— Vitya, deal with your wife! Who does she think she is?! She threw me out onto the street!

— Vitya, deal with your wife! Who does she think she is?! She threw me out onto the street!

Viktor was sitting in his office, going over contracts, when his phone exploded with a hysterical shriek:

— Vitya, deal with your wife! She threw me out onto the street! Who does she think she is?!

His sister Kristina’s voice trembled with indignation and tears. Viktor pushed the folders aside, feeling that familiar headache begin to throb at his temples.

— Kristina, calm down. What happened?

— What happened?! — her voice shot up an octave. — Your wife… that… she threw all my stuff onto the stairs! She just grabbed it and tossed it out! Like trash! I’m standing in the entryway right now, and the neighbors are looking at me like… like I’m some homeless bum! Vitya, do you get it?! She humiliated me! In front of everyone!

Viktor squeezed his eyes shut, rubbing the bridge of his nose. For the past two weeks he’d felt something unpleasant brewing at home. Anna had become quiet, tense, and Kristina… Kristina kept acting as if she were staying in a five-star hotel with full service.

— And what led up to this? — he asked cautiously.

— Nothing! Absolutely nothing! — Kristina choked on her words. — I was just living there, studying for my exams, not bothering anyone. And she barged into my room this morning… I mean, the guest room, and started screaming that I had to move out! I told her I came to my brother, that it’s your home too, and she… she just started stuffing my things into bags! Vitya, she didn’t even let me pack properly! She just shoved me out the door with my stuff!

Viktor felt anger boil up inside him. How dare Anna? Kristina was his younger sister—practically a kid—she’d come to apply to university, and this was how she was being treated? In his home?

— Has she completely lost it? — he snapped. — Where are you right now?

— On the landing! With three bags! Vitya, I don’t even have anywhere to go! My exam is the day after tomorrow, I need to study, and I—

— Stay there. I’ll handle it right now, Viktor cut in and, without listening to her sobbing, hung up.

His fingers were shaking as he dialed his wife. The ringing felt endless.

— Yes? — Anna’s voice was even, almost too calm.

— Anna, what’s going on?! — Viktor exploded, unable to hold back. — Can you explain why my sister is standing on the landing with her things?!

A pause. He could hear her breathing—steady, controlled.

— Because I asked her to move out and she refused, Anna replied just as calmly. — So I helped her move.

— Are you kidding me?! — Viktor’s voice broke into a shout. A few colleagues turned around, and he demonstratively faced the window, lowering his tone to an angry hiss. — That’s my sister! A nineteen-year-old girl who came here to apply! You threw her out onto the street like she was—

— Viktor, you’d better not finish that sentence, Anna’s voice turned cold. — Don’t say something you’ll regret.

— I’ll regret it?! — he was almost choking with outrage. — You just threw my sister out! A child! Do you even understand what you’ve done?!

— A child, Anna echoed, and something dangerous surfaced in her tone. — A “child” who hasn’t washed a single plate after herself in two weeks. A “child” who throws parties in our apartment while we’re at work. A “child” who took my new dress without asking and got a wine stain on it. A “child” who told me this morning she wasn’t going anywhere because “her brother lives here.”

— So what?! Viktor cut her off. — Her brother really does live there! It’s my home too—have you forgotten?

— No, Viktor, Anna’s voice dropped lower, and somehow that made it even more dangerous. — It’s my home. My apartment, which I bought with my own money three years before I married you. You live here because you’re my husband. And your sister lived here because you begged me for two weeks straight and I agreed. Temporarily. For the admissions period.

— So what if it’s your apartment?! he snapped, feeling the ground slip beneath him but refusing to admit it. — We’re family! Or does that mean nothing to you?!

— Exactly because we’re family, I’m talking to you instead of just changing the locks, Anna cut in. — Viktor, your “girl” behaved like a selfish, ill-mannered person. I tolerated it for two weeks. I tried to talk. I explained that in someone else’s home you clean up after yourself, don’t make noise at night, and don’t rummage through other people’s things. Want to know what she told me?

Viktor stayed silent, teeth clenched.

— She said, “This is my brother’s home, and I’ll do whatever I want. If you don’t like it—that’s your problem.” Anna continued. — Just like that, Viktor. Word for word. And when I asked her to find somewhere else to live, she said she wasn’t leaving. So yes—I put her things out on the landing. Neatly stacked, by the way.

— That was your responsibility! Viktor blurted out, already realizing he sounded ridiculous but unable to stop. — You’re the mistress of the house! You were supposed to find common ground!

— My responsibility? Anna sounded genuinely astonished. — Viktor, are you serious right now? My responsibility is to raise your adult sister?

— She’s not an adult! She’s nineteen!

— I was eighteen when I rented a dorm room and worked evenings to pay for it, Anna said icily. — And I still managed to clean up after myself and not mouth off to the landlady. So don’t lecture me about age.

