Elena stood in front of the mirror, smoothing out the wrinkles on her new dress. The rich green silk glowed under the soft morning sunlight. The dress fit her like a glove, highlighting every curve of her figure, but instead of feeling beautiful, she felt uncomfortable. Her mother-in-law would definitely find something to criticize again.

“You’ll see, everything will be fine,” said Alexei, stepping into the room. “Mom’s just a little stressed about the celebration.”

Elena remained silent. After three years of marriage, this phrase had become so commonplace that it no longer evoked anything but a dull irritation. Her mother-in-law had been “worried” constantly — about their choice of apartment, the vacations they planned, Elena’s career decisions. And each time, that “worry” was always followed by sharp remarks and subtle digs at the mistakes her son was making.

“I’ve finished with the cake, and I contacted the musicians,” Elena adjusted her hair carefully. “I just need to pick up the food from the restaurant.”

“Mom said she’ll take care of everything herself,” Alexei frowned. “You know how she gets when it comes to…”

“...A woman from a modest background making decisions?” Elena turned to her husband. “Yes, I know very well. Every family gathering reminds me of that.”

Alexei sighed and sat down on the bed’s edge, running a hand through his hair.

“Please don’t start. It’s your father’s anniversary today, let’s just…”

“Just what?” Elena’s voice trembled with rising frustration. “Just sit quietly while your mom discusses me with the other women? Or maybe it would be easier if I didn’t come at all?”

The phone on the nightstand buzzed. Natalya Ivanovna, sensing she was being spoken of, decided to remind Elena of her presence.

“Elena, darling,” her mother-in-law’s voice was syrupy sweet. “You remember, don’t you, that you need to be… a little more reserved today? After all, the whole family will be there, many respected guests…”

Elena closed her eyes and slowly counted to ten.

“Yes, Natalya Ivanovna. I remember.”

“And about the food…” her mother-in-law made a deliberate pause. “Maybe just bring a salad? There’s no need for anything extravagant.”

A year ago, such a conversation would have reduced Elena to tears. Now, she simply rubbed her temple, worn out by the constant weight of it all.

“Of course. As you wish.”

Her best friend, Ksenia, had warned her before the wedding: “Look at how Alexei reacts to his mother’s whims. Right now, he promises things will change, but later… Are you sure you’re ready for this?”

Back then, Elena was certain. Love seemed like it could overcome all prejudices and family dramas. Three years later, that confidence was fading like the early morning mist.

“I forgot something at the store,” Elena grabbed her bag. “I’ll be back in an hour.”

Alexei called something after her, but she had already slammed the door behind her. The hallway was cool and quiet. Elena leaned against the wall, trying to gather her thoughts.

Her phone buzzed again. This time, it was Ksenia texting: “How’s it going? Ready for another round with your mother-in-law?”

“I don’t know,” Elena typed back honestly. “I think I’m just tired of fighting an invisible enemy.”

“Why fight at all? Where’s your husband?”

Elena didn’t answer. She had asked herself that question a thousand times. Where was Alexei when his mother made veiled comments about Elena’s “unsuitable background”? Where was he when relatives whispered behind her back about how she wasn’t a worthy match for their family?

Most of the time, Alexei stood by, pretending not to notice what was happening. Or he’d smile gently and say, “Oh, don’t worry, they didn’t mean it like that.” Or he’d simply remain silent, avoiding “women’s quarrels” altogether.

Elena stepped outside. The spring sun was blinding, but even its warmth couldn’t melt the icy lump in her chest. In just a few hours, her father-in-law’s anniversary celebration would begin. The whole family would gather — aunts, uncles, cousins — and there would be endless toasts about family traditions, about the importance of staying together.

And Elena would sit at the table, feeling like an outsider. She would hear comments suggesting that “some people” should learn proper manners from “real” family members. She would see Alexei avert his gaze when the next aunt began to discuss how “their family always chose the best life partners.”

The phone rang again. Natalya Ivanovna had more instructions for the evening.

Elena took a deep breath and answered.

“Elena, are you on your way?” her mother-in-law’s voice was unusually soft. “We made a few changes to the seating arrangement. Would you mind sitting a little further from our side of the table? Vera Nikolaevna and her husband are coming, they’re close family friends…”

The family’s country house was lit up, with music spilling into the yard as guests arrived. Elena got out of the car, feeling a wave of weakness wash over her. Alexei, oblivious to her condition, was already hurrying toward his parents.

Nikolai Ivanovich, the guest of honor, was receiving congratulations in the living room. Tall and distinguished, with salt-and-pepper hair, her father-in-law had always treated Elena with neutrality — neither overly warm nor openly hostile. Natalya Ivanovna, on the other hand, radiated confidence as she adjusted her pearl necklace, making sure everyone noticed her every move.

“Elena, darling!” her mother-in-law called, sweeping Alexei into a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here! Come on in, sit over there,” she casually waved her hand toward the far end of the table.

Relatives arrived one by one — aunts in elegant gowns, uncles in sharp suits, cousins chattering eagerly — all crowding around Nikolai Ivanovich to congratulate him. Elena watched them with a sense of detachment, feeling like a shadow in the room.

“Alexei, son,” Natalya Ivanovna kept calling him over, whispering something in his ear each time. After each exchange, Alexei would glance at Elena with an apologetic look but never came to her side.

The toasts began. They were long and heavy with sentiment. Family values, tradition, and the importance of choosing the right life partner were discussed at length. Some guests exchanged knowing glances.

