Natalia Thought Her Parents Would Stand By Her During Her Difficult Pregnancy. Instead, Her Brother Fedor Shocked Everyone With Cruel Words: “You Bought Them an Apartment? Then They Can Live With You.” The Heartbreaking Truth About Family Favoritism Left Her Shaken and the Whole Household Divided Forever.

A Daughter’s Sacrifice

For years, Natalia Ivanova had been the quiet pillar of her family. At thirty-five, she carried responsibilities heavier than most. After finishing university, she took a steady job, scrimped every ruble, and saved for a dream not for herself — but for her parents.

Her mother and father had lived their whole lives in a cramped, aging flat in Moscow. The pipes leaked, the walls cracked, and winters were unforgiving. Natalia’s dream was simple: to give them comfort in their old age.

So when she finally purchased a new apartment in the city center, she proudly handed the keys to her parents. “This is for you,” she whispered, her heart bursting.

Her parents were overjoyed. But her younger brother, Fedor, remained silent.

The Golden Son

Fedor had always been different. Charming, quick-tongued, and spoiled, he grew up under a special glow. While Natalia worked after school, Fedor played football. While Natalia handed her parents envelopes of cash, Fedor borrowed money and rarely repaid it.

Yet, despite everything, her parents adored him. “He’s still young,” they would say, even as he entered his thirties without stability.

Natalia never complained. She loved her brother, even defended him. But the imbalance always simmered beneath the surface.

A Visit With Heavy News

One autumn evening, Natalia returned to her parents’ home. She stood in the doorway clutching a heavy bag, her belly round beneath her loose dress. Pregnancy had made her tired, her legs swollen, her emotions raw.

“Mom, can I come in? I need to talk,” she asked softly.

Her mother welcomed her with a smile, the scent of fried potatoes and cutlets filling the air. “Come in, sweetheart. Fedor’s coming back from his trip today. I made his favorite food.”

Natalia sank onto the couch with a sigh, resting her back against a pillow. Her father peered over his newspaper. “Your legs swelling again? Maybe you should see a doctor?”

“It’s fine, Dad. Not the first time.” She hesitated. “I wanted to discuss something… about the apartment.”

The Unspoken Request

Natalia’s voice shook as she continued. “I’ll be honest… things are tight. With the baby coming, expenses are high. I was thinking — maybe you could help me out a little. Even just temporarily. I don’t regret giving you the apartment, but right now, I need help.”

Her parents exchanged glances. Silence stretched. Finally, her mother sighed. “We’ll see what we can do.”

But before the discussion could continue, the door slammed.

Fedor had arrived.

The Cruel Words

He strode in, kissed his mother on the cheek, and sniffed the air. “Mmm, cutlets. You always take care of me, Mom.”

Then his eyes landed on Natalia. “What’s she doing here? Shouldn’t you be resting at your husband’s place?”

Natalia bit her lip. “I just came to talk about the apartment.”

At once, his face hardened. “Apartment? What now?”

When she explained her situation, Fedor laughed coldly. “Unbelievable. You gave them an apartment, and now you want it back? Or you want money from them? That’s rich.”

Her father tried to intervene, but Fedor’s voice cut sharper:
“Bought an apartment for the eldest daughter? Then go live with her!”

The words hung in the air like a knife.

A Family Divided

Natalia’s eyes filled with tears. “How can you say that, Fedor? I gave you everything too — helped with your debts, paid for your courses…”

He shrugged. “Nobody asked you to. You did it because you wanted to play hero. Don’t expect rewards now.”

Her mother wrung her hands. “Fedor, enough!” But the damage was done.

Natalia stood, her body trembling. “I didn’t want rewards. I wanted love. I wanted fairness. But maybe that was too much to hope for.”

With that, she gathered her bag and left, her parents frozen in silence.

The Aftermath

The days that followed were heavy. Her parents called, begging her not to be angry. “You know how your brother is. Don’t take his words to heart.”

But Natalia couldn’t forget. His words had stripped away years of sacrifice, reducing her love to nothing.

Her husband held her hand at night. “You don’t need to prove anything to them anymore. You’ve done enough. Focus on our child. Our family.”

Still, Natalia’s heart ached. She missed her parents, but she couldn’t return to a home where she was seen as less than the son who had given so little.

The Turning Point

Months later, Natalia gave birth to a healthy baby girl. Her parents came to the hospital, eyes wet with joy as they cradled their granddaughter.

For a moment, the bitterness melted. But Fedor never came. He sent only a curt text: “Congrats.”

Over time, Natalia realized that the love she craved from her brother might never come. But she also realized something else: her value didn’t depend on his words, or even her parents’ favoritism. It depended on the life she was building with her child and husband.

The Lesson

Natalia’s story spread quietly among relatives and friends. Some whispered about family favoritism, others about greed. But those who knew her best said the same thing: she had given everything, and though unappreciated, she had proven what true love looks like.

Fedor’s words may have cut her deeply, but in the end, they revealed the truth of his character.

And Natalia? She learned that sometimes the family we fight hardest for is not the one that deserves our sacrifices — but the one we create ourselves.