And that was all. “I know Igor is having a hard time,” Vera said. “I’m ready to help him understand, figure out where the debt is and how to pay it. Let’s do it step by step.” “Step by step,” her mother-in-law snorted. “It’s simple. A husband’s debt is a wife’s debt. Are you married? I am. So pay.” Vera smiled, lowering her voice, and pushed the plate toward the guest. As the old saying goes: haste is good only when you catch fleas, but here there’s no need to rush. “Tamara Sergeyevna,” she said patiently, “let’s first settle the amount and the reason.” And then we’ll settle who owes what to whom.” “What is there to settle?” the guest asked, raising his voice. “A family has to make ends meet! I raised a child, I didn’t sleep at night, and now you’re turning up your nose?” “I’m not turning up your nose,” Vera replied calmly. “I’m just asking simple questions. It’s reasonable, you’ll agree.” Her mother-in-law pursed her lips and began drumming her fingers faster. It was clear that the questions irritated her more than any refusals. “Igor promised to help Larisa with her plan,” the guest said reluctantly. “He gave her money, but she didn’t have any. So he borrowed it from some people. Good people, acquaintances, don’t get me wrong.” “So the money went to your daughter,” Vera explained calmly. “And I’m supposed to give it back. What interesting logic.” “Don’t distort the facts!” her mother-in-law snapped. “Larisa is related.” You’ve been in the family less than a year and you’re already counting other people’s money.” Vera poured the tea and pushed the cup towards her guest. She held it delicately,Although a familiar feeling was already growing inside her. “I’m not counting money, I’m counting justice,” Vera said with a faint smile. “It’s different, you know. Let’s wait for Igor, and then the three of us can talk.” “Igor will do what his mother tells him,” Tamara retorted irritably. “And you’ll get used to it. Once you’re part of the family, you’ll share the cross with the others.” “The cross is certainly a beautiful metaphor,” Vera nodded. “But for some reason, they only give it to me. The rest of us are kind.” Tamara took a sip of tea, burned herself, and put the cup down with a thud. Her eyes narrowed, and Vera understood: the quiet part of the meeting was over before it even began. “Are you being impertinent?” the host hissed. “I’m old enough to be your mother.” “I’m telling you,” Vera corrected her. “The difference is subtle, but important. I hope we can find a solution without shouting.” Two days later, her husband’s family gathered at a cafe, where Vera had been invited to “talk civilly.” Larisa was already seated at a round table, and next to her sat Aunt Zoya, a woman with piercing eyes and a booming voice. Igor huddled on the edge, trying not to look at his wife. “Well, here’s our star,” Larisa sang as Vera sat down. “We heard how rude you were to Mom.” “Hi, Larisa,” Vera nodded. “I see news flies faster than bills.” “Don’t be such a know-it-all,” Aunt Zoya interjected. “We’re here to repay a debt. Family.” “Excellent,” Vera said. “Family means being together. So let’s all lend a hand. I accept our share.” A moment of hesitation hung over the table. Larisa exchanged a glance with her aunt, and Igor stared at the menu as if salvation were written there. “What share?” Aunt Zoya frowned. “You’re the wife. You pay the full amount.” “That’s an interesting approach,” Vera smiled, spreading her hands. “The money went to Larisa, Igor borrowed it, but for some reason, the one who’s furthest from the money should receive it.” “Because that’s how it should be!” Larisa exclaimed. “A wife has a duty to cover her husband’s expenses. Don’t you love him, or what?” “Love and a wallet are neighbors, not twins,” Vera replied calmly. “Igor, at least say a word. After all, this is your story.” Igor looked up, hesitated, and muttered something unintelligible. Aunt Zoya immediately took the initiative and slammed her hand on the table. “Why are you bothering him?” she snapped. “You see, the boy is in trouble. And now you’re interrogating him.” “I’m not bothering him, I’m asking my husband about his debt,” Vera said.”I think it’s normal for a wife. Should a wife just pay silently?” “Silently!” Larisa exclaimed. “Take the money and drop the subject. Why are you acting like a child?” Vera slowly sipped her water and looked around. Her patience was still intact, but all hope of a rational conversation was fading. “Let’s be honest,” she said. “Who among you is willing to give even a ruble? Raise your hand.” No one moved. Larisa began examining the napkin, Aunt Zoya turned to the window, and Igor hid his hands under the table. “That’s the whole answer,” Vera nodded. “We all agree. Vera should pay, and her family will give her moral support.” “Are you kidding?” Larisa raised her voice so loudly that the neighboring tables turned to look at her. “They say nice things to you, and you’re just showing off!” “I’m not showing off,” Vera remained impassive. “I just don’t understand why everyone thinks other people’s wallets are inexhaustible.” “You’re imagining things rather cleverly,” Aunt Zoya murmured. “You’ll find yourself alone, without family, without support. And then you’ll cry.” “Thanks for the prediction,” Vera smiled. “I wrote it down in my prophecy notebook. If it comes true, I’ll be the first to call you.” The grand finale at the dacha was approaching, where the whole family had gathered under the pretext of a barbecue. Tamara was already seated on the veranda at the head of the table, next to Larisa, Aunt