She wants to ruin our marriage,’ he said through gritted teeth. – Is that why we moved here? No, that’s enough.
We made a plan.
At breakfast this morning, I told him casually that Alexei and I were thinking of moving out. Larissa glowed, though she tried to hide it behind a mask of sympathy.
Well, if you think that would be better…..
In the evening we invited a lawyer friend to dinner. Larisa didn’t know him, and we told him he was a realtor helping us look for a new place to live. At the table, Larisa kept saying how much she liked living alone.
I’m not young anymore,’ she said. – I need space. And you need space. And maybe Emma could use a little brother, too.
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to stay in this house, but Alexei insisted.
Think about it,’ he said. – It’s part of your father’s legacy. You are his memory, yes. But he built this house himself. Do you really want Larissa to have it?
I don’t know. Honestly, I’m not sure myself.
A week later we had a ‘family meeting’. Larissa walked in, confident, like a winner.
Alexei handed her a folder of papers.
What the hell is this? – she flipped through the pages.
‘These are the deeds to the house,’ he replied calmly. – We’ve studied them. It turns out that the main heirs are Kalla and me. You don’t own this house, Larissa. It’s ours.
Larissa’s face turned white.
That’s impossible. Kalla! What have you done? Your father would never leave me with nothing …
He didn’t,’ I replied. – He left you a lot of money. But the house is part of me. Of course he’d want me to keep it.
She wanted to object, but Alexei interrupted:
And before you come up with another intrigue – know that we are not going anywhere. But you should think about moving.
Or maybe your ‘boyfriend’ will take you in? – I added calmly.
Larissa choked, her tongue seemed to have failed.
What boyfriend? – I asked. – He doesn’t exist, does he?
I made the whole thing up! I made the whole thing up! There is no boyfriend, Calla! There’s no cheating! I wanted you to think there was!
I know,’ I said. – I overheard the whole thing. But you know, I’m giving you a week. Just because that’s what my dad would do.
I’m gonna make it up to you! I’ll do everything-cooking, cleaning, helping with Emma! Just don’t kick me out!
I don’t want my baby around you,’ I said simply. – I’m sorry, but it’s my decision.
A week later, Larissa left.
And I finally found peace in the house my daddy loved so much. I turned her room into a library for myself and the other half into a playroom for Emma.
And the dressing gown?
She ‘forgot’ it. I donated it to a charity with the rest of her things. Let someone else have it. I’m definitely not keeping it for myself.