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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nBack then, Maya believed every word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She thought she had found the man she would spend her whole life with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But slowly, that dream began to crack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After the wedding, things started to change. At first it was almost unnoticeable. Leo began staying later at work. Then he stopped answering messages as often. Eventually another voice became almost permanent in their home \u2014 his mother\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Elena.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She had moved in supposedly just for a short time while repairs were being done in her apartment. But weeks turned into months, and Elena showed no sign of leaving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her presence grew heavier with each passing day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She never shouted. She never caused dramatic scenes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She simply watched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Every movement Maya made seemed to pass under her cold gaze. If a plate wasn\u2019t placed exactly right, Elena noticed. If a small mark remained on the table, she pointed it out. And if dinner was ready even five minutes late, she sighed as if a disaster had happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And Leo\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leo almost never stepped in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMom just wants things to be right,\u201d he would say tiredly. \u201cDon\u2019t take it so personally.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But Maya did take it personally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Especially now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She dragged the mop across the final damp patch and slowly straightened up. A sharp pain shot through her back and she inhaled quietly. The baby inside her stomach shifted slightly, as if sensing the tension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maya gently placed her hand on her belly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s okay,\u201d she whispered softly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat are you mumbling about?\u201d Elena asked coldly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNothing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThen keep working. Leo will be home soon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those words sounded almost like a warning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maya placed the bucket against the wall. The water inside sloshed lightly, and for a moment she felt as if all her strength had drained away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She hadn\u2019t slept much the night before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The baby kept moving, her back hurt constantly, and her thoughts wouldn\u2019t let her rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lately, one question kept returning to her mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why had Leo stopped talking to her?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before, he always asked how her day had gone. Now he came home and either shut himself in his office or spent hours staring at his phone. Sometimes he didn\u2019t even notice how exhausted she was.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAre you finished?\u201d Elena asked again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maya nodded slightly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Elena finally closed the magazine and stood up slowly. She walked across the room, carefully inspecting the floor as if she were checking the work of a hired cleaner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Several seconds passed in silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s acceptable,\u201d Elena said at last. \u201cBut near the window there are still streaks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maya looked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There was barely anything visible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But she already knew there was no point arguing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She picked up the mop again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At that moment, the sound of the front door opening echoed through the house.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leo had come home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maya\u2019s heart began to beat a little faster. She always hoped that when he walked through the door something would change. That he would see how tired she was, come over to her, maybe hug her or say something kind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Instead, Elena\u2019s voice floated from the living room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLeo, dear, you\u2019re just in time. Your wife has barely managed the house today.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maya froze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She slowly turned around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leo stood in the doorway of the living room, removing his jacket. His eyes swept across the floor, then the bucket, and finally rested on Maya\u2019s face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For a moment, an uncomfortable silence filled the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Then he said a sentence that made Maya\u2019s blood run cold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMom\u2019s right. If you\u2019re already struggling now\u2026 what will happen when the baby arrives?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The room suddenly felt colder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maya felt something tighten deep inside her.<\/p>\n\n\n\n