— Kolya, I’m late again! Maybe we should go buy a test? — Ksenia looked at her husband with hope, as he lay on the couch, focused on his phone.
Nikolai looked up and frowned.
— Ksenia, how many times do we have to go through this? I told you, now is not the best time for children!
— But you yourself dreamed of a big family before the wedding! — Ksenia sat on the edge of the couch. — You said you wanted at least two! And now, as soon as there’s a hint of pregnancy, you immediately find a thousand reasons why it’s “not the right time!”
Nikolai put down his phone and sat up, rubbing his forehead.
— I’m in a critical period at work! I’m advancing, you know that! My career needs attention! Once I’m settled in my new position, we’ll sort out our finances, and then we can talk!
Ksenia bitterly smiled. This conversation had been repeating between them with enviable regularity for the last two years. First, he had to wait until he became the branch manager, then they had to buy a car, and now it was all about him «settling down.» There was always a reason to postpone the talk about children.
— You know I’m already thirty! — she said quietly. — Doctors say that the older you get, the harder it is to get pregnant and carry a baby!
Kolya waved his hand irritably.
— Ksenia, you’re not planning to have a child when you’re fifty! Many women have healthy children even at forty!
— But I want it now!
— And I don’t! — he cut her off and picked up his phone again. — I have an important presentation coming up, I’m preparing the annual report, now’s not the time to be distracted by diapers and sleepless nights!
Ksenia didn’t answer. She stood up and silently walked to the kitchen. They had been married for three years, and still no children, even though before the wedding, Kolya swore he dreamed of a big family. She loved him, trusted him, and three years ago, when he proposed, she had no doubts. She transferred half of the apartment she inherited from her grandmother into his name, supported him in his career, tolerated his work delays, business trips, and stress.
But now, sitting in the kitchen with a cup of cold tea, she suddenly realized with piercing clarity that perhaps she had been wrong about him all this time.
Two days later, Ksenia decided to stop by Kolya’s office early from work — to invite him to dinner at a café, try again to talk about their future. But as she approached the building, she saw Kolya leaving the office. A young woman was with him — his secretary, Lisa, whom Ksenia had seen a couple of times at corporate events.
Ksenia was about to honk the horn, but her hand froze halfway. Kolya leaned toward Lisa and kissed her — not quickly on the cheek, but long, passionately, on the lips. His hand slid down to her waist and lower, pulling her closer.
Ksenia’s heart clenched, and nausea rose in her throat. She didn’t honk, didn’t shout, didn’t jump out of the car. She simply watched her husband kiss another woman in the street, unashamed, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
When Kolya pulled away from Lisa, he accidentally glanced toward the road and noticed the familiar silver «Honda.» For a moment, their eyes met through the windshield, and Ksenia saw fear on his face.
She hit the gas and drove home without looking back. Now everything made sense. He didn’t want children not because of his career or finances. He just had another woman. Maybe more than one.
At home, Ksenia pulled out a large bag from the closet and began packing Kolya’s things. Slowly. She folded his shirts, pants, socks, underwear. She took his favorite mug off the shelf, cleared his shaving items from the bathroom. Every movement was precise, as if she were carrying out a long-planned operation.
When the bag was almost full, the front door swung open. Kolya stood in the doorway, out of breath.
Kolya burst into the apartment like a hurricane, his face pale, his eyes darting around.
— Ksenia, this is not what you think! — he blurted out from the doorway when he saw his wife holding his things.
Ksenia silently continued packing his clothes into the bag. A sweater, another sweater, a hoodie…
— What are you doing? — Kolya came closer, peering into the bag. — Why are you packing my things?
— What do you think? — Ksenia’s voice was surprisingly calm. — I’m packing your things so you can take them and leave! Forever!
— Listen, what you saw… It was just a misunderstanding!
Ksenia stopped packing the clothes and looked at her husband.
— A misunderstanding? You kissed your secretary in the street, and that’s a misunderstanding? — she shook her head. — Stop lying, at least now!
— But I really can explain! — Kolya grabbed her hand. — She came onto me! I pushed her away, but you must have seen the moment when…
— Enough! — Ksenia jerked her hand away. — I’ve seen enough! You didn’t push her away, you pulled her closer! You kissed her like teenagers, right outside your office, where not only I but also your colleagues could see you!
Kolya’s face changed. The mask of concern slipped away, replaced by irritation.
— So what now? Because of one kiss, you’re going to throw me out of the house?
— One kiss? — Ksenia smiled bitterly. — Do you really think this is just about the kiss? Do you think I’ll believe that there’s nothing more between you two? That you’re not sleeping together? What about your constant reluctance to have children? Your delays at work? Your business trips? How many times have you lied to me in these three years?
Kolya stepped back, as if her words physically pushed him. Then his gaze grew harder.
— Have you thought about how it is for me with you? — his voice grew louder. — All you talk about is children! Children, children, children! Like there’s nothing else in life! Every month, the same thing — “I’m late, let’s take a test”! Have you thought that maybe I don’t want children with you?
