Our story began like many others: marriage, children, troubles, worries. I woke up at five in the morning, made breakfast, sent the kids off to school, rushed to work, then picked them up, took them to activities, helped with homework.
My husband packed his things and told me he was leaving for another: I didn’t expect a reaction like this at all.
In the evening, as soon as I got up, I did the dishes, cleaned, ironed. Every day was the same, like a scratched record.
And my husband? At first, he stayed late at work, then started going on “business trips,” and eventually started disappearing all night.
And now he’s packing his suitcase.
– Can I help? – I asked with a smile.
He froze, looked at me, seemed lost.
– What? Where are the tears? The scandal? You’re really going to let me go like this?
I smiled.
– What’s stopping you? We’ve been living like neighbors for a long time. There’s no respect, no warmth.
My husband packed his things and told me he was leaving with another woman. I didn’t expect such a reaction.
– No support? Everything I earn, I give to you! – he muttered.
I sighed.
– Oh, of course. The apartment is mine, the car is mine. So, darling, go, go with God!
When the door closed behind him, a feeling of pain filled me, but not sadness, no. I just realized how many years I had lived a life that wasn’t mine.
But I didn’t allow myself to drown in sadness. I bought clothes I considered “inappropriate for a wife.” For the first time in years, I went to the hairdresser, changed my hairstyle, had a manicure. I put on red lipstick and smiled at my reflection in the mirror.
– Valentina Borisovna, you seem to be blooming! – remarked the neighbor. – Perhaps it’s love that’s making you shine?
– Oh, rather its absence! – I laughed.
But as soon as I started enjoying my new life, someone knocked on the door.
– Open! My key doesn’t work!
My husband packed his things and told me he was leaving for another woman. I didn’t expect such a reaction.
– Of course it doesn’t work, – I replied without opening. – I changed the locks.
– Please, open. I’ve realized I was wrong. You’re the only one I love.
I pressed against the door and smiled.
– Maybe you just don’t have anywhere else to go?
There was silence behind the door. Then came dull footsteps as he went down the stairs.
How naive. He thought I would wait for him? No, darling. Now I have my own life. And in this life, I feel good.
