A warm May evening gently wrapped the city in a soft embrace. Ksenia sat on the balcony of their newly built country home, her eyes following Artem as he fussed over the grill in the yard. Four-year-old Lera eagerly tried to assist her father, handing him little tools and utensils, while six-year-old Maxim chased a ball tirelessly across the lawn.
“Ksyusha, come downstairs!” Artem called out. “Dinner will be ready in a few minutes!”
Ksenia smiled, watching her family. Life felt full of promise and purpose. Artem had recently launched his own company producing construction materials, and the business was steadily growing. Ksenia had been by his side since the beginning, helping with paperwork and finances. Though she had to pause her law studies, she still dreamed of becoming a lawyer one day.
“Mommy, look! I’m helping!” Lera proudly showed Ksenia a plastic plate.
“Well done, sweetheart!” Ksenia replied, stepping down to the yard and adjusting her light summer dress.
Artem pulled her close and kissed her cheek. “I couldn’t have done any of this without you. You know that better than anyone.”
“I know,” Ksenia whispered, leaning into him. “We’re a team.”
Five years passed in the blink of an eye. What began as a small enterprise blossomed into a thriving business occupying an entire floor of a prestigious office building. But Artem’s presence at home grew scarce. Meetings, client visits, and endless work consumed his days.
“Dad, will you come to my birthday party?” Maxim asked with hopeful eyes. “I’m going to be eleven!”
“Of course, son,” Artem replied absently, his attention fixed on his phone. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
Ksenia, setting the table, shook her head quietly. She no longer trusted those words. Over the past year, Artem had missed countless family events, school recitals, even planned vacations.
Later, after the children were asleep, Ksenia sat beside Artem.
“Artem, we need to have a serious talk.”
“Not now, dear,” he said without looking up from his laptop. “I have important negotiations to prepare for tomorrow.”
“You say that every day. The kids miss you. I miss you too.”
At last, Artem glanced away from the screen.
“Ksyusha, you understand that business demands time. I’m doing this for us, for our family.”
“For which family, Artem? The one you see once a week?”
“What do you expect from me? To give up the business I built?”
“Just remember us,” Ksenia urged softly. “Maxim waited for you at the school concert. And you didn’t even call.”
“I had an important meeting with investors! Do you think it’s easy for me? I provide you with a good life, and you complain about little things!”
“Little things?” Ksenia’s voice shook as she stood. “That was our son’s first solo performance. He practiced for a month to show you his guitar skills. It mattered to him—very much.”
But Artem was already immersed in his work again, clearly signaling the conversation was over.
A month later, a young and ambitious woman named Vika joined Artem’s office as his personal assistant. Ksenia noticed changes immediately: Artem stayed at work longer, wore new cologne, and flaunted expensive accessories.
“Mom, why doesn’t Dad sleep at home anymore?” Lera asked one evening, looking up with wide, innocent eyes.
“Daddy has a lot on his plate, sweetheart,” Ksenia answered, forcing a calm she didn’t feel.
“Why doesn’t he answer when I call?”
“Probably busy with important meetings,” Ksenia hugged her daughter tightly, tears threatening to spill.
That same evening, Artem arrived home earlier than usual. His face was tense and distant.
“We need to talk,” he said, dropping his coat in the living room.
“What’s going on?” Ksenia’s heart sank.
“I filed for divorce,” he stated bluntly.
The words hit her like a lightning bolt. She sank into a chair, the world around her blurring.
“Why? What happened?”
“It’s better this way. I’ve met someone who truly understands me—shares my dreams and ambitions.”
“Vika?” Ksenia whispered.
Artem nodded. “I need to move forward. This family has become a weight. I’m tired of being who everyone expects me to be.”
“A weight?” Ksenia’s voice barely carried. “Fifteen years together is just a weight to you?”
“You need to move out by the end of the week. The house and everything else are in my name.”
“What about the kids? Have you even thought about them?”
“I’ll pay alimony. And for the first time, I’ll help with rent.”
Ksenia stared at the man she once loved, struggling to reconcile this stranger with the Artem she knew.
At that moment, sleepy Maxim appeared in the doorway.
“Mom, what’s going on?”
Artem turned sharply, slammed the door behind him, and left. Ksenia held her son close, knowing their lives had changed forever. How do you explain to a child that the world they knew has vanished?
Soon, Ksenia and the children moved into a small apartment on the city outskirts. Artem left them with barely any support.
Lera often cried, confused why they couldn’t return to their cozy home. Maxim withdrew, distancing himself from friends and skipping music lessons.
Looking at her sleeping children, Ksenia whispered, “I have to find work. I need to be strong for them.”
The first weeks were grueling. Ksenia searched tirelessly for a job but was turned away repeatedly for lack of experience. Fifteen years dedicated to family life had left her with little professional background.
Finally, Nina Petrovna, the owner of a small café, agreed to hire her as a waitress. Evenings were spent studying law textbooks—she had resumed her studies through correspondence courses.
