— Mom, grandma is sick, — Lena called her mother to ask for support. — I’m studying, there’s not enough money for anything. Is there no way to help? Does everything go to my brother? But mom… I’m a student, I can’t work. Okay, I understand. We’ll manage on our own…
Until she was fourteen, Lena was the central figure in the family. Her parents loved her immensely and tried to fulfill every wish: expensive toys, beautiful clothes, trips abroad — all of this was part of her happy childhood. The relationship with her parents was warm and calm; arguments were rare. But most of all, the girl loved her grandmother and grandfather.
She adored spending summers with them in a seaside town where time seemed endlessly slow and cozy. Grandma Anna Ivanovna was a kind, caring woman with golden hands. She always found time for her granddaughter, told interesting stories, taught her to knit and embroider. And the pies she baked! With cottage cheese, cherries, mushrooms — Lena loved all her culinary delights.
Grandpa Petr Sergeevich was a man of few words but great wisdom. He worked for many years as a ship’s captain and had traveled all over the world. In the evenings, sitting on the veranda with a cup of tea, he shared stories with Lena about distant countries, adventures, and dangers on the seas and oceans.
Lena listened to him, holding her breath, dreaming that one day she would travel with him. But she especially loved when Grandpa took her fishing. They would wake up early, before dawn, and go out to sea on their old boat.
Sitting next to her grandfather, Lena looked at the water and listened to his stories about fish and sea creatures. Sometimes they had a good catch, sometimes very little. But Lena never got upset. The main thing for her was to be near her beloved grandfather.
When she was about ten, Grandpa told her a story:
— You know, Lenochka, — he began, — when I was young, I wanted to become a famous writer. I wrote poems, stories, plays. I believed a great future awaited me.
— And then what? — Lena asked curiously.
— Then I met your grandmother, — Grandpa smiled. — And I realized that the most important thing in life is family. I quit writing and became a sailor. I never regretted it.
— But you loved writing, — the girl was surprised.
— I do, — Grandpa nodded. — But love for family is more important. I realized my family is the most precious thing I have. And for their happiness, I’m ready for anything.
Lena pondered his words. At that time, she did not yet understand the full depth of those phrases but felt that Grandpa was telling the truth.
The summer months at Grandma and Grandpa’s flew by quickly. And when it was time to go home, Lena always felt sad. She didn’t want to part with her grandparents, the sea, the sun, and that special atmosphere.
When Lena turned thirteen, something happened in the family that radically changed her life — her mother found out she was pregnant. From the moment the news became known to all relatives, the whole family started revolving around the future child.
Before, Lena was the center of attention, but now all care and love shifted to the unborn brother. The girl felt abandoned and unwanted. It hurt her, although she tried not to show it.
That’s when the summer holidays began. Grandma and Grandpa, noticing Lena had become thoughtful and sad, suggested she come to stay with them.
— Come, Lenochka, rest with us, regain your strength, — Anna Ivanovna said on the phone. — We are waiting for you.
Mom was glad to send her daughter to her parents. She was fully focused on the pregnancy.
— As if she’s gone crazy, — Lena thought. — She goes to classes, buys mountains of things for the baby… And she didn’t even buy me decent sneakers. Why didn’t she read books about raising kids when I was little?
Lena herself also wanted to leave. What kept her at home? Nothing. Mom was busy, dad too. And all she had was loneliness and a feeling of being unwanted.
Packing her suitcase, Lena said goodbye to her parents and got on the train. No one came to see her off — the girl was leaving alone. She looked out the window and wondered: will she get along with her brother? What will he be like? Will her parents pay attention to her again, or will everything stay the same?
Arriving at the seaside town, Lena was warmly welcomed by her grandmother and grandfather. They immediately surrounded her with care and love.
— Well, how are you, Lenochka? — Anna Ivanovna asked, hugging her granddaughter. — Everything okay?
— Yes, Grandma, — Lena replied, trying to smile.
— We know it’s not easy for you now, — Grandpa said, stroking her head. — But don’t worry. We will always be here.
These words made things easier. Anxieties receded, thoughts of bad things lost their sharpness. Maybe the birth of her brother would really change her life for the better?
The summer at Grandma and Grandpa’s flew by quickly. Lena walked by the sea, read books, helped with chores, and listened to Grandpa’s stories. Gradually her resentment gave way to calm, and her former worries began to fade away like waves receding from the shore.
Grandma and Grandpa did everything they could to make Lena feel loved and happy. They took her on excursions, arranged picnics outdoors, went to the cinema and theater. Their home was filled with care and warmth.
By the end of summer, Lena noticeably cheered up and became calmer. She realized that family is not only parents but also those nearby who love unconditionally. She understood she shouldn’t be upset with her mother for being more occupied with the new child. It’s natural. After all, one day she herself would become a mother and feel how important that moment is.
The family’s dwelling was quite small: two rooms, a tiny kitchen, and a narrow corridor. Lena understood that the new addition to the family would make the space even tighter. Her personal space would shrink to a minimum, and silence would be something to forget about altogether.
