Marina sped down the street as if on wings, her heart overflowing with joy from unexpected freedom. A spring breeze playfully tousled her hair, and the sun gently touched her skin. She decided to surprise her mother-in-law, Anna Petrovna, and visit her unannounced.
Approaching the old Khrushchyovka, Marina paused for a moment. The peeling paint on the entrance door made her frown. «Why not repaint it?» she thought, but she immediately dismissed the idea, deciding not to judge.
After climbing to the necessary floor, Marina took a deep breath and pressed the doorbell. Silence. Then slow shuffling was heard. Her heart raced with anticipation of the meeting.
«Hello, Anna Petrovna!» exclaimed the girl when the door finally opened. «I am so happy to see you!»
The mother-in-law froze on the threshold, her eyes widening in surprise. She wore an old, faded robe.
«Marina? Is something wrong?» Anna Petrovna’s voice was tinged with concern.
«No, no, just decided to drop by. Here, I brought a cake,» Marina extended the box, hoping to melt the ice.
Anna Petrovna reluctantly stepped back, allowing her daughter-in-law inside. The girl entered the dimly lit corridor, again noting to herself the need to replace the light bulb.
Another surprise awaited her in the kitchen. A young pregnant woman stood by the sink. Seeing Marina, she squeaked «Hello» in fright and hurried away, covering her stomach with her hands.
«Who is that?» Marina turned to her mother-in-law, not hiding her surprise.
«Lena, a tenant,» Anna Petrovna replied, avoiding her daughter-in-law’s gaze. «I rented her my son’s room.»
Marina remembered how her mother-in-law had kicked her and her husband out upon learning of her pregnancy. Now she had sheltered another pregnant girl? It didn’t make sense.
«Maybe we should invite Lena for tea?» Marina suggested, trying to ease the tense atmosphere.
«Let’s not disturb her,» Anna Petrovna replied sharply, casting nervous glances toward the living room.
Marina silently cut the cake. The mother-in-law was clearly nervous, constantly glancing at the clock. This was nothing like their usual meetings.
«Perhaps it’s time for me to go,» said the guest, finishing her tea. «Thank you for the hospitality.»
Relief was almost palpable on Anna Petrovna’s face as she hurriedly escorted her daughter-in-law to the door, barely hiding her eagerness to close it.
Stepping outside, Marina took a deep breath. The spring air, so fresh just an hour ago, was now filled with the heaviness of unspoken questions and suspicions. Something was definitely wrong, and it had something to do with the mysterious tenant Lena.
A couple of days later.
A warm summer evening enveloped the city in a soft golden light. A cheerful group of friends gathered in a cozy cafe. The clinking of glasses and bursts of laughter filled the room. Marina sat next to her husband Oleg, trying to blend into the general merriment.
«Guys, heard the joke?» exclaimed Vitya, winking conspiratorially. Everyone eagerly turned their attention to him.
When the laughter from another joke subsided, Vitya unexpectedly added:
«By the way, Oleg, I saw you with a pregnant woman.»
Marina giggled.
«Do you have a mistress? And she’s already pregnant?»
Friends laughed, but Marina noticed how Oleg paled. His voice trembled as he began to make excuses:
«I just gave the girl a ride. She lives with her mother.»
«Ah, is it Lena?» asked Marina, trying to hide her curiosity. «How long will she stay there?»
«That’s my mom’s problem,» Oleg replied sharply, avoiding his wife’s gaze.
Marina remembered how her mother-in-law had expelled them when she herself was pregnant.
«Strange, your mother said she can’t stand the sound of children crying,» Marina said quietly.
Oleg just nodded. Marina continued, trying to remain calm:
«Good thing my parents helped. They gave us their three-room apartment.»
«You’re very grateful to them,» Oleg replied mechanically.
«I wish I hadn’t had a miscarriage. I hope I can have children someday,» Marina thought sadly.
Friends, unaware of the tension between the couple, continued to joke. Vitya’s wife playfully ran her hand through his hair.
«You’re messing up my hair!» he protested.
«No, I’m checking for horns,» she laughed.
These jokes now seemed cruel and senseless to Marina. She looked at Oleg, trying to catch any hint of truth in his eyes.
«Who are you inviting to the birthday party at home?» she asked, trying to return to normal conversation.
«Just mom,» Oleg replied, not looking at his wife. «We’ll hang out with friends in a cafe. Will your parents come?» he asked, trying to change the subject.
«Of course, my mother-in-law won’t miss such a day.»
Friends laughed again. Marina watched the merry company and felt endlessly lonely. The evening continued, filled with laughter and jokes.
A couple of days later, in Marina’s small cozy apartment, decorated with balloons and garlands, guests filled the room. The table, laden with various dishes, gathered the family.
«For the birthday boy!» proclaimed Marina’s father, raising his glass.
Everyone clinked glasses. Wine flowed like a river, and lively conversations filled the room. Marina skillfully managed the dishes, removing empty plates.
«Daughter, how is your treatment going?» her mother inquired.
The hostess shrugged uncertainly:
«It’s hard to say anything concrete.»
Her mother’s gaze rested on her daughter’s blouse:
«You have a wine stain. Change, dear.»
Nodding, the brunette headed to the bedroom. Without turning on the light, she approached the window. Fresh air pleasantly cooled her heated face.
Suddenly, muffled voices from the balcony reached her ears. Marina froze, listening. It was her husband and mother-in-law talking.
«What do you intend to do with this girl?» Anna Petrovna asked.
«Mom, let’s not now,» Oleg replied irritably.
«In a month, your Lena will give birth. We need to decide something.»
Marina’s breath caught. Her hands trembled, and a lump rose in her throat. Her legs turned to jelly. Barely reaching the closet, she began feverishly changing clothes.