Zoya, and a man Vera didn’t know, introduced as Oleg, a family friend. “We’re all here,” Tamara announced solemnly. “Let’s settle this once and for all.” “It sounds like an ultimatum,” Vera observed, sitting down. “And I like to be honest. I’m listening.” “You see, Oleg is a smart man,” said the mother-in-law, nodding toward the guest. “He’ll explain to you what life is like in ordinary families.” “In ordinary families,” Oleg began seriously, “the wife is responsible for the husband’s duties. You might say it’s tradition.” “Pastas at Maslenitsa are tradition,” Vera replied softly. “And debts are a matter of agreement.” Igor and I had different agreements… Thank you for reading this part of the story. This is only Part 1 – continue in the comments.Aunt Zoya turned to the window, and Igor hid his hands under the table. “That’s the whole answer,” Vera nodded. “We all agree. Vera should pay, and her family will give her moral support.” “Are you kidding?” Larisa raised her voice so loudly that the neighboring tables turned to look at her. “They say nice things to you, and you’re just bragging!” “I’m not bragging,” Vera remained impassive. “I just don’t understand why everyone thinks other people’s wallets are inexhaustible.” “You’re imagining things rather cleverly,” Aunt Zoya murmured. “You’ll find yourself alone, without family, without support. And then you’ll cry.” “Thanks for the prediction,” Vera smiled. “I wrote it down in my prophecy notebook. If it comes true, I’ll be the first to call you.” The grand finale at the dacha was approaching, where the whole family had gathered under the pretext of a barbecue. Tamara was already sitting at the head of the table on the veranda, next to Larisa, Aunt Zoya, and a man Vera didn’t know, introduced as Oleg, a family friend. “We’re all here,” Tamara announced solemnly. “Let’s settle this once and for all.” “It sounds like an ultimatum,” Vera observed, sitting down. “And I like to be honest. I’m listening.” “You see, Oleg is an intelligent man,” said her mother-in-law, nodding toward the guest. “He’ll explain to you what life is like in normal families.” “In normal families,” Oleg began seriously, “the wife is responsible for the husband’s duties. You might say it’s tradition.” “Tradition is pancakes at Maslenitsa,” Vera replied quietly. “And debts are a matter of agreement.” Igor and I had different agreements… Thank you for reading this part of the story. This is only Part 1 – continue in the comments.Aunt Zoya turned to the window, and Igor hid his hands under the table. “That’s the whole answer,” Vera nodded. “We all agree. Vera should pay, and her family will give her moral support.” “Are you kidding?” Larisa raised her voice so loudly that the neighboring tables turned to look at her. “They say nice things to you, and you’re just bragging!” “I’m not bragging,” Vera remained impassive. “I just don’t understand why everyone thinks other people’s wallets are inexhaustible.” “You’re imagining things rather cleverly,” Aunt Zoya murmured. “You’ll find yourself alone, without family, without support. And then you’ll cry.” “Thanks for the prediction,” Vera smiled. “I wrote it down in my prophecy notebook. If it comes true, I’ll be the first to call you.” The grand finale at the dacha was approaching, where the whole family had gathered under the pretext of a barbecue. Tamara was already sitting at the head of the table on the veranda, next to Larisa, Aunt Zoya, and a man Vera didn’t know, introduced as Oleg, a family friend. “We’re all here,” Tamara announced solemnly. “Let’s settle this once and for all.” “It sounds like an ultimatum,” Vera observed, sitting down. “And I like to be honest. I’m listening.” “You see, Oleg is an intelligent man,” said her mother-in-law, nodding toward the guest. “He’ll explain to you what life is like in normal families.” “In normal families,” Oleg began seriously, “the wife is responsible for the husband’s duties. You might say it’s tradition.” “Tradition is pancakes at Maslenitsa,” Vera replied quietly. “And debts are a matter of agreement.” Igor and I had different agreements… Thank you for reading this part of the story. This is only Part 1 – continue in the comments.Tamara announced solemnly. “Let’s settle this once and for all.” “It sounds like an ultimatum,” Vera observed, sitting down. “And I like to be honest. I’m listening.” “You see, Oleg is an intelligent man,” said her mother-in-law, nodding toward her guest. “He’ll explain to you what life is like in normal families.” “In normal families,” Oleg began seriously, “the wife is responsible for the husband’s duties. You might say it’s tradition.” “Pancakes at Maslenitsa are tradition,” Vera replied quietly. “And debts are a matter of agreement.” Igor and I had different agreements… Thank you for reading this part of the story. This is only Part 1 – continue in the comments.Tamara announced solemnly. “Let’s settle this once and for all.” “It sounds like an ultimatum,” Vera observed, sitting down. “And I like to be honest. I’m listening.” “You see, Oleg is an intelligent man,” said her mother-in-law, nodding toward her guest. “He’ll explain to you what life is like in normal families.” “In normal families,” Oleg began seriously, “the wife is responsible for the husband’s duties. You might say it’s tradition.” “Pancakes at Maslenitsa are tradition,” Vera replied quietly. “And debts are a matter of agreement.” Igor and I had different agreements…

Vera was arranging the cups on the kitchen counter while her mother-in-law sat down at the table as casually as…

July 17, 2026