Dina was at the store when she received a message from her husband. Short, usual: “A colleague will stop by for half an hour, we’ll discuss work matters.” Strange, of course. Vladimir usually didn’t hold such meetings at home, preferring to resolve everything at the office or in a café. But she thought — maybe it really was something urgent.
Dina returned with bags of groceries just as voices came from the hallway. A male acquaintance — Vladimir, and a female stranger, with a clear ringing voice. Dina put the bags down and listened. Something about the tone of the woman’s voice made her wary. Too many intimate notes for a work conversation.
“Dina, come in, meet her,” Vladimir called out when he heard the sound of keys.
In the living room, on the couch, sat a young woman about twenty-five, dark-haired, in a light summer dress. Beautiful, to give credit. Vladimir stood nearby, holding two cups of coffee.
“This is Elena, my colleague from the marketing department,” the husband introduced. “And this is my wife, Dina.”
Elena smiled, but something elusive flickered in her eyes. Embarrassment? Or a challenge? Dina couldn’t tell.
“Nice to meet you,” Dina said neutrally. “Vladimir didn’t mention that you had new employees.”
“Elena has been working with us for six months,” Vladimir answered quickly. “I just rarely talk about work at home.”
Six months. Dina counted in her mind. Six months ago Vladimir started staying late at work, business trips appeared that hadn’t been there before. Six months ago her husband began to smell differently — not with his usual scent, but some floral, unfamiliar perfume.
“Please, have a seat,” Dina offered, indicating the armchair opposite the sofa.
Elena nodded and settled into the chair with a ease that revealed she wasn’t here for the first time. Dina noticed immediately. Usually, guests look around, choose a place, ask permission. Elena sat as if she already knew the most comfortable spot.
“Would you like some coffee?” Vladimir asked his wife.
“Thanks, I’ll make it myself,” Dina replied and headed to the kitchen.
From the kitchen, it was easy to hear what they were saying in the living room. Dina turned on the coffee machine and listened. Vladimir was talking about a presentation, Elena responding. But the tones… too soft, too personal for work talk.
“Do you remember how we discussed this project last time?” Vladimir said.
“Of course I remember,” Elena replied, and there was something in her voice that made Dina freeze with the cup in her hands.
They weren’t just talking about work. At least, not only about work.
Dina returned to the living room with the coffee. Vladimir was now sitting on the sofa next to Elena, showing her something on a tablet. Too close for colleagues. Dina sat in another chair and watched.
“Elena, tell me a little about yourself,” Dina asked. “Where did you study, where are you from?”
“I’m local,” Elena smiled. “I graduated from the economics faculty, then worked a bit in advertising. And now I’m in marketing.”
“Interesting,” Dina nodded. “Do you have a family?”
Elena paused for a moment, then shook her head:
“No, I’m single for now.”
Vladimir looked away. Dina caught the gesture.
“Vladimir, why don’t you show Elena our terrace,” Dina suggested. “It’s so beautiful now, the flowers are blooming.”
“Yes, of course,” Vladimir agreed.
They went to the terrace. Dina stayed in the living room but didn’t close the door. Everything was audible.
“What a beautiful terrace you have,” Elena said.
“Dina loves flowers very much,” Vladimir replied.
“And you?”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you like flowers?”
Pause. Dina strained to listen.
“I like many things,” Vladimir said quietly.
Dina stood and walked to the window. Vladimir and Elena were standing by the terrace railing, very close to each other. Elena whispered something; Vladimir nodded. Then Elena touched Vladimir’s hand. Not by accident, not casually. Purposefully, gently.
Dina stepped away from the window. The picture became clear.
They returned to the living room a few minutes later. Vladimir looked tense; Elena was slightly flushed.
“I need to use the bathroom,” Elena said.
“Of course,” Dina nodded. “The second door down the hallway.”
Elena headed toward the corridor. Dina watched her and noticed — Elena went straight to the second door, not looking back, not searching. She knew where to go.
“A good employee,” Dina remarked when they were alone.
“Yes, smart,” Vladimir agreed, not meeting her eyes.
“Have you known each other long?”
“I told you, she’s worked here six months.”
“But you could have known each other earlier.”
Vladimir finally looked at his wife:
“What do you mean?”
“Nothing special,” Dina shrugged. “Just curious.”
