“He Said a Week Alone Would Make Her Obedient — But What He Found When He Returned Left Him Frozen in Shock”

Nika hadn’t been herself lately. Serious cracks had appeared in her relationship with her live-in boyfriend, Tolya, and she didn’t know how much longer she could endure the agony of it. It had all started with little things—like it usually does.

Tolya’s behavior had grown worse over time. After work, he peppered her with poisonous remarks, his jokes laced with malice. Every word cut deeper than a blow. Even on vacations, there was no reprieve.

“You look like an old hag!” he’d say without looking up from his phone. “Other guys have wives like wives, and I’ve got some kind of shriveled prune!”

Nika really did look older than her years. Her demanding job left its mark on her face, but it was especially painful to hear such cruel words from her own partner. After all, she worked tirelessly for their household, earning twice as much as he did. Meanwhile, Tolya spent his money however he pleased, never consulting her.

“I’ll spend it where I want! We don’t have kids to save up for anyway,” he’d say dismissively.

Nika put up with it. They weren’t officially married, but they lived like spouses, and she wasn’t in a hurry to have a wedding. Tolya’s mother, Maria Ivanovna, already called her a daughter-in-law, and Nika treated her like a mother-in-law. Unfortunately, Maria Ivanovna was pushy and dissatisfied with life, constantly interfering in the couple’s affairs. Most of her nitpicking fell on Nika.

The couple lived in a detached house in the city, which required constant upkeep. Nika often asked Tolya for help.

“I just can’t keep up—I’m at work from morning till night!” she’d plead.

“What’s that to me?” Tolya would retort. “It’s your house, you’re the mistress here—what’s it got to do with me?”

And indeed, in winter, the house sat buried in snowdrifts until Nika herself took up the shovel. In summer, the grass grew tall, nearly up to the windows. She had to hire help to keep things in order and then finish the work herself after long days at the office. Tolya, meanwhile, would lie on the couch, occasionally stepping outside to supervise.

She forgave a lot, but the last straw came one evening after a grueling day at work. Exhausted, she dragged herself home, her palm aching from carrying a heavy bag of groceries. She’d even called Tolya on the way, hoping he might meet her at the gate, but he hadn’t answered. Sighing, she approached the house, only to hear loud music blasting from the yard.

Leaving the bag by the gate, Nika hurried inside, anger and hurt building with every step. What she saw made her heart sink. A full-blown party was underway. Loud disco music shook the windows, snacks and dishes she had prepared in advance were spread across the table, and there was Tolya, dancing drunkenly with a provocatively dressed woman who had clearly had too much to drink.

Without a word, Nika walked through the room and switched off the music.

Tolya turned to her, his gaze bleary. “What do you think you’re doing?” he slurred.

“I was going to ask you that! What’s going on? Who is this woman?” Nika demanded.

The woman kept swaying to her own rhythm, oblivious to the tension.

“So what?” Tolya shrugged. “I ran into an old classmate, so we celebrated. Or am I not allowed to relax in my own house?”

“If you recall,” Nika said coldly, “you yourself said this is my house and you have nothing to do with it. So now get out, see your guest off, and then we’ll talk.”

“I won’t!” Tolya tried to stand up straight but staggered.

Nika felt nothing but disgust. He’d long ceased to be a man in her eyes. He was no help—just a burden. Live with him out of fear of being alone? No way.

Taking the woman firmly by the elbow, Nika led her out through the gate. “Time for you to go,” she said curtly.

Then she returned to the house. “Do I have to throw you out too, or will you leave on your own?” she asked Tolya.

The man shrugged, grabbed some salad and a bottle from the table, and, swaying, headed for the door. “Live without me—then you’ll call, you drama queen!” he tossed over his shoulder.

A Week of Reflection

Tolya went straight to his mother’s house, where he knew he’d find sympathy.

“Oh dear, oh dear!” Maria Ivanovna moaned, clutching her head. “My head is splitting!”

“Ma, don’t yell! Nika kicked me out. She didn’t like that I didn’t meet her,” Tolya lied, knowing his mother would take his side.

“And why should you have to meet her?” Maria Ivanovna asked, genuinely surprised.

“Exactly! She’s always picking on me—this isn’t right, that isn’t right! I’m sick of it! Maybe I get tired at work too! Think it’s easy for me? And why should I help in someone else’s house?”

“Exactly!” his mother agreed. “Let her register the house in your name first, give you a share, then she can ask for help! Let her sulk! Don’t give in. A week alone will make her as pliant as silk.”

Tolya nodded, convinced. “You’re right, Ma! I won’t put up with her whims. I’m a grown man—I’m my own master!”

For the next week, Tolya stayed with his mother, who proved to be far from an ideal roommate. She nagged him constantly and even resorted to hitting him with a switch when he didn’t follow her orders. “You’re not at your wife’s here; you’re at home, with your mother! If you don’t work, you don’t eat!” she’d snap.

By the end of the week, Tolya couldn’t take it anymore. He packed his things and marched back to Nika’s house, confident she’d be waiting for him with open arms. “She’ll be on her knees by now, begging me to come back!” he thought proudly.

A New Nika

Tolya approached the gate, entered the yard… and froze. Something was off.

The yard was neat, the grass trimmed perfectly, the windows sparkled, and the flowerbeds were edged. Even the creaky old gate had been replaced with a solid, reliable one.

He tried his key, but it no longer fit. Confused, he knocked on the door.

When the door opened, Tolya was stunned. Standing before him wasn’t the sullen, exhausted woman he’d left behind. This Nika was fresh, smiling, and radiant, with a sparkle in her eyes.

“I thought you’d be in here alone, suffering… And you… You could have at least called me!” he stammered.

“Why?” Nika asked, tilting her head playfully.

“What do you mean, ‘why’? Your husband disappears for a week, and you don’t even care?”

“I don’t have a husband,” she replied calmly.

Tolya flushed. “You talking about me?! You’re about to get slapped and change your tune! I should’ve straightened you out earlier!”

He took a step forward, but a tall man stepped out from behind the door, placing a protective hand on Nika’s shoulder. “Hey, man, leave. And better make it peaceful.”

Tolya’s bravado crumbled. One moment he was standing there, and the next he was running, propelled by a couple of well-placed kicks from Nika’s older brother.

The Celebration

Inside, Nika’s guests—family and friends—were already celebrating her birthday. Glasses clinked as laughter filled the air.

“Well then, birthday girl—to you!” her brother said, raising his glass.

“To the name-day girl!” came the chorus.

Nika smiled. How good it felt to be surrounded by people who truly cared for her. How good it felt to finally be free.

And for the first time in years, she knew she was exactly where she belonged.