Marina gently folded the final shirt and slipped it into Alexey’s suitcase. Years of marriage had transformed this task into a cherished, silent ritual where she packed each piece thoughtfully.
“Don’t forget your laptop charger,” Alexey reminded as he zipped up his bag. His glance at the clock revealed a trace of nervousness.
“Thanks, darling. I must go now—the taxi is waiting.” She kissed his cheek briefly, grabbed her own suitcase, and hurried toward the door.
“Call me when you arrive!” Marina called out. “I will!” Alexey replied just before the door closed.
Standing by the window, Marina watched the taxi pull away. His rush felt unusual—his farewells were typically slower and more tender. However, she attributed this to his pre-trip jitters. Suddenly, the apartment seemed stark and chilly. To shift her focus, Marina decided to visit Meridian Mall and purchase items she had been postponing.
A few hours later, carrying numerous shopping bags, she strolled through the mall. She intended to eat at her favorite café on the third floor, but a colleague’s call changed her plans.
The suggestion was to meet at Almond, a restaurant on the second floor, to try their new menu. Marina agreed, as the place was close by and she appreciated its ambiance despite her infrequent visits.
As she ascended the stairs, the interior of Almond became visible through the expansive windows. Her feet suddenly felt rooted: Alexey sat at a table near the window, accompanied by a young woman Marina did not recognize. They conversed animatedly.
“The woman chuckled, touching his hand lightly, and in his eyes Marina perceived a look she hadn’t witnessed in years.”
Time seemed to halt. Her heartbeat staggered, and her vision blurred. The man who was supposedly en route to Novosibirsk was dining with another woman.
An immediate desire to confront him surged, but pride and uncertainty held her back. Taking a steadying breath, Marina turned and quietly exited.
Trembling, she canceled the lunch with her colleague and dialed her closest friend.
“Lena, can you meet me now?” Tremor filled her voice.
“Is everything alright?” Lena replied, concerned.
“I just saw Alexey with a woman at a restaurant. He was meant to be on a plane.”
“Where are you?”
“Meridian Mall.”
“I’ll wait for you at Café Aquarelle on the first floor. Be there in fifteen minutes.”
Marina sat in a secluded corner, absentmindedly stirring her iced tea. Questions overwhelmed her: Who was the woman? How long had this been occurring? Were the supposed business trips genuine? What about the late-night calls and new phone passcodes?
Suddenly, Lena’s voice cut through her thoughts. She sat across, holding Marina’s hands firmly.
“Tell me everything.”
Marina narrated the encounter, striving to keep her voice steady.
“I don’t know what to do, Lena. Part of me fears facing the truth.”
“What if there’s another explanation?” Lena mused.
Marina managed a bitter smile. “How do you explain a husband who lies about a business trip yet dines with a woman he never mentioned?”
“I’m unsure. Maybe you should gather more information before deciding.”
“You mean… spy on him?”
Lena suggested, “What if we follow them discreetly? See where it leads.”
Key Insight: Although spying felt humiliating, the pain of uncertainty was even worse, leading Marina to agree.
Seeking refuge in a bookstore across from the restaurant, they pretended to browse books. Forty minutes later, Alexey and the woman appeared. The woman was a refined brunette, around thirty, with a flawless figure.
“They’re leaving,” Lena whispered urgently.
Maintaining a discreet distance, they trailed after them. Outside, the woman entered a taxi with Alexey’s assistance. After a brief handshake, the taxi departed. Alexey stayed behind, made a call, and later caught a taxi himself.
“Let’s follow him,” Marina suggested.
The taxi led to the Aquamarine Business Center, home to Alexey’s company. He conversed tensely with the receptionist before vanishing into his boss’s office.
“Perhaps the trip was canceled abruptly,” Lena speculated.
- Who was the mysterious woman?
- Why hadn’t she reached out?
They waited patiently. After thirty minutes, Alexey exited carrying a folder and headed downstairs. Marina and Lena quickly hid behind a pillar and caught a taxi.
“Home, please,” Marina directed. Alexey’s taxi had dropped her off at their apartment building earlier. Marina sent Lena away and entered alone.
Inside, Alexey sat in the kitchen with his laptop.
“Marina! You’re back?” he asked, surprised.
“As you see,” she answered coldly. “Shouldn’t you be on a plane?”
He stiffened. “The trip was canceled last minute. I meant to call, but everything became chaotic.”
“So chaotic that a text wasn’t possible?”
“I’m sorry.” He averted his eyes. Marina sat down across from him.
“Who was she?”
“Who?” he frowned.
“The woman you had lunch with at Almond.”
His face paled. “Were you following me?”
“No. I saw you by chance.”
Silence lingered before he spoke. “It’s not what it looks like.”
“What should I think? You claimed you’d fly out, but you lunched with someone else.”
“Her name is Anna Viktorovna, representing German investors.”
“Is that why you lied about the trip?”
“I didn’t lie. The trip was canceled when I was already at the airport. My boss called—an investor needed a meeting here.”
“Why didn’t you mention it?”
He hesitated. “Because it wasn’t a usual meeting.”
Marina’s heart sank. “I suspected as much.”
“No, it’s different. The boss told me if I secured a deal with special terms, I’d get promoted to sales director.”
“And no message to me?”
“I wanted to surprise you if successful. Otherwise, there was no point.”
“Did the meeting succeed?”
Alexey smiled. “Yes. They signed a preliminary agreement. The main delegation arrives next month.”
Doubt still clouded Marina’s mind. She opened the folder, revealing the agreement signed by Anna Viktoria Müller. Then, she found a velvet box containing a sapphire necklace she had admired.
“I bought this last week, planning to gift it tonight with the good news.”
His anger subsided, but one question remained: “Why did you look so happy with her?”
“She accepted our terms; it was a relief, nothing more.”
He squeezed her hand. “You’re the only woman in my life. The trips are legitimate.”
“Can I ask a few questions?”
“Of course.”
“What did you eat?”
“House salad and steak with truffle sauce for her, fish dish for me.”
“What else did you discuss?”
“Russian culture; she loves ballet.”
Their responses flowed smoothly, and tension eased. They ordered pizza, opened wine, and soon the evening felt normal again.
While Alexey showered, Marina glanced at his phone—the password remained his wedding date. Nothing suspicious. The call from his boss earlier was still visible.
Listening to Alexey humming his favorite melody, she realized the true issue might be their monotonous routine—they had stopped surprising each other.
The next morning, Marina awoke early, prepared breakfast, and lovingly woke him with a kiss.
“I have a surprise. I took today off, and you should too.”
“Why?” he murmured.
“A short business trip—just us, no phones.” She handed him two train tickets to the countryside resort where they celebrated their first anniversary.
His face lit up. “I love you, you know?”
“I love you too, and I don’t want to check your phone anymore.”
“So, you spied on me!” he chuckled. She threw a pillow at him, both laughing.
Sometimes, trust must be coupled with efforts to reignite love’s flame.
A week later, Marina discovered a postcard from Cologne in the mailbox:
“Dear Marina, during our meeting your husband spoke warmly of you. The chocolate included is a specialty from our family factory. I hope you enjoy it. Sincerely, Anna Müller.”
Next to the card rested an elegant box of chocolates. Marina smiled and set it aside, waiting until Alexey returned; the upcoming trip was real, and she was ready to help him pack once more.
In summary, this experience revealed how misunderstandings and secrets can strain relationships. However, dialogue, patience, and trust remain vital to overcoming challenges and renewing affection within a marriage.