Marina and Oleg had been together for ten years. Over those years, they experienced a wedding, children, cozy family holidays, and trips to the sea in their old car. Sometimes she was amazed at how quickly it all passed, leaving no significant traces on her soul. But if you looked a little deeper, behind this picture of well-being, there were dark spots that only she noticed.
Oleg often repeated that he had the final say at home. His words sounded as if there was no doubt about their correctness. Gradually, Marina realized that her opinion meant nothing. She dedicated herself to the children and the household, while Oleg always made the important decisions. Whenever Marina tried to express any opinion, Oleg would dismiss her:
«Focus on the house. I’ll handle the rest.»
She got used to not arguing. She kept quiet, followed the rules he set. But as the years passed, it became increasingly difficult.
«Maybe we could visit my parents this weekend?» she asked once.
Without looking up from his phone, Oleg responded:
«To the countryside? Are you out of your mind? We need a proper rest, not to traipse around the villages. If you want to see your parents, go alone. I won’t take the kids there.»
She fell silent. Something inside her stung as if someone had put her back in her place again. Don’t argue, don’t object, just accept everything as it is.
The children were her reason for living. For them, she endured, and for them, she tried to maintain the fragile coziness of the family. She was gentle but not weak. Over the years of concessions and compromises, she had learned to put herself second.
Oleg was different. Authoritative and confident in his rightness, he considered himself the head of the family and entitled to decide everything at his discretion. Working in a good position, he was sure that it gave him the right to set the rules at home.
One evening he came home, beaming with pleasure:
«Marina, I have news. I’ve been offered a new job. We’re moving. It’s a step forward, with prospects.»
Marina froze, not believing her ears:
«Moving? But where? What about the kids’ school? I just started a new job…»
«That’s not important,» Oleg waved dismissively. «You know this is better for everyone. The kids will adjust, and you’ll find a new job, no problem.»
«Oleg, but we haven’t even discussed this…»
«Marina, don’t complicate things. I provide for us, and this is the best option for our family. I’ve already decided.»
Marina was silent again. Her opinion was not asked for. She was just a wife, whose role was to support, follow, and stay in the shadow of her husband’s decisions.
The next day, Marina felt it was time. When the children had left for school, still not having set the plates on the table, she spoke:
«Oleg, I need to talk to you about the move. I really think we need to decide this together. The kids are used to their school, they’ve made friends. I don’t want to throw all this away for your job. Maybe there’s a compromise?»
Oleg sharply put his cup on the table, and its clinking shattered the silence.
«You’re just my wife, and I decide!» — his words sounded like a sentence. This was not a discussion but an order that ended any conversation. His look was cold and decisive, as if her opinion had no value.
Marina stared at him for a long time, unable to find the right words. A lump in her throat prevented her from speaking, and tears welled up in her eyes, but she held them back. Her patience, held back for years, was coming to an end. This was all she could bear. She could no longer just be silent and obey.
«Oleg, have you ever thought that I also have a right to a voice in our family?» — her voice was steady but firm.
Oleg raised his eyebrows in surprise.
«What are you talking about? I do everything for you, for the kids. Am I a bad husband?»
Marina took a deep breath as if gathering strength:
«You don’t hear me, Oleg. You’ve never listened to me. You decide everything without thinking about us, without asking what we and the children want. Do you think that’s normal?»
Oleg frowned, his face turned to stone.
«Marina, are you starting to accuse me? I work, I bring in the money, I solve problems. You’ve lived your whole life without worries. So what’s the problem?»
Marina slowly stood up from the table. Everything inside was boiling, but she felt a strange clarity and strength.
«Oleg, it’s not about the money or the job. I just can’t do this anymore. I’m tired of being just a shadow, blindly following you, obeying your decisions.» — She spoke calmly, but her voice sounded firm, as if ready to break the long-held silence.
Oleg looked at his wife irritably, as if her words were unworthy of attention.
«And what do you suggest? Leave everything and sit at home? Or do you think I’ll quit my job for you?»
Marina paused, feeling a heaviness in her chest but trying to calm down.
«No. I’m asking you to think about the family. About the children. About how our desires are also important. If you’re not ready to understand that, we’ll have to decide how to live further.»
Oleg squinted, his face turning to stone.
«Are you hinting at a divorce?» — there was barely restrained threat in his voice.
«No, Oleg. I just want you to understand: it can’t go on like this. I am your wife, not a subordinate. If we can’t make decisions together, then we’re no longer a family,» — Marina spoke quietly, but each word was like a strike.
Oleg frowned, his gaze became cold and penetrating.
«You’ve gone too far, Marina. Do you think you can cope alone? Forgot who is the head of this house?»
«I haven’t forgotten anything, Oleg. I’ve just lived this way for too long. But now I understand: the most important thing in my life is me,» — Marina said calmly but confidently, feeling with each word that something inside her was changing.
