Warm May evening gently enveloped the city as if wrapping it in a delicate blanket. Ksenia settled on the balcony of their new country house, watching Artem fussing with the grill in the yard. Four-year-old Lera, trying her best to help her dad, handed him all sorts of little things, while six-year-old Maxim tirelessly chased the ball around the property.
«Ksyush, come down!» Artem’s voice reached her. «Everything will be ready in a couple of minutes!»
Ksenia smiled, looking at her family. Life seemed filled with meaning and bright prospects. Artem had recently opened his own construction materials manufacturing company, and business was confidently moving up. Ksenia had always supported her husband, helping with documentation and accounting at the very beginning of their journey. Although she had to interrupt her university studies, she continued to hope that someday she would become a lawyer.
«Mommy, look how I’m helping!» Lera proudly raised a plastic plate, showing it to her mother.
«Good job, dear!» replied Ksenia, descending into the yard and adjusting her light summer dress.
Artem hugged his wife, kissing her cheek: «I would have achieved nothing without you. You know that better than anyone.»
«I know,» Ksenia whispered, pressing against him. «We are a team.»
Five years flew by unnoticed. From a small firm, the company grew into a large business occupying an entire floor in a business center. However, Artem began to be at home less frequently. Meetings and business engagements consumed him.
«Dad, will you come to my birthday?» Maxim looked at his father with tender hope. «I’ll be eleven!»
«Of course, son!» Artem replied absently, continuing to study his phone. «I’ll definitely be there.»
Ksenia, setting the table, just shook her head. She no longer believed his promises. In the past year, Artem had missed many family holidays and school events. Even the planned vacation went on without him.
When the children went to bed, Ksenia sat down next to her husband.
«Artem, we need to talk seriously.»
«Tomorrow, dear,» he brushed her off, not looking up from his laptop. «I have important negotiations; I need to prepare.»
«You say that every day. The kids miss you. And so do I.»
Finally, Artem looked away from the screen:
«Ksyusha, you understand: business takes time. I’m working for us, for our family.»
«For which family, Artem? The one you see once a week?»
«What do you want from me? To abandon the business of a lifetime?»
«Just remember us, dear. Maxim was waiting for you at the school concert. And you didn’t even bother to call to let us know.»
«I had an important meeting with investors! You think it’s easy for me? I provide you with a luxurious life, and you reproach me with such trifles!»
«Such trifles?» Ksenia stood up, her voice trembling. «It was our son’s first solo performance. He had been preparing for a month to show you how he learned to play the guitar. It was important to him. Very important.»
But Artem had already plunged back into work on his laptop, clearly indicating: the conversation was over.
A month later, a young, ambitious girl named Vika appeared in the office, whom he appointed as his personal assistant. Ksenia immediately noticed changes in her husband: he began to stay at work more often, a new perfume appeared, expensive accessories.
«Mom, why doesn’t dad spend the night at home?» Lera once asked, looking at her mother with her big eyes.
«Daddy has a lot of work, sunshine,» Ksenia replied, trying to maintain composure, though inside everything was crumbling.
«Why doesn’t he answer the phone when I call?»
«Probably busy with important meetings,» she hugged her daughter, hiding the tears welling up.
That same evening, Artem returned home earlier than usual, which was unusual. His face looked tense and detached.
«We need to talk,» he said, entering the living room without even taking off his coat.
«What happened?» Ksenia’s heart clenched with foreboding.
«I filed for divorce,» he said bluntly.
These words struck like thunder out of a clear sky. Ksenia slowly sank into a chair, feeling the world around her begin to blur.
«What?.. Why?..» her voice trembled.
«It’s better for everyone. I’ve met someone who really understands me, shares my interests and aspirations.»
«Vika?» Ksenia quietly clarified.
Artem nodded: «I need to move on. The family has become a burden for me. I’m tired of being who everyone expects to see.»
«A burden?» her voice was barely audible. «Fifteen years of our life together for you is just a burden?»
«I want you to vacate the house by the end of the week. It’s registered in my name, as is all the other property.»
«What about the children? Have you even thought about them?»
«I’ll be paying alimony. And even more—I’ll help with the rent for the first time.»
Ksenia looked at the man before her and couldn’t believe this was the same Artem she knew fifteen years ago.
At that moment, sleepy Maxim appeared in the doorway: «Mom, what’s happening?»
Artem sharply turned and, slamming the door, left the room. Ksenia hugged her son, realizing that their lives would never be the same again. How to explain to a child that the world they knew no longer exists?
Soon, Ksenia and the children settled into a modest apartment on the outskirts of the city. Artem left them practically without means of subsistence.
Lera often cried, not understanding why they could no longer live in their cozy house. Maxim withdrew into himself, distancing himself from friends and beginning to skip classes at the music school.
Ksenia looked at the sleeping children and whispered: «I need to find a job. I have to become strong for them.»
The first weeks in the new life were the hardest. Ksenia searched for a job with all her might, but everywhere she faced the same requirement—work experience, which she did not have. The last fifteen years she had fully dedicated to the family, and now it was taking its toll.
Finally, she was lucky: the owner of a small cafe, Nina Petrovna, agreed to hire her as a waitress despite the lack of experience. In the evenings, when the children fell asleep, Ksenia took up textbooks—she had re-enrolled in the law faculty, choosing a correspondence form of education.
Years went by. One day, Ksenia accidentally learned about serious problems in her ex-husband’s company. Artem, it was said, was on the verge of bankruptcy.
«Imagine, Vika spent almost all his money,» a former colleague of Artem’s, who stopped by the cafe, shared the information. «She invested in elite real estate and opened boutiques, but everything went up in smoke.»
