Sofia’s handbag almost slipped from her hands. «Mikhail, this is impossible,» she breathed out. The man laughed loudly and hugged her tightly.
«As you can see, it’s possible. Anything can happen in life.»
«Where did you come from? You left without a trace. I heard everything was going great for you, and you weren’t planning on coming back.»
He laughed again.
«Our little town has always been great at spreading news quickly.»
Sofia blushed.
«Well, you know our old ladies. As soon as you left town, they were already telling everyone about your life in every detail.»
«Yes, I always knew it would be like this. Back then, I wanted to surprise you, but also make you regret your decision.»
Sofia laughed. It was easy to joke now. Twelve years had passed since their breakup, but in the first year…
…it was even hard for her to smile. They had fought over something trivial. Now it was clear it was trivial. But back then? Fire, crackling, thunder. And Mikhail, whose eyes shot lightning.
«So, do you think people stop developing and growing professionally after marriage?»
Sofia should have remained silent. She knew family had always been more important to Mikhail than anything else. But she couldn’t hold back. She flared up.
«Yes, once people get married, they seem to feel like nothing will change. And they start to degrade, if that’s what you prefer.»
Mikhail took a step back. Sofia almost bit her tongue. Just recently, they were making plans for the future, dreaming of a wedding and a joint venture. She had agreed. But not now. Later. Why rush if they weren’t ready?
One word led to another. They had never argued before. But now? Sofia analyzed that argument for a long time and couldn’t understand what had happened. It was like something had clouded her mind.
«You know what, Sonya, I’m getting married. I’ll get married in a few months, and I’ll achieve everything. Got it?»
«I told you – I’m not ready to get married now.»
«And I’m not planning on marrying you. Got it? There are plenty of girls who can be happy wives and still not lose themselves.»
«Is that so? Well, go ahead. Just get as far from here as possible.»
Sofia barely held back tears. More than crying, she wanted to hit Mikhail. So that he would disappear. He turned and left. Sofia did the same. They parted like two ships running out of ammunition, but each believed they were the winner.
Mikhail and Sofia had known each other since first grade. Everyone had always been sure they would get married. And then this happened.
The old ladies by the entrance were delighted and waited for news. As soon as the news came, they immediately passed it on to Sofia. Two months later, she was told that Mikhail had gotten married. Somewhere up north, where he flew the day after their argument. Sofia didn’t believe it. She hadn’t logged into social media for a long time, so he wouldn’t have a chance to apologize. But today she logged in, and froze.
In the photo beside him was a girl in a wedding dress. She cried all night, and in the morning, she woke up a different person. A year later, she too got married. Although, her chosen one probably would never have proposed. Dmitry was infantile and lazy. Sofia proposed to him. Actually, she made him face the fact.
«Dima, we’ve been together long enough. I think it’s time to get married. No need for a noisy wedding. We can just go somewhere. We can take your mom.»
Dmitry was happy. Sofia never understood what he was more excited about – the wedding or the fact they were taking his mom. In fact, Dmitry’s mother had been too involved in their life. But since Sofia almost always worked, she barely noticed her.
«To be honest, it was… unpleasant.»
«How did you get here?»
«Simple, Sonya. I got tired of freezing. Split the business with my ex-wife. She stayed there, and I came back. Bought a building nearby. I’m modernizing it now. I’ll bring fish from my old company and process it here.»
«So, you still have a good relationship with your ex-wife?»
«Yes. We’ve always been friends, so no problems. Plus, she’s getting married soon. She’s marrying her classmate. Looks like he’s her long-time love. I’m genuinely happy for her.»
«And what about you? You know, up north, I don’t have any informant old ladies.»
«I’m fine. I’m working, married.»
«And where do you work?»
«See that blue building?»
«Oh, I hear that’s a serious company. Is that true?»
«We’ve already absorbed three firms in this town and continue to expand. By the way, I was promoted today. Now I’m managing the department.»
«Congratulations. Are you happy?»
«Yes, quite. I’ve achieved what I wanted.»
Sofia paused for a moment.
«I think so. Of course, everyone wants more than they have, but now I’m moving forward.»
The meeting with Mikhail threw her off balance. At first, Sofia couldn’t understand why. Later, after analyzing her feelings, she realized: she would have felt more at ease if things weren’t going so smoothly for Mikhail. It turned out that she alone was carrying the weight in her family while he was developing alongside his ex-wife.
Sofia tried to remember. Her husband, if she wasn’t mistaken, also had a higher education. It was she who insisted that he stay home. Yes, Dmitry was a househusband, and he wasn’t interested in anything. Why? Because such a husband was holding her back, not supporting, not inspiring her.
Arriving at the house they had just bought and renovated, Sofia sighed. Everything had been done to her taste. Dmitry hadn’t participated in choosing the wallpaper or buying the furniture. It seemed her husband was truly very infantile.
Dmitry peeked out from the kitchen.
«Hi. I’ve made a festive dinner and chilled some champagne.»
«Why?»
Dmitry was confused.
«Why? You said today they’d sign the order for your promotion.»
«I got fired.»
Sofia didn’t even understand how it came out. To see her husband’s reaction? He stood silently, his face expressing sorrow. She didn’t want to be home. After changing, she left the room. Dmitry looked at her in surprise.
