Vitaly’s Return to a Closed Door: A Tale of Love, Betrayal, and a New Beginning
Standing in the doorway of the apartment he once called home, Vitaly’s face displayed sheer disbelief. “How can you refuse to let me in? Me!” he exclaimed, stunned by the rejection.
Liliana responded sharply, “You’re speaking nonsense. On what grounds do you think someone who strayed have the right to return to their ex-wife’s life?”
“Lilka, don’t be unreasonable. If you open the door to me, nothing will simply continue as before,” Vitaly argued insistently. “Have you forgotten everything already?”
Her lips curved in a disdainful smile. “No, I remember perfectly how you abandoned me for that young and thoughtless beauty, forgetting all else in the world,” Liliana retorted.
“Why do you insult her like that? How is she thoughtless to you?” Vitaly snapped, momentarily losing focus on his purpose.
“She’s jealous and selfish, grabbing all happiness for herself. But it seems you finally came to your senses now that you’re back,” she replied.
Vitaly straightened his posture proudly. “Listen carefully—I am still your lawful husband…”
“You were,” Liliana interjected with a bitter sense of triumph.
“That can be changed quickly. Remember, we shared almost two decades together, and we have two children. This can’t be erased from our lives. So stop this nonsense and prepare a meal. Let’s commemorate my return,” he declared firmly.
Without heeding Liliana’s protests, Vitaly carried in a bulky suitcase and a gym bag, moving decisively into the apartment.
He glanced critically at his reflection in the hallway mirror and warned, “Don’t create chaos. Whose apartment do you think this is?”
“Why would I forget? We bought this apartment together. Now I am trying to sell it and divide the proceeds, just as you demanded when you left,” Liliana reminded him sharply. “You insisted and shouted that it had to happen quickly.”
“Yet, the apartment remains unsold—and thankfully so! Now, it’s mine. Understand that,” Vitaly stated confidently.
“It’s ours,” she replied firmly.
“No, it belongs to me! You know this well, which is why you cannot prevent me from coming in,” he asserted.
“We acquired it while married,” she said, surprised as she momentarily forgot his arrogance.
“Oh, please. You contributed only your meager paycheck. Without my income, as an ordinary accountant, you wouldn’t have even bought a doghouse. I had a good position at the factory and earned well. That’s why we agreed you should move from your cramped communal room to a proper apartment. We bought this place together. Forgotten?” he sneered.
“I haven’t forgotten. Actually, the money from renting and later selling my room was invested here. Comparing our salaries is pointless. I understand the math perfectly well,” Liliana responded coolly.
Vitaly frowned and said sternly, “Look at you, talking back so boldly! You’ve become quite daring without me around.”
“If you need a place to stay, rent a room or visit a hotel, since you flaunt your income here. I will sell this apartment and that will be the end of it. We have nothing binding us anymore, and living together is out of the question. It would be sheer madness,” Liliana declared indignantly, mixing surprise with disdain as she watched him.
“We will live together! Don’t argue with me. Our children will thank us in the future,” Vitaly responded proudly.
“They won’t. They’re clearly on my side and refuse to engage with you,” Liliana remarked with satisfaction.
“So you’ve turned them against their own father! You’ve lost all sense of order without me. I will fix this quickly,” Vitaly threatened.
“That’s unlikely. You’re making a fuss over nothing, Vitaly. If Mashka kicked you out, nothing will change here. I won’t forgive you nor live with you again. This is all ridiculous. We’re divorced, and my life has moved on,” Liliana asserted calmly.
Vitaly scoffed, “You have a different life? Don’t make a joke of my gray hair! Have you even looked at yourself in the mirror? You never were strikingly beautiful, and now in your forties, even less so. You should be grateful I ensured you would grow old alongside someone decent,” he said cynically.
“I do have a personal life, which no longer concerns you,” Liliana replied composedly.
“What personal life? I married you out of pity two decades ago. You were hopeless. Who would want someone like you? I made you happy, you should be thankful. You could have stayed for the kids,” Vitaly continued, belittling her.
“There you go again, playing the self-appointed saint and hero. I’ve heard enough of your self-praise,” Liliana retorted.
Key Insight: Relationships are complicated, but respect and understanding remain crucial for resolving conflicts.
“Enough, Lil! Take a breath and be glad your husband has come back. That means some good remains in you. It means you were a good wife,” Vitaly smiled, fixing his thick, curly hair.
