Where’s my car, Sergei?» — Larisa’s voice rang with barely restrained fury.
Sergei, who had just returned home, froze in the doorway, staring at his enraged wife. He knew this moment would come, but he had hoped to delay it as long as possible.
«Larisa, darling, I’ll explain everything right now…»
«I’m asking where my car is?» — Larisa interrupted him, clenching her fists. «I came back from work, and it’s not in the parking lot. I called you all evening, but you didn’t answer. What’s going on?»
Sergei sighed deeply, knowing there was no retreat now.
«I lent it to Kostya,» — he said, trying to sound as calm as possible. «He went to a party outside of town.»
Larisa stared at her husband, unable to believe her ears.
«Are you out of your mind?» — she exclaimed. «You gave my car to your irresponsible brother? Kostya, who has crashed his cars twice already?»
Sergei tried to justify himself.
«Well, he promised to be careful. And besides, he’s my brother… We always help each other.»
Larisa felt her anger boiling inside her.
«Is that so?» — she hissed. «And didn’t you think to ask me before making decisions about my car? I’ve been saving for it for three years!»
Sergei began to get irritated.
«Come on, Larisa. It’s just a car. You’re acting like a dog in the manger. In a family, everything is shared, you understand? That means I can decide about your car too.»
These words were the last straw. Larisa grabbed the phone and started dialing Kostya’s number.
«What are you doing?» — Sergei asked.
«I’m calling your brother,» — Larisa replied. «He’d better return the car immediately.»
But Kostya didn’t answer. After several attempts, Larisa angrily threw the phone on the couch.
«Do whatever you want, but my car better be back by morning, or your brother will be charged with car theft! Got it?»
Saying this, Larisa stormed out of the apartment.
Sergei rushed after her.
«Larisa, wait! Where are you going?»
«What do you care?» — she threw over her shoulder. «I’ll call a taxi and go get my car myself. And you’d better pray that everything is alright with it.»
Sergei stood on the landing, watching his wife leave. He understood he had made a huge mistake, but his pride wouldn’t let him admit it. Instead, he pulled out his phone and dialed his brother’s number.
«Kostya,» — he said when his brother finally answered. «We’ve got a problem. Larisa found out about the car and…»
«Listen, bro,» — Kostya interrupted him. There was loud music and laughter on the other end. — «I’ve already had a drink and I’m not going anywhere. Tell your wife not to freak out. I’ll return the car in the morning.»
Sergei felt a chill run down his spine. He knew that this answer would only make the situation worse.
«Kostya, you don’t understand. She’s going to get the car right now.»
«Well, let her go,» — Kostya replied carelessly. «Maybe she’ll have some fun. Bye, bro!»
And he hung up, leaving Sergei alone with his growing sense of anxiety. He knew this evening wasn’t going to end well.
Larisa sat in the taxi, nervously tapping her fingers on her knee. Every minute of delay felt like an eternity. In her mind’s eye, she could see her beloved car — a blue Ford, which she had cared for and cherished for the past two years.
«Faster, please,» — she asked the taxi driver again.
He just shrugged.
«I’m doing what I can, lady. Traffic.»
Larisa leaned back in her seat, closing her eyes. Memories flooded over her.
There she was, standing in front of the car dealership, admiring the shiny new cars. There she was, counting every penny, denying herself new clothes and a vacation. Finally, there she was, sitting behind the wheel of her car, bought with so many sacrifices.
And now, that priceless car of hers was somewhere unknown, in the hands of irresponsible Kostya.
Her phone vibrated — it was Sergei calling. Larisa declined the call, not wanting to hear her husband’s excuses.
«We’ve arrived,» — the taxi driver’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts.
Larisa jumped out of the car, looking around. Music blared loudly, and at the gates of a large country house, people crowded with glasses in hand.
She walked purposefully toward the gates, scanning the crowd for Kostya’s familiar face. Suddenly, her gaze fell on the blue Ford parked slightly aside. Larisa’s heart skipped a beat.
Running up to the car, she was horrified to see a deep scratch on the driver’s door.
«Kostya!» — Larisa screamed, rushing into the yard. «Where’s that good-for-nothing?»
The music stopped, and all eyes turned to the enraged woman.
«Hey, who are you?» — a guy asked, blocking her path.