Ksenia froze, looking at her husband. His words hit harder than a slap.
— Then why did you marry me? — she asked quietly. — You knew I wanted a family!
— Because you were convenient! — Kolya blurted out. — You have an apartment, a good job! You took care of me, supported me! But as a woman… — he stopped himself, but it was already too late.
— Finish your sentence! — Ksenia said coldly. — As a woman, I don’t satisfy you, do I?
Kolya paused, clearly thinking about his next words.
— You know, Ksenia, I’ve always felt sorry for you! Though you’re beautiful, absolutely stunning! But… — he finally said. — You have no idea how you look from the outside with your desperate desire to have a child! Like a hen trying to lay an egg! Where’s the passion? Where’s the fire? Where’s the desire? You don’t see me as a man, only as a potential father of your children!
— That’s not true! — Ksenia shook her head. — I’ve always loved you as a man! I cared for you, supported you in your endeavors…
— Yes, and that was convenient, — Kolya interrupted. — But it’s not love, it’s care. Like for a child. But I’m a man, I need passion, admiration!
— And you found that passion in the arms of your secretary?
— Lisa makes me feel like a man! She admires me, looks at me with adoration, not like I’m some stud for breeding!
Ksenia couldn’t hold back and laughed — bitterly, with pain.
— You know, Kolya, all this time I thought you didn’t want children because of work, because of your career! But it turns out you just don’t want them with me! That explains a lot!
She zipped up the bag and placed it by the door.
— So take your things and go to the one who makes you feel like a man!
Kolya’s face changed. He clearly didn’t expect such a reaction. Approaching her, he tried to grab Ksenia’s hands.
— Ksenia, I’ve overreacted! Let’s forget what I just said! We’re adults, we can talk about everything!
— There’s nothing to talk about! — Ksenia stepped back. — You’ve said everything! I’m just your convenient housekeeper, whom you’ve tolerated out of pity! Well, you don’t have to tolerate me anymore!
Kolya started panicking. He understood well that he was losing not only his wife but also the roof over his head, as Ksenia was still the primary owner of the apartment.
— You’re just emotional right now! Let’s not make any hasty decisions! — his voice softened. — We’ll think it over tomorrow with a clear mind!
— No, Kolya! The decision is already made! Leave!
Kolya stood still for several seconds, clearly calculating his options. Then he changed tactics.
— Ksenia, you know I’m not going anywhere! — he said quietly but firmly. — This apartment is my home! I’m registered here, I have rights to it!
— A share! You have a share! — Ksenia corrected. — And I’m willing to pay you its value! But you won’t live here anymore!
— You really think you can just throw me out like this? — Kolya sneered. — And where will I go? I don’t have anywhere else to stay!
— That’s not my problem! Go to your Lisa! — Ksenia shrugged. — Or to your parents! Or rent an apartment — with your salary, you can afford it!
Kolya nervously ran his hand through his hair.
— Listen, I overreacted! I said too much! But you won’t throw me out on the street, will you? Let’s cool off, we’ll talk tomorrow!
— No! No “tomorrow”! You’re leaving today!
Kolya went to the window, turning his back on his wife. His shoulders slumped.
— Do you really want this? — he asked quietly. — To destroy everything we had?
— You destroyed it! — Ksenia answered. — The moment you decided you needed another woman!
— I love you! — Kolya suddenly said, turning sharply. — I’ve always loved you! Yes, I got confused, I made a mistake! But can’t you give me a chance?
Ksenia looked at her husband and didn’t recognize him. Where had his self-confidence gone? His arrogance? Now standing before her was a lost man with a pleading look.
— I’m still your husband! — Kolya continued. — We promised each other we’d always be together, in faithfulness! Yes, I stumbled, but I’m ready to fix everything! Give me a chance!
— A chance for what? — Ksenia asked. — So you can continue cheating on me and lying about not wanting children?
— I’ll change! I promise! — he came closer, trying to take her hand. — If you want, we’ll start having a baby right now! I’m ready!
— Now you’re ready? — Ksenia pulled her hand away. — After I caught you with your mistress? And you think I’ll believe you?
— I swear to you, I’ll cut ties with Lisa! — Kolya nearly begged. — She means nothing to me! It was a moment of weakness!
— A weakness that lasted who knows how long! — Ksenia said coldly. — And which explains your reluctance to have children with me!
Kolya sat down on the couch, holding his head in his hands.
— What can I do to make you believe me? I’ll call her in front of you and tell her it’s over!
— Don’t! — Ksenia shook her head. — I’m not interested! Our marriage is over, Kolya! I’m filing for divorce!
At the word “divorce,” Kolya flinched. He looked up, and in his eyes, Ksenia saw fear — real, unfeigned fear.
— Ksenia, don’t do this! — he said. — We bought the car together! In a divorce, you can claim half…
That’s what it was. It wasn’t love, it wasn’t family, it wasn’t relationships that worried him — it was the property. The car they bought a year ago and he was so proud of. Ksenia felt the last remnants of affection for this man fade away in her heart.
