Reflections and Revelations in a Marriage
In the bedroom mirror, a familiar scene was reflected back at me: I was smoothing out the creases of a modest gray dress I had purchased three years ago at a regular store. Dmitry stood nearby, fastening the cufflinks on his pristine white shirt — an Italian one, as he never tired of pointing out at every opportunity.
«Are you ready?» he asked without looking in my direction, carefully brushing off imaginary specks of dust from his suit.
«Yes, we can go,» I replied, checking one last time if my hair was neatly arranged.
He finally turned toward me, and I caught a glimpse of his familiar expression tinged with mild disappointment. Dmitry silently scanned me from head to toe, lingering on the dress.
«Don’t you have anything more decent?» he said with his usual patronizing tone.
This comment was a recurring echo before every corporate event. Each time, it stung like a prick — not lethal, yet unpleasant. I learned to mask the pain, to smile and shrug it off.
«This dress is perfectly suitable,» I answered calmly.
Dmitry sighed as if I had failed him once again.
«Alright, let’s go. Just try not to stand out too much, alright?»
We got married five years ago, right after I finished my degree in economics, while he was working as a junior manager at a trading company. Back then, he appeared to me as an ambitious, focused young man with bright prospects. I admired how he spoke of his plans and gazed confidently into the future.
Throughout the years, Dmitry climbed the career ladder. He is now a senior sales manager handling major clients. The money he earned went into his appearance — expensive suits, Swiss watches, and a new car every two years. «Image is everything,» he often repeated. «People need to see that you’re successful; otherwise, they won’t deal with you.»
I, meanwhile, worked as an economist at a small consulting firm, earning a modest salary and carefully avoiding extravagant spending to ease the family budget. Whenever Dmitry took me to corporate events, I always felt out of place. He introduced me to colleagues with a hint of irony: «Here’s my little gray mouse out for the night.» Everyone laughed, and I smiled, pretending it was amusing.
«His words used to hurt like a sharp jab, but over time, I learned to hide the pain behind a smile.»
Gradually, I noticed how my husband changed. Success seemed to have gone to his head. He grew condescending not only towards me but also towards his employers. «I’m selling this junk that our Chinese make to those suckers,» he remarked at home while sipping on expensive whiskey. «The main thing is to present the product right, and they will buy anything.»
Sometimes, he hinted at extra sources of income. «Clients appreciate good service,» he winked. «And are willing to pay extra for it. Personally, I get a cut, you know?»
I understood but chose not to delve into details.
A Turning Point: The Inheritance Call
Everything shifted three months ago when a notary called me.
«Anna Sergeevna? This concerns your father Sergey Mikhailovich Volkov’s inheritance.»
My heart skipped a beat. My father had left our family when I was seven. My mother never disclosed what happened to him. I only knew he lived a life with no place for his daughter.
«Your father passed away a month ago,» the notary continued. «According to the will, you are the sole heir to his estate.»
The information I received at the notary’s office turned my world upside down. My father was not just a successful businessman; he built an empire. An apartment in central Moscow, a country house, cars, and most importantly — an investment fund owning shares in dozens of companies.
Among the documents, I found a name that made me shiver: «TradeInvest» — the company where Dmitry works.
The first weeks were shocking. Every morning I woke, struggling to believe this was reality. I only told my husband that I changed jobs and was now working in the investment sector. He reacted indifferently, muttering about hoping my salary wouldn’t be less than before.
Delving into the fund’s affairs, my economic education proved invaluable, and above all, I truly enjoyed it. For the first time, I felt engaged in something significant, something that truly mattered.
My curiosity focused on «TradeInvest.» I requested a meeting with the CEO, Mikhail Petrovich Kuznetsov.
«Anna Sergeevna,» he said when we were alone in his office, «I must be honest: the company isn’t doing well. Especially the sales department.»
«Please explain in detail.»
«We have one employee, Dmitry Andreev. Formally, he manages major clients, with large turnover, but profits are nearly nonexistent. Moreover, many deals are losing money. There are suspicions of misconduct but insufficient proof so far.»
I demanded an internal investigation without revealing my true interest in this particular employee.
The investigation’s results arrived a month later. Dmitry was indeed embezzling company funds by negotiating «personal bonuses» with clients for lowered prices. The amount involved was significant.
During this time, I had updated my wardrobe. Yet, true to myself, I selected understated garments — only now designed by the world’s top designers. Dmitry did not notice the difference; for him, anything not loudly expensive was still «gray mouse-like.»
Confrontation at the Corporate Event
Last night, Dmitry announced an important corporate gathering was scheduled for tomorrow.
«A reporting dinner for top management and key employees,» he said pompously. «All company leadership will be present.»
«Understood,» I replied. «What time should I be ready?»
Dmitry looked at me with surprise.
«I won’t take you there; those are decent people, you’re not on their level,» he declared, unaware that I owned the company he worked for. «This is a serious event. People who decide my fate in the company will be present. I can’t allow myself to look… well, you know.»
«Not really.»
«Anna,» he tried to soften his tone, «you’re a wonderful wife, but you lower my social status. Next to you, I look poorer than I really am. These people must see me as an equal.»
His words hurt, but not as sharply as before. Now, I knew my worth. And his.
«Fine,» I said calmly. «Have fun.»
This morning, Dmitry left for work in high spirits. I donned a new Dior dress — dark blue, elegant, accentuating my figure, yet remaining restrained. I did professional makeup and hairstyling. Looking in the mirror, I saw a different person — confident, beautiful, successful.
The restaurant hosting the event was one of the city’s finest. Mikhail Petrovich greeted me at the entrance.
