Are you absolutely certain you don’t need anything from the store?” Anna inquired gently.
“No, no, just go ahead,” Boris dismissed her with a wave, seeming eager to hasten her departure. Anna sighed softly. Recently, her husband’s irritability had become more noticeable. Still, she chose to overlook it, unwilling to provoke a quarrel.
Anna had always been inclined to avoid disputes, preferring to seek compromises.
Her mother often praised her, predicting she would make an ideal wife—and indeed, that was true. Suppressing her disappointment, Anna left for the grocery shop.
She planned to prepare baked salmon seasoned with lemon and rosemary that day, followed by a dessert recipe from her mother-in-law. She wanted to delight Boris. However, at the checkout, Anna suddenly realized she had forgotten her wallet at home.
Drawing a deep breath, she brushed her hair aside and quickly dialed her husband’s number, hoping he might be able to come by. Unfortunately, he didn’t answer. Requesting the cashier to hold her items, Anna hurried back to their apartment.
Approaching the door, she was about to enter when something frozen in the air stopped her in her tracks.
Boris was speaking on the phone. The words that reached Anna shook her profoundly.
“Yes, I’ve planned everything thoroughly,” Boris said. “The apartment’s almost transferred—only the fund transfer remains.”
Anna stood rooted by the doorframe, feeling paralyzed. Her heart raced violently. Gripping the doorway for support, she struggled to believe what she had just heard. Which apartment? What money was he referring to? What scheme was he plotting?
“Of course, there’s a risk,” Boris continued, “but what else can I do? She suspects nothing. And what can she do? She’s quiet, she will tolerate everything.”
Pain and fury gripped Anna like a vise, causing her to clutch the doorframe even tighter. How could he speak about her so callously? She had spent all those years living for him, giving everything without holding back. The reality of the situation was almost unbearable.
“By the way, about that trip,” Boris added, “we can fly to Paris, like you wanted. As soon as everything is settled. I can already picture us strolling along the Champs-Élysées. Buy yourself something nice.”
Frozen and stunned, Anna heard her husband making plans with another woman, unable to move either forward or back. When the call ended, she came to herself slowly, as if her world was crumbling piece by piece.
Silently, she stepped back from the door, making every effort to remain unseen and unheard, and concealed herself behind the corner. Her heart pounded relentlessly. What should she do next? Storm in and confront him? Stay silent and attempt to understand? Yet, after such a revelation, silence felt impossible.
The door opened, and Boris stepped into the hallway. Anna watched him from her hiding place. He passed by without noticing her presence. Once inside the living room, Anna quietly slipped from her shelter. She needed time to absorb the truth.
She wandered outside aimlessly, forgetting even the groceries she had come to buy. When she reached the park, she sat on a bench, covering her face with her hands. What was Boris up to? Why had he betrayed her? What path lay ahead for her?
- Who could she confide in?
- Friends who would sympathize but could do little more?
- Her parents, who she didn’t want to upset or explain to?
Was Boris truly intending to leave her? After much thought, Anna decided to call her friend Irina, who immediately sensed something was wrong.
“Anna, are you crying?” Irina asked gently.
“Not anymore,” Anna replied quietly.
She confided everything to her.
“Maybe you should come over?” Irina suggested.
Anna agreed. Spending time with her friend and discussing Boris’s betrayal made her feel somewhat relieved. Afterwards, she took the bus back home, but calmness escaped her. Opening her banking app, she checked the joint account and indeed saw that the funds had decreased.
“Alright then,” she whispered to herself, “if you want to play hard, let’s play.”
Returning to her apartment, she came face to face with an irritable Boris.
“Where have you been?” he barked. “I’ve been starving all day while you’re out.”
Anna clenched her teeth, placed her shopping bag on the table, and began unpacking the groceries.
“First, I stopped by Irina’s place,” she responded calmly.
“Wonderful! Meanwhile, your husband is starving and you’re gallivanting with friends,” Boris sneered.
Anna said nothing. She picked up the salmon and started cleaning it. Boris snorted and returned to the television. Cooking dinner, Anna pondered deeply about her situation. Leaving things as they were was impossible. But how should she act? Most importantly, she must keep her composure and uncover more about his intentions before making a decision.