Ksenia silently wiped tables, but each word deeply imprinted in her memory. That evening, returning home, she began to dig through old documents, looking for papers related to the creation of Artem’s first company.
«Mom, what are you looking for?» Maxim asked, peeking into the room.
«Just old documents, son, nothing special.»
«I saw dad today,» the boy suddenly added. «He was buying discounted groceries at the supermarket.»
Ksenia pondered. If the rumors were true, then Artem’s situation was indeed serious. If business had been going well, he wouldn’t have even noticed such offers. However, houses and cars were still registered in his name. Perhaps he was maintaining property to create the appearance of well-being, continuing to cover debt holes.
The next day, Igor, an old family friend working at a major bank, came to the cafe.
«I’ve been wanting to talk to you for a long time,» he began when the shift ended. «Do you know what’s happening with Artem?»
«Just by rumors.»
«Actually, it’s much worse. He was involved in tax fraud, hiding real incomes. I have documents that prove it.»
Ksenia listened attentively, and a plan was already forming in her mind.
A week later, she filed for a review of the divorce terms. The collected evidence was irrefutable—Artem had been understating his income for years to pay minimal alimony.
«You were entitled to significantly more compensation,» the lawyer explained. «Considering your contribution to business development and your role in raising the children, allowing him to focus on his career.»
The trial lasted several months. Ksenia didn’t miss a single session, methodically proving her case. Artem looked exhausted—his suit hung on him like on a hanger, and deep shadows lay under his eyes.
When the judge read the decision, a crushing silence hung in the hall. Artem was required to transfer a significant portion of the assets to Ksenia and the children.
«Are you happy now?» Artem confronted his ex-wife outside the courthouse. «You know I’m almost bankrupt!»
«Did you feel happiness when you kicked us out of the house?» Ksenia calmly replied. «When our children asked why they could no longer live in their room?»
«Let’s talk about a compromise,» Artem suggested, lowering his voice. «Maybe we can find common ground?»
«The time for compromises is over,» Ksenia firmly stated. «This decision can’t be changed.»
«Are you avenging me for leaving for another woman? But it’s just business! I can fix everything, return…»
Ksenia stopped and looked at him intently:
«No, Artem. This isn’t revenge. This is justice. And it’s not even about the other woman. It’s about how you treated us, your family. You betrayed not only me—you betrayed your children.»
«They’re still my children!» his voice took on hysterical notes. «You can’t…»
«I can,» Ksenia interrupted him. «And I will. Because someone has to take care of their future.»
Artem grabbed her hand:
«Listen, I have a proposal. We can start all over again. Vika… she turned out not to be the person I thought. And you were always there, supporting me…»
Ksenia gently, but firmly freed her hand:
«Sorry, Artem, but that moment has passed. I have my own life, my own career. And I’m no longer the girl who believed every word you said.»
A month later, the city buzzed with news of Artem’s empire’s collapse. Vika disappeared, having transferred a large sum to her accounts. The luxurious mansion and other assets had to be sold for next to nothing to pay off debts. Artem tried to maintain his reputation until the end, but unsuccessfully.
Ksenia watched this without gloating. The won lawsuits allowed her to buy a spacious apartment in a good area. The children finally got their own rooms, and Maxim equipped a small music studio.
Over the years, life became better for the whole family.
«Mom, look!» Lera burst into the room, waving an envelope. «I got accepted on a budget!»
Ksenia hugged her daughter, feeling tears of joy fill her eyes. The prestigious economic university became a reality for Lera.
One spring day, Artem appeared at Ksenia’s office. Changed, in worn clothes, he seemed a completely different person.
«I’ve realized a lot, Ksyusha,» he said quietly, lowering his gaze. «Money and power blinded me. I thought I could buy happiness.»
«Why are you here?»
«I want to fix everything. Get the family back. I miss you, the kids…»
Ksenia shook her head:
«The children grew up without you, Artem. You chose this path yourself.»
At that moment, Maxim drove up to the office in a brand-new car. He had become a confident young man, owning a successful IT company. Music remained just a hobby.
«Mom, are you ready?» he addressed his mother, deliberately ignoring his father. «We have a meeting with investors in an hour.»
«Yes, son,» Ksenia replied, grabbing her bag. «Sorry, Artem, but we have to go.»
Their paths crossed again at a charity event. Artem, now a middle manager, tried to speak to his ex-wife.
«Ksenia Vladimirovna, can I have a minute?» he called out loudly, catching up with her in the hall.
Ksenia turned around, surrounded by colleagues and partners:
«Yes, Artem?»
«I wanted to publicly acknowledge my mistakes…» he began.
«There’s no need,» Ksenia gently interrupted him. «All that is long in the past. I’ve let go of the grievances and wish you only well.»
In the evening, sitting in her favorite chair with a cup of tea, Ksenia flipped through family photos: here’s Lera at her school graduation, here’s Maxim at the opening of his first office.
The phone vibrated—Maxim sent a photo: he and his sister celebrating Lera’s first closed session.
«Mom, come to us!» the son wrote. «We’re celebrating Lera’s success.»
Ksenia smiled. Life had taught her a serious lesson, but she had coped. No one could ever destroy her world, built on love for her children and faith in herself.
In the mirror reflected a confident, beautiful woman. Ksenia adjusted her hair and took the car keys. The children were waiting for her at the restaurant, and that meant much more than all past grievances and disappointments.
Stepping out of the house, she paused for a moment, breathing in the fresh evening air. Life continued, and it was filled with so much beauty: the love of her children, the respect of colleagues, a decent job. The main thing—the freedom to be herself, not looking back at the past and not fearing the future.