Oleg froze, his face twisted in surprise. He was silent, stunned by his wife’s response. Marina paused her gaze on his face but quickly turned away and left the room. Each of her steps was heavy, but in each, she felt incredible relief. Freedom, which she had not allowed herself to breathe for so long, finally became hers.
She knew that ahead would be difficult. But this choice was her own, and now everything would change.
Late in the evening, when the house was quiet, Marina packed her things. Having packed the children’s clothes and toys, she made a final decision. She would not return to that house where her voice was always invisible and unheard.
Her parents met her without questions, with quiet, almost reassuring understanding. Her father, embracing her, said:
«We always knew this moment would come, daughter. You didn’t need to endure for so long.»
Her mother, with her usual care, added:
«Here you can be yourself. We’ll help you with everything.»
Marina was overwhelmed by a wave of relief, feeling how all the fatigue left her chest. For the first time in a long time, there was no need to pretend, adapt, or hide her feelings. She was just herself. And at night, in the silence of her parents’ house, she slept peacefully. It was the step she had been waiting for so long.
When Oleg returned from work, the apartment greeted him with emptiness. He didn’t take it seriously — thought Marina had gone to her parents’, as usual, for a couple of days.
«She’ll return when she cools down,» he said, dining alone.
A week passed, but she did not return. Oleg began to call, but each call was met with silence. Then, irritated, he decided to go to her parents’. Her father opened the door. The man stood calmly, but his gaze had the same cold determination as his daughter’s words.
«Oleg, what are you doing here?» asked the father, not inviting him in, as if everything was said with one look.
«I want to talk to Marina,» Oleg tried to restrain his anger. «Yes, we argued, but everything can be fixed.»
«Leave,» said Marina’s father, and his voice left no room for argument. «She doesn’t want to talk to you. She needs time. If you really love her, give her that time.»
«I want to explain everything!» Oleg’s voice trembled, as did his confidence. «It’s a misunderstanding! I did it for us, for the family. Why won’t she listen to me?»
And at that moment, Marina appeared in the doorway. Her face was tired, but her gaze was firm. There was no fear, only cold clarity.
«Oleg, I’m not coming back,» she said calmly, as if each word was measured. «I want to live my life, take care of the children. We can’t be together anymore.»
Oleg stood as if rooted to the spot, not believing his ears.
«Marina, are you serious? I wanted everything to be better… I thought you’d understand…» His voice was barely audible, he clenched his fists, as if his world was collapsing.
«I understand everything,» Marina looked at him, her gaze as firm as stone. «You never saw me as an equal person. You never listened to me. This move was the last straw. I’m tired of being a woman whose opinion doesn’t matter.»
Oleg lowered his head, his shoulders slumped, and he felt how his wife’s words penetrated his heart, leaving a void.
«Is this the end?» he asked, almost in a whisper.
«Yes,» said Marina, her voice did not tremble. «I’m filing for divorce.»
After her words, Oleg silently left. He knew he had lost his family, but he couldn’t believe that nothing could be changed. He tried to call, but her phone was unanswered. She avoided meetings, and it seemed familiar to him — her silence was cold, like the last blow to his pride. He increasingly realized how his cruel confidence in his own rightness had destroyed what seemed impossible to destroy.
Marina returned to a new life, step by step rebuilding it. She took care of the children, dealt with affairs, prepared documents for the divorce. Her parents supported her at every step — her mother helped with the children, and her father with the paperwork. The feeling that she was not left alone gave her strength. She began to feel alive, as she had not been for a long time.
One day Oleg came to Marina’s parents’, hoping to see the children. Her mother let him in, but her gaze was wary.
«Oleg, children are not toys,» she said sternly. «You come when it’s convenient for you. What next?»
«I understand,» Oleg averted his gaze. «But I want to see the children. They are my children, and I have the right…»
And at that moment, Marina came out of the room. She looked at him calmly, not allowing her words to move him from his place.
«Oleg, I’m not forbidding you from seeing the children,» she said, as if devoid of emotions. «But our life has changed. I’m no longer your wife. You’ll have to accept that.»
Oleg silently nodded, not finding words. He understood that he had lost Marina forever, but he couldn’t reconcile himself with losing the opportunity to be close to the children. He began to come regularly, walk with them, show his care, hoping that at least this might bring something back. But Marina remained unchanged in her decision. She knew she had done the right thing.
After the divorce, Marina began a new life. She found a job that brought satisfaction and took up sports. Time for hobbies became her own space. The freedom she gained gave her a long-forgotten sense of happiness. The children also adapted to the new conditions, and Marina made sure they felt loved and protected.
Oleg increasingly realized that he himself was the reason for what happened. He had lost Marina, her voice, her warmth, her care. He had relied too long on the belief that he could decide everything, that his opinion was the only important one. Now he was left with emptiness and regret.
