04/08/2025
Mother-in-law and husband threw Arina out of the house, and when they accidentally ran into her three years later, they couldn’t believe their eyes A cold October evening changed Arina’s life forever. She stood at the gate of her own home—well, her former home—with a hastily packed bag in hand. Her mother‑in‑law’s piercing voice was still ringing in her ears: — Get out of my house! And don’t you ever set foot here again! Ten years of marriage collapsed in a single evening. Arina had kept hoping until the last moment that Sergei, her husband, would stand up for her. But he only lowered his eyes and remained silent while his mother chased his wife away. It all started over something trivial—this time the mother‑in‑law had found fault with the borscht. — You can’t even cook! What kind of wife are you? And you can’t give us grandchildren either! — Mom, calm down, — Sergei mumbled, but she was already in full swing. — No, son, I can’t stand by and watch this incompetent woman ruin your life! Choose—her or me! Arina froze, expecting her husband to say, “I choose her.” But he only shrugged: — Arin, maybe you really should go? Stay with friends, think things over... Now, standing at the gate with her bag in hand, Arina felt her world crumbling beneath her feet. She had five thousand rubles in her wallet and a couple of friends’ numbers in her phone—friends she hadn’t talked to in ages. For years, her life had revolved solely around her husband and his mother. She slowly walked down the wet street. The streetlights dimly reflected in the puddles; drizzle fell, but Arina didn’t feel the cold—inside, she was too empty. The first weeks after being cast out were gray and featureless. Her friend Katya took her in at her small one‑room flat—temporarily. — You need to work, — Katya insisted. — Start with anything; the main thing is to get back on your feet. Arina took a job as a waitress in a café. Twelve‑hour shifts wore her out, her legs ached, and the smell of food made her nauseous. But it kept her from falling into despair. One evening, when the café was nearly empty, a man in his forties came in. He sat in the corner and ordered only coffee. Arina brought the drink, forcing a routine smile. — You have sad eyes, — he said. — Excuse my frankness; I just know how to read people. You’re not in your element. Arina wanted to snap back, but he invited himself to sit opposite her. That’s how she met Mikhail. — I own a small chain of shops, — he said. — And I need a capable manager. If you’re interested—we can discuss it tomorrow? — Why offer the job to a stranger? — Because I see intelligence and character in your eyes. You just haven’t realized it yet. The offer turned out to be genuine. A week later, Arina was working for him. At first it was hard—she got flustered with paperwork and feared making mistakes. But Mikhail proved patient. — You’re talented. You’ve just been silenced by other people’s opinions. Think not “I can’t do it,” but “How can I do it better?” And she began to change. — You’ve started smiling, — Mikhail said one day. — A real smile. A year later, Arina was managing three stores. Her confidence and attention to detail paid off—the business was growing. — You’ve exceeded all my expectations, — Mikhail admitted over dinner. — You’ve become more to me than a colleague or a friend. She gently withdrew her hand: — Mikhail, I’m very grateful. But I need time. I’m only just beginning to discover who I am. — I’ll wait, — he replied softly. — You’re not that waitress from the café anymore. Indeed, Arina had changed. Now she wore business suits, drove a car, and led negotiations with ease. — I’m no longer angry with them, — she said one day. — Neither with my mother‑in‑law nor with my ex. They’re just characters from an old dream. On the eve of the New Year, Arina and Mikhail were discussing opening a new store. — Will we make it in time? — he asked. — Of course. The team is ready, the paperwork is almost done. After the meeting, Katya called: — “Boss‑friend,” when are we meeting? — This weekend! At that café, remember? Where I used to work. Over coffee, Katya looked at her: — You’re a completely different person. Not on the outside—inside. — I finally figured out who I am, — Arina replied. — I used to think life was about enduring, smiling, and keeping silent. But that was surviving, not living. — And what about Mikhail? — Katya asked with a sly smile. Arina paused. Mikhail was reliable and had been there for her. But... — I’m afraid of losing myself in a relationship again. Of dissolving into a man. — Nonsense, — Katya said firmly. — You’re not the same Arina. And he sees that. He values the real you. Continued in the comments