Years later, Ksenia overheard troubling news about Artem’s business: it was on the brink of collapse.
“Vika spent nearly all his money,” a former colleague shared. “She invested in luxury real estate and boutiques. It all went up in smoke.”
Ksenia silently wiped a table, the information sinking deep into her.
That night, she sifted through old papers related to Artem’s first company.
“Mom, what are you looking for?” Maxim peeked in.
“Just some old documents, nothing important.”
“I saw Dad today,” Maxim said suddenly. “He was buying discounted groceries.”
Ksenia considered this. If the rumors were true, Artem’s situation was dire. If business were thriving, he wouldn’t be hunting discounts. Yet, houses and cars were still under his name. Maybe he was keeping assets to mask debts.
The next day, Igor, a longtime family friend and bank employee, stopped by the café.
“I’ve been meaning to talk to you,” he said after her shift. “Do you know what’s going on with Artem?”
“Only rumors,” Ksenia replied.
“It’s worse. He’s involved in tax fraud, hiding income. I have documents.”
A plan took shape in Ksenia’s mind.
A week later, she filed to reopen the divorce settlement. The evidence was clear—Artem had understated his income to pay minimal alimony.
“You deserve much more,” her lawyer said. “You sacrificed your career and raised the children, allowing him to focus on his business.”
The trial dragged on for months. Ksenia never missed a session, presenting her case with unwavering determination. Artem looked drained, his clothes hanging loosely, dark circles shadowing his eyes.
When the judge ruled, silence filled the courtroom. Artem was ordered to transfer significant assets to Ksenia and the children.
“Are you satisfied now?” Artem spat outside the courthouse. “You know I’m almost bankrupt!”
“Did you feel joy when you threw us out?” Ksenia asked calmly. “When our kids wondered why they lost their rooms?”
“Let’s find a compromise,” Artem said, lowering his voice. “Maybe we can work something out?”
“No more compromises,” Ksenia said firmly. “The decision stands.”
“Are you punishing me for leaving? It’s just business! I can fix this.”
She looked him in the eyes.
“No, Artem. This is justice. It’s not about the other woman. It’s about how you treated us. You betrayed not just me, but your children.”
“They’re still my kids!” he yelled, near hysteria. “You can’t…”
“I can,” Ksenia interrupted. “And I will. Because someone has to protect their future.”
Artem reached for her hand.
“Let’s start over. Vika isn’t who I thought she was. You were always there for me…”
Gently, Ksenia pulled away.
“Sorry, Artem, but that time has passed. I have my life now, my career. I’m no longer the girl who believed your every word.”
A month later, news spread about Artem’s empire collapsing. Vika vanished, taking a large sum with her. The mansion and other properties were sold for pennies to cover debts. Artem struggled to maintain his reputation, but failed.
Ksenia watched silently. The settlements allowed her to buy a spacious apartment in a nice neighborhood. The kids finally had their own rooms, and Maxim set up a small music studio.
Life gradually improved for them all.
“Mom, look!” Lera exclaimed, waving an acceptance letter. “I got a full scholarship!”
Ksenia hugged her daughter, tears of pride welling. Lera was headed to a top economics university.
One spring day, Artem showed up at Ksenia’s office. Disheveled and humble, he looked like a different man.
“I’ve realized a lot,” he said quietly. “Money and power blinded me. I thought they’d buy happiness.”
“Why are you here?”
“I want to make things right. Get the family back. I miss you and the kids…”
Ksenia shook her head.
“The kids grew up without you. You chose this.”
At that moment, Maxim arrived in a new car, confident and successful with his own IT firm. Music remained his passion.
“Mom, are you ready? We have a meeting with investors soon.”
“Yes, son,” Ksenia replied, grabbing her bag. “Sorry, Artem, but we have to go.”
They crossed paths again at a charity event. Artem tried to speak with Ksenia.
“Ksenia, can I have a moment?” he asked, catching up.
She turned, surrounded by colleagues.
“Yes, Artem?”
“I wanted to publicly admit my mistakes…”
“No need,” she interrupted gently. “The past is behind us. I hold no grudges and wish you well.”
That night, sitting in her favorite chair with a cup of tea, Ksenia flipped through family photos—Lera graduating, Maxim opening his first office.
Her phone buzzed—a picture from Maxim celebrating Lera’s achievement.
“Mom, come celebrate with us!” he texted.
Ksenia smiled. Life had taught her hard lessons, but she had endured. No one could shatter her world built on love for her children and belief in herself.
Looking in the mirror, she saw a strong, beautiful woman. She adjusted her hair, grabbed her keys, and headed out. The kids were waiting at the restaurant, and that was worth more than any past hurt or disappointment.
Stepping outside, she paused, breathing in the cool evening air. Life went on, filled with love, respect, and freedom—the freedom to be herself, without looking back or fearing what lies ahead.