**Thursday, 15th June**
My husband has always looked up to his uncle—Vitaly Semyonovich—listening to his every word, respecting him, even modelling himself after him. From the very beginning, I couldn’t understand why. The man was sharp-tempered, irritable, always at odds with someone—whether it was neighbours, colleagues, or even his own family. At his old job, they only put up with him because of his years of service, though he’d managed to fall out with half the staff anyway.
Then everything changed when Vitaly took my husband, Ian, under his wing at work. No one lasted long in his crew—most quit within six months. He nitpicked, rushed people, blamed others for his mistakes. But Ian? Gentle, non-confrontational. He endured, swallowed the frustration, smoothed over his uncle’s outbursts. They argued sometimes, sure, but made up quickly. The job suited him, even if I bristled at the unfair profit split—half to the uncle, half to Ian.
After we married, I realised Ian couldn’t handle drink. It turned him into someone else—aggressive, unpredictable. I’d hoped Vitaly might step in, guide him. Ian respected him, after all. Instead, things spiralled. Instead of helping, he poured fuel on the fire. They started going to the pub together, coming home worse for wear. Whenever I tried to intervene, Ian parroted that old line—*”The man’s the head of the house, the woman submits.”* No doubt planted in his head by Vitaly.
Later, during one row, Ian began repeating absurd accusations about my mother—that she was scheming, turning everyone against him. They’d only met twice, both times perfectly civil. That’s when I knew: Vitaly wasn’t just influencing him—he was turning my husband against my family. Against *me*.
We used to make decisions together. Now? He shuts me out. Ignores my advice, takes every remark as a slight. As if *I’m* the threat, not the woman he married. Watching him change, I saw the root of it—his uncle. But how do you fight someone your husband worships?
Then, unexpectedly, Vitaly was sacked. Another scandal—management had had enough. Meanwhile, Ian was promoted. Put in his uncle’s old position. A blow to Vitaly’s pride. He left town—”just for a bit,” he claimed—but I knew the truth. He couldn’t stomach being outranked.
Then, last week, Ian told me Vitaly was coming back. Offered a job—as his *assistant*. I begged him to refuse, to ask for anyone else. He wouldn’t hear it. “I need the help,” he said. “We worked fine before.”
But *I* know how this ends. Vitaly won’t accept being second. He’ll find ways to undermine, to sabotage. He’s done it before. He’s envious. Can’t share power. Always has to be on top.
I barely recognise my husband anymore. A puppet on his uncle’s strings. If this continues—I’m afraid we won’t survive it. He’ll lose his job, or I’ll lose our marriage. Maybe both. I don’t know how to live with this dread. How to salvage what’s left.
*Lesson: Pride and envy poison everything—even family. And sometimes, loyalty blinds a man to the wolves in his own house.*