Returning to the living room, the woman smiled tensely. Her pallor did not escape her mother’s watchful eye.
«What’s wrong with you, daughter? You’re all pale.»
«My head hurts,» Marina lied.
The evening dragged on painfully long. Finally, the guests started to leave. After seeing everyone off, Oleg began to clear the dishes.
His wife, as if in a trance, headed to the bedroom. Taking a large bag, she began furiously stuffing her husband’s clothes into it.
«What’s going on?» the surprised husband asked as he entered.
«I’m packing your stuff,» she gritted through her teeth. «So you can go to your whore. She needs you more.»
«What nonsense are you talking about?!» the man exclaimed.
«Shut up, liar!» Marina exploded. «I heard everything! And your mom is covering for you!»
She threw the bag at her husband:
«Get out! Come back later for the rest of your stuff.»
Stunned, Oleg tried to say something, but the enraged woman pushed him out the door.
«Don’t let your feet be here anymore!» she yelled after him.
Nausea hit her throat suddenly, like a punch to the stomach. Marina rushed to the bathroom, barely managing to slam the door behind her. The cold tile burned her bare feet, and the dim light of the lamp painted everything around in painful yellow tones. Strength left her, and the woman slumped to the floor, convulsing with sobs.
Tears streamed down her cheeks, leaving salty trails on her skin. Marina felt pain and resentment tearing her apart from the inside, like sharp shards of a broken heart.
«How could he do this?» she sobbed, clutching her knees. «And his mother too! Covering for that cur!»
Thoughts tangled in her head like a ball of knotted threads. Her husband’s face loomed before her eyes – once loved and familiar, now repulsive and alien. Each feature of his face, each wrinkle she had once tenderly kissed, now evoked only disgust and bitterness.
Time seemed to stop in that small bathroom. Marina spent almost an hour there, experiencing her pain and resentment. Finally, she found the strength to rise. With trembling hands, she washed her face with cold water and looked in the mirror.
A haggard woman with a swollen face and red eyes stared back at her. She took a deep breath, straightened her shoulders, and straightened up.
«Stop crying!» she firmly told her reflection. «It’s time to act.»
The next morning, Marina headed to the registry office. Bright sunlight blinded her eyes, but she stubbornly squinted, unwilling to hide behind dark sunglasses. Let everyone see her face, let them know she was not broken.
She resolutely pushed the heavy door of the registry office. The corridor was crowded, buzzing with conversations and laughter. Marina felt a pang in her heart – she had once been a happy bride here.
«I need to file for divorce,» she told the clerk at the counter.
The woman indifferently extended a form, not even looking up. For her, it was routine, just another broken family in a long line of similar stories. Marina quickly filled out the form, trying not to think about the fact that she was putting an end to her marriage.
«Sign here,» the woman at the counter said, pointing to the required line.
Marina paused for a moment, looking at the blank space. Then she resolutely made a sweeping signature. It was done.
Stepping outside, she felt a strange relief. As if a heavy burden had fallen from her shoulders. The phone in her purse vibrated – another call from her husband. She turned off the sound, not wanting to hear his voice.
At home, Marina brewed tea, sat in a chair, and turned on the TV. Familiar actions helped cope with the storm of emotions inside. Meanwhile, the doorbell rang. She tensed, hearing a familiar voice.
«Marina, open up! We need to talk!» Oleg shouted from behind the door.
She approached but did not open it. Her heart pounded wildly, but her voice sounded firm:
«Leave. I’ve filed for divorce.»
«I won’t let you get a divorce!» the man protested angrily. Panic tinged his voice.
«We’ll see about that,» Marina scoffed and stepped away from the door.
Oleg banged and cursed for a long time. His voice alternated between shouting and pleading. Finally, he left, leaving a stifling silence behind.
Several weeks passed. The divorce didn’t go through at first – Marina had to file a petition in court. On that day, she wore a strict suit, as if donning armor.
She entered the courtroom with her head held high. Oleg was already there – disheveled, with dark circles under his eyes. He cast a pleading look at her, but Marina didn’t even turn her head in his direction.
The judge, a middle-aged woman, carefully reviewed the documents. Silence reigned in the room.
«So, citizen Oleg Chazov requests time for reconciliation,» she said, looking up at Marina. «Do you agree?»
Marina shook her head:
«No, Your Honor. My husband has a mistress.»
She paused. A second of silence hung in the air. Oleg paled and lowered his eyes.
«She is pregnant and lives with his mother,» Marina added.
The judge raised her eyebrows in surprise. She looked at Oleg:
«Is this true?»
He blushed and lowered his eyes. Then reluctantly nodded, unable to utter a word.
«In that case, the marriage is dissolved,» the judge declared, and the sound of the gavel echoed in the room.
They left the courtroom. Oleg was gloomier than a cloud, his shoulders slumped. Marina, on the other hand, felt a surge of strength and energy.
«Congratulations, you seem to have gotten a promotion at work,» she suddenly said, surprised by her own calmness. «Now you’ll be earning twice as much.»
«Yes, but you won’t get anything,» he retorted snidely, trying to save face.
Marina smiled mysteriously. She placed her hands on her stomach, and at that moment, Oleg froze. Only now did he notice his ex-wife’s rounded belly.
«Expect news from me,» Marina winked and cheerfully walked away.
Oleg stood with his mouth open. Realization began to dawn on him, and panic overwhelmed him.
«Hey, wait!» he shouted after her. «Are you pregnant?»
But Marina had already disappeared around the corner. She felt light-hearted, as if she had shed the heavy shackles of the past. She stepped outside, and the bright sun blinded her eyes. Squinting, Marina smiled – a new life full of hopes and opportunities awaited her. And she was ready to meet it with an open heart, leaving behind the pain and betrayal.