— That’s different! Viktor could feel he was losing the argument, and the helplessness only made him angrier. — Kristina was raised differently, she’s used to—

— Used to what? Anna cut him off. — Used to having everything cleaned up for her? Used to being allowed anything? Used to her big brother solving all her problems? Viktor, she’s nineteen. At that age people start families, have children, serve in the army. And you’re telling me she’s a child?

— Listen, stop being so clever! he snapped. — Do you even realize what you’ve done?! She’s standing in the stairwell! Her exam is the day after tomorrow! She has nowhere to go!

— She has a mother who lives two hours away, Anna replied evenly. — And she has a dorm if she gets in. And she has money for a hotel that you regularly transfer to her.

— How do you know about the transfers? Viktor blurted out.

— Because it’s our joint account, genius, Anna said wearily. — And I see all the transactions. Five thousand for pocket money. Ten for clothes. Another seven—no note what for. In two weeks, Viktor. Twenty-two thousand.

— She’s my sister!

— And she’s been my headache! Anna raised her voice for the first time. — Which ended exactly an hour ago, when I put her out the door!

— You… you’re crazy! Viktor spat, completely losing control. — You’re a heartless egoist who doesn’t give a damn about my family!

— Okay, stop, Anna’s voice went quiet again. — Viktor—did you just call me crazy and an egoist?…

Something in her tone made him stop short.

— I… I reacted emotionally…

— No, wait—let’s finish that thought, — Anna went on with frightening calm. — I’m an egoist because I don’t want to live in a mess in my own apartment? Because I don’t want a stranger digging through my closet? Because I’m tired of cleaning up after a grown young woman who doesn’t even say thank you?

— Kristina isn’t a stranger!

— To me she is, Viktor. I’d seen her three times in my life before this—at our wedding, at New Year’s, and at your mother’s birthday. And every time she behaved like I was the help. So yes, to me she’s a stranger who abused my hospitality.

— Fine! Great! — Viktor had completely lost control. — So my family are strangers to you! Maybe I should move out too—so I don’t “defile” your kingdom?!

The pause was so long that Viktor even checked whether the call had dropped.

— You know what, Viktor, — Anna finally said, and her voice sounded strange—tired and determined at the same time. — Your sister can come back. Tonight. She’ll pick up whatever she left, apologize to me for her rudeness, and move out. If you think that’s unfair—then get out with her. I bought this apartment before we got married. It’s entirely mine. You can take your things and live wherever you want. With your sister, with your mother—sleep at the office for all I care. I don’t care.

— Are you threatening me?!

— No, Viktor. I’m protecting my home. I’m doing what I should have done two weeks ago. You can keep yelling at me, insulting me, blaming me. But every next word you say brings you closer to the door with a suitcase. Your choice.

Silence hung on the line. Viktor was breathing hard, feeling the adrenaline slowly drain away, leaving behind a cold realization of what was happening.

— I’m waiting for your decision by seven this evening, — Anna added. — Your sister can pick up her things from eight to nine. If you come with her, make sure she doesn’t cause a scene. I don’t have the strength for drama. That’s all.

The dial tone sounded like a sentence.

Viktor sank into his chair, staring at his phone screen. His thoughts tangled. On one side was Kristina, whom he’d been used to protecting since childhood—his little sister, crying into the phone. On the other was Anna, with whom he’d lived for four years, whom he loved… or thought he loved.

The phone lit up again. Kristina.

— So? Did you talk to her? Did she apologize? When can I come back?

Viktor rubbed his face with his palms.

— Kristina… tell me again. In detail. What exactly happened.

— What do you mean “in detail”? — hurt flashed in his sister’s voice. — Vitya, you don’t believe me?

— Just tell me. From the beginning.

— Well… I woke up like usual. Around eleven. Went to the kitchen—

— At eleven? — Viktor repeated. — And what time did you go to bed?

— Well… around three, I guess. The girls and I were chatting, then I finished my series—

— Stop. The girls were at our place?

— Yeah, they came over. So what? We were being quiet!

Viktor remembered how on Monday Anna had silently cleaned up a broken wineglass in the living room that had “accidentally fallen off the shelf.”

— Keep going.

— So I went to the kitchen, wanted breakfast, and Anna was there. And she immediately started in, like I’m supposed to wash my dishes. I said I’d do it later—I had to eat first. And she goes, “Later is always by evening,” and she’s tired of cleaning up after me. Can you imagine? Like I’m trashing the place!

— Were you washing the dishes?

— Vitya! — Kristina bristled. — Whose side are you on?!

— I’m just asking.

— Well… sometimes I forgot. My exams are right around the corner! I have to study!

Viktor closed his eyes. “Sometimes I forgot” coming from Kristina meant “never.”

— What happened next?

— Then she started saying I’m noisy at night. That she has to get up early. Okay, I sometimes listen to music, but it’s not loud! And besides, the place is big—she shouldn’t even be able to hear me!

— It’s a three-room apartment, Kristina. A three-bedroom, not a palace.

— Still! And then I saw she was ironing my dress. The one, the blue one I wore to the party. And I asked why she took it, and she says it’s her dress! Can you imagine?!

