Rebecca married young enough, her father found her a groom on her 18th birthday. The family is rich – what else do you need to be happy? The wedding was lavish, the whole village celebrated. Only the newlyweds felt out of place.
Rebecca liked the groom, though she didn’t know him at all. Her sister was not so lucky – she married a 40-year old man from a neighboring village. Everyone thought that she would remain an old maid, but her father did find her a match and promised her a dowry.
The newlyweds lived in the house of Edward. Not much space, but everything of their own. The head of the family said that when they have grandchildren they will expand.
Her mother-in-law did not cling to her daughter-in-law, she helped her to settle in and get used to the role of a young wife. However, her sister-in-law had an aggressive attitude toward her new relative. Anfisa was older, but lived with her parents. Her father gave her away in marriage, but the son-in-law brought the bride back a year later with her belongings. She was quite a snake. She didn’t want to take care of the house, and she wasn’t interested in continuing her family. And so she lived alone.
According to the ancient customs, a daughter-in-law becomes a full-fledged mistress only after the birth of her firstborn son. Until then she has to sit in her seat and keep silent. That is why every girl, upon entering her husband’s house, sought to become pregnant.
Rebecca chose the same tactic. Until she became pregnant, Anfisa made her do the hardest and dirtiest work. By the way, there was no sense in it, because there were hired workers at the court. But her sister-in-law liked to mock poor Rebecca.
When Edward found out he was going to be a father, he glowed with happiness. The in-laws rejoiced, proud of their daughter-in-law. On the same day they went to buy building materials for the construction of a house. Anfisa was tearing up and throwing up. She understood that for the rest of her life she would have to cram herself into a hut and serve her parents. No one would marry her, no one would build her a house…
Six months passed. Rebecca awoke to a loud knock. It was Anfisa.
– Why are you lying down? Did you do all the work?
– In the house, yes, but my husband won’t let me in the yard.
– Yeah, he doesn’t, you’re just lazy!
– What do you want?
– Who are you talking to like that? Are you training to boss me around? I remind you that you haven’t given birth yet to boss me around!
– I hadn’t thought of such a thing…
– You’re nothing here, and neither is your brat! Do you understand?
Anfisa was acting like a psychopath. She started throwing things at Rebecca and yelling. The father-in-law rushed into the house and took the furious daughter away. Rebecca stroked her belly and calmed down. Everything will be all right. Everything will definitely be fine…