«Anna Sergeevna, delighted to see you. You look wonderful.»
«Thank you. I hope today we will summarize results and outline future plans.»
The hall was filled with people in expensive suits and dresses. The atmosphere was businesslike but welcoming. I mingled with department heads and met key employees. Many already knew me as the company’s new owner, though this was not public knowledge yet.
I spotted Dmitry as soon as he entered. He wore his best suit and a fresh haircut, exuding confidence and importance. His gaze swept the room, clearly evaluating attendees and his position among them.
Our eyes met. At first, he seemed confused, then his face twisted in anger. He stormed toward me.
«What are you doing here?» he hissed, standing close. «I told you this isn’t for you!»
«Good evening, Dima,» I answered calmly.
«Leave immediately! You’re embarrassing me!» He spoke quietly but fiercely. «And what’s this masquerade? Wearing your mouse rags again to humiliate me?»
Several people turned to look at us. Dmitry noticed and tried to compose himself.
«Listen,» he said in a different tone, «don’t make a scene. Just quietly leave, and we can discuss everything at home.»
At that moment, Mikhail Petrovich approached.
«Dmitry, I see you’ve met Anna Sergeevna,» he said with a smile.
«Mikhail Petrovich,» Dmitry instantly switched to a submissive tone, «I didn’t invite my wife. Honestly, she’d better go home. This is a business event…»
«Dmitry,» Mikhail Petrovich looked at him with surprise, «but I invited Anna Sergeevna. She’s not going anywhere. As the company’s owner, she must attend this reporting event.»
I watched as the realization dawned on my husband. First confusion, then understanding, followed by horror. The color drained from his face.
«Owner… of the company?» he asked barely audibly.
«Anna Sergeevna inherited the controlling shares from her father,» Mikhail Petrovich explained. «She is now our main shareholder.»
Dmitry looked at me as if seeing me for the first time. Panic filled his eyes. He understood that if I knew about his schemes, his career was over.
«Anna…» he began, his voice filled with a mixture of pleading and fear. «Anna, we need to talk.»
«Of course,» I agreed. «But first, let’s listen to the reports. That’s why we’re here.»
The subsequent two hours were torturous for Dmitry. He sat beside me at the table, trying to eat and engage in conversation, but I could see his nervousness. His hands trembled as he raised his glass.
After the official part, he pulled me aside.
«Anna, hear me out,» he spoke quickly and ingratiatingly. «I understand you may know… or someone might have told you something… But it’s not true! Or not entirely true! I can explain everything!»
This pathetic, humiliated tone repulsed me even more than his previous arrogance. At least then, he was honest about his contempt.
«Dima,» I said quietly, «you have the chance to leave the company and my life quietly and with dignity. Think about it.»
Instead of accepting the offer, he exploded:
«What game are you playing?!» he shouted, ignoring the onlookers. «You think you will prove something? You have nothing on me! It’s all fabrications!»
Mikhail Petrovich motioned security over.
«Dmitry, you’re disturbing the order,» he said sternly. «Please leave the premises.»
«Anna!» Dmitry yelled as they escorted him out, «you’ll regret this! Understand?»
The Aftermath and New Beginnings
Back home, a real uproar awaited me.
«What was that?!» he roared. «What the hell were you doing there? Trying to set me up? Do you think I don’t know what this is — a show?!»
He paced the room, gesticulating wildly, his face flushed with rage.
«You won’t prove anything! Nothing! It’s all your fantasies and intrigues! And if you think I’ll let some fool control my life…»
«Dima,» I cut him off calmly, «the internal investigation started two months ago, before you knew who I was.»
He fell silent, eyeing me suspiciously.
«I asked Mikhail Petrovich to allow you to resign without consequences,» I continued. «But apparently, that was in vain.»
«What are you talking about?» His voice softened but retained its bitterness.
«The inquiry revealed that over the last three years, you embezzled about two million rubles. Likely much more. There are documents, recorded calls with clients, bank transactions. Mikhail Petrovich has forwarded the material to law enforcement.»
Dmitry slumped into his chair as if struck down.
«You… you can’t…» he muttered.
«If you’re lucky,» I said, «you might negotiate to repay the damages. The apartment and the car should cover it.»
«Idiot!» he exploded again. «Where will we live then?! You’ll have nowhere either!»
I looked at him with pity. Even now, in this situation, he thought only of himself.
«I have an apartment downtown,» I said softly. «Two hundred square meters. And a country house near Moscow. Plus, my private driver is waiting downstairs.»
Dmitry stared at me like I was speaking an alien language.
«What?» he whispered.
I turned away. He stood in the middle of the room — confused, broken, and miserable. The very man who just that morning deemed me unworthy to be seen with him among respectable people.
«You know, Dima,» I said, «you were right. We are indeed from different worlds. Just not in the way you thought.»
I closed the door behind me and never looked back.
Downstairs, a black car waited with a driver. Sitting in the back seat, I gazed out at the city that now seemed different. Not because it had changed, but because I had.
The phone rang. Dmitry. I declined the call.
Then a message appeared: «Anna, forgive me. We can fix everything. I love you.»
I deleted the message without replying.
A new life awaited me in the new apartment — one I was meant to start years ago but never knew I had the right to. Now, I know.
Tomorrow, decisions about the company, the investment fund, and my father’s inheritance lay ahead. A future dependent solely on my choices.
As for Dmitry… he remains in the past — along with all the humiliation, self-doubt, and feelings of inadequacy he gave me all those years.
Key Insight: This story reveals the journey from self-doubt and suppression toward realization and empowerment, emphasizing the importance of recognizing one’s true value and taking control of one’s destiny.