Viktor felt something go cold in his stomach.

— Kristina. The blue dress—the one you posted in your Instagram photo last week?

— Yeah! It’s pretty! I thought Anna wouldn’t notice, she hadn’t worn it in forever…

— Oh God, — Viktor groaned. — Kristina, you took her thing without asking?

— Vitya, come on, we’re basically family! What’s the big deal? Sisters share clothes!

— You’re not sisters.

— Well, almost! And anyway, I would’ve washed it and returned it, but there was a stain, accidentally…

— What kind of stain?

— Well… a little wine spilled. Red. But it wasn’t on purpose!

Viktor felt his righteous anger evaporate into nothing.

— And what did Anna say?

— She… well, she said the dress cost twenty thousand, and she’d worn it once, to a work party. And that I either pay for dry cleaning or buy a new one. And I said, where am I supposed to get that kind of money? And anyway, it’s just a dress, you can buy another one. And she just went all pale and said I had to move out.

— And what did you say?

— What was I supposed to say?! — Kristina’s voice turned offended again. — I said I came to my brother, that it’s your home too, and I’m not going anywhere! Let her leave if she doesn’t like it!

Viktor ran a hand over his face.

— Kristina, — he said slowly. — This isn’t my home. It’s Anna’s apartment. The one she bought before our wedding.

— So what? You’re married!

— That means legally I’m only registered there. It’s her property.

— But you’re her husband!

— And that’s exactly why I live there. But you don’t.

The silence on the line said more than any words.

— So you… you’re on her side? — Kristina finally whispered, her voice trembling. — Against your own sister?

— I’m trying to understand the situation, — Viktor replied tiredly. — Kristina, tell me honestly. Did you clean up after yourself?

— Well… not always…

— Did you wash the dishes?

— Vitya…

— Kristina. Yes or no.

— Sometimes I forgot, — she muttered.

— Did you bring friends over without warning?

— Once…

— How many times?

— Twice, — she admitted quietly. — Maybe three.

— And you took Anna’s things without asking.

— Just one dress! And I was going to return it!

— With a wine stain.

Kristina sniffled.

— Vitya, why are you being so mean? I didn’t do it on purpose! I just… I thought we were family…

— Family isn’t a free pass to be rude, — Viktor said, feeling his last illusions crumble. — You behaved like a badly raised child, Kristina. And Anna had every right to throw you out.

— But—

— No, listen to me. You can come back tonight. From eight to nine. You’ll pick up what’s left. You’ll apologize to Anna. Properly—like an adult. And you’ll move out. Either to Mom’s, or you’ll rent a room. You have money—the money I’ve been sending you.

— What about the exam?

— Your exam is in two days. That’s enough time to find temporary housing. Kristina, you’re nineteen. It’s time you learn to take responsibility for your actions.

— So you’re choosing her.

— I’m choosing common sense. And yes, Kristina—I’m choosing my wife. Because she’s right. Completely.

— You’ll regret this! — Kristina blurted, and the line went dead.

Viktor stared at the phone and let out a heavy sigh. Then he dialed Anna.

— Yes? — her voice was wary.

— I’m sorry, — he said simply. — You were right. About everything. I fell for the tears and didn’t even try to understand what happened. I’m sorry.

A pause.

— Did you talk to her? — Anna asked cautiously.

— Yes. And I realized I was a complete idiot. Anna, I’m sorry. For yelling, for the insults, for not backing you up right away. You put up with it for two weeks, and I didn’t even notice…

— I tried to tell you, — she replied quietly. — But you brushed it off every time. “She’s just a kid,” “She’ll get used to it,” “Give her time”…

— I know. I was blind. Or I didn’t want to see. It was easier to pretend everything was fine.

— Viktor… I’m not a monster. I really tried. But when she told me I should be the one to get out… that was too much. I realized if I didn’t draw the line then, she’d just keep living there. Because you wouldn’t be able to say no to her.

— You’re right, — he admitted. — I wouldn’t have. So thank you for having enough backbone for both of us.

— You’re not angry?

— At myself—absolutely. At you? No. You did what I should’ve done myself. You protected our home.

Anna sighed softly, and he could hear the tension easing out of her.

— Will she come tonight? — she asked.

— Yes. She’ll get her things. And… Anna, I’ll be there. I’ll make sure it’s calm. And that she apologizes. For real.

— Okay, — Anna said after a moment. — Viktor… maybe I overreacted about the “take your things” part…

— No, — he cut in. — You didn’t. I deserved it. But I really hope you’ll give me a chance to fix this.

— We’ll see, — there was a faint smile in her voice. — For starters, make sure your sister doesn’t put on a circus tonight.

— She won’t. I promise.

When he lowered the phone, he realized his hands were no longer shaking. For the first time that day, he felt clear-headed. Maybe for the first time in the last two weeks.

He looked at the clock. Five hours until evening. Enough time to think through the words for a very difficult conversation with his sister—a conversation he should have had a long time ago.

But for now, he needed to finish the report.

It was time for everyone to grow up. Including him.