«Are you leaving?»
«Yes, I want to get some fresh air.»
«What about dinner? I worked hard on it.»
Sofia struggled to hold back.
«Later. I don’t feel like it right now.»
This was just unbelievable. The wife says she was fired, and he suggests they eat. She wandered around the city, several times pulling out Mikhail’s business card but never daring to call. After all, he could call himself. He had her contact, and she had said he could call at any time.
Finally, she returned home. She decided to tell Dmitry she was joking. Quietly entering, she immediately heard voices in the kitchen. It was her mother-in-law.
«Dima, maybe this is for the best. You’ll finally be able to return to work. You’ve always loved your profession. And they keep calling you back to that company.»
«Yeah, Mom, you’re right. But I don’t know how to tell Sofia. She always says, ‘Who needs you?’»
Sofia froze. Yes, that was exactly about her. And then she remembered how once Dmitry was planning to get a job, but she refused, not wanting to change their usual way of life.
«Dima, you can’t do that, son. I understand that Sofia does a lot for the family, but both of you can work, not just her, suppressing the others.»
«Mom, that’s just how she is. She can’t help it.»
«Dima, I have nothing against her, but tell me, where is the love? You have purely consumerist relations. I’ve never seen any affection from either of you.»
«Dima, she’s tired. And anyway, we’re not kids anymore.»
Each word hit Sofia like a painful blow. The truth. Every single word. She ran outside. Had she really become such a shrew?
Sofia took out her phone and called her friend.
«Masha, tell me honestly, how do you feel about me?»
«What happened? Did you drink?»
«Masha, if I ask you a question, will you answer honestly?»
«What’s going on?»
«Masha, I’m serious!»
«Okay, tell me!»
«Tell me, is my husband lazy, or did I break him?»
There was silence on the other end. Masha cleared her throat.
«Well, how can I say this?»
«Say it directly.»
«Sofia, you’re a real iron lady. You have a talent for turning people into nothing. You broke Dima, made him live by your rules, and you treat your colleagues the same way.»
«Colleagues?»
«Yes. Think about it yourself, and then you can be mad at me.»
«Okay, Masha, thanks.»
Sofia got back in the car and drove away from the house. She didn’t care if her husband noticed or not. She needed to be alone and think. She woke up by the river, where she had once spent so much time with Mikhail. How funny, where her thoughts had taken her.
«Sonia.»
She turned sharply, but wasn’t surprised.
«Hello.»
He sat down beside her.
«What’s with the face?»
Sofia looked at him, and tears trembled on her lashes.
«Mikhail, I’m such a fool!»
He frowned.
«Tell me, what happened?»
She spoke without stopping, jumping from their past relationship to current problems.
«Yeah, it took you quite a while to realize this.»
«Mikhail, what should I do?»
«And what do you think?»
Sofia thought for a moment.
«You know, I want to let Dima go. There was never any real love between us. Let him do what he likes.»
«You’re doing great. And your husband is a real hero for putting up with all this time.»
Sofia jumped up.
«I’m going home and I’ll tell him everything.»
Mikhail smiled.
«I’ve wanted to call many times, but I was afraid you wouldn’t be happy.»
«You were wrong. I’ve been waiting for your call.»
Her mother-in-law and Dmitry were still sitting in the kitchen. Their faces were tense. They probably saw her leave and realized Sofia had overheard their conversation.
«Well, hello.»
She sat down at the table and looked at her husband.
«Get your festive snacks and champagne.»
Dmitry raised his eyebrows in surprise but quickly set the table. Sofia filled three glasses.
«First, for the promotion.»
«But you said…»
«I was joking.»
She noticed Dmitry’s gaze dim, and smiled.
«And now, for a new life.»
Dmitry looked at her in confusion.
«Whose new life?»
«Yours, mine, Mom’s. Dima, we’re separating. Not as enemies, but as friends. We’ll divide everything evenly so you won’t think of me as a bitch. You’ve always been there, but it’s me who didn’t let you live and work normally.»
«Put your hand on your heart and tell me: do you love me?»
«Dima, I can’t say that. We’ve just gotten used to each other. I… I was fine with everything. And you’re both right: you can’t live off others.»
Dmitry was silent for a while, then looked at her.
«You know what I’m going to say?»
«What?»
«Thank you. For the first time in a long time, I want to live.»
They quickly arranged the divorce. It was decided that the house would remain with Sofia. With their savings, they bought Dmitry a nice apartment. The cars stayed with each of them. Sofia helped him find a good job in his field. When they parted, he hugged her.
«Thank you, Sofia.»
«For what? For not letting you make decisions?»
«And for that too. You know, now I want everything. I’ll work like a horse.»
«I believe in you.»
Sofia stood by the window. She was alone. The wine was swirling in the glass. It was strangely quiet, but at the same time peaceful. She felt more and more confident that she had made the right choice.
The phone rang on the table.
«Hello.»
«Hi. The magpies told me you’re a free woman now. I wanted to know, do you accept guests?»
Sofia laughed.
«People like you – anytime.»
And then, calmly, almost whispering, she added:
«Come over. I’ve been waiting for you.»