Elena raised her glass mechanically, barely tasting the champagne. Ksenia’s words swirled in her mind: “You see? Nothing changes. How much longer can you put up with this?”

“Do you remember, Natalya Ivanovna,” Elena overheard one of the aunts say, “how we all hoped Alexei would marry Vera Nikolaevna’s daughter? She was such a lovely girl, from such a fine family…”

“Yes,” sighed Natalya Ivanovna, her voice deliberately loud.

The clinking of glasses and the sound of music faded as those words hit Elena like a sharp blow. Time seemed to freeze. The cruelty in those words, the judgment, felt like needles piercing her heart.

Alexei was nearby, deep in conversation with a cousin. Didn’t he hear? Or was he pretending, as he always did?

Elena stood up slowly, unnoticed by anyone except her mother-in-law, who shot her a cold, appraising look as she walked away.

In the hallway, it was quiet. Elena sat on a bench, staring at her trembling hands. Three years. Three years she had tried to be a part of this family. She had cooked for the holidays, helped organize events, endured the endless mockery and criticism. And what did she have to show for it?

Voices echoed from the other room. Natalya Ivanovna was telling someone how hard it was to find a decent daughter-in-law these days.

“Girls today… so different,” sighed her mother-in-law. “No manners, no respect…”

Elena sat still, clutching her purse. Ksenia’s words rang in her head: “You deserve more. Why stay in a family that doesn’t appreciate you?”

The music in the hall grew louder. Someone began to sing, and others joined in. Alexei was probably there too, laughing and singing, pretending that everything was perfect.

The evening wore on. Nikolai Ivanovich, flushed from the drinks, was hugging his departing guests. Natalya Ivanovna was thanking people profusely, casually mentioning the next family gathering.

“Elena, where have you been?” Alexei finally noticed her absence. “It’s time to say goodbye to my parents.”

“Yes, of course,” Elena stood, her movements slow, as though every step drained her. Inside, everything was numb.

“Thank you for a lovely evening,” Elena said, her voice distant, as she kissed her father-in-law on the cheek.

Natalya Ivanovna gave her a dismissive look.

“I hope you weren’t too bored with our little family circle.”

The drive home felt like an eternity. Alexei, still pleased with the evening, tried to strike up a conversation.

“I think it went really well! Dad loved the gift.”

“We’ll talk when we get home,” Elena replied softly, staring out the window.

“Is something wrong?” Alexei glanced at her, concern creeping into his voice. “You don’t seem like yourself.”

“At home, Alexei. Please.”

Once inside, the smell of coffee and the lingering scent of Natalya Ivanovna’s perfume hit Elena like a wave. Her mother-in-law had dropped by earlier to check on Alexei’s outfit before the celebration. Elena kicked off her shoes and walked into the living room.

“Sit down,” Elena asked quietly, her voice steady. “We need to talk.”

Alexei sat down, bewildered.

“What’s going on? You’ve been acting strangely all evening.”

“I heard what your mother said,” Elena’s voice was unusually calm. “About how I’m not good enough for your family, and all that…”

“She didn’t mean…” Alexei started, but Elena cut him off.

“Don’t. Don’t say she didn’t mean it. Don’t tell me I misunderstood. Three years, Alexei. Three years I’ve heard this. And for three years, you’ve pretended nothing’s wrong.”

“What am I supposed to do?” Alexei raised his hands in exasperation. “Make a scene at my dad’s anniversary?”

“You could have simply told your mother that I’m your wife. That it’s not okay to talk about me like that. You could have stood by me just once,” Elena said, standing up and walking toward the bedroom.

Alexei followed her, his voice rising. “Wait, let’s talk this through!”

Elena was already packing. “I can’t do this anymore, Alexei,” she said, folding clothes methodically into a suitcase.

“Please, let’s just talk—” Alexei reached for her, but she pulled away.

“No, Alexei. Nothing will change,” Elena zipped the suitcase shut. “This isn’t about your mother. It’s about you. You’ll always choose her. You’ll always be her obedient little boy.”

“Where are you going?” Panic filled Alexei’s voice.

“To my parents’ house. Then I’ll rent a place.”

“What about us? What about our marriage?” he asked desperately.

Elena gave him a bitter smile. “What marriage, Alexei? You already have a family — your mom, your dad, your aunts with their endless advice. And I’m just a stranger here.”

That night, Alexei tried to reach out, promising to change, swearing to speak to his parents, begging for another chance. Elena lay still, staring at the ceiling.

The next morning, as the first rays of the sun painted the sky pink, Elena called a taxi. Alexei had fallen asleep in the armchair, exhausted from trying to fix what couldn’t be fixed. She left her wedding ring on the table and left a note: “Sorry, but I choose myself.”

The taxi carried her away from the home she’d lived in for three years. Her phone buzzed with calls — Alexei had woken up. Elena silenced it and pressed her forehead against the cool window.

Somewhere in the city, Natalya Ivanovna was waking up, unaware that her dream had finally come true — the simple daughter-in-law had disappeared from her son’s life. Perhaps now there would be a chance to introduce Alexei to Vera Nikolaevna’s daughter…

But it wouldn’t be that easy. Because with Elena, something had left — something Alexei hadn’t noticed before. A love that didn’t need titles or status. A devotion that wasn’t measured by wealth. And the courage to stand as oneself — something Alexei had never possessed.