Liliana chuckled softly at his grandiose display. “Your charm won’t work here, master of seduction. Save your energy.”
“What? Have you decided to be alone for the rest of your life? We’re still young and can enjoy the second half, travel perhaps—go to the seaside or farther a couple of times a year. Our kids are grown, and my income allows it. Your friends would envy you,” Vitaly proposed eagerly. “Or we could sell this apartment and buy a countryside house where our children and future grandchildren could visit. Think about it. What’s holding you back?”
“It’s a mediocre idea. You could do all that with another woman,” Liliana responded coolly.
“I don’t want another. I have a lawful wife,” Vitaly insisted.
“I’m not your wife. Stay off me! You’re too attached,” she snapped.
“I want you,” Vitaly declared abruptly as he headed into the kitchen. “Now, come feed me and stop sulking. I’ve seen how hurt you are, but there’s a limit.”
His eyes caught a glimpse of Liliana cooking when her phone suddenly rang.
“Hello,” she answered with a smile. “I’m glad you called. Of course, come over! But I need to warn you—something unexpected came up. Yes, him. Just as you thought.”
“Who is calling?” Vitaly asked jealously.
“My beloved,” Liliana said calmly.
“Oh, don’t make me laugh! Who’d want you, an old unattractive woman? Unless someone’s interested in the apartment. But let him know—it’s mine!” Vitaly shouted.
“How amusing you are! A wealthy man with half a two-room apartment. You’ll soon find out who I am. He’s coming here now,” Liliana responded confidently.
“Stop this nonsense, Lilka. You’re exhausting me! I’m sure it’s one of your friends and you’re lying,” Vitaly scoffed.
“You’re fooling yourself, a conceited fool,” she fired back.
“Respect your husband,” Vitaly warned, wagging his finger.
Almost twenty minutes later, the doorbell rang.
“It’s me! I’ll open it myself; this is my apartment,” Vitaly shouted as he hurried to the hall.
His surprise was immense when he saw his immediate superior—the deputy director of the factory where he had worked as a senior engineer—standing there.
“Dmitry Ivanovich! What an unexpected, yet pleasant surprise! Please, come in! I’m delighted to see you. What brings you here? Ready to offer me a new position?” Vitaly greeted with a broad grin. “Management truly values me—they come to my home to discuss work,” he joked.
“I’m not here for you. And as far as I know, Vitaly, you haven’t lived here for a year. Step aside,” the visitor said firmly addressing Liliana.
“Not for me?” Vitaly’s expression turned incredulous. “Are you joking? If not me, a senior engineer, then who? Not her—a mere accounting clerk?”
Vitaly looked at Liliana, puzzled.
“I came for the woman I love. Hello, Lilenka,” Dmitry Ivanovich said warmly as he embraced Liliana and kissed her cheek.
“To her?” Vitaly was dumbfounded seeing the boss showing such affection.
“Yes, to her. I proposed, and Liliana accepted. I’m truly grateful,” the deputy director revealed.
They exchanged loving glances.
“Is this a joke?” Vitaly asked, struggling to believe the scene.
“No. I am a widower for three years. Lilichka is divorced. I had noticed your wife a long time ago and admired her. When I realized you had abandoned her, I didn’t waste time. Now, we’re together,” Dmitry Ivanovich explained calmly.
“It can’t be,” Vitaly uttered in disbelief.
“But it is. Behave properly—you’re in the presence of your boss and his future wife. Now, collect your belongings and leave,” Dmitry Ivanovich ordered.
“I was about to say something,” Vitaly muttered.
“And if you keep making a fuss, I will find a reason to fire you,” Dmitry Ivanovich warned. “Forget about a new position—you’re undeserving and likely to mess things up.”
“What about the apartment? Isn’t it mine? Ours?” Vitaly asked desperately.
“Liliana will sell it as planned. You’ll get your share from the sale, as agreed in the divorce. But you have no place here now. Stop the drama—it only harms you,” Dmitry Ivanovich answered firmly.
With his bag and suitcase, Vitaly left the apartment and the life he knew. His mind spun with disbelief and confusion. Only one thought lingered: his boss had won his Lilka, the woman many had underestimated, who was supposed to wait at home for Vitaly.
This story reveals the unpredictable twists of love and life, reminding us how relationships evolve beyond expectations, and how new beginnings often arise from the ashes of the past.