Elena returned from the bathroom. Dina noticed the hand towel hung differently than in the morning. So Elena used it. She knew where it was.
“Excuse me, where can I wash my hands?” Elena asked.
Too late. Dina already understood everything.
“There’s a sink in the bathroom,” Dina answered calmly.
“Oh, right, of course,” Elena blushed.
They returned to the living room. Vladimir offered more coffee; Elena agreed. Dina watched as her husband prepared the coffee. Without sugar, but with milk. Just as Elena liked it — Vladimir knew it by heart.
“How do you like your coffee?” Dina asked Elena.
“Without sugar, with milk,” Elena answered.
“Vladimir, how do you know?” Dina inquired.
He froze with the coffee pot in his hands.
“What?”
“How do you know how Elena likes her coffee? You started making it exactly that way.”
“I… she mentioned it at work,” Vladimir mumbled.
“She told the whole department?”
“No, just… in conversation.”
Dina nodded. Everything fell into place.
“Elena, do you often visit colleagues at home?” Dina asked.
“Rarely,” Elena answered, her voice trembling.
“But you come here?”
“This is the first time.”
“Strange,” Dina drawled. “And you know where the towel hangs in the bathroom?”
Elena blushed. Vladimir sharply put the coffee pot on the table.
“Dina, what are you talking about?” asked her husband.
“I’m talking about what I see,” Dina answered, feeling her hands tremble. “Elena went to the bathroom without asking for directions. Used the towel that hangs in the bathroom, not the toilet. Knows how she likes coffee. Sits in the armchair like she’s at home.”
Silence fell. Elena looked at the floor; Vladimir shifted his gaze between his wife and the mistress. Dina felt something tighten in her chest. There it was. Seven years of marriage were collapsing right now.
“Maybe it’s just intuition,” Elena tried to justify.
“Maybe,” Dina agreed, trying to keep calm. “Or maybe experience.”
Vladimir cleared his throat:
“Dina, you’re making a mountain out of a molehill.”
“Am I?” Dina stood up from the chair. “Then let’s clarify the situation. Elena, tell the truth — is this really the first time you are in our home?”
Elena looked up. Desperation was written in her eyes.
“I…” Elena began but stopped.
“You don’t have to answer,” Dina said. “I understand everything anyway.”
Dina went to the window and looked outside. Summer, sun, people walking on the sidewalk, living their lives. And here, in the apartment, another family was falling apart. Dina clenched her fists, trying to control the growing anger.
“Vladimir,” Dina called without turning.
“Yes?”
“How long has this been going on?”
“What?”
“Don’t play dumb. How long has your affair lasted?”
Vladimir sighed heavily. Elena sobbed. Dina turned — her husband’s face was pale, guilty.
“Dina, it’s not what you think,” Vladimir said.
“What is it then?”
“It’s… hard to explain.”
“Try,” Dina folded her arms, feeling her anger rise.
“We didn’t plan it,” Vladimir began. “It just happened. Elena came to work, we started talking…”
“Talking,” Dina repeated. “And how long have you been talking?”
“Four months,” Elena said quietly.
“Four months,” Dina’s voice trembled. “And for those four months, you, Vladimir, never thought to tell me the truth?”
“I didn’t know how to say it.”
“Didn’t know?” Dina laughed bitterly. “But bringing her home as a colleague — you knew how.”
“I wanted you to meet Elena,” Vladimir mumbled. “I realized she was a good person.”
“A good person,” Dina repeated, feeling a wave of anger rise. “Who sleeps with another man’s husband.”
“Dina, don’t be like that,” Elena pleaded.
“Don’t be like what?” Dina turned to Elena. “Don’t call things by their names? Or don’t spoil your mood?”
Elena stood up:
“I’ll go.”
“Yes,” Dina agreed, barely holding back the trembling in her voice. “Go. And don’t come back.”
“Dina, don’t make a scene,” Vladimir pleaded.
“A scene?” Dina felt everything boiling inside. “And what do you think I should do? Have tea with your mistress?”
“She’s not a mistress,” Vladimir objected.
“Who then? A friend? A colleague? Or maybe a distant relative?”
“We love each other,” Elena said quietly.
Dina froze. Those words felt like a slap. They love each other. So this is not just an affair, not an accident.
“You love each other,” Dina repeated slowly. “I see.”
