Alena lives a calm, well-ordered life in her Moscow apartment, inherited from her grandmother and renovated with her own hard work. Her marriage to Igor seems stable, though his mother, Svetlana Petrovna, has always been overbearing. When the mother comes to visit, she admires the apartment but quickly begins to act as if it’s hers to manage.
Without asking Alena, Svetlana brings her sister and brother-in-law to stay in the apartment. Alena finally draws a line, refusing to host uninvited guests in her own home. A heated conflict follows: the mother storms out, and Igor initially sides with her, accusing Alena of selfishness.
But after reflection, Igor realizes Alena was right to defend her boundaries. He chooses to support his wife, even if it means standing up to his mother. The apartment becomes quiet again, and Alena feels a deep sense of relief—she has protected not just her home, but her right to decide how she lives.