Grandma Anna Ivanovna understood well what her granddaughter was going through. She saw how Lena worried about the upcoming changes. In such tight quarters, it would be impossible to concentrate on studies or just rest.
One evening, while Lena was helping her grandmother in the kitchen, Anna sat down beside her and began a serious conversation:
— Lenochka, I know how hard it is for you now. You’re worried because your brother will soon be born, and you’ll have to share a room. I perfectly understand that you want to have your own space where you can do your own things and be alone.
Lena lowered her eyes and silently nodded. She was a little ashamed to talk about it, but she knew Grandma would accept her feelings.
— Grandpa and I have thought a lot, — Anna continued, — and we decided to offer you to live with us. We have a big apartment; there will be your own room — you can study, read, and rest peacefully. And if you want to see your parents, you can always come visit.
Lena looked at her grandmother in surprise.
— And mom and dad? Will they agree?
— We have already talked with them, — Grandma smiled. — They only want what’s best for you.
Lena thought it over. On the one hand, she didn’t want to leave the city, friends, school. On the other hand, Grandma’s offer gave a real chance to live better. After long consideration, she made a decision.
— Okay, — she finally said. — I will stay here.
Anna Ivanovna hugged her granddaughter and kissed her.
— That’s good, — she said warmly. — Then it’s settled.
The next day Lena spoke with her parents. They listened attentively and supported her choice.
— It’s important for us that you feel good, — her mother said. — If you feel better with Grandma and Grandpa, we won’t keep you.
— Just don’t forget about us, — added her father. — We’ll miss you and wait for you to visit.
Lena promised to come often. Although inside, a bitter doubt flashed: “Are they really just glad to get rid of a troublesome teenager?” But she tried to push the thought away.
Her parents packed her things and sent them by train. Grandma and Grandpa kept their word — Lena got her own room where she could study and rest alone.
Four years flew by quickly. Under the loving care of Grandma and Grandpa, Lena transformed from a withdrawn teenager into a confident, purposeful young woman. She studied well, made new friends, and even found a hobby — photography. Life seemed to slowly get back on track.
It was time to choose a university. Lena decided to stay in the seaside town and enrolled in the local pedagogical institute. Grandma and Grandpa supported her — it was important for them that their granddaughter be nearby.
But soon Grandpa began having health problems. He started complaining about his heart, his back hurt, he suffered from shortness of breath. Doctors gave a worrying diagnosis — heart failure.
Lena saw how worried Grandma was. Without hesitation, she took on part of the care for Grandpa. She helped around the house, bought medicine, read books, held his hand. Studies took a backseat — for Lena, relationships and caring for loved ones became more important.
— Lenochka, you don’t take care of yourself at all, — Grandma said. — You get tired, don’t sleep enough. Think about yourself. We can manage.
— Grandma, it’s okay, — Lena replied. — The main thing is for Grandpa to feel better.
But he got worse. He weakened day by day and needed constant care. Lena looked after him like a small child — fed him, changed his clothes, helped him wash.
One winter night, Petr Sergeevich’s condition sharply worsened. He was suffocating, losing consciousness. Lena called an ambulance, called three times, begged for help, but received only indifferent words in response:
— All crews are busy. Please wait.
Grandpa died in his granddaughter’s arms. It was a terrible blow for Lena and her grandmother. Petr and Anna had lived together for forty years, bound by invisible, strong ties. Now they couldn’t exist without each other.
Grandma completely lost interest in life. She cried all day, refused to eat, didn’t want to talk to anyone. Lena stayed by her side every step of the way. She understood how painful it was for Grandma and tried to ease her suffering a little. The girl’s personal life receded, studies stopped, friends disappeared — all attention was on Grandma.
— Lenochka, you are such a good girl, — said a neighbor. — Not every girl could take care of a loved one like you do.
— I just can’t do otherwise, — Lena replied. — They replaced my parents. I love them more than anyone in the world. Grandma is feeling bad now — I have to be near her.
Over time, Grandma began to slowly return to life. She stopped crying and started talking, although the pain still lived in her eyes. But she tried for her granddaughter.
After Grandpa’s death, Lena became the only support for Grandma. Years were taking their toll, and Anna Ivanovna’s health worsened each year. Lena took her to doctors, monitored medicines, cleaned, cooked. To support both of them, she had to quit studying and find a job. Sometimes caregivers were hired when Lena was busy — money was tight, but she didn’t complain.
Parents knew about Grandma’s condition but limited themselves to phone calls. They sympathized but didn’t go beyond words.
— Lenochka, you’re a real hero, — her mother said in another call. — We’re proud of you. Just don’t forget about yourself. You’re young and beautiful. Don’t spend your whole life caring for a sick grandmother.
— Mom, I can’t leave her, — Lena replied. — She raised me. I owe her everything.
— We understand, — her mother said. — But remember, you also have us. We need your support too. You can’t imagine how hard it is with a child…
Lena sighed and ended the call. It hurt her that her parents thought only about themselves.