Dina went to the dresser, took out documents: marriage certificate, apartment papers. She put them on the table, trying not to let her hands shake.
“Here’s the deal, darlings,” Dina said, surprised at her own calmness. “This apartment is mine. Bought before the marriage, with my money. So, Vladimir, pack your things. And you, Elena, can take your beloved right now.”
Vladimir turned pale:
“Dina, what are you doing?”
“I’m putting my house in order,” Dina answered. “Sweetie, this apartment is mine, from before the marriage. So straighten your shoelaces — and get out.”
Elena grabbed her purse:
“I really will go.”
“Right,” Dina nodded. “And take him with you.”
Dina gestured toward her husband.
“Dina, stop,” Vladimir begged. “Let’s talk properly.”
“Properly?” Dina raised an eyebrow. “Is it proper to bring a mistress home and introduce her as a colleague? Or proper to lie to me for four months?”
“I didn’t lie.”
“Didn’t lie? What about the business trips? The late work nights? The new perfume you wear?”
Vladimir lowered his head. Elena stood by the door, unsure whether to leave or stay.
“Elena,” Dina called. “Go already. The show is over.”
“Vladimir,” Elena called her husband. “Are you coming?”
Vladimir looked at his wife, then at Elena.
“Dina, maybe we should discuss this?” the husband asked.
“There’s nothing to discuss,” Dina replied. “The decision is made.”
“What decision?”
“I’m filing for divorce.”
“Dina, wait,” Vladimir tried to take his wife’s hand, but Dina pulled away. “Don’t rush your decision. Let’s think it over.”
“Think it over?” Dina struggled to hold back tears. “You thought about cheating on me for four months. Now it’s my turn to think.”
“But divorce… it’s serious,” Vladimir mumbled.
“Infidelity is serious too,” Dina replied. “Elena, are you still here? Or waiting for me to see you out?”
Elena looked at Vladimir, then at Dina.
“Vladimir, I really will go,” Elena said quietly.
“No, stay,” Vladimir begged. “Dina, she’s not to blame.”
“Not to blame?” Dina felt everything inside overturn. “Interesting position. Then who’s to blame?”
“I’m to blame,” Vladimir admitted. “I’m the only one responsible.”
“Fine,” Dina nodded. “If you’re to blame, you’ll pay the price.”
Dina took another folder with documents from the dresser.
“Here’s the apartment purchase agreement,” Dina said, waving the papers. “Date — a year before our wedding. Buyer — me. Seller — the developer. Everything clean and legal.”
Vladimir looked closely at the documents.
“Dina, I understand the apartment is yours,” Vladimir said. “But we can make a deal. After seven years of marriage, there’s a lot accumulated. Car, country house, savings…”
“Make a deal?” Dina realized he wanted to bargain. “About what?”
“Give me time to think it over,” Vladimir asked. “I’ll end things with Elena, we’ll try to start over.”
“End things?” Dina looked at Elena. “Did you forget to ask her? You love each other.”
Elena stood by the door, not knowing what to say.
“I don’t want to ruin another family,” Elena whispered.
“The family is already ruined,” Dina answered. “Four months ago.”
“Dina, please,” Vladimir sat on the sofa, putting his head in his hands. “I understand everything. I was wrong. But give me a chance to fix it.”
“A chance?” Dina sat opposite her husband. “How many chances did you give our marriage when you started seeing Elena? When you first brought her here?”
“First time?” Vladimir asked.
“Not the first,” Dina said. “Elena knows the house too well. Towels, room layout, where everything is. How many times have you met here?”
Vladimir was silent. Elena turned to the window.
“It doesn’t matter,” Dina said, feeling exhaustion wash over her. “The main thing is that it won’t happen again.”
Dina stood, went to the closet, took out a large travel bag.
“Here,” Dina said, handing the bag to her husband. “Pack your things. I give you until tomorrow morning.”
“Until tomorrow?” Vladimir raised his head. “Dina, be reasonable. We need to discuss everything calmly. Property division, documents…”
“We’ll discuss through lawyers,” Dina replied. “Tomorrow morning I’m filing for divorce.”
“And where will I go?” Vladimir asked.
“That’s not my problem anymore,” Dina answered. “You can go to your parents, or to Elena. Or to a hotel.”
“Dina, be human,” Vladimir pleaded. “We’ve been together seven years. Doesn’t that mean anything?”