That evening, Boris remained glued to the TV as usual. Pretending to read a book, Anna struggled to concentrate.
The next day, she chose to take a day off, citing illness. Her careful investigation began. She sifted through Boris’s papers and checked his computer, discovering correspondence with a lawyer discussing divorce and property division. What a scoundrel!
- How long had he been plotting this?
- How had she been so blind?
- There was no time for regrets; action was urgent.
Anna photographed all documents, saved the communications, and then contacted a lawyer. She secured a meeting promptly. While Boris was at work, she gathered necessary paperwork and prepared for divorce proceedings.
Opening a separate bank account, she transferred part of their joint savings. Next, she called her parents to ask for support. In front of Boris, she remained quiet and unassuming.
However, one evening, she surprised him.
Setting the table as always, when Boris sat down to eat, Anna placed a folder of documents before him.
“What’s this?” he frowned.
“It’s our future, dear,” Anna answered with a bitter smile. “I’m filing for divorce.”
Boris went pale, trying to speak. Anna cut him off.
“Don’t waste your breath denying anything. I know about your plans. I heard your call with the mistress and saw the evidence. You thought you could deceive me and leave me with nothing? Not a chance.”
Boris froze, unable to utter a word as Anna proceeded.
“Don’t hope to claim everything without consequence. I have engaged a capable attorney and will spend whatever it takes to prevent your success. The assets will be split evenly. No Paris vacation for you—don’t even think about hiding or transferring property. I have all the proof.”
Anna smiled grimly.
“I have accepted the reality. I never suspected our marriage was unraveling. And you prepared this ‘surprise’ so thoroughly. What goes around comes around.”
Boris sat, his face as white as chalk.
“Anna, listen…” he finally stammered.
“No, Boris, enough,” she snapped. “Your games end now. You thought I’d remain oblivious? Sit silently while you cast me out? You miscalculated.”
“It’s all your fault!” Boris exploded. “You were always so nagging! You drove me to this!”
Anna looked at him with disgust.
“I never imagined you capable of such cowardice. Unable to leave honestly. Now, take what you deserve. Pack your things and leave.”
Boris yelled and blamed her for his failures, but Anna no longer heard him. He eventually gathered his belongings and departed. The court ruled his attempt to transfer the apartment illegally.
The assets were divided fairly, fifty-fifty. Though Boris filed several lawsuits against Anna, none succeeded.
Months passed before Anna began to regain her strength. Determined to reclaim her life, she attended her friend’s birthday party.
There, she met a charming man. After all she had endured, she never expected to find love again at her age. Still, she chose to give this acquaintance a chance, and the decision transformed her life.
His name was Andrey, a doctor who had recently lost his spouse. From the very first moment, Anna felt a special connection with him. Attentive, caring, and a good listener, he spent hours chatting with her that evening. It felt like they had known each other forever. He wasn’t shy expressing his feelings, and his genuine compliments brought a blush to Anna’s cheeks.
Their meetings soon became frequent. Andrey captivated her with his wit, intellect, and sincerity. He never made empty promises or loud declarations, simply being there when needed. His support helped Anna leave the past behind and look toward the future with hope. In every way, Andrey was Boris’s complete opposite, teaching Anna the meaning of true love and respect.
After some time, Andrey asked for Anna’s hand in marriage. She accepted immediately without hesitation. Their wedding was modest, yet full of warmth and genuine feelings. Only the closest loved ones attended. Anna radiated happiness, while Andrey gazed at her with love. Together, they embarked on a new life built on affection, trust, and understanding.
Anna left hurt and resentment behind. She emerged stronger and more confident. Her divorce became a catalyst, teaching her to value herself and realize what she truly deserves. She felt grateful to fate for bringing Andrey, who restored her faith in love and happiness.
Now, when Anna looks at Andrey, she recognizes that genuine happiness stems not from material wealth but from fundamental human values: warmth, care, and support. She learned to cherish every shared moment, confident that she had found her soulmate with whom she would share the rest of her life.
Key Insight: Anna’s story illustrates resilience through betrayal and the transformative power of love and self-respect, reminding us that embracing change can pave the way to renewed happiness and personal growth.