<\/p>\n
\u201cKsenia! The guests have waited half an hour for coffee! And cut the cake bigger \u2014 Vasily loves sweets!\u201d<\/strong> Ksenia sighed. Ten relatives filled the living room. Her husband Sergey lounged, chatting, while she rushed between rooms.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m coming!\u201d she called, grabbing cups.<\/p>\n For six months now, weekends had turned into family feasts \u2014 all hosted at her place. No one ever asked; they just showed up.<\/p>\n As she served coffee, her mother-in-law sneered, \u201cFinally!\u201d Back in the kitchen, Sergey joined her. \u201cThey\u2019re my family,\u201d he said. \u201cThis is important to Mom.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo is my sanity,\u201d Ksenia replied. \u201cWhy not go to her place for once?\u201d<\/p>\n He brushed it off. That weekend, they hosted again \u2014 Ksenia cooked, served, smiled. And heard only complaints.<\/p>\n By Tuesday, her mother-in-law announced more guests. Sergey didn\u2019t back her. Again.<\/p>\n On Saturday, Ksenia didn\u2019t clean, cook, or prepare. When the doorbell rang, she welcomed the guests \u2014 but offered nothing.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat\u2019s this?\u201d Elena Petrovna gasped. Accusations flew. Ksenia stood firm. Sergey exploded when he came home. When he demanded she apologize, she said no. He left. And for the first time in months, the apartment was quiet.<\/p>\n Ksenia smiled. Tomorrow was hers. Finally.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\nElena Petrovna\u2019s voice echoed through the apartment.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cAnd the cake?\u201d asked Vasily.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cYou look like you’re at a funeral.\u201d
\n\u201cI\u2019m exhausted. Every Saturday is the same.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWe have plans,\u201d Ksenia tried.
\n\u201cYou\u2019re selfish!\u201d was the reply.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cI\u2019m done,\u201d Ksenia said. \u201cThis is my home, not your restaurant.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cNo more uninvited gatherings. No more serving without thanks.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cYou embarrassed my mom!\u201d
\n\u201cAnd you never stood up for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThen I\u2019ll go to my mom!\u201d
\n\u201cPack your things,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n