— Don’t worry, kitten. I’ll kick that woman out, take the apartment, and then we’ll live like in a fairy tale, — Pavel’s voice trembled with impatience. — She won’t even utter a word.— Pascha… what if she causes a scandal? — the female voice sounded uncertain, almost scared.
— What could she do? A housewife without a penny. She should be grateful she’s lived off me all these years.I stood motionless in the hallway, clutching the shopping bags tightly. My ears were ringing, my legs gave way. Eighteen years of marriage — and he spoke as if he were throwing away an old piece of furniture.
Quietly, I set the bags down and leaned against the wall. Through the half-open door of the study, I saw him: Pavel embracing a young woman. Kristina from his sales department. She was in her late twenties, ambitious, striking… radiant like the sun itself.— And the kids? — I heard Kristina’s voice.
— The son is seventeen, he’ll be fine. The daughter is twelve — she stays with her mother. I’ll pay child support; I’m not a monster.Not a monster. How generous.Back in the kitchen, I sat at the table. My hands were shaking, but my mind was clearer than ever.
I took out my phone and wrote to my friend Wika — the only one who hadn’t forgotten me from my old life:“Wika, do you remember the position at your company? Is it still open?”“Sweta! Of course! Come for an interview tomorrow!”“And if I haven’t worked in fifteen years?”
“Nonsense! You’re an economist with two degrees. You’ll get back in quickly.”The following weeks became a military operation. During the day, I updated my professional skills — fortunately, there are endless courses online. At night, I played the perfect wife, without Pavel noticing a thing.
At the same time, I consulted a lawyer — an old university friend.— Swetlana, was the apartment purchased during the marriage?— Yes, ten years ago.— Perfect. It’s joint property. It doesn’t matter whose name it’s in — it will be divided in half.— And if he tries to throw me out?
— Let him try. That would be illegal.I collected evidence of his affair: messages, photos, restaurant receipts for two. Pavel no longer exercised any caution.After a month, I got a job. Entry-level salary, unremarkable position — it didn’t matter. What mattered was financial independence.
Pavel noticed nothing. In the morning, he went to work — I was supposedly still asleep. In the evening, he returned — I was supposedly already asleep. In between, I worked, ran the household, and gathered evidence.The children sensed everything. Artjom, my son, asked directly:
— Mom, is everything okay with Dad?— Why do you ask?— You both seem… different. Like strangers.— Everything will be fine, my son.Lisa, my daughter, came to me at night:— Mom, you’re not leaving us, right?— Never, sweetheart. No matter what happens.
On Friday, Pavel announced he was going to the countryside for the weekend to visit a friend. Lies without batting an eye. I followed him — he went to a country hotel with Kristina.On Saturday morning, I packed his things into suitcases. Carefully. Almost lovingly.
His favorite shirts, ties, suits. Everything neatly placed in the hallway.Then I called his mother:— Anna Petrovna, come immediately. Pavel has a problem.An hour later, she arrived, completely upset.— What happened? Where is Pascha?— Pascha is away with his lover. See for yourself.
— I showed her the photos from the private detective.She went red:— This can’t be! Pascha isn’t like that!— Anna Petrovna, here are the messages, receipts, witness statements. Your Pascha wants to kick me out of the apartment and marry this woman.
When Pavel came home on Sunday evening, he opened the door — and froze. In the hallway, I waited with his mother, my parents (who had come especially), and the children.— What… what is going on?— Pascha, we’re saying goodbye to you, — I said calmly.
— Your things are packed, the divorce papers are on the table. You can go straight to Kristina.— You… how do you know…— “I’ll throw the wife out…” — I quoted him. — I thought I’d help you move.Anna Petrovna slapped him:— I didn’t raise you like this! Swetlana endured your character for eighteen years,
raised the children — and you?!Pavel collapsed. I showed him the documents and messages.— If you resist, I’ll go to court. And I’ll send everything to your workplace. Affairs with subordinates aren’t welcomed there.He signed. Packed his suitcases. Left.
A week later, I heard Kristina had left him — no money, no apartment, no future. Pavel lives with his mother, desperately trying to come back. I don’t respond.Six months later: divorce finalized. Apartment sold and split. I have a three-room apartment on the outskirts of the city,
each child has their own room, a home office for me.At work, I was promoted — now a senior economic analyst. Salary and team perfect. Wika laughs:— Sweta, you look ten years younger! Your eyes are shining!The children are happy. Artjom says:
— Mom, I’m proud of you. You didn’t break — you became stronger.Lisa organizes pajama parties with her friends — something Pavel never allowed.Yesterday, I ran into him at the supermarket. Aged, gaunt.— Sweta, can we talk? I understand what I’ve done…
— Pavel, you wanted to kick your wife out and take the apartment. Almost worked. But in the end, you were the one thrown out.I turned and walked away.You know, I’m almost grateful to him. Without his betrayal, I would have lived like a gray mouse. Now I have work, friends, hobbies.
I’m learning Spanish, dancing, traveling with the children.I finally live.And him? A lonely, empty freedom in his mother’s house. Everyone gets what they deserve.