"You're just jealous of me and won't let me grow up!" - an adult daughter complains to her parents.

"We bought you an apartment with your father with such difficulty so that you could live for yourself, be happy, have children, not drag your Lucas on your back!"Nelly exclaimed to her daughter. And she bit her tongue. Because she immediately realized that she had said too much. But the words had already flown out — with irritation, with hurt, with fatigue. Sonia silently turned away, biting her lip. Just like in childhood, when she felt hurt. But Nelly didn’t feel guilty. She was tired. And Nicholas, her husband, was tired too. They wanted the best for her. When Sonia was fifteen, Nelly and her husband decided that they needed to buy an apartment for their daughter. To ensure the girl wouldn’t depend on anyone and would have a roof over her head from the start. They bought the apartment while it was still just a hole in the ground. They scraped together the initial contribution and took out a mortgage. They chose a small but complete one-bedroom apartment and repaid the loan. It wasn’t easy at all. They paid for seven years, saving on everything, living without vacations.

They all worked together to renovate the apartment, helping. They did repairs in the apartment and helped Sonia with furniture and appliances. Sonia had just finished university and got a job. She moved out - spread her wings. We were happy for her. And then Louise appeared. He seemed like a decent guy. Calm, polite. He studied to be an engineer and worked at a logistics company. He was from London, lived with his parents and younger sister. He didn't have his place - but that's okay, that's not where happiness lies. At first, he just came to visit, but after a short time, he stayed with Sonia. Did he propose to register the relationship? - Nelly asked curiously. - Well, Mom, - Sonia replied. - Who gets married right away nowadays? We need to live together, get to know each other, and determine if we're a good fit. And besides, Mom, it's our business. We are adults, we will manage ourselves. Louise and Sonia lived comfortably in their one-room apartment for two years. And then Louise took out a mortgage for a two-room apartment.

Otherwise, it seemed unfair: Sonia has her place, but Louise doesn't have a square meter. - He's brave, Nelly sighed. "So, you decided to take a two-bedroom apartment right away?" "Well, why not?" Sonya shrugged. "He calculated: paying almost as much as for a one-room apartment. And in a two-room place, there’s more space so that we can have a baby. A baby?! When they don’t even have money for a vacation, Sonia works twelve-hour shifts and is already tutoring on the side, while Louise is sitting in her apartment and paying off his mortgage? "Daughter, does your Louise at least give you money for utilities?" Nicholas asked. "Or do you pay for everything yourself?" Sonia diverted her gaze. "It’s tough right now, Dad. All his money goes into the mortgage. But the apartment will be ours later!" Nelly looked at her husband in despair. Later. When? In twenty years? And will Sonya even be living there? Nicholas raised his hands behind their daughter. Right now, Louise lives in Sonya's apartment. His two-bedroom place is being built, the house hasn’t been handed over yet, and then they’ll have to do the repairs. They might move there eventually, though it won’t be anytime soon. The guy is registered with his parents in the province. Officially, he is nobody to Sonia. All the daily matters fall on her.

At the same time, he also commands. The head of the family. What family? There is essentially no family... - And what if they break up? – Nelly ponders. - She is weak and exhausted. It's convenient for him, but what about her? Nicholas sighs. Sonia doesn't want to listen to anything. She brushes it off, gets angry, says they are just jealous of her boyfriend, and won't let her grow up. - This is my life! - She screams. - You bought an apartment - thank you. But that's it, from now on I decide for myself! Nelly is silent. She doesn't argue anymore. But inside, everything is boiling. It's offensive, annoying, and worrisome. They wanted the best. For their daughter to be confident and not dependent on anyone. And now it turns out - they haven't helped Sonia, but a foreigner who took advantage of the situation. He sits on the girl's neck. She feeds him, gives him drinks, and washes his socks. And this scoundrel doesn't even want to marry her properly. And what if he leaves tomorrow, and Sonia is left with nerves, fatigue, and an empty refrigerator? But the main thing is - nothing can be said. Conversations only push their daughter away. What to do? To watch from the side as their daughter. Watch from the sidelines as my daughter works hard while another guy sits back and does nothing? Or intervene and risk losing all contact with her?