They sat at the table. The tablecloth gleamed with polished dishware. Plates held thin slices of salmon, and a small bowl of olives sat nearby. Lyudmila Sergeyevna asked questions politely, but it felt like she was filling out a questionnaire. Andrei’s father asked about her favorite book, and they talked about poetry.
Andrei shared a funny childhood story. The dinner went smoothly, but beneath every phrase lay a thin edge of steel, felt by all four. By dessert, Andrei stepped out to the balcony. The host had called to confirm the song for the first dance. His father went to the kitchen for tea.
Alina was left at the table with Lyudmila Sergeyevna. She leaned toward her husband, who had returned with the teapot, and said a phrase in Italian, softly but clearly, with a slight smirk. They both laughed briefly and glanced at Alina with curiosity, as if looking at someone who didn’t understand.
Alina lowered her eyes. She disliked scenes, but this wasn’t just a jab. It was an attempt to put her in her place, to test her reaction the day before the wedding. Alina took a breath, stood, walked around the table, gently took Lyudmila Sergeyevna’s hand and covered it with her own.
Smiling, she looked her straight in the eyes and said in clear, effortless Italian, «I understood everything. You’re worrying for nothing. I’m not going to ask you for a single penny. I know how to provide for myself and care for the people close to me.»
Lyudmila Sergeyevna flinched. Her smile vanished. Surprise flickered across her face, then irritation, then confusion. Andrei’s father dropped his gaze to his cup, realizing the meaning before his wife and sensing the awkwardness.
Andrei returned from the balcony. Silence hung in the room. Alina let go of her hand and calmly sat back down. The host had confirmed the song.
The evening ended without a scandal. At the door, Alina thanked them for dinner. Lyudmila Sergeyevna said the obligatory words about the big day tomorrow and the need to rest well. Her voice was even, but it carried a new caution.
Outside, the air was cool. Alina walked along the avenue, thinking about what she’d said. It was honest and calm, without shouting. She didn’t want war; she wanted respect. Inside, there was no smug satisfaction, just clarity. She’d taken a step that couldn’t be undone.
Her phone buzzed. A message from Andrei. «You’re amazing. I saw something happened. Tell me tomorrow.»
She replied, «Tonight? Just sleep.»
Alina returned home, kicked off her shoes, put the kettle on, and opened the company’s email. The offer was clear: a year-long project in Milan, full salary, bonuses, and six months of rent covered. The move was in a month. The manager’s number was at the bottom, with a three-day response deadline.
She re-read the email, thinking of Andrei. They’d been together for a year. He was kind, attentive, but sometimes too influenced by his mother. He worked hard, rarely complained, stayed up late with numbers, kept his word, and disliked carelessness. He needed quiet support, not grand gestures.
Andrei knew how to love, but sometimes chose silence over decisions. That was livable, as long as they could talk. She imagined their life in Milan: morning coffee on the corner, a house with a balcony and flowers, the Saturday market, the tram’s chime. She also saw the other side: distance from Andrei’s parents, his mother’s resistance, a new language of birds in the trees but a familiar one at work, new people, a new pace.
Alina took a notebook and wrote two columns: one for Milan, one for here. In the first: freedom, growth, the project, partners, the sea on weekends. In the second: an apartment by the park, friends, habits, warm evenings at her parents, familiar speech, known faces. Between them, she wrote a question: «Who is she with there? Who is she with here?»
She closed the notebook, turned off the light, and lay down. Sleep didn’t come, but her thoughts flowed in steady waves. She decided to tell Andrei about the offer in the morning, not as a threat or condition, but as a chance. He was an adult; he’d choose. She wouldn’t drag him or justify her dreams.
In the morning, she woke to the dampness outside, did her exercises, cooked oatmeal, tied her hair, and called Andrei. «I need to talk before the registration,» she said.
«Okay,» he replied. «I’ll be there in an hour.»
Andrei arrived, sat beside her, and looked at her hands. «Speak,» he said.
«I got a job offer,» Alina said, «in Milan, a year-long project. I want you to know now. I’m not leaving today, and I’m not setting conditions. I want us to decide together. Are you ready to go or not? I don’t want to hide anything or give up what matters.»
Andrei took the envelope, read the letter, and was silent for a long time. «You’re talented,» he finally said. «Even I can see that. This is your chance. I don’t want to be the person who chains you to a radiator. I have nothing set up in Italy. Here I have work and a few projects. I can do some remotely, but not all.»
He continued, «It’ll be hard for Mom, but I’m not a child. I don’t want to make decisions at the expense of your steps.» He turned to her. «I’ll go,» he said. «Not out of principle, but because I want to be with you for real. I’m ready to start from scratch there. I’ll try to transfer some work. If it doesn’t work, I’ll find something new. I’m an adult; I’ll manage.»
He paused. «And what did you say to Mom yesterday?»
Alina recounted it. Andrei covered his face for a second, then laughed softly. «A good hit,» he said. «Right on target, no blood. I’ll make sure our family doesn’t have room for those kinds of jabs.» He kissed her forehead. It was calm. Decisions aren’t always easy, but sometimes they’re simple.
They arrived at the registry office on time. Her bridesmaids adjusted her dress. Andrei’s friends joked. Their parents stood nearby. His father smiled. His mother stood straight. The ceremony went smoothly. They said «yes,» signed, and stepped out to rice and laughter.
The reception was warm. The host was unobtrusive. In their first dance, Andrei held Alina gently, yet firmly. Marina gave a short, precise toast, wishing them to listen to each other and not shy away from simple words. At dessert, Lyudmila Sergeyevna pulled Andrei aside. Alina saw her speaking tensely. Andrei listened, nodded, but didn’t agree.
They returned to the table. Alina felt her mother-in-law’s gaze and knew the conversation was about Milan. After the celebration, Andrei drove his parents home while Alina and her friends sorted gifts and took the flowers to their apartment.
He returned tired and a bit lost. «Mom’s against it,» he said. «She says I should think about business and family, that I can’t abandon everything for your job. I told her I’m not abandoning anything. I’m taking it with me. It’s our path for a year, but she thinks it’s a whim. She asked me to reconsider, said no one’s waiting for you in Italy, that it’s a risk.»
«It’s a risk,» Alina said calmly, «but not a game. I know how to work. I know how to learn. I’m not going to prove anything to anyone. I’m going to take a step in my career and for us to try being a family where no one knows us. Not because we’re running, but because I chose this. Because you chose this. If you’ve changed your mind, say so. Don’t be afraid to hurt me, be honest.»
«I haven’t changed my mind,» Andrei said. «I’m scared. It’s hard for Mom, but I’ve made my choice. I don’t want to live in a house where every decision needs her stamp of approval. I love her, but I’m separate.»
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