«I’m the owner of that car your friend Kostya stole,» — Larisa gritted through her teeth.
At that moment, the culprit himself came out of the house. Seeing Larisa, he tried to escape, but it was too late.
«Larisa, Larisa, where’s your little rat?» — Kostya falsely smiled, recalling a teasing rhyme from a cartoon. «What’s the rush? We just started having fun.»
Larisa rushed toward him, barely holding herself back from slapping him.
«Keys. Now.»
«Come on, relax,» — Kostya hugged her shoulders. He smelled strongly of alcohol. «Join us. Let’s have a drink!»
Larisa shoved him away.
«You stole my car! You scratched it!»
Kostya raised his eyebrows in surprise.
«Stole? Serioza let me. And the scratch… Well, who hasn’t done that? It’s just a piece of metal.»
These words were the final straw. Larisa swung her hand and slapped Kostya hard across the face.
«Keys,» — she repeated, enunciating each word. «Otherwise, I’m calling the police.»
Kostya, rubbing his cheek, silently pulled the keys from his pocket and handed them to Larisa.
«Crazy woman,» — he muttered as she walked away.
Larisa, not looking back, headed toward the car. Her hands trembled as she inserted the key into the ignition.
Her phone vibrated again. This time, Larisa answered.
«What do you want?!»
«Larisa, darling, forgive me,» — her husband’s voice sounded guilty. «I shouldn’t have…»
«You shouldn’t have,» — Larisa interrupted him. «But you did. I’m going home. You have one hour to pack your things and get out of the apartment.»
«What? Larisa, wait…»
But she had already hung up. Starting the engine, Larisa took one last look at the house where the party was still going on. Suddenly, she felt sorry for Sergei — after all, he had lost not only his wife, but also his brother, whom he had blindly trusted.
But pity quickly gave way to determination. She would no longer allow anyone to control her life and her property.
With these thoughts, Larisa drove onto the highway, heading home—to a new life without Sergey and his irresponsible relatives.
Larisa drove home, gripping the steering wheel tightly. The night road was deserted, and only the engine’s hum broke the silence. Thoughts were muddled in her mind, and emotions overwhelmed her.
She remembered how she had met Sergey. Back then, he had seemed like the perfect man—attentive, caring, reliable. Who would have thought that five years of marriage would turn out like this?
The phone vibrated again. Larisa glanced at the screen—Sergey. She ignored the call and focused on the road.
As she approached the house, Larisa noticed a familiar figure by the entrance. Sergey. She parked and got out of the car, ready for another round of the argument.
«Larisa, let’s talk,» Sergey began, stepping toward her.
«About what?» she asked coldly. «About how you manage my things without asking? Or about how your alcoholic brother is driving my car while drunk?»
Sergey lowered his head, guilty.
«I know I was wrong. Forgive me. I didn’t think it would turn out like this.»
«That’s the point, Sergey,» Larisa sighed tiredly. «You never think about the consequences.»
«I’ll make it right, I promise,» Sergey said, trying to take her hand, but Larisa pulled away.
«No. This is the last straw. I’m tired of your irresponsible attitude toward everything.»
At that moment, a taxi pulled up to the house. Kostya staggered out, barely standing.
«Oh, a family scene!» he slurred. «Bro, I told you, your wife is a hysteric.»
Larisa felt everything boiling inside her.
«You!» she stepped toward Kostya. «Do you even understand what you’ve done?»
Kostya waved his hand carelessly.
«Just a scratch. We’ll paint it over, and it’ll be as good as new.»
«It’s not about the scratch!» Larisa exclaimed. «It’s about the fact that you could have killed someone driving drunk!»
Sergey stood between them.
«Kostya, you’d better leave. We’ll handle it ourselves.»
«Fine, whatever,» muttered Kostya. «Just give me the taxi fare. I drove here in your car, and now…»
That was the last straw for Larisa.
«In my car!» she shouted. «Mine! I worked for three years to afford it, denying myself everything! And you treat it like a toy!»
Sergey tried to calm her down.
«Larisa, let’s go inside and talk this over.»
«There’s nothing to discuss,» she cut him off. «I’ve made my decision. We’re getting a divorce.»
Kostya whistled.
«Wow, this is serious. All over a car?»
Larisa turned to him, feeling her anger surge.
