After the workout, Vika hurried home, having promised her husband that she would cook fish soup. When she entered the apartment, she saw her husband Leonid sitting in the kitchen, drinking wine.
— Wow, look at you… Leonid, you couldn’t wait for me? At least let me prepare an appetizer…
— No need, sit down; we need to talk…
Vika had never seen her husband like this before—distraught, lost. «Good Lord, what happened?» she thought.
— I don’t even know where to start… Oh, I’ll tell you as it is… My secretary, Katya, is pregnant with my child; I’m leaving you for her…
— Really… Just like in a bad melodrama… And how long have you been with her?
— About a year, roughly. The moment she arrived, she started giving me signs of attention, and I couldn’t resist. Young, beautiful, cheerful—just like you were in your youth… I fell in love like a schoolboy! I wanted to confess honestly to you right away, but I didn’t have the nerve—it wouldn’t have been fair to you…
And now, there’s no turning back—we’re going to be parents soon. You understand I’ve always wanted my own child… Your Igor is like a son to me, but not by blood… I need an heir to pass on my business to, you know? And with her, I feel good—as if I were getting younger… Maybe I’ve hit a midlife crisis; have you heard of that?
Vika, I’m a scoundrel, of course. But I won’t neglect you or Igor. I’ll leave you the apartment, the car—everything. I’ll help you financially, don’t worry. I’ll pay for your education, as promised. I’ve already bought a new house, registered in Katya’s name—after all, she will be the mother of my child.
— I understand, Leonid, it’s hard to resist a beauty like Katya, and you’re a real man… And you can’t just abandon your child—that’s noble. Thanks for the financial help; I won’t refuse it. I want to start traveling, to live for myself.
When are you moving out? Maybe I can help you pack your things?
Leonid looked at his wife in bewilderment. So calm… Perhaps it was for the best—no scandals or hysterics.
— Well then, goodbye, my dear. Thank you for the years we spent together; I felt good being by your side! But life has its own script… Perhaps I’ll fall in love again and be happy with a new man. Alright, go on, or else Katya might get worried—maybe she thinks I’ve clung to you like a tick…
Leonid hurriedly grabbed his suitcases, offered an awkward smile, and walked to the elevator.
After closing the door, Vika went to the kitchen. She took a bottle of champagne from the fridge, opened it, poured a full glass, and drank it. Her husband had left her. How absurd that sounded.
She had never even imagined it. After all, all those years they lived peacefully—though there wasn’t mad, passionate love, there was attachment, habit, and respect.
Alright, no use in wallowing. New life, new rules! She would find something to do, and her husband would be the one paying. It would be foolish to refuse money; with money come more opportunities. But she had to get used to her new status as a deserted woman…
Vika was swept away in a whirlwind of new impressions. She signed up for dancing classes after work. On weekends, she visited museums, the cinema, and went to training sessions. Fortunately, she had company—her neighbor, Irocha, a lonely woman, gladly kept her company.
Her son Igor studied in another city and visited rarely. Vika was on her own. She cooked only what she loved, without having to cater to anyone else. She did what she enjoyed; no one could forbid her anything. She wasn’t even thinking about a new man—being alone was not so bad.
The divorce from her husband took place quietly and peacefully. She caught a glimpse of Katya in the courthouse corridor—a real beauty, what can you say… Her husband certainly had good taste!
Leonid transferred money every month, as promised. Vika was grateful to him for this generous gesture. She knew he had money, that his business was thriving, and that he could effortlessly support her and Igor. It was his way of thanking her for the years they’d spent together. Apparently, Katya didn’t know about this; she probably wouldn’t have approved.
A year passed. In Vika’s life nothing much changed—dancing, training, and a couple of trips abroad. Leonid’s financial help stopped, and Vika felt awkward asking why. Most likely, Katya had forbidden it. Well, it was fine; she would manage. Igor was earning decently, paying for his own studies at university. Her salary was enough for her needs.
It was a day off; there was no need to rush anywhere. Vika enjoyed every day. After cooking fish soup, she discovered there was no bread, which she loved very much. She dashed out to the bakery and bumped into Leonid.
— Leonid, what are you doing here?
— Vikusya, hello. Well, I… I live nearby now… I bought an apartment.
— That’s news… And what about Katya? The child? By the way, who was born?
— A daughter… But there’s a story there… Can you imagine, that Katya was planted by a competitor. She ingratiated herself with me, I fell in love, and you know how it went… Then she began pressuring me to transfer the business to her; she was afraid I’d leave her with nothing…
I agreed, and after the daughter was born, I emotionally transferred everything to her. I left myself some money in an account she doesn’t know about. In the end, she kicked me out. The daughter turned out not to be mine, and the business went to the competitor… Look at the mess I ended up in… Funny, isn’t it? Just like in a bad melodrama.
I bought an apartment, found a job; I’m not destitute, but I won’t have my old life back. And I can’t help you either… I’m sorry… You probably won’t even want to speak with me anymore, thinking I’ve betrayed you for her…
Vika even felt sorry for him. He didn’t look so bad… What a swindler Katya is! He put so much effort and strength into his business!
— You fool, Leonid! Come with me; I just made fish soup, your favorite…
They had a heartfelt conversation in the kitchen where they had met every day for so many years, discussing the news. But now, they were no longer husband and wife.
They occasionally talked on the phone afterward. There was no talk of getting back together. Each had their own life. Vika met a man at her dance classes, married him, and was happy.
She invited Leonid to her wedding; he came and was even happy for his ex. At the wedding, he met the groom’s sister… Six months later, Vika was seen strolling at another wedding with her new husband…
Life is indeed an unpredictable thing! One should never lose heart or write oneself off, no matter what happens. After all, you never know what will occur; you just have to live and enjoy every day!
