She had inherited significant property from her parents—three apartments in a prestigious area of the city and a compact shopping center on the outskirts. Her fingers automatically ran through the lines of the lease agreement. The name of the tenant, Alla Sergeevna Voronova, was prominently displayed.
Her husband’s mother didn’t even suspect that she was paying rent to her own daughter-in-law. Liliya had deliberately arranged the whole deal through a real estate agency to keep this secret. Three years ago, when her relationship with Igor was just beginning, she decided not to reveal her financial capabilities to him.
“Dear,” Liliya had said then, looking at her embarrassed future husband, “I really don’t care how much you earn. What matters to me is your attitude towards me.”
Igor blushed, feeling somewhat awkward. He was a regular engineer at a construction firm, and his income left much to be desired.
“But how can you… You’re so beautiful, so smart. Will a simple life really be enough for you?” he wondered.
The girl laughed and hugged him.
“I love you, dear. Everything else is secondary.”
Thus, Liliya preferred to keep her wealth a secret. She said she worked as a manager at the shopping center but omitted the fact that she owned it. The apartment where they lived, she presented as part of her inheritance.
Two years into their marriage, Liliya sometimes regretted her choice. This was especially true when it came to constant attacks from her mother-in-law. Alla Sergeevna had not gotten along with the daughter-in-law from day one.
“How could you choose such a woman?” she often asked her son. “She can’t cook, doesn’t know how to manage a household. All she does is run off to work.”
Liliya silently endured, though these words hurt her deeply. For the sake of her beloved husband, she was willing to put up with any criticism from his mother, even when it became more open and malicious.
Liliya had kept her wealth a secret from her husband, Igor, for years, including the fact that she owned several properties. Her mother-in-law, Alla Sergeevna, frequently mocked Liliya, criticizing her for not being a “proper” wife. Liliya endured the insults, but when she overheard Alla planning to expose her financial situation, she decided it was time to act.
Liliya orchestrated a plan to teach Alla a lesson by revealing that she had been secretly renting her properties to her mother-in-law. During a family meeting, Liliya presented the lease agreement, leaving Alla speechless. The truth forced Alla to confront her behavior and apologize, realizing her insecurities had caused the rift.
Over time, Liliya and Alla’s relationship improved. They learned to communicate openly and respectfully, and Igor, who had grown closer to Liliya, helped bridge the gap between the two women. Ultimately, Liliya’s honesty and vulnerability led to reconciliation, showing that authenticity and openness can heal even the most strained relationships.
