Marina stood by the window, watching as the last guests settled into their cars. The festive lights in the yard illuminated their faces, still lively after the anniversary celebration for her mother-in-law. Seventy years – a significant milestone, and the whole family had gathered.
And it was today that Oleg decided to «make a joke.»
«Well, what can I say, Marina is lucky to have me. I carry the whole family on my shoulders, and she just spends my money,» – those words still echoed in her ears. She remembered how she froze with her half-empty glass of drink, how the guests awkwardly laughed, how her mother-in-law tried to turn everything into a joke: «Oh, Oleg, what are you saying!»
Fifteen years of marriage. Fifteen years she had created comfort in their home, raised the children, supported his career growth. She had once given up a promising job at a publishing house so that Oleg could calmly build his business. «Darling, you don’t need to work. I’ll take care of the family,» he had said back then. And she had agreed, believing him.
Marina flinched at the sound of a car pulling up – Oleg had returned. She heard him humming something as he climbed the stairs. Clearly pleased with himself – after all, all the guests had praised his generosity and admired how great he was.
«Marinka!» – came from the hallway. «Why did you leave so early? Mom is upset!»
She remained silent, staring at her reflection in the dark glass. At forty-two, she was still an attractive woman – a slim figure, well-groomed hair, and a tastefully chosen wardrobe. «She just spends my money» – the words echoed in her head again.
«Marin, did you get offended?» – Oleg appeared in the living room doorway, swaying slightly. He smelled of brandy and cigars – they had obviously stayed late with the guys after the main celebration.
«No,» she replied calmly, «I’m just tired.»
«Come on! Everyone knows I was joking. You know how I joke!»
Marina slowly turned to her husband. In the dim room, his smug smile seemed especially out of place.
«Of course, I know. I’ve known for fifteen years. And you know what I realized? In every joke, there is a bit of a joke. Everything else – is the truth.»
«Here we go!» – Oleg plopped down in the armchair. «Let’s skip your… what do you call them… dramatic monologues!»
Marina smiled – for the first time that evening. But the smile didn’t reach her eyes.
«Don’t worry, no monologues. I just realized something important. Thank you for that.»
She headed for the door, leaving her puzzled husband in the chair. A plan of action was already forming in her mind. Fifteen years – enough time to understand: some things need to change radically.
The morning started unusually. Oleg woke up to silence – there was no clinking of dishes in the kitchen, no smell of freshly brewed coffee. His head hurt a little from the previous night, and he absentmindedly reached for the nightstand where Marina usually left a glass of water and a hangover pill. It was empty.
«Marin!» – he called out, but there was no answer.
In the kitchen, he was met with a surprise – no breakfast, no coffee, just a note: «The kids are at school. I didn’t make lunch – you have money, order delivery.»
«What is this, a daycare?» – Oleg muttered, grabbing his phone. But inside, an unpleasant feeling stirred – something was wrong.
At work, things weren’t going well. Usually, Marina would call, ask how the important meetings went, remind him of partners’ birthdays. Today – silence. He almost forgot about a negotiation with a big client, barely managed to prepare.
That evening, when he got home, an unfamiliar scene awaited him: Marina was sitting in the living room with a laptop, typing away with interest.
«Dinner is in the fridge,» she said without looking up from the screen.
«In the fridge? What’s there?»
«Containers of food for the kids. Heat something up for yourself.»
Oleg felt himself boiling. «Are you staging a strike?»
Marina looked up from the laptop. There was something new, unfamiliar in her gaze.
«Strike? No, not at all. I just decided not to waste your money. I cook only for the kids – they’re not to blame for our relationship.»
«What relationship? What’s going on here?»
«What’s going on?» – she calmly asked. «I’m just following your logic. Since I only spend your money, I’ll spend as little as possible. By the way, I updated my resume today – maybe it’s time to start earning on my own?»
Oleg froze. For the first time in a long time, he didn’t know what to say.
«You never wanted me to work…»
«That’s not true. You didn’t want me to work. ‘My wife shouldn’t work’ – remember those words? And now it turns out I’m just sitting on your neck.»
There was no hysteria or anger in her voice – just calm statement of facts. And that made him uneasy.
«Marin, enough already! It was just a joke at the anniversary…»
«You know,» – she closed the laptop, – «when a person jokes once, it’s a joke. When it’s constant – that’s their opinion. And I finally heard your true opinion of me. Thanks for your honesty.»
She stood up and headed for the stairs to the second floor.
«By the way, I signed up for professional development courses. I’ll have to spend some of your money – the last time.»
Oleg was left alone in the living room. Inside, irritation grew, mixed with unfamiliar anxiety. Something told him: this time, it’s serious.
On the third day, Oleg realized – this was war. Quiet, without scandals and broken dishes, but all the more terrifying for it. Marina had seemingly erected an invisible wall between them: polite, correct, but completely cold.
When he came home from work, he froze in the hallway – his suitcase was standing by the door. Neatly packed, lovingly put together – just as Marina always did.
«What is this?» – his voice trembled traitorously.
Marina emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. She was wearing a new dress – strict, businesslike. She used to wear mostly home clothes.
«This? Your things. I packed everything – suits separately, shirts ironed. You can check.»