— Yes, Kolya! — she said calmly. — In the divorce, I’ll claim half the car! It’s my legal right! Just like the right to throw you out of my apartment!
— You can’t do that! — he jumped off the couch. — I’ve invested so much in that car! I’ve been paying the loan!
— We both paid! — Ksenia reminded him. — And I’ll keep doing that after the divorce! And then, when the loan is paid off, I’ll sell my share!
Kolya grabbed his head.
— Please, Ksenia! Don’t do this! I’m begging you! — his voice cracked, and Ksenia was surprised to see tears in her husband’s eyes. — I love you so much, I can’t live without you! Give me another chance, I swear, I’ll be the perfect husband!
He really knelt before her, trying to embrace her legs. Ksenia stepped back, feeling disgusted.
— No! Don’t try to guilt-trip me, Kolya! You won’t live in my apartment anymore! Go to your little slut!
Kolya stood up from his knees, his face instantly changing. The tears were gone, the pleading expression was gone — now, in front of Ksenia, stood an angry, furious man.
— You’re disgusting! — he hissed through his teeth. — You think it’ll be better without me? Who needs you with your obsession with children?
— It’s already better! — Ksenia replied calmly. — Now I see the real you, not the pathetic mask you just tried to put on!
— Don’t be so sure! — Kolya grabbed the bag with his things. — When you realize it, it’ll be too late! I won’t come back, even if you beg!
— Don’t worry, I won’t! — Ksenia went to the door and opened it.
Kolya looked around the apartment as if trying to memorize or find something valuable to take with him. Then, without saying another word, he rushed out the door.
Ksenia closed it behind him, turned the key in the lock, and leaned against the door. Only now, when he was gone, did she feel her hands trembling. But it wasn’t trembling from despair — it was liberation. Like the heavy burden she had been carrying for the past few years had finally fallen off her shoulders.
Three months passed. Much had changed in Ksenia’s life during that time. She filed for divorce, and the process was going smoothly. Kolya tried to drag it out, called her for “peace talks,” even tried to talk about reconciliation again, but Ksenia was unwavering.
One spring day, sitting in a café with her friend Alia, Ksenia was telling her about the last meeting with her almost ex-husband.
— Can you believe it, yesterday he calls me and asks for a meeting! — Ksenia stirred her cappuccino. — He says it’s an important conversation! I agreed, thinking maybe something really important!
— And what happened? — Alia asked curiously.
— That Lisa kicked him out! — Ksenia couldn’t hold back a smirk. — Apparently, after our breakup, he moved in with her! But yesterday, she threw him out because she found herself a “more promising guy” — some director from another department! Now Kolya’s staying with friends and trying to get back into my place!
— Seriously? And what did you say?
— I said I don’t care about his housing problems! — Ksenia shrugged. — He tried to guilt-trip me, saying I’m cruel and heartless! But you know what? I really don’t care! I don’t feel anything for him anymore — not love, not hate! Just emptiness!
Alia nodded approvingly.
— That’s a good sign! It means you really let him go!
— Yes! — Ksenia smiled. — And you know what’s the most interesting? I’ve signed up for a consultation at the fertility clinic! I decided not to wait for the “perfect moment” or the “right man”! If I want a child — I can do it myself!
— That’s a brave decision! — Alia squeezed her friend’s hand. — I’m proud of you!
A week later, Ksenia met Kolya at the courthouse building. Today, their divorce hearing was scheduled. Kolya looked haggard, unkempt — his gray suit was wrinkled, his stubble unshaven, dark circles under his eyes.
— Ksenia, can we talk again? — he began as soon as she approached. — I’ve rethought a lot…
— No, Kolya! — Ksenia answered firmly. — We’ve already discussed everything! Today the court will put an end to our relationship!
— But the car… — his voice quivered. — Don’t take the car from me at least! It’s all I have left!
— I’m not taking it! — Ksenia replied calmly. — I’m asking for my rightful share! You can buy it from me if you want to keep the car entirely!
— You know I don’t have that kind of money! — he exclaimed. — They demoted me after the whole story with Lisa! I can barely make ends meet!
— Then you’ll have to sell the car and divide the money! Or give me my share in my apartment! — Ksenia shrugged.
There was anger flashing in Kolya’s eyes, but he held back.
— You’ve changed! — he said quietly. — You used to be softer, kinder!
— I haven’t changed! — Ksenia smiled. — I just stopped letting you manipulate me!
An hour later, leaving the courthouse as a divorced woman, Ksenia took a deep breath of the spring air. Ahead of her was a new life — without lies, without manipulation, without constant excuses. A life in which she made decisions and took responsibility for them.
Her phone rang. A message appeared on the screen from the fertility clinic: “Dear Ksenia, a reminder that your initial consultation with Dr. Smirnova is scheduled for tomorrow at 10:00.”
Ksenia smiled. Tomorrow, her journey toward motherhood would begin. A journey that she would take on her terms, in her time…