“Seven years,” Dina repeated. “Four months of those you lived a double life. And who knows how much longer it would have lasted if I hadn’t found out.”
Vladimir took the bag and got up from the sofa.
“Okay,” Vladimir said. “I understand. But at least give me time to find a lawyer, sort out documents. The country house is in both our names, the car too, savings…”
“We’ll sort it out in court,” Dina cut him off. “You’ll get what’s legally yours.”
“Dina,” Elena intervened. “Maybe it doesn’t have to be so drastic?”
“Are you still here?” Dina was surprised. “I thought you already left.”
“I…” Elena hesitated. “I don’t know what to do.”
“You know,” Dina said. “Go home. Think about what you’ve done. And tomorrow decide if you can live with someone capable of such betrayal.”
Elena nodded and took her purse.
“Vladimir, I’ll call you tomorrow,” Elena said and left.
Dina was left alone with her husband. Vladimir stood with the bag in his hands, not knowing where to start.
“Go pack your things,” Dina said. “Only your personal stuff. Don’t touch the equipment we bought together. We’ll sort that out in court too.”
“Dina,” Vladimir called, already heading to the bedroom.
“What?”
“I want you to know. I didn’t want it to turn out this way.”
“You already said that,” Dina replied.
“Will you ever forgive me?” Vladimir asked.
“I don’t know,” Dina answered honestly. “Maybe in years. Maybe not.”
“I’ll try to get you back,” Vladimir said.
“Don’t waste your time,” Dina advised. “Better focus on your new life.”
Vladimir went to pack. Dina stayed in the living room, took her phone. Dialed her friend Svetlana.
“Sveta, it’s Dina,” she said into the phone, trying to keep her voice steady. “Can you talk?”
“Of course,” her friend answered. “What happened? You sound strange.”
“Vladimir is cheating on me,” Dina said and felt tears welling up. “I’m kicking him out.”
“What?!” Svetlana exclaimed. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely,” Dina answered. “He brought his mistress home disguised as a colleague today. Thought I wouldn’t notice.”
“How brazen,” Svetlana was outraged. “And now?”
“I’m filing for divorce tomorrow,” Dina said. “Good thing the apartment’s mine.”
“Right,” her friend supported her. “But divorce takes time. Through the courts. Need help with a lawyer?”
“Thanks,” Dina answered. “I’ll find one myself tomorrow. Just wanted to let you know.”
“Hang in there,” Svetlana said. “Call anytime.”
Dina hung up. Sounds came from the bedroom — Vladimir was packing.
An hour later, Vladimir returned to the living room with a full bag.
“I packed only the essentials,” Vladimir said. “I’ll take the rest later.”
“Warn me in advance,” Dina nodded. “Leave the keys on the table.”
Vladimir took the keys from his pocket and put them on the table.
“Dina,” Vladimir said. “I want you to know. I didn’t want this to happen.”
“You said that already,” Dina replied.
“Will you ever forgive me?” Vladimir asked.
“I don’t know,” Dina answered honestly. “Right now, I don’t even know what I feel.”
“Thanks for seven years,” Vladimir said.
“Thanks for the lesson,” Dina answered.
Vladimir left. Dina heard the door slam, footsteps fading on the stairs. Silence. Dina sat on the couch and finally allowed herself to cry.
In the morning, Dina woke up on the couch, never making it to bed. Her head hurt, eyes swollen from tears. But her decision hadn’t changed. Dina took the phone and dialed a legal consultation number.
“Good afternoon,” Dina said to the secretary. “I want to make an appointment for a divorce consultation.”
“When is convenient for you?” the secretary asked.
“Today,” Dina answered. “As soon as possible.”
“Would two hours from now be okay?”
“Great,” Dina agreed.
Having made the appointment, Dina took a shower, tidied up. Took the apartment documents, marriage certificate, income statements. Everything that might be needed.
At the lawyer’s, Dina spent an hour and a half. It turned out the divorce wouldn’t be as simple as she thought. The jointly acquired property would have to be divided — car, country house, savings. Vladimir had rights to all that despite the infidelity.
“Infidelity does not affect property division,” the lawyer explained. “You can file for divorce on grounds of ‘irreconcilable differences.’ If the husband doesn’t object, the procedure takes about a month through the registry office. If he disputes or demands property division — court proceedings, which take three to four months minimum.”