«Are you kicking me out?»
«No,» – she shook her head. «I’m just giving you a choice. You said you carry the family on your back, and I just spend your money. So, without me, it will be easier for you, won’t it?»
Oleg felt the ground slip away beneath him. All these years, Marina had been his support, his foundation. Yes, he had allowed himself to make snide remarks, but she always forgave, always understood…
«Listen,» – he stepped toward her, – «let’s talk calmly. You know I love you…»
«Really?» – she looked him in the eye for the first time in days. «What does your love look like, Oleg? How does it manifest? In allowing me to spend your money?»
«Stop! I overreacted back then, at the anniversary…»
«No,» – she shook her head. «You just said out loud what you’ve always thought. You know, I met with a friend from the publishing house yesterday. It turns out they’re expanding and looking for editors. And guess what’s the most interesting part? They remember me. Fifteen years have passed, and they still remember.»
Oleg felt a chill inside. He remembered how Marina was passionate about her work, how her eyes would light up when she spoke of new projects. And then he had convinced her to leave…
«Do you want to go back to work?»
«I already have. I have an interview tomorrow.»
«But what about the kids? The house?»
«What about the kids? They’re already grown. Dima is in eighth grade, Alice is in sixth. We’ll manage. Unless, of course, you think that the wife of a successful businessman shouldn’t work?»
Her voice held a barely perceptible irony. Oleg suddenly realized – she wasn’t joking. All this time, he had lived with a strong, smart woman but had only seen her as a comfortable backdrop for his life.
«Marina,» – he took another step toward her, – «let’s fix everything…»
«Let’s,» – she nodded. «But this time differently. Either we’re equal partners, or…» – she nodded toward the suitcase, – «you know where the exit is.»
The next week turned their life upside down.
Oleg didn’t take the suitcase, but the old life was gone. Marina really did have the interview – brilliantly, as her future boss reported. «You have a natural talent, and your experience hasn’t gone anywhere,» – she repeated those words to the children at dinner.
Oleg watched the changes with a mixture of emotions: pride in his wife fought with a wounded male ego. Marina seemed to blossom – there was a new shine in her eyes, new energy in her movements. She smiled more often, but not at him.
«Dad, why didn’t Mom work before?» – Alice asked one morning at breakfast.
Oleg choked on his coffee. «Well… it just happened.»
«I think it’s because you didn’t want her to,» – the girl looked at her father with unexpected insight.
That evening, he sat for a long time in his office, remembering their first years together. How Marina had supported him when the business was just starting. How she stayed up nights with the kids so he could sleep before important meetings. How she saved on herself when there were financial difficulties…
And he? What had he done, aside from earning money? When was the last time he said something nice to her? When did he show interest in her thoughts, her dreams?
Meanwhile, Marina was transforming. New job, new wardrobe, new hairstyle. She seemed to have shed the cocoon of a housewife and turned into a confident businesswoman. At work, she was valued – just a month later, they entrusted her with an important project.
«Can you imagine?» – she shared with the kids, – «We’re going to publish a series of books by young authors. I’ll oversee the whole process!»
Oleg listened to her excited account and felt a pang of guilt. How many years had she kept this passion for her beloved work inside? How many opportunities had she missed, staying at home?
One evening, when the kids were already asleep, he decided to have the conversation.
«Marina, I owe you an apology…»
She looked up from her laptop: «For what exactly?»
«For everything. For not appreciating you. For making you give up your dream. For acting like… like…»
«Like a self-centered egoist?» – she suggested, but for the first time in days, there was a hint of a smile in her voice.
«Yes. Exactly. I was wrong. And it’s not about the anniversary – it’s about all these years when I took you for granted.»
Marina put the laptop aside. «And what do you propose?»
«To start over. But this time, for real, together. As equals.»
Marina looked at her husband carefully. In fifteen years of marriage, she had learned to read him like an open book. Now, there was something new in his eyes – genuine remorse and… fear. Fear of losing her.
«You know,» – she said after a pause, – «I could have really left. Packed my things and started a new life.»
«Why didn’t you leave?» – Oleg asked quietly.
«Because I still love you. And because I believe people can change. But,» – she emphasized that word, – «only if they truly want to.»
Oleg sat down next to her on the couch. For the first time in a long time, they were this close to each other.
«I want to change. I really do. These days without your attention, without your care… I realized how empty life can be.»
Marina smiled: «And I realized how full it can be. Work, family, self-development – all of it can be combined. And you know what? I became the best mother for our kids when I felt fulfilled.»
«I noticed. You seem to be glowing from within.»
«And this is just the beginning. I have so many plans, ideas…»
«Will you share them?» – for the first time in many years, he truly wanted to hear about her dreams.
They talked deep into the night. About work, about the kids, about the future. For the first time in a long time, it was a conversation between equals – not a condescending husband and a submissive wife, but two partners who respected each other.
«You know what’s the most interesting?» – Marina said when they finally got ready to sleep. «Now I truly feel lucky with you. Not because you provide for the family, but because you were able to admit your mistakes and change.»
Oleg hugged her: «I’m the lucky one. And I’ll never let you doubt that again.»