«Believe it or not, yes. You’re both selfish, only thinking about yourselves.»
Sergey tried to hug Larisa.
«Sweetheart, let’s not get heated. We’re family.»
«What family?» Larisa pushed him away. «You chose your alcoholic brother over me. You let him risk my car and other people’s lives.»
«Hey, take it easy!» Kostya protested. «I’m part of the family too!»
«No, Kostya,» Larisa said wearily. «You’re not part of my family. And you never were.»
She turned to Sergey.
«You have one hour to pack your things. After that, I’ll change the locks.»
«Larisa, please…» Sergey began, but she was already walking toward the entrance.
«And yes, Kostya,» she turned back one last time. «I’ll file a report for car theft and driving under the influence. I hope this teaches you to respect other people’s property.»
With those words, she disappeared into the building, leaving the stunned brothers on the street. As she climbed the stairs, Larisa felt a strange sense of relief. She knew many challenges lay ahead, but she was ready to face them head-on. Without Sergey, without his irresponsible brother, without constant compromises and concessions. Now she would live as she saw fit. And no one would dare control her life and property again.
Larisa sat in the kitchen, looking out the window at the empty parking lot. A week had passed since that fateful evening, but emotions still churned inside her. She jumped at the sound of the doorbell.
Standing on the doorstep was Sergey, gaunt and unshaven.
«Can I come in?» he asked quietly.
Larisa silently stepped back, allowing her ex-husband to enter the apartment.
«I came to apologize,» Sergey began, awkwardly shifting from foot to foot. «And to say that you were right.»
Larisa crossed her arms over her chest.
«In what exactly was I right?»
«In everything,» he sighed heavily. «I really didn’t think about the consequences. I didn’t respect your feelings and your property. And I let Kostya ride on my back for too long.»
Larisa felt something stir inside her, but she kept her tone cold.
«And what’s changed in this week?»
Sergey looked up at her.
«I’ve been thinking a lot. About us, about my behavior. And I realized I don’t want to lose you.»
«And what about Kostya?» Larisa asked. «Your dear little brother?»
Sergey grimaced.
«I talked to him. Had a serious talk. Told him I wouldn’t cover for his misdeeds or give him money anymore.»
«And how did he react?»
«Called me a traitor and told me to go to hell,» Sergey said with a sad smile. «But you know, I feel lighter now. Like a weight’s been lifted off my shoulders.»
Larisa fell silent, processing what she had heard. Part of her wanted to forgive Sergey, to give him another chance. But another part remembered all the hurts and disappointments.
«Larisa,» Sergey took a step toward her. «I know I don’t deserve forgiveness. But I’m ready to change. For you, for us.»
She looked into his eyes, trying to see sincerity there.
«Words mean nothing, Sergey. I need actions.»
«I understand,» he nodded. «Tell me what I need to do to prove my intentions are serious.»
Larisa thought for a moment.
«First, you’ll pay for the repairs to my car. Completely, including repainting the door.»
Sergey agreed without hesitation.
«Of course. That goes without saying.»
«Second,» Larisa continued, «you’ll stop communicating with your brother.»
Sergey raised his eyebrows in surprise but nodded.
«Alright. If you think it’ll help, I agree.»
«And finally,» Larisa looked him straight in the eye. «You need to understand that my car is my property. You have no right to use it without my permission.»
«I understand, Larisa,» Sergey said seriously. «I swear, it won’t happen again.»
Larisa took a deep breath. She felt Sergey was sincere, but the fear of being deceived again still lingered within her.
«I can’t promise that everything will be like it was before,» she finally said. «But I’m willing to try. Step by step.»
Sergey’s face lit up.
«Thank you, Larisa. I won’t let you down.»
They stood in silence, looking at each other. Ahead of them lay a long road to rebuilding trust and their relationship. But right now, in this moment, both felt they had taken the first step in the right direction.
Larisa walked to the window and looked at her car parked outside. The scratch on the door was still visible, but now it seemed less like a symbol of betrayal and more like a reminder that even the strongest relationships sometimes need repairs.
But then Sergey pulled out his phone and began dialing.
«Who are you calling?» Larisa asked him.
«Kostya…»
And that was enough for Larisa to take all her words back and finally make the decision to divorce for good…