Several years later, Grandma passed away too. For Lena, it was a heavy blow — she lost the dearest person in her life. After Grandpa’s death, Grandma was her support, meaning, and help. Now Lena was alone. She was lost, felt an emptiness inside, and didn’t know how to live on.
After the funeral, Lena began sorting through Anna Ivanovna’s things. In one of the old wardrobes, she found an envelope with a will. It turned out Grandma left all the property to her. Not a word was said beforehand. At first, Lena was upset — why hadn’t Grandma told her? But soon joy came: now she had her own home, her own corner, for which she fought and which became a symbol of love and gratitude for years of care.
News of the will quickly reached Lena’s parents. And that’s when they suddenly “remembered” they had a daughter. Her mother immediately came to “reason with” her and “bring her to senses.”
— Lenochka, we’re very glad you got the apartment, — she began, sitting at the kitchen table. — But you understand this isn’t just your apartment? Your brother also has a right to the inheritance. Not to mention the will was made bypassing us.
— What do you mean? — Lena asked.
— We want you to sell the apartment and split the proceeds in half, — her mother said bluntly. — Brother will soon choose a university; he’ll need somewhere to live.
— But Grandma left the apartment to me, — Lena objected. — I’m not going to sell anything.
— We understand, — her mother replied coldly, — but it’s unfair. If you refuse to cooperate, we’ll settle it in court.
Lena felt pain. Her parents never visited sick Grandma, never sent a single ruble, never showed any care.
— I won’t sell the apartment, — she said firmly. — It’s Grandma’s will, and I will live here.
— Let’s make a deal nicely, — her mother grimaced. — We’ll get what we want anyway.
— You shouldn’t have come, — Lena replied. — You’ll get nothing. I won’t sell. Period!
Realizing her mother wouldn’t back down, Lena turned to a lawyer. He listened carefully and assured her she had excellent chances to win.
— Grandma left the apartment to you, — he explained. — Your parents have little ground to contest the document. They would have to prove your grandmother was not of sound mind or was under pressure.
Lena trusted the lawyer’s advice and decided to protect the inheritance at any cost. She knew it would be difficult, but for Grandma’s memory, she was ready to stand to the end.
So began long and tense legal proceedings. Her parents filed a lawsuit claiming Grandma was not mentally sound when signing the will and that Lena allegedly took advantage of her condition.
The girl denied all accusations and provided proof of Grandma’s sanity at the time the will was made. There were also testimonies from neighbors and even three of Anna Ivanovna’s friends who confirmed Lena had cared for her loved ones for many years.
The process lasted several months. Lena was exhausted but did not give up. She believed in justice and knew she was on the side of truth.
And then the court ruled: the will was recognized as valid, and the apartment remains with Lena.
After months of court battles, Lena was able to officially register the inheritance. The victory was hard-earned, but she was sure she did the right thing. However, the joy was overshadowed by a complete break with her parents and brother. They could not forgive her for refusing to share the inheritance. Lena no longer received calls or messages from them. Her name disappeared from their lives.
One day, while looking through old family photos, Lena heard a doorbell. At the door stood Aunt Sveta — her mother’s sister. Lena was surprised by the visit, as they hadn’t seen each other for many years.
— Hello, Lenochka, — said her aunt, — may I come in? I need to talk to you.
— Of course, come in, — Lena replied, inviting her in. — Why didn’t you warn me?
— Just passing through, not for long, — Svetlana explained. — I came with an important conversation. I have bad news.
They sat in the living room, and the aunt began cautiously:
— I know your relationship with your parents is strained now. I’m very sorry you have to go through such a hard time…
— Thank you, aunt, — Lena sighed. — I just don’t understand why they treat me this way. But you didn’t come for that, did you?
— Not exactly, — admitted Svetlana. — They think you treated your brother unfairly.
— But Grandma left the apartment to me! — Lena objected. — I just fulfilled her last will.
— I understand that, Lenochka, — her aunt said softly. — But they can’t accept it. They’re convinced Grandma was misled and you took advantage of her weakness.
— That’s not true! — Lena exclaimed. — I never deceived Grandma. I loved and cared for her.
— I believe you, — Svetlana reassured her. — But they don’t believe it. And there’s more…
Lena froze, waiting for the rest.
— They intend to sue again, — said her aunt. — They want to contest the will.
— How?! — Lena gasped. — But the court already ruled in my favor!
— I know, — her aunt replied, — but they don’t give up. They’re ready to prove again that Grandma wasn’t aware of what she was doing.
— I want to cry from such injustice… — Lena whispered. — I gave half my life to care for Grandma and Grandpa. Why do my own people see me only as selfish? I won’t sell the apartment. This is my home. I grew up here. The memory of my loved ones lives here.
Her mother’s efforts proved unsuccessful. Lena saw her aunt off, then called her mother and said everything that was on her mind. The conversation was short but harsh. The mother promised to “do everything possible” to leave her daughter homeless, but nothing came of it.
Each stood their ground. Lena — with memory, home, and bitterness in her heart.