“What about the apartment?” Dina asked.
“The apartment is entirely yours,” the lawyer confirmed. “Bought before the marriage, documents are in order. Husband has no rights to it.”
“Good,” Dina nodded. “We begin the procedure.”
In the evening, Dina called a locksmith.
“I need to change the locks,” Dina said. “Can you come today?”
“Of course,” the locksmith replied. “I’ll be there in an hour.”
Dina hung up. New locks, new life. Time to start over.
A month later, Vladimir signed the divorce consent. Apparently, he realized there was no chance for reconciliation. But the property issue was more complicated.
“Dina, I need half the value of the country house,” Vladimir said on the phone. “And the car. We bought them together.”
“I know,” Dina answered. “The lawyer explained everything. We’ll divide it in court.”
“Maybe we can settle it amicably?” Vladimir asked.
“You took away our chance for an amicable settlement four months ago,” Dina replied.
The court proceedings dragged on for six months. Vladimir demanded half of everything jointly acquired. Dina didn’t argue — the law was on the husband’s side. The country house had to be sold, the money split in half. The car was sold too, each got their share. The savings were divided fairly.
“So, does infidelity count for nothing?” Dina asked the lawyer after the last hearing.
“Unfortunately, infidelity is not taken into account in property division,” the lawyer shrugged. “But you kept the main thing — the apartment. That’s not small.”
Dina nodded. Yes, the apartment remained. The home she bought with her own hands, with her own money. No one could take that away.
Vladimir and Elena got married three months after the divorce. Dina heard this from mutual acquaintances. She felt a sting — unpleasant, but not fatal.
“They’re quick,” her friend Svetlana noted. “Not even a year passed.”
“But honest,” Dina answered. “They don’t hide anymore.”
“Don’t you regret it?” Svetlana asked.
“What to regret?” Dina shrugged. “Finding out the truth? No. Spending seven years on someone capable of betrayal? Sometimes I regret it. But that’s in the past.”
“Are you planning to remarry?”
“Not in a hurry,” Dina answered honestly. “I want to understand what I want from life first. Get used to living alone.”
And indeed, life got better. Dina renovated the apartment, rearranged the furniture, changed the interior. Erased all traces of her life with Vladimir. Enrolled in a foreign language course, started traveling. Realized that freedom isn’t so bad.
A year later, Dina met Vladimir and Elena at the mall. They were walking with a stroller — apparently, they had a child. Vladimir looked older, with wrinkles. Elena looked tired; motherhood was not easy.
“Hi,” Vladimir said, noticing his ex-wife.
“Hi,” Dina replied. “Congratulations on the baby.”
“Thank you,” Elena nodded. “We have a son.”
“How are things?” Vladimir asked.
“Good,” Dina answered. “Living, working, enjoying life.”
“Not remarried?” Vladimir asked.
“Not yet,” Dina smiled. “Not in a hurry.”
They stood a little longer, talked about the weather and work. A normal conversation between ex-spouses. No aggression, no claims. The past stayed in the past.
“Let’s go,” Elena said to her husband. “The baby’s hungry.”
“Yes, of course,” Vladimir agreed. “Dina, good luck with everything.”
“Same to you,” Dina replied.
They parted ways. Dina watched them leave. Family. Child. Routine. Responsibility. Maybe Vladimir was happy. Maybe not. But that was no longer her concern.
Dina returned home. Her own home, which no one could take away. Made tea, sat by the window. The sun was shining outside, life went on.
Sometimes Dina told her story to young friends. She always ended with the same advice:
“Girls, buy property in your name. Before marriage or during — doesn’t matter. The main thing is to have documents in your name. You never know what life will bring. Owning your home is not just a roof over your head but confidence in tomorrow. When you have your own house, it’s harder to be hurt, harder to be put in a dependent position.”
Indeed. The premarital apartment became Dina’s salvation. Not just a roof over her head but the possibility to keep her dignity, not to humiliate herself, not to beg for mercy. She could afford to be principled because she knew — in any case, she wouldn’t end up on the street.
Vladimir, deprived of the home, found himself in a vulnerable position. He had to rent an apartment, then move in with Elena. Start a new life from scratch at thirty-five.
Fair? Dina thought yes. Everyone got what they deserved. Betrayal has its price. And it’s good when the betrayer pays that price.
